Hortus ||Park Jihoon

13

Jihoon hummed as he waited for haneul in the garden at the usual bench they share.

The sound of water flowing down in the fountain and the faint noise of the leaves rustling and the wind filled his years.

He scorched back against the back of the bench, his hands dangling at the sides and took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh as if it was his last time.He wanted to be happy, but he couldn't. Something was bothering him. He wanted to spend his time with haneul happily and make her happy but to no avail he couldn't. He knew that it was the thought that haneul and jihoon can't spend more time together at his deep heart. He knew that but he just decided to ignore it.

Soon haneul came, the sound of her steps brought jihoon out of his deep thoughts. He got and sat up straight and waved at haneul with a book in her hands walking towards him. The book, where she drew or wrote always, before getting to know jihoon

Jihoon realised that even though they both became very close, jihoon never really asked about that.

Jihoon brought his hands up closely before waving at her and moved aside making space for haneul to sit down.

Haneul settled down beside him and straightened her legs. They both stayed silent before haneul broke the silence.

"Jihoon"

Jihoon hummed as a response, letting him know that he's listening to her.

"You know, this book?" she brought the book in front of his eyes. Jihoon nodded.

"Yeah, before i got to know you, you were always with this book"

Haneul nodded.

"I want to show it to you, but not now" jihoon was really curious but he stayed quiet.

"Before i used draw a lot in the garden but after i got to know i realised i haven't been drawing much here"

"Instead i find myself spending more time with you. Everyday night at the hospital i used to so alone, staring unto the space before drifting to sleep. I never really had anyone to talk to"

Jihoon hummed letting her continue.

"But after you came into my life, it wasn't like this. I started to experience many things just like others. I drew before sleeping and i had you to talk with."

Jihoon hummed again taking her hand into his.

"I - Thank you, jihoon. For being there for me" haneul said before letting her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you for being there for me too" Jihoon said before patting her head.

"Ah i forgot" haneul sat up straight before taking out a chain from her pocket.

"I want to give this to you" haneul said before putting it around jihoon neck.

Jihoon thanked her before settling his head on her shoulder.

They both stayed like that for a long time not knowing when they will be separated.