Hapless By Leo 4

 

Episode 4

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Twenty years earlier :

''I understand completely but Tina is just a child you cannot do this to her.'' Rachel complained while organizing Ray's bag.''I feel proud with your patriotic heroism but she still needs to understand she's only 8.'' 

''She's your shadow not only by looks but by thoughts too. She will understand every situation. She's my daughter and I understand that. One day she'll be a great woman. Just like you.''Ray leaned to kiss Rachel. ''I hope that too. So you're taking her with you to tour of the base huh.''

''Yes please go and check if she's ready.''

They both sat overlooked by the Air Base headquarters Tina leaned over to her father. With the suns departure and the evening proceeded with yellow colors over the horizon. There was this strange view whether it was of this evenings casting its shadow or both the father and daughter's farewell but something really was strange. ''Do you fly up there that high?'' she said while pointing her little finger at some slightly visible star.''Yes there here in all the sky and want to take you up there flying with me someday. Will you come my dear?'' Tina nodded in approval. ''You see my dear its dangerous sometimes and sometimes its not but we have to fly. All of us. We have to overcome our fears to be heroes.And when we do we all our heroes. Heroes of our lives. In this process sometimes we fail and we shouldn't give up always remember this my child.''

''Yes daddy.''

And then Ray dropped Tina home he didn't left for his flight he still had some time. Tina was so tired Ray carried her to her bedroom she was sleeping in her father's arms. He came downstairs and took dinner plates from Rachel.

''What may I ask are you doing?''

''Helping my wife, who always cooks and I don't. At least I can arrange a nice table for two.''

''You are tired hon, why don't you sit and I'll do all this by myself?''

''No. wait.'' he played a cassette. 

''This is you favorite one isn't it?''

''It's our favorite. Here dinner is ready let me bring this to the table.''

''Oh my what wonderfully have you arranged the table. I might need such a table everyday for the rest of my life.''

''A candelabra is lit with three candles. A bottle of champagne. Perfectly arranged cutlery and Elvis Presley in the background. Are you up to something? Usually after seventeen years of marriage men do not do this all without any intention.''

''You know me better then this don't you. Come let's dance.''

''Shouldn't we have dinner first.''

''We eat dinner everyday but tonight is different. I am supposed to go for a longer time this time and I want to spend every minute of my last day with my beautiful wife and daughter.'' he took her by the arm and they danced slowly in rhythm with '' Can't help falling in love with you.''

 The next day Ray was ready to leave. He saw Rachel sleeping carelessly. Kissed her goodbye then went straight  to Tina's room. Kissed her goodbye wrote a note and placed it on the kitchen counter. 

It had been twenty days since Ray was gone. The announcement was made that all the pilots were returning today. Rachel had already planned a surprise party and had promised herself that this time she would insist him to resign and get over this job. She was always frightful of him flying be gone for days and not informing her. She had decided.

The whole day passed and Ray didn't come back. Rachel was worried and didn't sleep all night.

After two days shr was informed of the crash of Ray's plane. Rachel was devastated. The problem was now how to explain to Tina. Tina somehow was behaving strangely. After seeing her mother upset she had asked about her father but every time Rachel would bust into tears and Karen would take her away. The funeral was held the next day with high priority. Every one consoling Rachel and Tina. Tina had been strong although she cried sitting on the side by the coffin but she had been brave.

She did not go to school for weeks. Rachel called a doctor to visit her. ''Your daughter's fine but she is suffering from conversion disorder. It may take her months to recover and there's nothing to worry about. Just keep her happy as much as you can. Away from anything that reminds her of her father. Until of course she is mature enough to understand what really happened''

Rachel was trying her best. She took Tina on a vacation. Much to her dismay no improvement was seen. She then took her to different cities. Then one day she saw a plane flying over Arc de Triomphe and she let go of her mother's hand and started chasing the plane. ''Tina come back... Tina..'' Rachel was running too. The people around them were blocking Rachel's way. She then lost track of her. She looked everywhere. Tina was lost. She was panicked. Loss of husband was way too heavy for her. Now her daughter ran away. She found a bench and sat on it and began crying. Crying and crying. Till she heard a familiar voice.

''That is my mommy.'' Rachel looked at the direction from where Tina's voice was coming. ''Tina..''. Rachel quickly took her from someone's arms. without looking at the person. ''She's safe now don't worry.'' She was a fine woman. Her accent was pure french. ''Merci. Mademoiselle. Thank you. You have no idea how much of a great deed you've done.'' she kissed Tina. Who looked very normal now.

''I understand what is it like to lose a child. I have to go now. Take care. Bye Tina.'' ''Bye Bye.'' Tina waved back to the woman who saved her life.

''Say bye Benjamin.'' The woman said to her child who was the same age as Tina.

''Bye Christina.'' little Benjamin held her mother's hand tightly.

''Bye Ben. Mom I found Ben here.'' Tina waived at him.

''What Ben here. '' Rachel looked at the child and it was Benjamin. 

''No please I won't let you go like this. I must thank you personally, Can we have coffee somewhere.'' Rachel insisted.

''There is no need actually. But if you like we can have coffee at my residence which is just a few blocks away.'' The fine woman said.

''My pleasure.''

Benjamin and Christina were playing in the garden and their mothers were looking at them from inside.

''So your husband lives in Los Angeles. We also live in Los Angeles. Life is harder Helena then we assume it to be. Love is fated to end in tragedy. My husband and I were so close that I always prayed that God gave me death but not his loss and here I am alive living everyday without him. I have only one aim now to be both father and mother to my fatherless daughter whom she loved too much even more than me.'' she cried,

''I was eight months pregnant  with my first child when my husband was busy as he told me in a meeting. I was waiting for him because I had this strange pain in my lower abdomen. I had called him several times but he didn't come. Later I slipped and was taken in an emergency. I always wanted a daughter and I had one but she died before coming into this world. I gave Dylan another chance and the same happened but thank God this time I had the strength to be me alone. To be a mother alone and then Benjamin was born. I tried hard but things didn't work between me and Dylan so we got divorced. Ben will soon leave for America. His father has won custody. I will be battling alone with myself and the mother in me.'' she looked out of the window after sitting on the chair facing Rachel.

''Dylan Brown the billionaire ? My goodness I have worked with him I know him. He was your husband right. Ben and Christina know each other they have been since Benjamin was just five. He in fact also met my late husband?''

''Yes Dylan Brown. The unlucky billionaire. Ben always used to tell me about Rachel and Tina. I finally have known you guys. He really loves you both.''

''I promise you I will look after Ben as long as he is in America. I am good friends with his father. You won't believe me but he still loves you. He has your photograph in his bedroom. I was thinking about I have seen you before somewhere.''

She covered her hands with her.

''If you look after Benjamin I would be at much ease. There is something about you Rachel. I have never been so open to anyone but you, you seem as if I have known you for a long time.''

That night Rachel was mad at Tina.

''Don't you dare do something like that again. You understand me.'' ''Yes mommy. I thought I'd seen Daddy.'' Rachel hugged her tight.

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