Farewell Flower

001

--Summer 2009

Summer finally made its way and the sun was a fiery ball of light that was shining ever so brightly when Luhan stepped out of the car as he squint his eyes. The air kind of stung his skin but he didn’t mind because he missed it. The friendly and comfortable atmosphere was something that he longs for.

“Honey! I miss you so much!”

The boy spun around and saw his mom walked towards him with open arms and after giving each other a warm and tight hug, Luhan noticed some changes on her. A few strands of her hair were already white and wrinkles became more visible but the radiance of her face stayed the same.

“I miss you too mom.” He said and hugged her for the second time.

Luhan was eleven years old when his parents separated. There was no third party because the very main reason was lack of time. They lived in Seoul but when his parents separated, his mom moved somewhere that was kind of different than the city, somewhere that has a rural atmosphere. As a kid, he also craved for a mother’s embrace so his parents made a plan that every summer, Luhan will stay with his mom and the boy was completely fine with that. Although he only gets to spend four months with her, it’s alright because he knew that it’s better than to not spend time with her after all.

Last year, he didn’t manage to come home to her that summer that’s why when he met her today again, he noticed a lot of differences.

“I’ve been away for almost two years. I miss this place.” Luhan said and constantly stared at the house before him. Its colours were still radiant and vivid as if he’s been there all along.

“I knew it. Come, let’s go inside.”

His mom gestured the housekeeper to get his bags and when they’re about to enter, Luhan idly looked back and gazed at the white house in front of theirs. It still looked the same but there was something that changed. Luhan didn’t know but when he stared at it, it kind of radiated a feeling of melancholy.

“Do the Lees still live there?” The boy asked and received a nod from his mother just before he stepped inside.

Luhan unknowingly plastered a smile on his face when the house’s atmosphere wrapped him in a way that gave him a feeling of nostalgia, although he’d been away for a long time, his summer place has never changed.

“Remember your friend Hwayeong who lives there?” His mom asked from the kitchen whilst the boy sat on the couch and removed his shoes.

“How could I forget…”

“You should visit them later. That girl was the one who really changed.”

--Summer 2002

Luhan was twelve years old when he spent his summer at his mom’s house for the second time. It was when he met Hwayeong for the very first time.  

It was a beautiful day of summer when Luhan made his way on the sidewalk, kicking a single pebble. He was a few steps away from his house when he found himself staring at the house of their newly moved neighbours.

He saw a girl sitting on one of the entrance stairs. Her legs we’re propped up while her arms were wrapped around her knees. Tightening his grip around the plastic, he walked towards her. Luhan cleared his throat as he stood in front of her, blocking the sun from kissing her skin. “Excuse me,”

Hearing his voice, the girl looked up, making Luhan realize that tears were forming on the corners of her eyes while her face was burning red. “Mind if I take a seat?” He asked.

The girl just stayed quiet and buried her head on her arms but the boy still took a seat beside her and rested the plastic on the ground.

“Why are you crying?” He questioned.