"Break up with Yunjin" is still on Chaewon's to-do list. It hasn't fallen off, just fallen down a few spots. It's since been replaced by two more pressing tasks.
Take Yunjin to IKEA to buy real furniture [NEW ENTRY] Try not to lose Yunjin at IKEA [NEW ENTRY]
"Yello?"
"Yunjin, where are you?" Chaewon exasperatedly says into her phone after circling the bedroom section three times.
"No clue, tbh. This place is a maze. Can you come find me?"
Chaewon rubs her temples. "Fine, stay on the line. I'll go to you. Should've never let you wander off again..."
Yunjin chuckles. "What can I say, I've got the attention span of a squirr- YO! YOU CAN BUY THEIR MEATBALLS FROZEN IN BAGS? I DIDN'T KNOW THAT!"
"Hold on, I think I know where you are. Stay there."
"How could I ever leave? I love it here! Every room is fun and interactive and I'm learning Swedish! Oh, you know what would be dope? If ABBA had a concert in an IKEA. Best venue ever! I'm so big brained for that."
Chaewon shakes her head amusedly and eventually spots Yunjin staring blankly at the refrigerator doors in front of her.
"There you are," Chaewon hangs up, "C'mon. We've been here an hour and all you've done is get lost. You haven't picked out any items!"
"Items? I thought we only came here for my mattress. And I already checked. All they've got is memory foam and I don't need that. Way too bougie for me."
"Yunjin," Chaewon sighs, "You're 28 years old. You should sleep on a real bed with a sturdy frame and a box spring and I know that you're close with Shiro, but you don't have to eat on the floor with him. You need a dining table and proper seating and actual silverware to fill your drawers with-not those freebie plastic forks and spoons you get when you order takeout."
Yunjin crosses her arms defensively. "I get by just fine like this. Are you judging how I live?"
Chaewon frowns. "No, that wasn't my intention and I'm sorry if you felt like that. I just think it would be nice if you spruced the place up a bit. It would do wonders for the property value."
Yunjin looks down and taps her foot anxiously. "Chaewon, I get that you're a little type A and analytical and you think of things like property value. That's you, ok, and I get that. I was kind of drawn to you for that very reason."
Chaewon manages a small smile yet there's an edge to Yunjin's words that makes Chaewon feel like there's a fight simmering. Like there's a big "but."
"...But this is my apartment and I get to decide what and who I fill it with. And all I want right now is a bed that won't deflate on me, three bags of meatballs, and you." Yunjin lovingly tucks a loose strand of hair behind Chaewon's ear. "Now on the drive here, we passed by a discount furniture store. Can we just head there instead and call it a day?"
"Uh... sure," Chaewon responds, slightly stunned.
"What's wrong?"
"I overstepped you, I was controlling. I just thought you'd be more upset with me. Like you'd at least give me the silent treatment."
Yunjin takes Chaewon's hand, plays with it, tries to study the length and contour of each finger. If Chaewon and Yunjin had a love language-assuming they were in love-there's no question what it would be.
"Chaewon, you could never upset me. And you know this notion that every couple has to have a big blowup or get through a big fight to test the strength of their relationship? I don't buy into that crap. I say we hear each other out, reach an understanding, and that's it. Life's too short for us to be this petty. As for silent treatment, I couldn't last a day without talking to you. Easiest challenge for me to lose."
Chaewon imagines what it would be like to suddenly stop talking to Yunjin. In the ideal scenario that she's concocted in her head, after she amicably breaks up with Yunjin, the two of them would still remain in each others' lives somehow, likely as friends.
Yunjin is the ex that you keep around. Yunjin is the song that you forgot you loved until it comes on the radio years later and it fills you with that same joy and delight as it did on the first listen.
Yunjin demands to be remembered.
(Despite how hard Chaewon's heart is fighting to forget her).
"Yeah... I think I'd lose that one pretty bad too," Chaewon admits.
Yunjin squeezes Chaewon's hand and whispers, "Then let's both be losers. Now let's buy these meatballs and get out of here."
Chaewon doesn't usually go for losers.
But Yunjin's different.
Maybe that's the point.
YOU ARE READING
from which a garden grows / purinz
Fanfiction#1 purinz Sakura says every long-lasting relationship is like a garden: you first start out with a few seeds of potential. Chaewon doesn't see any potential in her latest love interest... ok maybe she's fine as fuck and her toy poodle is kinda cute...
