Chapter 5: Wild Flower "What?" Ji-ho, an honest and hard-working girl, shouted in the doctor's office. "That can't be!" Lo and behold, seven months later Ji-ho was the proud mother of a cute baby boy who she named Cloud. Cloud's father had been madly in love with Ji-ho, but was killed in a traffic accident before he was able to wed her. So Ji-ho was left alone to raise Cloud in Bulgogi Forest, where unwed mothers were frowned upon. One day, Ji-ho ran into Su-yu, an attorney who was Cloud's father's best friend. Su-yu had met Ji-ho years ago, but had not seen her since Cloud's father died. Su-yu was amazed that Ji-ho had raised Cloud to be such a good boy. Ji-ho showered Cloud with love, and in return, Cloud gave Ji-ho the will to live. As time passed, Su-yu saw more and more of Ji-ho. Soon Su-yu was in love with Ji-ho. He also spent hours with Cloud and began to love Cloud too. He was too shy, though, to confess his love to Ji-ho. Ji-ho in the meantime also began to see Su-yu in a new light. He no longer was just Cloud's father's best friend, but was also becoming her best friend. In fact, she was falling in love with Su-yu. And there was no doubt that Cloud also loved Su-yu. But Ji-ho was too shy to confess her love to Su-yu. During lunch one day, Su-yu mentioned to Ji-ho that the flowers were blooming. Bulgogi Forest was famous for its beautiful flowers. Animals from all over flocked to Bulgogi Forest each year to view the flowers. This year, the blooms were extraordinarily spectacular. "Why don't we go see the flowers tonight?" Su-yu asked. "I'd love to," Ji-ho answered. "Me, too," Cloud added. So that night, Su-yu, Ji-ho and Cloud took the Bulgogi Express to the outskirts of the forest to view the flowers. There were flowers of all shapes and colors. But one flower grabbed the attention of Ji-ho. It was the white wild flower, which was her birth flower. When Ji-ho was a little girl, she had dreamed that her true love would surprise her with a bouquet of white wild flowers. It was a dream that Ji-ho had never told anyone about. On the way back home that night, Su-yu and Ji-ho sat in silence as Cloud slept besides them. Ji-ho thought sadly about the white wild flowers and how life doesn't always turn out the way you want it to. The next morning when Ji-ho returned home after taking Cloud to school, there was a box outside her door. She took it in to the kitchen and opened it up. The box overflowed with white wild flowers. She opened the card, and the message said, "I love you." It was signed, "SY". Tears came to Ji-ho's eyes. "How did he know?" she wondered. Just then, the doorbell rang, startling Ji-ho. She went to the door and it was Su-yu. "How did you know I loved white wild flowers? Ji-ho asked pleadingly. "I, uh, . . . " Su-yu hesitantly began. "Well, the truth is, I didn't know that. You see when I was a little boy, I dreamed of giving my true love white wild flowers. I had forgotten about that dream until yesterday." Ji-ho looked into Su-yu's eyes and began to cry quietly. "When I was small, I dreamt that my true love would give me white wild flowers." Tears welled up in Su-yu's eyes as he held Ji-ho. "Ji-ho, I love you and Cloud. Will you marry me?" "Yes," replied Ji-ho as Su-yu kissed her. "I love you too." And Ji-ho and Su-yu were married one month later, with Cloud as the ring bearer. All of the animals of Bulgogi Forest were invited to the wedding at Bulgogi Church, followed by a reception at Bulgogi Restaurant, featuring a menu of the finest rice and kimchi. After coming back from their honeymoon at Kalbi Spa and Resort, Ji-ho, Su-yu and Cloud lived happily ever after among the white wild flowers in Bulgogi Forest. |
| The Saga of Bulgogi Forest continues . . . |
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