Oleander
Title: Oleander
Genre: Angst/Romance
Rating: PG-15
Summary: "Afraid. The word lingers in her mind and for a second she let the idea that he was actually afraid that she might leave him give her a sense of comfort."
The morning sun peaks behind the horizon, illuminating the sky in a beautiful pink hue. The water is alive now; an iridescent expanse of rippling waves that houses another world underneath. The rumble of the waves crashing against the shore coupled with the sweet harmonies of the busy early birds soothes her being. She inhales the sharp scent of the brackish seawater permeating the air and smiles. She couldn’t recall the last time she felt so at ease, so completely consumed with that foreign emotion called happiness. She could get used to this, she thinks, but quickly discards the absurd idea. Eternal happiness was not something she could have. A sudden chill wafts through the air, and her body convulses in protestation. Pulling her knees to her chest, she closes her eyes and revels in the warmth it provides. The warm sensation of a hand on her cool shoulder startles her and she squeals. Turning around, she spots him, and her breath catches. It’s when her eyes finally make their way to that distinct playful smile on his lips and the gentle look of an apology in his eyes, that she forgets to breathe altogether. She found it funny how simple, mundane actions like breathing or speaking would escape her just by his mere presence. She’s unable to tear her eyes away, fearful that if she does he would disappear. It feels too much like a dream. The sound of his voice snaps her out of her reverie.
‘Good Morning.’
‘Hi,’ she replies, flustered. She notices the blanket adorned with the characters of Keroro Gunso that he holds in his right hand and is unable to conceal the crimson hue of a blush that creeps unto her cheeks at his simple, yet significant show of affection.
‘I brought your blanket. For a second there I was afraid you’d left me,’ he says, wrapping the fabric around her slightly shivering body, and positions himself next to her at the edge of the dock.
Afraid. The word lingers in her mind and for a second she let the idea that he was actually afraid that she might leave him give her a sense of comfort.
‘No. I wanted to see the sunrise, but I didn’t want to wake you. I wish you’d seen it though. It was beautiful.’
‘Not as beautiful as you, I bet’ he replies, smiling sweetly.
She has never gotten accustomed to his constant praise, much of which she felt was gratuitous. At times she would believe him because he seemed so sincere, so honest, but like always she replies with a self-deprecating comment, much to his chagrin.
‘
You’re such a good liar.’
She could hear the faint sound of a weary sigh, and feels sorry. She thinks about apologizing, but decides against it.
‘Let’s go inside. I’ll make you breakfast,’ he says, apropos of nothing.
They both rise at that instant, knocking into each other. She grabs unto his shoulders for balance, but the motion sends them both falling into the water.
‘Shit!’ he bellows, the frigidity of the cold water piercing his skin like needles. There is a moment of sheer panic as he remembers her, but relief at the sound of giggling coming from behind him quickly replaces it. He turns to the girl, surprised by the uninhibited laughter that escapes her lips and a smile naturally tugs on his own. For a moment, he just stares, enraptured by the rare sight of her with her head thrown back in the throes of merriment. He wants to be engulfed in her happiness too, and soon they are both gasping for air; out of breath from too much laughing.
***He lifts her into his arms, ignoring her cries of protest and carries her all the way to the beach house, setting her down only when they near the threshold. His eyes now fully focus on the magnificence of her figure. The sight of his oversized shirt clinging to her slender body, highlighting all her womanly curves leaves him mesmerized. A memory of their romantic overtures of last night infiltrates his mind and his desire to feel her body against his returns tenfold.
She notices the unmistakable hunger in his eyes and the knots in her stomach tighten. Before she can process his next movement, he’s already on her, kissing her with intense passion and need. She reciprocates, threading her hands through his damp hair, pulling him in deeper and devouring his lips with feral ferocity. A few broken furnishings later, they reach the bedroom where two bodies become one in a beautiful amalgam.
