Hearken

Chapter 25: Finding Hazel

A month later.

Somidah met with some professional investigators and forwarded them Hazel’s picture. Since she stopped attending school, she asked them to find her address and report back to her.

One Tuesday evening, Somidah received a message from the private investigators. It was Hazel’s new address. She’d be living in a small hotel faraway from town. The place had a beach. Hazel was lying on one of the lounge with big sliced cucumbers in her closed eyes. She had a light-green swimming suit on and a straw umbrella stood above her head.

Somidah walked up to her, joining her in the warm weather. “You’re sure having a good time here.” Somidah said, chewing on a plate of freshly sliced watermelon in front of her.

Hazel flinched immediately, making the sliced cucumber fall off her face.

“What? How did you get here?” Hazel asked, her voice monotonous.

“I just asked you a question. It’s clear that you don’t care about anyone but yourself. I can’t believe you came to hide here while Evelyn is killing herself in your absence. Why here, among all places?”

“Now, you are here? You insult me, Aunt Somidah?” Hazel grabbed her phone from the table, about to leave. Somidah grasped her arm, pulling her back, not to.

“Listen, Hazel. You don’t have to be rude. I know what your mum did was wrong. I know you’re heartbroken, but I need you to forgive your mother.” Somidah's brown pulled down while her voice gave a plea.

Hazel rolled her eyes towards the endless horizon of the cyan coloured beach, as her mouth pouted under her closely knitted brows.

“What she did wasn’t just wrong.” Hazel spelt out and sat back in the lounge. “My mum embarrassed me in the presence of my friends! What she did was disgracing. Out of all people, Alice’s boyfriend? Hmm... It shouldn’t have been my mother. It shouldn’t have been Evelyn Beckett! When we caught her in the shitty act, it even petrified her as well! How am I going to feel around my friends again? They all cut ties with me.” Hazel stopped because of the crack in her voice. Though she tried not to show her emotions, Hazel was close to tears.

Somidah took a moment, thinking about it. She heaved out a deep breath, staring at Hazel. While Hazel gave her a sideways glance with quirky brows. Still pained by all of it.

“I understand. What she did was wrong. I’m not taking her side. All I want is for you to go home and check on your mother. What ever happens, do what is right. Evelyn Beckett is still your mother. Your mum has been through a lot, you do not know. You’re the only one in her life right now and she needs you. If she kept a secret from you, that means she cares. Your mum truly cares about you.”As if choking on the inner tears she held back, Somidah adjusted her flipping hair and continued.

“Hazel, you’re in no position to hold a grudge against your mum. Let me tell you a story. I’m sure you know your mum doesn’t love celebrating her birthday.”

Hazel turned to her, more interested.

“She does not celebrate her own birthday because of two reasons. First, she lost her mother the day she was born. Her dad never truly celebrated her birthday, even as a child. She never felt the love of a mother. The second reason is because she also lost your dad on her 18th birthday. Don’t deprive your mother of the love of her daughter. You are the only one for your mother. You never knew, but over the years, she has been slowly fighting through depression and now that she’s happy, you aren’t happy for her? All because of your friends?”

“I’m not still going home! Tell that to my mum!”

“How sure are you that your friends love you the same way? Are you away from home because of your friends? Just tell me why you left home.” Somidah requested.