✓ laundry boy | yang jungwon

03: lavender

"alright." i started wandering in short circles, "can i tell you things about me?"

there wasn't any response from him for a bit, he just glanced at me for a second, eyeing me head to toe then blowing air into one side of his cheek, "mkay." he murmured.

I jumped, "okay!" I paused, "but, you have to ask me questions." I pointed a finger at him, smiling excitedly.

he sighed and thought of a question, "what's... your name?"

a chuckle left my lips before i sat next to him again, "hisano, my name's hisano. hisa for short."

he tilted his head, "huh? are you even korean?"

"yup, only half though. my father doesn't speak in japanese anymore so i can't understand it."

he nodded, "what does it mean?" the boy asked curiously

"mm, good question. i want to know now too." I laughed.

I felt his eyes on me, he just stared and began to smile. but, i didn't turn my head fast enough so I wasn't able to see it.

he thought of another question, "what's something you've been really wanting?"

i started to bite my nail while i thought about it, "oh! I really wanted my own garden to take care of, my grandparents have one. it's so peaceful there." i said

his eyes glistened, i didn't know why, but he looked like he wanted to hear those words.

but what about that sentence did he like hearing? (hint:garden)

before he could ask me another question, the machines started to beep. our attention averted to our laundry and we both took our clothes out of the dryer. I put mine into my laundry bag before picking it up.

i looked over to him, "you can keep that chicken if you'd like." i pointed with my eyes.

and i waved him goodbye before leaving the laundromat. I took 3 steps away after the door closed, i really wanted to look back but i know that i'll miss him even more.

how could i miss someone i just met?

what was so special about him?

as i was about to take another step, i heard my name.

"hisano!" he called out.

i turned my head and saw him holding the door open while looking at me with a worried expression.

"yeah, laundry boy?"

he exhaled, "one more question. what's your favourite scent?" asked the boy.

i thought about it for a bit, images of plants, flowers, and the garden began to come up into my head.

memory

"hey, pa." i said to my grandfather, "what are these? they aren't like the other flowers." i pointed at the lavender.

he laughed, "that's a plant, and it's beautiful, isn't it? your grandma loves them."

i put my face closer to the lavenders, breathing in the refreshing scent. "it smells wonderful, halmeoni has great taste. i love them too."

"you do? i'll make you in charge of them whenever you visit so your grandmother catches a break."

a bright smile placed on my face, "i got it. thanks pa, you're the best."

-

"lavender. lavenders are my favourite scent." i replied.

he nodded and closed the door, waving through the glass.

i waved back with my hand slowly before turning around and heading home.

halmeoni passed away not too long ago, i go there often nowadays to check up on the garden. i'm my grandfather's only motivation to take care of the plants.

her death really shook him up a bit, i feel bad. i miss her too.

and i made my way home, when i got there, i folded my parent's clothes.

it was getting late and by the time i finished their clothes, it was time to do mine. but i was already falling asleep so instead i went to bed.

i'll just fold them tomorrow.

i went to bed thinking about laundry boy, the stranger i met while doing laundry. the boy who seemed so hungry with bags under his eyes. who looked beautiful to me.

laundry boy, who I don't think i'll ever see again.

♡