Hazel stood quietly at the vegetable stall.
The shopkeeper....Sabio, an older woman who knew Hazel well
didn't even wait for her to ask.
She started packing some okra into a paper pouch with gentle hands.
Sabio (with concern in her voice):
"If you keep worrying about him this much,
he'll never learn to stand on his own feet, Hazel.
He's trying, really trying."
Hazel took a deep breath,
her expression softening as she looked at the old woman.
Hazel:
"I know, Grandma…
I know he's a good man.
And I know he can fight for himself…
But he loses his way so easily.
You saw it just now
every single day, it's some new chaos with him.
He's never on time to the office."
Sabio stepped outside with the okra pouch,
placed her hand gently on Hazel's head,
and spoke in a calm, wise tone:
Sabio:
"When we're constantly blocked from doing something,
it's a sign.
Maybe that work isn't meant for us…
or maybe it's just not a part of our path anymore.
The day you and Nikol find the work that's truly yours
you won't even need to try to be on time.
You'll just be there, naturally."
Hazel stood still, absorbing her words.
Sabio went back inside the shop,
leaving Hazel with a strange, peaceful smile on her face
the kind of smile that says,
"I may not understand everything… but somehow, I do."