***
The smiles on their faces are telltale signs of unrestrained contentment. He spoons her into his arms and gently brushes strands of stubborn hair away from her face. The rise and fall of her chest signals she’s asleep and he can’t help but be awestruck by the raw beauty before him. He wants so much to tell her how much he loves her, to let her know how much she means to him, but he knows it can wait. Instead, he plants a sweet kiss on her forehead of unsaid words and promises and lets the rhythm of her steady breathing lull him into a deep slumber. And soon the only sound that can be heard is the beautiful melody of two hearts beating in tandem.
***
The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the delightful aroma of pancakes fills his nostrils, pulling him from his slumber. Fastening a robe around his body, he makes his way towards the kitchen. Walking past the laundry room, he recognizes the low hum of the washer in progress and remembers the mess they left in their wake as they stumbled towards the bedroom in hurried frenzy. The wet clothes that were strewn across the floor and the shards of glass from the broken furniture are all gone. As he nears the opening to the kitchen, he could make out the faint sounds of nature emanating from the ipod dock that sits on the floor. The cynosure of his eyes has a penchant for the natural world.
She stands at the front of the stove, deep in concentration as she pours the last of the pancake batter unto the griddle. Her long tresses are tied into a messy bun, but he thinks she has never looked more beautiful. She doesn’t hear him approach, almost dropping the spatula as his sturdy hands snakes around her torso, pressing her body against his. She relaxes into his arms and sighs in contentment.
‘I made you breakfast,’ she says, unwinding her body from his firm hold.
‘It’s almost 3 o’ clock in the afternoon,’ he returns, smiling.
‘Well, we’re an unconventional couple,’ she shrugs.
***
She met Yong Hwa years ago in college. She laughs now at the memory of the skinny guy who always talked or sang too loudly, but whose happiness was like a welcomed disease; a catharsis from the inexorable stress of college life. They weren’t acquainted, but knew each other having taken similar classes. She didn’t notice him much since she was too absorbed with her current boyfriend, Min Ho. She swore he was the love of her life, her reason to live, her world.
And all at once her world imploded.
It’s amazing how everything could seem so fine one day and come crashing down the next. She didn’t see it coming, and maybe had she known, she could’ve saved herself from the ineffable pain that followed. But how could she have known that a love cultivated with timeless care and compassion, would blossom into something so vile? She remembers a lesson in biology class on flowers, one of the few occasions in which instead of daydreaming about Min Ho, she actually paid attention. She found flowers fascinating and enjoyed their beautiful array of colours. One in particular caught her attention that day: The Oleander; a gorgeous plant whose attractive petals of subterfuge disguises its deadly properties. At the end of the session, she noticed the doodle of Min Ho left from a previous class perched on top of the subheader, ‘oleander’ and smiled at the thought of meeting him soon. Only days after did she understand the full meaning of the incidental juxtaposition.
She could recall the precise moment that her heart was ruthlessly ripped from her chest, and carelessly discarded on the floor. Sometimes she could still hear the deafening shrill of her world smashing into thousands of irretrievable shards and could still feel the dull ache that replaced the empty space where her heart used to be. She would lie awake at nights yearning to be wrapped in the comfort of his arms once again, and she would wake up on mornings holding unto the false hope that it was all just a dream. She was a mess, but one day something shifted inside her. The plethora of love letters she couldn’t stop writing, the material gifts of love she couldn’t stop giving, the bearing of her body and soul devoid of uncertainty were testimony to her unrelenting love for this man, who without any remorse broke her world. The longing and love she harbored turned into intense detest and distrust. She swore she would never love again. She was sure she couldn’t.
But then a young man came along and taught her how to live again. A man who patiently collected the pieces of her world and helped her mold it into one whole. There were still discernible cracks and it was still fragile, but it was a world she could be happy in, if only a little.
***
Now as she watches him devour his pancakes and listens to his unending praise in between gulps, she can’t help but be thankful. Those three defining words are perched on her lips, but she hesitates. It can wait, she thinks.
***
A/N: Open to constructive criticism, or any kind of criticism really. If you want to tell me it's shi**y then by all means.
