Everyone went silent. Hazel began to dance as the melodic rhythm of classical music whispered into his ears. Crossing his straight legs at the lower calf he let his hands down as he started braiding the air, it felt magical—he made the movement three times before brushing the ground with his left hand, now looking at the audiences, Hazel's eyes found Pastor Hiydan beside Mrs. Crane's while hers was focused on his dancing—his relaxed face almost melted by her intense gaze.
He continued, he threw his arms out and gracefully traced the air, as the other leg jump from deep plié and the other, pointed facing forward.
His almost long hair starts to sway along his sweat, and his skin, sun kissed, was glowing, he was like a little prince flying with wings. The guests who were busy with their phones started to get interested.
Hazel stared at the audiences again, now extending his one arm, while the other was positioned up and his legs were slightly crossed—it was like pulling as they look back, he's reaching their souls, like telling them to come and join him. His steps continued for about a solid six minutes.
The ballet dancing ended firmly with his one feet in front and the other slightly backwards, as his hands formed a U in the air—like that of a Greek sculpture. The audiences went silent before clapping, murmur started arising and before they knew it, Hazel made a bow. Pastor Hiydan and Pastor Glenn, with others, started smiling with their proud faces too.
Mrs. Crane on the other hand, started talking to the two Pastors when Hazel turned his back to let the next performer begin.
"Hazel, you were amazing as usual!" Sian popped out, excitedly complimenting his friend.
"Thank you, Sian." Hazel responded with a heavy breathing.
"You're tired, take your moment to rest while I help others with their performances. Here's a towel for you and a bottled water." Sian added before quickly leaving Hazel to rest.
After a few moments, the gathering ended casually, no one got the chance to be chosen, because 'twas a ritual for them to announce the adoption after the event, but nothing happened.
Mrs. Crane got an emergency call and hurriedly got to her car before Hazel even got a glimpse of her.
Everyone got back at their room to change—though everyone was quiet about it, the two Pastors smiled at them comfortingly. It was like telling them that it doesn't end there, they believe they could be found by their future perfect lovable parents, and they will truly make that happen—for them.
"Don't forget that we still have dinner later, 8:00pm, sharp. Rest for now, children. Do not be dismayed, for something better will surely come your way." It was nearly dusk, and no one got the energy to talk nor response, while some just nodded their heads.
Hazel on the other hand, approached Pastor Hiydan with his eyes full of anticipation.
"Pastor, is it true that no one will get adopted?? I've heard Mrs. Crane talk on the phone when I bumped into her at the patio this morning she was talking to someone, I heard that she's really planning to adopt someone from here." Hazel turned his head down as he voiced it out.
Pastor Hiydan turned to make eye contact with the Pastor beside him before turning back to Hazel, "It was a sudden decision, Hazel. She wasn't with her husband today, so they needed to talk it out more and hopefully they will come back together soon." He explained while patting his head which was still looking down.
"Really? So there's still a possibility?" Now, rising his head and looking back and forth at the two Pastors in front of him, Hazel's face began to gleam.
"Yes, so do not worry that much, Hazel. We will also announce this later at dinner, so make sure you will come." Pastor Hiydan excused himself and started walking along the other kids.
After a minute of processing what was said to him, Hazel runs back to his room and changed, he sat at the corner of his bay window, opened a book which was his own diary and while writing, he couldn't get Mrs. Crane's look out of his mind.
"I thought they were the one." He mouthed.
He let out a deep sigh and rest his side body at the wall beside him before removing his white pin and closing his book. Yes, just like Sian, Hazel also was an orphan since birth, yet unlike him with a Yellow pin, Hazel wanted to be adopted too.
After a minute of thinking, he was distracted by a sudden knock on his door, "Hazel, are you resting?" It was Mother Grace, the Head Parent, who rarely knocks on anyone's door.
"Mother Grace? Is there something wrong?" Hazel asked as he hurriedly grabbed the wooden handle as he welcome her at the door.
