Hortus ||Park Jihoon

4

It's other day again and as usual jihoon visited the garden. But this time, with the mindset of talking to her.

He noticed that she was already there. Again, she had the notebook and the pencil with her.

He sat in the bench near her just like the day before.He plugged his headphone but in reality he didn't even play songs.

He constantly looked to her side. She just seemed to space off again. He wanted to start a conversation. But he was nervous. He never felt nervous before. He was a social person and he really clicked along with everyone well. But it seemed like a different case with her.

He rubbed his hands which were sweating on his hoodie.He took a deep breath and was about to talk when she suddenly turned to his side.

It was the first time. From all the observations he has made of her, this is the first ever time she gave the attention to someone. She always had her attention only on the fountain. Finding her looking at the birds or the trees, even that is rare.

She looked deep into the eyes of jihoon. His heart skipped a beat.

He brought his hands up and waved

"H-Hi?"

She looked at him. She didn't say anything but just looked into his eyes. But before she could respond, jihoon stood and sprinted towards the entrance.

But would she have replied in case jihoon didn't run away. Who knows?

She watched as his figure faded away before looking at the place where he sat.

She took the bracelet which has fallen down when jihoon rushed off.

She went to the way he went out but he was not there. So she kept it in her pockets, reminding herself to return it to him the next day.

___
Jihoon wiped his sweaty hands on his hoodie and took a deep breath before entering the garden.

He sat at the bench near to the one the girl was sitting at.

She was sketching something on her notebook. Jihoon was curious what she was drawing. Is she is majoring in arts? Is she younger or older than him. Or if she is the same age as him. What's her name is. And how her voice will sound like.

He unconsciously spaced out. He was startled to see a pair of shoes in front looked up to see her standing in front of him with her hand extending before him.

There was a silver bracelet in her hand, which jihoon immediately recognised it. It was given to him by his mother on his 18th birthday.

He smiled as he took a hold of it and slipped it in his hand before bowing and thanking her.

She nodded her head and started making his way near the maze, about to go to the entrance when jihoon called out.

"Hey"

She stopped in her tracks and turned around. Jihoon flashed a grin, extending his hand before her.

"I'm jihoon. Park jihoon"

There was a silent. Jihoon retrieved his hand.

"Well, if you think it's too early for a handshake then it's okay" he said before folding his hands to the back.

"Atleast tell me your name"

"Why?" she asked. Her voice low and hoarse.

"So i wouldn't have to address you as hey, when i meet you again" Jihoon said.

Again? she thought.

"Haneul. Lee Haneul"  she said before going towards the entrance.

"Bye" Jihoon muttered into the calm wind. She was long gone.

Well atleast i got to know her name. That's a great process.

Haneul. Lee hanuel. I like it.