Harboured
@clxjaebum
Boyoung sits on the edge of the dock, feet dangling but not nearly skimming the water. Below are the thin white petals she peeled off of a bouquet of chrysanthemums, their discarded stems sitting peacefully in their wrappings and ribbons.
Her locket sways at the hollow of her neck as she curls over, chin on the heels of her palms, and just watches the gentle current sweep the petals out and in.
Her surroundings are tranquil. But suddenly she is not.
It begins with warm pinprick tears that cascade down her round cheeks soon enough, and some make their way into her mouth. They’re salty, and taste slightly of urea, but that’s normal.
Soon enough, she’s crying, and then weeping, quiet sobs wracking her body like waves crashing against rocks, and she can’t hold back, she can’t. Her arms are wrapped against the knees she brought up to her chin a little while ago. The same knees are soaked by a puddle of tears, the white jeans turned slightly grey at contact, and she can’t stop sobbing.
She comes up for air a few times, but each is cut short by another round, another wave, of long harboured emotion.
