friendly towards her. I said, ‘I shall be delighted if she can come.’
‘Even if I don’t speak to you tomorrow, I’ll expect to see you at the usual place then, at 10 a.m. Is that OK? Make sure you have some idea of where you’d like to go.’ I smiled to myself at his tone of voice, which sounded like an intimate command.
‘I’d rather leave the programme of the day in your hands,’ I said and heard him chuckle.
5 April. I packed lunch for three with great care and went to ‘Rose’. He was alone.
‘Where’s your sister?’ I had put on clothes and shoes with her in mind. I had hoped to secure some sign of approval from her.
‘I am ashamed to say that she’s made herself unavailable. Apparently mother scolded her severely about something yesterday. She just walked out and did not come home last night. She’s terrible, she’s spoilt and so wilful causing us serious headaches sometimes.’ He clicked his tongue disconsolately and said, ‘I couldn’t call off our plan simply because of her, could I?’ He was right, I suppose, for there are only a couple more days before he goes to Pusan, but I could not hide my disappointment.
‘How sad. I really wanted to meet her more than you. Don’t you have to do something to bring her home?’
‘No, it’s nothing to worry about. We’re quite used to her ways, refusing to eat or leaving the house until she gets what she wants. Sounds awful, doesn’t she? But when she is nice, she’s the sweetest thing in the world. Would you like to see her picture?’ He produced a snapshot from his wallet. A young lady in tight-legged trousers of three quarter length with a check-patterned blouse, and a wide-brimmed straw hat was leaning on a walking stick as she brightly smiled by the wheel of a water-mill. An attractive face with large eyes and straight, high nose resembled that of her brother. I handed it back. ‘She’s lovely. She takes after you, doesn’t she?’ He just smiled.
‘Now, where would you like to go?’ He said briskly as he looked at his wrist-watch. It was past half past ten.
‘They brought in some plants at home yesterday. I picked up a couple for you and me to plant somewhere.’ What a romantic idea!
‘What are they?’
‘Magnolia.’
‘Magnolia! Wonderful!’ Filled with childlike delight I clapped my hands. ‘To plant magnolia, it would have to be some hills, do you think?’ Then I remembered Samgak Mountain. I knew it only through Kim Naesŏng’s novel The Lovers. The last scene is set on this mountain and it has left a deep impression on me. Its protagonist Kang Chiun and the heroine, Yi Yŏngsim, walk up the steep paths of this mountain, deep in untrodden snow. Their bodies and souls sealed in one accord, unconscious of the time or place or what lies ahead them, and rolling over in the snow, picking themselves up and propping up each other, they plod on towards the summit, leaving a trail of endless foot marks. I fancied seeing this mountain. As I walk up the valley towards the highest peak today, I thought, my own soul may be sealed in one aspiration – love.
‘Samgak Mountain – I’ve never been there but I’ve always wanted to go.’ Thus our destination was settled.
We got into a covered jeep with a driver waiting inside. There were two saplings in the back about a metre high, like two switches of equal length and thickness.
‘How did you find a pair so alike?’ I was impressed.
Once out of the city and past the Capitol Building and Hyojadong, the surface of the unpaved road was rough and it was full of sharp bends. Sitting on the back seat with the lunch box on my lap, I was thrown up and down each time the car bounced. I also had to mind my handbag that kept falling off the seat, and the saplings bouncing over from one side to the other. The driver noticing my plight in his mirror said, ‘May I suggest, sir, you go to the back and give the lady a hand. She’s got too much to cope with.’
‘I am sorry, it never occurred to me.’ He stopped the car, came over to the back seat, and took the lunch box and the plants off my hands. The driver turned round and smiled as if he was pleased with what he had done. Sitting so close to him I felt nervous. I tried hard to hold myself upright but as the road was getting rougher we were constantly thrown against each other. When it was a smooth going I could hear him breathing. I could not face his eyes so I kept mine fixed on the landscape outside, hoping he did not hear my heart beating fast. What will I do once we are in the woods with not a soul around? He seemed to be calm. Why can’t I be like that? He would laugh at me if he knew what I am like. I took a deep breath to compose myself.
In no time we were at the foot of the mountain where the car could go no further. He gave the driver some money as he said, ‘Thank you and goodbye.’ It seemed to be an excessive tip for a private driver but I could not dwell on such matters.
‘Have a good time, sir, and the lady too.’ He gave us a meaningful wink and turned away. Just the two of us, and not a soul around. We entered a pine wood following a narrow path. It was a beautiful day. Birds darted about chirruping as if welcoming some distinguished visitors. Yes, we are rather special people, I thought. We shall behave as fit for such people.
As the path grew wild and dangerous I fully recovered my calmness. I was happy now that I could behave naturally with him.
‘Are you sure you can make it to the top?’
‘Of course, I can.’
‘The one who gives up first will be the loser.’
‘And the loser will obey the winner.’ We heartily laughted.
We walked on up a steep rocky path, passing in and out several pine woods until we came to a little stream. We had a rest here, eating some chocolates and sweets I had brought in my bag, and started climbing again. The higher we went the more breathtaking the view became. Range after range of hills all round you, dells and woods below and crystal streams weaving through the ravines, and a torrent nearby, all in one view. I slightly shivered with awe.
By now, we were both panting and drenched in sweat. The trouble was that we were not properly dressed for climbing. Each time we had to clamber over a rock, he turned and put out his hand to help me but each time I declined. I wanted to show him my independence.
When we reached a spot from which we could see the summit just above our heads, we found a Buddhist temple and a small homestead.
‘Should we plant the trees here first,’ he said, ‘have some lunch and then go up the top?’
‘I was just going to suggest that. To make sure they come to no harm, it would be nice to plant them near the temple compound, and ask the people here to keep an eye on them.’
He went up to the main Hall and asked for the abbot. A man of about fifty came out, joined his palms as he bowed from the waist and said, ‘Welcome to our temple. What can we do for you?’ We stood side by side and bowed in greeting.
‘As it is Arbor Day today, we’ve brought a couple of saplings hoping to plant them somewhere here. We came to ask you if you would be able to keep an eye on them.’ He said it so smartly, so politely yet with such dignity I was proud of him.
‘Ah, is that so. That is a good idea,’ said the abbot. ‘Have you chosen the site?’
‘No, not yet. We’d appreciate it if you could help us. It would be nice if it was
