Hearken

Chapter 11: Hearkening To My Words

Back to my room, I closed the door and walked straight to my extra-sized bed. My legs shouldn’t hurt taking off my boots, but from so much dancing, it did. Pulling out a drawer’s chest from beneath my wardrobe, I brought out a box of facial wipes. Taking out my makeup, not sleeping with it. I hate the uncomfortable feelings that comes with having it on for too long. Wiping out my red, chapped lips, the door opened. Without looking back, I knew it was Hazel. She strolled straight to my bed, sitting right next to me. With the full smile brimming through her cherry-red lips, one could tell how happy she was without using words.

“My dearest mum!” Hazel started, and I turned to her, swabbing my raised eyebrows.

“Thank you for giving me the best birthday party ever!”

I chuckled at her excitement in reply.

“Thank you, mum!” she hugged me at once, tightly. Hazel lives doing this, especially when she’s elated.

“You’re welcome, my dear.” As my arms wrapped against her slim body, I felt the texture and temperature of the bare skin from her exposed arm. “Oh, my! You’re having a high temperature!”

She pulled back. “I had fun!”

“You did. Are you sure?” I dropped the stained wipes on the side table, picking another.

“Yes, mum! The party was hell and paradise at the same time. I never expected that many people would turn up like that. Even the uninvited guests! You don’t seem to understand how happy I am! Today was remarkable, and I feel honoured!” She meowed with cat eyes, cuddling me once again.

“My dear, I am so tired. All that energetic dance I did downstairs really drained me. I’m still feeling lightheaded.” I told Hazel, and she gave a half-suppressed laugh. Knowing I only ate, drank, and danced a little. Staring into her glittering blue eyes, I held Hazel’s hand into mine.

“My beautiful daughter.”

“Yes, mummy.” Her lips held a slight smile.

“You’re now a woman.”

Hazel rolled her eyes at the marbled ceiling, pulling her hair back off her shoulders with pride.

“Excuse me, I’m 21. I like became a woman when I was 18.”

“No, my dear.” I pointed out. “You were an adult when you were 18. You just became a woman. And there are some things I need to tell you.” I unhooked the black diamond bracelet off my wrist, placing it in my jewelry box on the table next to the wipes. Her eyes met mine with seriousness, and I continued.

“Such discussions often take place at time like this. There are still a lot you need to know.” I heaved on my breath and her gaze dropped to the clear diamonds hanging on the lower part if her short white dress. Hazel’s lips pulled down a bit while she paid listening ears, hearkening to my words.

“All these artificial eyelashes, expensive jewelry, nails, heels and clothes aren’t what makes a woman.” I stared at her, and she raised her gaze to mine in understanding. “Don’t for once think that this extravagant lifestyle makes me think... No! That is not it. Out of everyone out there, you know me well and you know that these are not the things that make me think. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon, even though my dad owned his company. He was still struggling with everything. There were days he wouldn’t eat, but he would make sure he well fed me. Not that he had no food to eat, but sometimes, the urge to eat comes with a settled heart and peace of mind.” Tears pierced in Hazel’s eyes as she looked at me.

“I never felt my mother’s love. My dad gave me the best and out of his pure intentions, still gave my hand out in marriage at 16. All the good things and privileges I didn’t have, I want you to have and enjoy. All the wrong decisions I took, I want to save you from. But today, you are a woman. Hazel, I want to give you freedom to live a happy and well fulfilled life. I want you to have all your heart's desires. What makes a woman is the fierceness of her eyes, the pureness of her heart, and the diligence of her hands. That’s what pushed me over the years to become who I am today. Patience, endurance, and industriousness.”