Genre: Angst/Romance
Rating: PG-15
Summary: "Afraid. The word lingers in her mind and for a second she let the idea that he was actually afraid that she might leave him give her a sense of comfort."
The morning sun peaks behind the horizon, illuminating the sky in a beautiful pink hue. The water is alive now; an iridescent expanse of rippling waves that houses another world underneath. The rumble of the waves crashing against the shore coupled with the sweet harmonies of the busy early birds soothes her being. She inhales the sharp scent of the brackish seawater permeating the air and smiles. She couldn’t recall the last time she felt so at ease, so completely consumed with that foreign emotion called happiness. She could get used to this, she thinks, but quickly discards the absurd idea. Eternal happiness was not something she could have. A sudden chill wafts through the air, and her body convulses in protestation. Pulling her knees to her chest, she closes her eyes and revels in the warmth it provides. The warm sensation of a hand on her cool shoulder startles her and she squeals. Turning around, she spots him, and her breath catches. It’s when her eyes finally make their way to that distinct playful smile on his lips and the gentle look of an apology in his eyes, that she forgets to breathe altogether. She found it funny how simple, mundane actions like breathing or speaking would escape her just by his mere presence. She’s unable to tear her eyes away, fearful that if she does he would disappear. It feels too much like a dream. The sound of his voice snaps her out of her reverie.
‘Good Morning.’
‘Hi,’ she replies, flustered. She notices the blanket adorned with the characters of Keroro Gunso that he holds in his right hand and is unable to conceal the crimson hue of a blush that creeps unto her cheeks at his simple, yet significant show of affection.
‘I brought your blanket. For a second there I was afraid you’d left me,’ he says, wrapping the fabric around her slightly shivering body, and positions himself next to her at the edge of the dock.
Afraid. The word lingers in her mind and for a second she let the idea that he was actually afraid that she might leave him give her a sense of comfort.
‘No. I wanted to see the sunrise, but I didn’t want to wake you. I wish you’d seen it though. It was beautiful.’
‘Not as beautiful as you, I bet’ he replies, smiling sweetly.
She has never gotten accustomed to his constant praise, much of which she felt was gratuitous. At times she would believe him because he seemed so sincere, so honest, but like always she replies with a self-deprecating comment, much to his chagrin.
‘
You’re such a good liar.’
She could hear the faint sound of a weary sigh, and feels sorry. She thinks about apologizing, but decides against it.
‘Let’s go inside. I’ll make you breakfast,’ he says, apropos of nothing.
They both rise at that instant, knocking into each other. She grabs unto his shoulders for balance, but the motion sends them both falling into the water.
‘Shit!’ he bellows, the frigidity of the cold water piercing his skin like needles. There is a moment of sheer panic as he remembers her, but relief at the sound of giggling coming from behind him quickly replaces it. He turns to the girl, surprised by the uninhibited laughter that escapes her lips and a smile naturally tugs on his own. For a moment, he just stares, enraptured by the rare sight of her with her head thrown back in the throes of merriment. He wants to be engulfed in her happiness too, and soon they are both gasping for air; out of breath from too much laughing.
***He lifts her into his arms, ignoring her cries of protest and carries her all the way to the beach house, setting her down only when they near the threshold. His eyes now fully focus on the magnificence of her figure. The sight of his oversized shirt clinging to her slender body, highlighting all her womanly curves leaves him mesmerized. A memory of their romantic overtures of last night infiltrates his mind and his desire to feel her body against his returns tenfold.
She notices the unmistakable hunger in his eyes and the knots in her stomach tighten. Before she can process his next movement, he’s already on her, kissing her with intense passion and need. She reciprocates, threading her hands through his damp hair, pulling him in deeper and devouring his lips with feral ferocity. A few broken furnishings later, they reach the bedroom where two bodies become one in a beautiful amalgam.
