You mustnt take what belongs to someone else
Hazel was the only daughter in her family, cherished by her parents. Everything seemed to revolve around her. Her parents, both refined scholars, worked at a research institute; her father was a professor. Hazel remembered that their house was always filled with guests.
Hazels mother, Margaret, cooked splendidlyhuge pies, beautifully arranged tables.
Margaret, your signature style again, joked the guests, Beauty and delicious foodyou make us all hungry just by setting the table!
Hazel was a diligent studentnot always top of the class, but her marks were consistently high. Her parents never forced her to study. She was naturally organised and responsible since childhood. After coming home from school, she would change, eat, and do her homework.
Hazel, did you go to your music lesson?
Yes, Mum, just got back.
Hazel studied violin at the music school. She loved playing; when she held the violin, everything else melted away, inspiration took over, and she would play for hours. Her music teacher always used her as an example to other students.
Her school years raced by. Hazel had plenty of friends, always outgoing and kind, ready to help. Living in a large city, she dreamed of attending university there once she finished school.
You have nothing to worry about, Hazel, her friend Fiona would say. Your parents work at the university, they’ll get you in somehow. Me, I barely scrape by at schoolunis not even an option.
So, what will you do after school?
Start work. My mothers alone, struggling to raise me. If I earn, it’ll help her.
Hazel never truly understood Fionas lifeher own parents earned well and she never wanted for anything.
Mum, Dad, Ill need a new dress and shoes for the graduation ball, she announced.
Yes, darling, I know, Margaret said. Tomorrows Saturday, lets go shopping.
They bought a gorgeous dress and matching shoes. All that remained was to pass her exams, go to the graduation ball, and step into adulthood.
Hazel was accepted into the polytechnic university. Her parents helped, of course, but she could have managed on her ownher mother knew everyone and had spoken to the right people just in case.
Well, Im officially a university student, Hazel told her parents cheerfully when she saw her name on the admissions list.
Congratulations, love! laughed her father, gifting her a fancy mobilerare at the time.
Hazel loved university life: classes, lecturers, new friends, parties, coursework. Life was entirely different; she hardly met Fiona anymore. Fiona worked at a factory nowa whole other world.
Summer meant trips with construction crews. These were lively, eventful days. Hazel was attractive and sociable, many liked her, but no serious relationships came along. Just friendship, occasional dating, but nothing lasting.
During her final year, Hazel met William, who had just completed military service and worked repairing household gadgets. They met by chance at the cinema where Hazel went with Fiona.
Hello ladies, mind if I join you? William asked, as both sipped cocktails in the cinema café.
Sure, Fiona replied, while William gazed plainly at Hazel.
William, he introduced himself. Crowded here tonight, he explained, almost apologetically.
Im Fiona, and this is Hazel, said her friend.
Decided to catch the new filmmy mate recommended it.
We barely ever get together, explained Fiona. I work, Hazel studies.
They agreed to meet again after, as their seats were apart. The three wandered the city late into the night. William escorted Fiona first, then Hazel and asked for her phone number.
William was striking, fascinating to talk to, well-read. Hazel fell in love. They continued seeing each other and married six months later. Her parents, upon meeting William, were pleased.
After graduating, Hazel worked briefly before going on maternity leave. She gave birth to a son, Archie, and lived happily with Williama devoted husband and father, protective and helpful.
Mum, Im so lucky to have William, Hazel often said, Hes my rock.
Im glad, love. Yes, Williams a real man and family man, Margaret replied. Her father cherished William, playing chess together, discussing everything.
Hazels happiness wasnt endless. When Archie was five, she and William were in a car accident. They were driving when a motorbike sped toward themHazel was thrown from the car, which saved her, but William died. Thankfully, Archie was with his grandparents.
Oh Lord, why? Hazel whispered in the hospital, her mother beside her.
Thank heavens youre alive, Hazel, Margaret wept, Broken leg and ribs, but youre here.
Hazel buried William from a wheelchair. Recovery was long, her parents supported her, she and Archie lived with them. She suffered from grief, missing her beloved husbandonly Archie kept her going.
Thank you, Lord, Hazel prayed, gazing at the icon. What would have happened to my son?
Hazel had to begin life anew without William.
Mum, I want to move to the coast. We have a house there, and Archie likes the sea. The climate will be good for me. Youll visit as guests. Everything here reminds me of William.
Her parents agreed. Relocating brought peace. Hazel became an administrator at a hotel, met new people. Archie started school. On weekends, shed sunbathe at the beach with her son.
One day, Hazel lost her wedding ring on the beacha precious keepsake. She cried, searching the sand.
Why are you crying? a mans voice asked.
I lost my ringit means so much to me.
Who wears rings at the beach?
I do. Any other questions?
Alright, Ill help, replied the man. My names Charles. And yours?
Hazel, she answered. Together they sifted sand and eventually found the ring in her clothes.
Thank you, Charles.
Are you on holiday? Charles asked. I came with a matehe stayed in the hotel, drank too much last night, so Im alone today
I actually live here, Hazel said.
After chatting, Charles invited her to a café.
Lets leave the beachotherwise well burn, Hazel agreed. Todays so hot.
In the cool café, they sipped chilled cocktails. Hazels son was staying with grandparents for the month, returning for school. Charles admitted he was married with a daughter, working at his citys airport.
Hazel opened up, sharing Williams story.
I had to start over, she said, moved here with Archie.
Charles was easy company, no fuss, friendly. After the café, he walked her home, then departed. Three days later, they met againCharles waited outside her house with a bouquet when she returned from work.
Hello, missed you, he announced, handing her flowers.
Hello, Hazel smiled, happy to see him. Im on holiday from tomorrow!
Brilliantmore time together then, Charles beamed. Lets celebratedinner at a nice restaurant, meet my mate.
They had a lively night at the restaurantCharles walked her home and stayed the night. Something happened between them.
Oh goodness, Ive fallen in love, Hazel admitted to herself.
She had no one else since Williams death. Most of her holiday was spent with Charles. He called workasked for unpaid leave. Eventually, he had to go back. Farewell was hard. A week later, Charles phoned.
Hazel, Im coming back soon… Realised I cant be without you. Told my wife everythingshes filed for divorce.
Fate was testing her again
Hazel was happy, not thinking about Charles wife and daughter.
Im a woman tooI want happiness.
Charles returned and, once divorced, married Hazel. A year later, she had a daughter. They were content.
But fate tested Hazels strength again. Their idyll ended ten years later. Charles began to strayso many temptations in the seaside town. Arguments started; he lied at first, then confessed. Hazel saw him on the beach with young women.
Hazel filed for divorce; Charles returned to his city, reconciled with his ex-wife, but always paid child support. The children grew up. Archie went to live with his grandparents for university, married there. Her daughter stayed with Hazel, later married and moved nearby.
Hazel had two grandsons and a granddaughter. They visited her; her elderly parents sometimes visited too, along with Archie. Hazels life became her children and grandchildren.
And Charles? He never returned. Hazel decided, once and for all: no more men.
I paid for loving a married man… you mustnt take what belongs to someone else. Building happiness on anothers sorrow brings only pain.
Hazel refused to tempt fate again, fearing the boomerang could swing back and hurt her. So she lives alone.
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