communal garden - writing

Nikola wandered through the busy streets of town at noon, trying to find something interesting to do. Carefully weaving through the crowds, he turned a corner and suddenly froze when they heard a small, high, familiar voice: “Hey!! Don’t squish Hosta!!”

“Ortega?” Nikola looked down and saw the little orange lumendra and her pet boosha, Hosta, staring up at him. Ortega did not look pleased. “...My apologies. I didn’t see you two there.”

Thankfully, Ortega’s expression quickly melted into a cheerful smile. “You’re all good! But what are you doing walking around without Faye or Amos or Aimee with you? That, like, never happens.” He looked up at Nikola, a bit puzzled.

“They were all busy with something somewhere else. I came here on my own looking for something to do, which I haven’t had any luck finding.” They sighed. “You…wouldn’t have something for me to do, would you?”

Ortega’s eyes lit up. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to show you something for, like, forever now! No, wait, it was… only three weeks, but- still!! Come on!!” He tried to sprint off, Hosta on his back…slowly. Nikola paid no mind and followed her to wherever she had in mind.

— — — — — —

After some time, the two arrived at what seemed to be a massive garden. Long garden beds were lined up neatly within the perimeter of a surrounding fence, and there were already a few plants starting to sprout. 

“Ta-daa~!!! It’s our town’s communal garden! Isn’t it awesome?!” Ortega announced to Nikola. “Now where did I leave those seeds…” He scooted over to some corner of the garden, leaving Nikola alone.

Of course Ortega would show me this, Nikola thought to himself as their friend went ahead. He’s obsessed with this kind of stuff. It sort of reminds me of how ruptours work together to get their duties done…did he know? They shook their head and decided not to worry about it, and instead help him with planting.

Nikola walked over to the garden bed where Ortega and Hosta were getting ready to plant a variety of fruit and vegetable seeds. “So…” Nikola began. “What do I need to do here, exactly…?”

“Just follow my lead! It’s not that hard– I’ll even let you help me this time ‘cause I’m too short to reach some of the garden beds.” He laughed. Nikola couldn’t help but laugh a bit with him.

— — — — — —

Nikola and Ortega spent quite some time digging little holes in the dirt, carefully dropping seeds into them, and covering them up again so they could grow. By the time they ran out of seeds, they’d filled up an entire garden bed. 

“Hey, Nikola? Could you get me that watering can over there? Can’t leave without watering everything!” Ortega called. Without a word, Nikola located the watering can, filled it up, and passed it to the lumendra. The pair decided to water the rest of the plants growing in the garden as well, with Nikola helping Ortega carefully shower the seeds and shoots with water.

As the evening sun began to set, casting golden light on the garden, the two Faians had finally finished their work in the communal garden. “Wasn’t that fun?!” said Ortega, picking out the bits of dirt in Hosta’s fur. 

Without answering his question, Nikola only said, “Thanks for showing me the garden. Maybe I’ll come back soon.” 

“See you later!” Ortega cried as Nikola walked back into the town. Perhaps he would come back– maybe they’d even bring more friends to help with the garden.