Understanding You | Park Bo Gum

Chapter 2 - The Blooms of Our Bond

Years went by we made new friends Park Jiho and Kim Do Hyun. We four became thick friends. Even Ray's sister Renah was our very close friend even though she was three years older than us.

We used to go to amusements parks on holidays I still remember how scared Ray is of roller coasters. When the school took us for a picnic day to an amusement park, I remember how Ray was screaming and poor Jiho puked after the ride. On the roller coaster Ray held my hand so tight and was screaming, "Haaannnaaaaaa I am loving this, but I am so freaking scared god save meeeeeeee!!!! Ho woooo hooo!" Happy moments.

On Jiho's 15th birthday we planned to go to the Namsan Tower as it looks beautiful in winter. We went to the Namsan tower after a lavish dinner at Jiho's house. Do Hyun and Ray ran very fast towards the top of the tower and were waving at me and Jiho. It was a bountiful sight. The image of the tower is still fresh in my memories.

That night we four spent a lot of time hanging out of course Ray's dad had sent guards as we were still young teens. We had hot spicy ttoekboeki and I remember how I was suffering from the spiciness (I can't handle spicy food oooof!). Do Hyun and Jiho were similar in just one thing and that was eating spicy food crazily. Those were some good days.

Time flew by and we did not realize when did adolescence hit us and I started developing feelings for Ray. I was no longer ok with showing my embarrassing moments to him and my feelings of friendship towards Ray turned into feelings of love.

Ray did not seem a boy, to me he had become a man, he was muscular (a little I guess), his voice cracked as a result of puberty with Adam's apple almost protruding out of his neck and his long straight hair traveling down till the tip of his shoulders and of course his endearing smile that I always fall for over and over again.

I remember the incident from grade 10th when I was coming back home from my art class (yes, I love art) and how two nasty guys in their late 20s were following me, creeping me the hell out. All I could do was make a phone call to Ray and the moment I saw him ran towards him and held his hand tightly. By the time I could realize I had completely fallen for Ray. I did grab attention from other guys but for Ray was all that I was focused on.

I held it in for 4 years. On my 19th birthday when our school days ended and we were in the first year of college, I finally decided to confess.

I had a few plans for my 19th birthday, but it did not go as planned as I feared rejection and thought that it might affect our friendship if I am rejected. But I did not know that Do Hyun has planned to confess to Jiho, I lowkey shipped them and I and Ray used to tease them as to how good of a couple they would make. Of course, I was not able to confess my feelings for Ray, but I saved it for later.

I decided to major in arts, and I wanted to become an art professor, Ray wanted to be a businessman like his father, Jiho was interested in science and chose to become a doctor and Do Hyun decided to major in visual communication he wanted to become a director. Four of us gave the entrance exam and joined Seoul National University. I joined the faculty of arts; Ray joined the business school, Jiho joined the faculty of medicine and Do Hyun joined the faculty of visual communication.

We became sophomores and we were doing quite well academically and in other ways, Jiho and Do Hyun celebrated their 1-year anniversary. We were celebrating it and then suddenly Jiho asked me, "are you even gonna tell Ray, I am sorry Do Hyun spoiled your plan last year, but you have many events and chances to confess!"

Hana: "hey it is not like Hyun spoiled it take a chill pill. I do plan to confess but I am too scared what if I get rejected! I like him a lot and don't wanna lose him"

Jiho: "see I think Ray likes you too there are many incidents that prove it!"

Hana: "how I don't see it I feel like he is just being himself"

Jiho: "aye you idiot! See do you remember the art class incident Ray came to you immediately. In 11th when John asked you out Ray was so angry, he always teased you angrily whenever you asked for his help, he would tell you to go ask John, he gets jealous when other boys are around you. Do you recall he hardly speaks anything when you are all dressed up prettily as he is so shocked at your beauty and busy admiring you, he always protects you from your little insecurities, he is always there for you to support you and he roots for you genuinely. But you know that how shy of a person he is. He has rejected so many girls just for you, he is into you Hana, and don't you think how happy he will be if you were the one who confessed first. Come on we are not in the 80s or 90s where boys confess first. Go dear, grab your man before it is too late!"

Hana: "Now that you have described all this, I do get a positive vibe. Ok! Jiho! I have decided. I will confess my feelings to Ray on the wedding anniversary party of his parents that is scheduled on 12th August 2010. Mark this date!"

Jiho: "All the best sweety!"

Hana: "Thanks Jiho I am ready for this"

On 12th August 2010, as planned I have everything ready and all I need is the perfect timing. I saw the time and I'm a bit late, so I rushed to Jiho's house. At Jiho's house Do Hyun is also present I greeted him, and we were talking while Jiho was still getting ready.

Hana: "Do Hyun, you know the plan right?"

Do Hyun: "Don't worry about it I have everything ready all we need is the right time!"

Hana: "cool let's hope for the best"

Jiho: "heyo lovelies I'm ready"

Do Hyun is jaw dropped at the pretty purple one-piece Jiho was wearing and could not take his eyes off her.

Hana: "Oh, dear Do Hyun stop staring and let us get going we are already late".

Do Hyun: "oh lemme admire my pretty lady"

Hana: "ok ok hahaha"

Jiho: "Hyun stop! Let's go"

Do Hyun: "as you wish ma'am!"

We three left for the party and we met Ray. Oh god, he was so stunning with that dark green velvet suit, and I just could not stop blushing. Jiho noticed it and told me off, "hey stop fangirling over your boy and go get the things ready", I said, "oh yeah I'm going to the place we decided upon just bring Ray when I text you".

I went to the garden in the backyard where I had planned to confess him. The place was decorated with blue and purple lights with a few golden amongst them. The big bouquet of 99 red roses was ready. You may wonder why 99 roses and not a hundred. Isn't it obvious! Ray is the one rose that will complete the 100 roses (eee I know it is cheesy).

Everything is ready the center position is also ready where I'll confess to Ray. The position has a big heart made out of Tuberose that is Ray's favorite flower. Ok done! I was about to text Jiho but right at that time, I got a call from Ray's mother around 7.15 PM. I went to the place where Ray's mother asked me to come. Aunty explained everything she had been wanting to tell me and Renah. I saw the time it was 08:05 PM. A loud blast and explosion.