Sperm Donor

Classical music reverberated all over the fancy dining room, kissing each tasteful artwork on the walls and praising the ravishing decorations. The candlelights sprinkled glorious colors to the cherished linen tablecloths and napkins. Set at the center of the table were waving wands of green with purple bells of sweet lavender.

Sun Hee sat together with her university friends. They meet once a month to check on each other. All of them were married except for her. Most of the time, she's left out of the conversation because she has nothing to share about marriage. But as a psychiatrist, they ask for her opinion whenever there's a problem with their married life.

"It's exhausting to be a homemaker. I stay at home all day, take care of my sons, drive them to school and yet I have to stay pretty so my husband won't replace me with his colleague. But it's all worth it when I hear the laughter of my children and receive hugs and kisses from my husband. I've become satisfied with those little things," Chae Young said.

"My husband and I are both working. I hate staying at home and he knows that. He lets me do what I want. He drives the kids to school while I fetch them in the afternoon. I could balance work and being a mom," Da Eun said.

"Being married to the man I love was like a dream. As I walked down the aisle, he smiled at me instead of crying. As we put the rings on our fingers, we were ready to face the challenges together. We do things together - travel, go to work, cook, and exercise," Eun Ji said, with eyes glimmering.

"You should enjoy your time together before you have a child."

Chae Young chuckled.

"Actually... I'm 3 weeks pregnant."

Their face lit up.

"Wow, congrats!"

They had wide smiles as they greeted her.

"Do you have a name for the baby?" Sun Hee asked.

"We're still thinking of cute names."

"If it's a girl, Ha Eun would be good. It means grand, big, summer, charity, mercy, and kindness," Sun Hee said.

"If it's a boy, call him Hyun Woo. It means prominent and protects," Da Eun said.

"Oh, thank you. I'll keep that in mind."

They gazed at Sun Hee.

"What about you? What's your plan?"

Sun Hee glanced at the lavender flower. Her eyes flashed a sense of longing and emptiness, accompanied by uncertainty.

"I want a baby," she said.

"Really? I can set you up on blind dates."

"Me too. I know quite a few stunning men. You'll surely love them!"

The women giggled.

"It reminds me of the fun we had while swiping men."

"Yes! Collect and select."

Their laughter echoed like chimes.

"I hate to ruin the mood but... I don't want to get married," Sun Hee said and sipped a glass of wine.

They glimpsed at each other, puzzled.

"Are you saying you'll raise a kid without a father?" Chae Young asked.

"I'm saying I don't need a husband."

"But the kids need a father," Da Eun said.

"I'll raise them in a way that they won't look for one," Sun Hee replied in a flat tone.

"Well, you'll have to look for a sperm donor if that's the case."

Sun Hee's father was a cardiologist, and her mother was a dermatologist. Being an only child, she's tired of listening to her parents argue all the time. Her parents had a divorce and her mother raised her alone. She grew apart from her father and they lived without him.

After their meal, Sun Hee went to Coex. She can't miss Min Jee's book signing event. Her brows furrowed when Youngjae walked back and forth at the building. She stopped the car and beeped. Youngjae approached her as she rolled down the window.

Youngjae and Sun Hee were not close. Though she and Min Jee were best friends, Youngjae cared less about it. It's also because of their age gap, he's 30 years old while she's 25.

"Min Jee is missing," he said.

"What?"

Youngjae opened the passenger seat without her permission. He was frantic, while it stupefied her.

"She texted me earlier that she went to Seoul Forest. I thought it was a joke," she said.

"Seoul Forest?"

He massaged the bridge of his nose.

"She said not to look for her."

His brows lowered and knitted together.

"Fuck. What is she thinking? She took my car. We're going there and will bring her back before this day ends," he muttered.

Sun Hee shook her head and obeyed him. He dialed Daewon's number on the phone.

"Daewon... Can I ask a favor?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Tell the event organizer that you have an urgent meeting with Min Jee. She can't continue the book signing."

"Why? What happened?"

"She ran away and we're looking for her. She turned off her phone."

"Alright. Keep me posted."

***

Colors of maroon hung on the branches of trees. The paved lanes and alluring sceneries beckoned as the frosty brush of winter broke through their thick jacket. The wind rested from the hustle and bustle of the city and embraced tranquility with hearts of green.

Seoul Forest comprises five parks with approximately 595,000 square meters of land. The Culture & Art Park is in the forest's heart. The Eco Forest is a natural habitat for wildlife, connected to the Hangang River and Jungnangcheon stream. A refurbished educational area housed different gardens which is called The Experimental Learning Park.

The Marsh Plants Garden makes use of the local reservoir's natural environment, the Wetlands Ecological Field. Meanwhile, the riverside area at the junction of Hangang River and Jungnangcheon stream features a waterfront park, marina, and rest area.

"Where in this forest is she hiding?" Youngjae said.

"Give her some time. This is a perfect place to calm down, you should too," Sun Hee said while they walked side by side.

"She's my only sister. I value her so much. Why do you think I'm still single for thirty years? I need to make sure that she's going to find the right guy. She's a gremlin."

He pouted.

"A what?"

She's confused.

"I'll be settling down after her wedding."

Youngjae walked ahead of her towards the sea of tulips. The flamboyant mixture of red, white, pink, violet, and orange seduced his purity. She gazed at him as he bent down and worshipped them. The wind wheezed to his rippled bangs, uncovering his forehead.

The leaves fell from the twigs in slow motion and whispered to her ears, "He's gorgeous."

Youngjae smiled and averted his eyes at her.

"They're just like my sister... fragile, heavenly, and attention seeker."

"She never gets off your mind, huh?"

"Wherever I go, I see her. I see her where there's paradise and pandemonium."

Sun Hee gazed at him with adulation.

Out of nowhere, she said, "Will you be my sperm donor?"