2. Stranded
1140 Words
The family felt that Hazel and Jay had become awkward due to their long absence. So, they come up with an idea to reconnect the couple. Mrs. Song, Hazel's mother, asked her eldest daughter, who was busy trying to avoid Jay, to accompany her around the pier.
"He can go there on his own!" Hazel said nonchalantly as she got off her bike in her doctor's coat.
"Hazel!" insisted Mrs. Song. "Your husband hasn't returned in a long time. You should show him around. Jay hasn't been home in a long time! At the pier, you can go fishing and see sights that Jay can't find in the city!"
"You don't see how miserable your husband is over the scandal he's been involved in! Jay is involved in a gay scandal! Does that make sense when he has a wife like you?" Mom continued to rant.
"It could happen."
"Hazel!"
"No problem, Mom. I can go myself if Hazel is busy," Jay said.
"No! Why do you husband and wife have to live separate lives?" Mom grumbled. "Go take your husband! Elsa is waiting for you at the pier!"
"Elsa?" Hazel frowned.
"You still want to comment? Your sister must also be very proud and have a lot to show her brother-in-law."
Jay couldn't stop his lips from twitching. He was flattered and pleased to feel his mother-in-law was at his side. But he immediately locked his lips tight when he got a glare from Hazel.
The two couples made their way to the crowded docks at the compulsion of Hazel's mother... The pier was the 'home' of fishing boats that wanted to catch fish or take visitors fishing in the middle of the sea.
"Wow!" She felt increasingly unfamiliar with the scene before her, the beautiful ocean scenery combined with the tenacity of the fishermen.
"No need to feel surprised! You were born and raised here. Don't be narcissistic!" Hazel snapped.
"Hi!" Elsa ran up to them.
Hazel flicked her beautiful hair to the side of her ear. "Hoi! Why did you ask us to come?"
"I just wanted Jay to enjoy the view. You guys should enjoy fishing!" Elsa said as she pulled her sister-in-law's hand. While Hazel just followed behind them.
"Here!" Elsa gave the fishing rod to Jay and then took turns with Hazel.
"Why do I have to do it too?" protested Hazel.
"You're so noisy!" grumbled Elsa. "You're his wife, so you have to keep him company, and he never fishes!"
"That's right!" Jay agreed.
The long-haired beauty grumbled at that. Hazel felt the movement of her life becoming more claustrophobic as the man appeared before her. And now Hazel had to accompany him around the island?
"Uncle!" Elsa called out to the fisherman who was out at sea.
"Hi, Elsa! Oh, there's Hazel, too." Then, the fisherman's eyes narrowed at the handsome figure beside Hazel.
"Hello, sir! I'm Jay."
"He's Hazel's husband. Did you forget?" Elsa confirmed.
"No need to be reminded!" snapped Hazel as the fisherman tried to remember.
"Alright, you guys go up first!" said Elsa, to which the couple obeyed. "Uncle! Please take my sister fishing!"
Hazel widened her eyes. "Hey! Aren't you coming?"
"Why not? You should experience a different atmosphere." Elsa stuck out her tongue, then turned towards the fisherman. "Please take care of this couple, uncle!"
Hazel panicked. "Hey, aren't you coming too?"
"Why should I bother a married couple?"
When the boat started moving, Hazel closed her eyes as the sea breeze blew her hair. Foolishly, she'd realized that this must have something to do with her brother's ridiculous plan. But she was already in the ocean. There was no way to escape.
"Argh! How is this?" the fisherman complained.
"What's wrong, sir?" asked Hazel.
"The boat engine died."
"Huh?!" the couple shouted.
"We'll have to spend the night on the other side of the island."
"Uncle!" Hazel squealed. "You can pull over. Why can't you go back to the village?"
"The engine died. The remaining power can only take us as far as Gapa Island." The fisherman pointed out a small island on the other side.
The woman screamed silently. Hazel was so frustrated that she wanted to grab the steering wheel even though she couldn't control the boat because she didn't want to be stranded with her husband.
However, Jay kept her from being rash.
"Don't be stubborn, Hazel! You can't even steer it. What if you insist on doing it and it becomes a disaster?" Jay emphasized.
"That's right, Miss. It's safer for us to pull over in the meantime. I'll fix up the ship so we can return tomorrow morning."
Hazel ran a hand through her hair, which was messy in the wind, while venting all her worries.
"What your husband says is true, Miss," the Fisherman continued. "Besides, you have your husband to take care of you. Don't worry."
Hazel turned her head lazily, aiming at Jay as he winked at her. It was irritating.
But the fisherman's words had absolutely no truth to them. On the way to the inn he'd been told about, Jay repeatedly screamed as he heard the sounds of animals and ocean waves crashing against each other in the dim atmosphere of the island. He was also clutching Hazel's arm tightly.
What a coward!
"No! I'm not scared!" said Jay. He squared his shoulders. "I'm just not used to lonely places. You know what? My life has always consisted of glorious things... Argh!" he shouted, wrapping his arms around Hazel. "What is it?"
Hazel chuckled. "A coward always talks too much."
"Is this the inn?" Jay confirmed that traditional home.
But Hazel only shot him a sarcastic look. "How long are you going to keep holding my arm?"
Jay then released the tight grip. "Alright, let's book a room right away!"
They were at a traditional inn, a building with a thatched roof and stone and clay walls.
"We booked two rooms. Why are you giving us this?" Hazel confirmed again with the innkeeper's old lady.
"She said you're husband and wife." The fisherman said that you were husband and wife.
Hazel exhaled loudly, then looked at a confused-looking Jay. The woman signaled with her eyes for Jay to change rooms.
Jay cleared his throat. "Thank you very much, Granny. We'll sleep well."
Hazel widened her eyes. Her eyes became very round when Jay accepted the room instead.
"I heard you're a married couple who were separated for a long time because you had to earn a living. So, I hope you can relax this time and make children," The old lady concluded kindly, while Hazel just gaped, speechless.
"Thank you, Granny." Jay waved his hand. "Come on! We have to make children."
Pow!
Jay collapses to the ground after receiving a devastating blow from Hazel.
- Writer
