Blue With You

I will cancel that fate

The Boeing aircraft Hazel was traveling in had just lowered its wheels. In a few moments, the plane from England would land at John F. Kennedy.

Hazel stared out of the aircraft in frustration. She could see her city and the airport, but the plane didn't seem to be landing, even though the pilot had told her it would be landing soon. To Hazel, the pilot seemed to be deliberately stalling. She was spending less time with her family.

It wasn't illness that made Hazel take a leave of absence from her studies and return to America. Nor was it homesickness that made Hazel want to rush home. She was going home to clarify things.

In the end, the plane did land, the passengers all disembarked, and Hazel, through a long process, finally exited the airport and got into a taxi registered at the airport.

The taxi driver was a man in his early forties with a slightly overweight body. He was quietly stealing glances at Hazel. It wasn't that he was flirtatious and wanted to tease his passenger, who was of unparalleled beauty, but rather that he was curious about her.

Hazel was wearing a long white t-shirt covered in a black blazer. Her hair was short and loose, and her face was natural without any make-up or lipstick. And she was only carrying a medium-sized backpack. There is no suitcase, carry-on bag, or other luggage.

The girl really looked like someone who had just played at a friend's house, and then it was time to go home. There was no sign that she had just come from overseas. Totally eccentric.

Hazel's face was really fierce, with the corners of her tiny lips going downward. Hazel's eyes had such a piercing look to them that anyone who looked at her would be reluctant to engage her in conversation. Hazel was truly terrifying.

But Hazel then caught the eyes of the taxi driver, who had been quietly watching her through the rear-view mirror.

"Why, sir?" asked Hazel coldly.

The taxi driver suddenly found himself taken aback. He was like a mouse that had been caught by a cat just as he was about to do his deed. The driver was just curious about Hazel's appearance.

"Oh, uh, nothing, miss. Nothing," the taxi driver replied, not forgetting to give a friendly smile as a form of politeness.

Hazel gave the taxi driver a sharp look. Hazel tried to trace the taxi driver's stature from behind and judge his personality based on the reflection of his face in the inside mirror. Hazel concluded that the taxi driver was a decent person.

His small body, with prominent veins, showed how hard he worked. The taxi driver's thin hair, nearly white in color, was a testament to his age. Judging from his face, Hazel guessed that the taxi driver was around the same age as her father.

"You have a daughter?" Hazel inquired, growing weary of the constant silence, which had persisted for several weeks already.

"I do, Miss.". I have three daughters," replied the taxi driver.

"It must be lovely to have so many children. The children will be pleased because they have many siblings."

"Hehehe... they always argue, Miss. There are problems every day."

"But at least it's not lonely," Hazel said quietly.

The taxi driver ventured to glance at Hazel's reflection through the rear-view mirror. He saw the gloom on his passenger's beautiful face. The taxi driver surmised that Hazel was probably an only child based on the questions she asked.

"How many siblings do you have?" the taxi driver asked.

"I'm an only child."

The taxi driver gave a small nod. His guess was right. It turns out some only children feel unlucky. He had thought that being the only child would be better and more comfortable. Of course, as a parent, it would be more peaceful.

But it seems like being an only child is lonely.

"I often face everything alone. When I'm angry, when I'm sad, or when I'm happy, I'm alone. When I have problems, I'm also alone."

Hazel sighed heavily. She really couldn't stand her solitude. She desperately wanted to share it with whoever was currently nearby.

"Have your daughters grown up?" Hazel asked.

"They've all grown up, Non. The youngest just graduated from high school. The eldest just got married."

Another heavy sigh from Hazel.

"It must be wonderful to be married to someone you love. No betrayal. They were not abandoned, but they were married to someone else.

The taxi driver's brow furrowed deeply. He was confused by the direction the conversation seemed to have taken. It was about singular and plural family members. Suddenly, Hazel sounded like she was complaining about marriage.

"In reality, her former husband also abandoned my eldest daughter."

Hazel was curiously focusing her attention on the driver.

"Oh yeah? What then?"

"Yes, her mom and I told her that there was no need to let her down and suffer. Let's just say it's not a match. Always believe that the best will come afterwards."

Hazel was silent. She remembered how her mom and dad had responded to her problem. Hazel remained lost in reverie for the rest of the journey.

The taxi driver gently admonished Hazel, who had been silent all the way and was just staring blankly outside. He informed her that they had reached their destination, Hazel's house.

Hazel stared at the tall black fence with ornaments painted in gold. With a sigh, Hazel paid the taxi fare. She didn't count how much money she had; the important thing was that she had paid. She heard the taxi driver say that he had given her too much money, and Hazel waved back, telling him to leave with the change.

After pressing the bell and announcing her arrival over the intercom, the fence opened automatically. A fat waitress in her trademark uniform opened the door from inside and smiled for Hazel. But the girl ignored her. She let go of her bag and hurriedly entered the house.

"Mum! Is it true?" asked Hazel as soon as she entered the living room.

Her mother, who had been sitting next to her father, immediately stood up and embraced Hazel, who was about to cry.

"Be patient, dear. Maybe it's not your soul mate," her mom said gently.

Hazel was instantly upset. She broke away from her mother's embrace and looked at her father fiercely.

"Why, Pa? Why didn't you prevent it? Why did you do nothing?" asked Hazel angrily.

Her father didn't answer, while her mother wrapped her arms around him and whispered softly, asking Hazel to control her emotions.

"Is it because she's your only sister's daughter that you'll give in to everything without considering my feelings?"

"Hazel, enough." Her mother pleaded with Hazel to calm down. "It's fate," she said.

"What destiny?!" Hazel started to get hysterical. Her gaze wandered, alternately looking at her mom and dad. "Okay, everything seems to be against me. There's no one to defend or protect me. I'm going to Harry's tonight, and I'm going to cancel!"

***