~ 'If a snake bites before you charm it, what's the use of being a snake charmer?' ~
~{Eccle 10:11 (NLT)}~
*
~{March, 12, 2021}~
Ever since that shopping, Hazel and Psalm never had an actual conversation about what he said last.
When they had gotten back to the orphanage home, they were overwhelmed with things to do and he had to leave for something urgent as always.
Today is Friday and the last time she saw him was on Tuesday, the 9th of March while the other two days, he didn't show up in the orphanage home and it left her feeling a kind of way.
She even sat by the window, hoping to sight him but she didn't even see his shadow.
And what even made things suspicious was the fact that she didn't also see the weird man called Kervin who always stalks her.
It was like both of them disappeared at the same time. How strange.
And whenever she tried Psalm's phone, it's always switched off.
"Hazel?"
At the call of her name, she looked at the person and found out it was a teenager named Sandra.
"Yes Sandy dear?"
"You're meant to be teaching us right now," she reminded her and Hazel blinked as realization dawned on her.
"I am. I'm sorry," she apologized and got up.
As they headed inside and went to a clean classroom which was still in the building, Hazel entered the room and got ready to teach although her mind wasn't really focused.
All fifteen teenagers were present.
"Aunt Haze? Isn't Mr Psalm coming today?" One of the boys named Connor inquired.
"Well, I'm afraid not Conner," she said and everyone sighed and groaned in disappointment.
"Maybe he'll be here next week, is there anything you want to say to him?" Hazel asked.
At least she could use that as an excuse that they missed him just to pay him a visit.
"It feels empty when he's not here," Lilac said and Hazel nodded in agreement.
"I'll tell him that. But for now, let's all focus on what we have today." She reminded them as she brought out her English textbook to teach a topic.
She specialized in teaching English and Creative Art while the other Aunties thought what they knew best.
"Open to page 41 everyone," Hazel instructed and the ruffling of pages was heard in the room which followed with a knock on the door, alarming everyone.
Looking at the door, Hazel noticed Cloe, one of the aunties, standing there as she looked in her direction.
"Someone's here to see you Haze," she announced.
"I'm not a visitor." Hazel heard a man's voice before he stepped into the room for her to see him and her eyes widened.
It was Kervin.
She parted her lips and was about to say his name aloud but stopped herself.
"Hi Haze," he waved at her and smirked before going to the back of the classroom to sit on an empty chair.
Everyone's eyes were on him including the teenagers. They were in awe.
"What? Is it weird that a handsome looking man like myself wants to learn?" He asked while glaring at them.
"Is it alright?" Cloe whispered to Hazel and she nodded but it wasn't okay.
When Cloe left, Hazel continued without bothering to give him much attention. But in truth, he was a big distraction.
"Is he really going to learn with us?" One of the teenagers inquired from her friend.
"I can hear you, little girl," Kervin said and she slowly turned to look at him in awe because she clearly didn't say it for his ears.
"So today we'll be talking about story writing and how to write an article," Hazel announced.
"It's unfortunate that Mr Psalm isn't here, he would've told us a story as an example," one of the teen girls named Pearl, whined.
"Aren't I good at telling stories?" Hazel asked and frowned because she was offended.
"I can fill in the gap for Psalm. I'm a great story teller," Kervin cheerfully volunteered with his hand lifted up like an eager teenager.
"Can we all focus please," Hazel brought their attention back to her.
"Aunt Haze?" A teenager raised his hand.
"Yes, Travis?"
"This man is a distraction. He keeps whispering silly things to me," the boy named Travis complained.
"He's lying," Kervin denied and kept an innocent look.
"Mr Kervin, can we speak outside please," Hazel said instead while giving him a knowing look.
"I'm in trouble," he said in a sing-song way while wiggling his brows at the boy who was frowning at him in annoyance.
Getting up, Kervin ruffled the boy's head as he made his way forward.
And when he got to where Hazel was, he faced the class and said in a loud voice.
"She's my girlfriend. The woman I want to spend eternity with."
Everyone's eyes widened but they weren't as shocked as Hazel.
"Are you getting married Aunt Haze?" Jeremy, a teenager happily inquired in awe.
"To him? What happened to you and Psalm?" Lilac asked with a frown evidence on her forehead.
Snapping back to reality, Hazel was amazed at what they said.
What happened to her and Psalm?
What did they mean? Did they assume they were together?
"What's this about, Haze? Don't tell me you're seeing mister goody two shoes." Kervin inquired while arching a brow at her.
"Outside. Now!" She ordered him as she turned and headed out of the classroom in annoyance.
"Is she in a relationship with Psalm?" Kervin asked the class In all seriousness.
"Yes!" Travis, the boy he sat beside earlier, answered.
Frowning, Kervin walked out of the room and went to meet Hazel as she stood outside in the hallway with her arms folded against her bosom as she glared at him.
"What's that I'm hearing about you and Psal…"
"Who gave you the right to do that?" She hissed at him, cutting his sentence short.
"I gave myself that right since you couldn't do it yourself," he nonchalantly said.
"Since I couldn't do it myself? What's that supposed to mean? I don't know you, Kervin!" She reminded him in irritation.
"You do. Stop denying it," he became serious.
"I don't!" She stressed those two words and he narrowed his eyes on her.
"Are you in a relationship with Psalm?"
"Why do you care? Is he your brother or perhaps your partner in crime?" She angrily asked because it still annoyed her that Psalm said he didn't know who Kervin was when he knew.
"He's more than what you just said sweetheart," Kervin said and smiled.
This was what Hazel found annoying about Kervin. One moment he'll be serious and then next he's not. He was a very unstable man.
"If he's more than what I mentioned, are you saying he's gay?" She jokingly asked just to get on his nerves and Kervin's smile stretched in amusement.
"What do you think?" He asked back and she blinked at him.