"Don't worry, Dear Zel. It's not a problem, however we need to talk about something really important. Kindly join me at my office right now."
Hazel began to wonder, "Yes, Mother Grace." They were used to calling her like that. While walking at the familiar grand hallway, Hazel can't stop figuring out the important matter, and so to distract himself he started paying attention to paintings hanged on the walls, and how the room was commonly dim at this time of day.
His hands kept fidgeting and his lack of words made him more uneasy, but before he could utter a word, an old oak door loomed over them—with light disappearing, Hazel began to sweat more.
Mother Grace noticed Hazel's behavior and left out a chuckle, "Dear, this isn't a horror story, don't worry too much over these things. I'm here with you." She assured of him. Hazel only nodded as a response.
Mother Grace touched to grab the wooden handle and the door opened slowly with its nearly audible ear-piercing creek from its bearings allowing them to see the newly expanded and structured room. It was surprisingly spacious, with shelves full of files, and a table at the center with piling papers and old news papers, Hazel understood how important this discussion is for Mother Grace, enough to hold her work.
As the lightened room welcomed Hazel, he stepped forward cautiously and followed her to the table. "I will be very honest with you, Dear." She stated after just sitting, while finding something from her desk.
"What is it, Mother Grace?" Hazel mouthed almost fading. It was frustrating for him to wait, although he doesn't want to hurry and disturb her more.
"Someone called me, introducing herself as a guest from awhile ago, she was asking of your opinion to adoption." Finally holding what she's been finding—it was Hazel's Files, Mother Grace turned to Hazel only to witness a tear fell from his eyes.
"Is it true Mother Grace? Am I going to be adopted? Who called? What did they tell you?" Hazel couldn't stop asking at this point, however, remained true to his nature and wiped his tears from falling.
Hazel didn't want to seem weak.
"That's why you're here with me, Hazel. I wanted to talk to you about it. This is the first time someone asked me of you, and I didn't want to just approve of this knowing it's from someone who just called out of the blue. You know how much we care for you in this Orphanage, you understand where I'm getting at right?" Her glasses covering her circles were vivid as her face turned to him with concern.
"I understand, Mother." Hazel responded.
"I called Pastor Hiydan and Pastor Glenn here, let's wait for them and have a discussion about this."
Moments later, the two Pastors joined them which lasted for about half an hour and continued talking it out with everyone over dinner. Everyone were just as happy for Hazel as he is for himself. Sian on the other edge of the corner, was silently crying, as this news was so unexpected to him.
"Sian looks like he'll be the one getting adopted!" Vin, one of the kid beside him teased, everyone laughed including the Pastors and the Sisters watching.
"Sian, we still have a week before I go." Hazel said.
Sian wiped his tears before looking back at Hazel, "Don't worry, I'm happy for you. I just think that not seeing your face around here will be lonely, and I'm just worried about your new life." He explained, now playing with Hazel's hands.
"I'm already old enough to take care of myself. Do not worry about me, and I will contact you often." Hazel said before finally turning to tell everyone a goodbye.
Two weeks passed like a season, it was the time to finally let go of Hazel. Mrs. Crane, processed all the papers needed before the next Friday.
While Mother Grace personally talked to Mrs. Crane about him, "He's the one," face gleaming with hope, Mrs. Crane stated. Hazel made his performance at the Orphanage again. Everyone started crying while Hazel almost did too, he only held back his tears to comfort everyone.
After an hour of talking to almost everyone and to the Pastors, He called out to Sian, the silence was defeating. Sian didn't spit a single word nor uttered a goodbye, he was just smiling back at him holding back his tears.
"Let's see each other again soon." Hazel stated and finally entered Mrs. Crane's car. His suitcases were also arranged by a Butler named Owen, Head Butler of Crane Family.
Mrs. Crane smiled at him and pat his hands which were shaking, and left the Orphanage—with Hazel whose eyes can't stop crying.