***
The smiles on their faces are telltale signs of unrestrained contentment. He spoons her into his arms and gently brushes strands of stubborn hair away from her face. The rise and fall of her chest signals she’s asleep and he can’t help but be awestruck by the raw beauty before him. He wants so much to tell her how much he loves her, to let her know how much she means to him, but he knows it can wait. Instead, he plants a sweet kiss on her forehead of unsaid words and promises and lets the rhythm of her steady breathing lull him into a deep slumber. And soon the only sound that can be heard is the beautiful melody of two hearts beating in tandem.
***
The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the delightful aroma of pancakes fills his nostrils, pulling him from his slumber. Fastening a robe around his body, he makes his way towards the kitchen. Walking past the laundry room, he recognizes the low hum of the washer in progress and remembers the mess they left in their wake as they stumbled towards the bedroom in hurried frenzy. The wet clothes that were strewn across the floor and the shards of glass from the broken furniture are all gone. As he nears the opening to the kitchen, he could make out the faint sounds of nature emanating from the ipod dock that sits on the floor. The cynosure of his eyes has a penchant for the natural world.
She stands at the front of the stove, deep in concentration as she pours the last of the pancake batter unto the griddle. Her long tresses are tied into a messy bun, but he thinks she has never looked more beautiful. She doesn’t hear him approach, almost dropping the spatula as his sturdy hands snakes around her torso, pressing her body against his. She relaxes into his arms and sighs in contentment.
‘I made you breakfast,’ she says, unwinding her body from his firm hold.
‘It’s almost 3 o’ clock in the afternoon,’ he returns, smiling.
‘Well, we’re an unconventional couple,’ she shrugs.
***
She met Yong Hwa years ago in college. She laughs now at the memory of the skinny guy who always talked or sang too loudly, but whose happiness was like a welcomed disease; a catharsis from the inexorable stress of college life. They weren’t acquainted, but knew each other having taken similar classes. She didn’t notice him much since she was too absorbed with her current boyfriend, Min Ho. She swore he was the love of her life, her reason to live, her world.
And all at once her world imploded.
It’s amazing how everything could seem so fine one day and come crashing down the next. She didn’t see it coming, and maybe had she known, she could’ve saved herself from the ineffable pain that followed. But how could she have known that a love cultivated with timeless care and compassion, would blossom into something so vile? She remembers a lesson in biology class on flowers, one of the few occasions in which instead of daydreaming about Min Ho, she actually paid attention. She found flowers fascinating and enjoyed their beautiful array of colours. One in particular caught her attention that day: The Oleander; a gorgeous plant whose attractive petals of subterfuge disguises its deadly properties. At the end of the session, she noticed the doodle of Min Ho left from a previous class perched on top of the subheader, ‘oleander’ and smiled at the thought of meeting him soon. Only days after did she understand the full meaning of the incidental juxtaposition.
She could recall the precise moment that her heart was ruthlessly ripped from her chest, and carelessly discarded on the floor. Sometimes she could still hear the deafening shrill of her world smashing into thousands of irretrievable shards and could still feel the dull ache that replaced the empty space where her heart used to be. She would lie awake at nights yearning to be wrapped in the comfort of his arms once again, and she would wake up on mornings holding unto the false hope that it was all just a dream. She was a mess, but one day something shifted inside her. The plethora of love letters she couldn’t stop writing, the material gifts of love she couldn’t stop giving, the bearing of her body and soul devoid of uncertainty were testimony to her unrelenting love for this man, who without any remorse broke her world. The longing and love she harbored turned into intense detest and distrust. She swore she would never love again. She was sure she couldn’t.
But then a young man came along and taught her how to live again. A man who patiently collected the pieces of her world and helped her mold it into one whole. There were still discernible cracks and it was still fragile, but it was a world she could be happy in, if only a little.
***
Now as she watches him devour his pancakes and listens to his unending praise in between gulps, she can’t help but be thankful. Those three defining words are perched on her lips, but she hesitates. It can wait, she thinks.
***
A/N: Open to constructive criticism, or any kind of criticism really. If you want to tell me it's shi**y then by all means.