My Foolish Heart

Friendship Ring

            The dinner was excellent. Belinda and Jack gifted me a pair of earrings and a bracelet with my name engraved on it. They said they bought it from India, and Miles personally chose the design. I kind of doubted it since I have never heard Miles even visited India, but his dad said he sent Miles some pictures to choose for me. I looked at Miles, and he just smiled. I thanked them and hugged them.

            Marcus bought me three new pairs of shoes. Mom and dad handed me a new laptop and camera. Miles didn’t give me any, and I was a bit disappointed by him. The dinner finished around eight o’clock when Belinda and Jack decided to go home. I said my goodbyes to them and told my Mom that I was going to freshen up upstairs. I heard their car drove away and went on my business.

            I was about to go out of my shower when I jolted out. I saw Miles sitting next to my bed, me facing his back.

            “Oh My God, Miles! What are you doing here? I thought you went home with your parents?” clutching my towel over my chest.

              “I’m sorry if I startled you. I meant to give something,” Miles apologized, still not turning around.

            “Okay, just wait a minute. I need to dress up first” I walked straight to my walk-in closet. I wore my long pajama and an oversized shirt. Then I went outside to check on Miles.

            “So what do I owe your visit here,”  I asked Miles as I stood in front of him. He lifted his head up, looking at me.

            “It’s your birthday, remember? I’m sorry for coming here without your permission. I figured you’re inside the shower room, so I took the liberty to walk in” Miles stood up, apologizing. He towered over me, making a small space between us.

            “Besides, I know you won’t mind it,” he sounded cocky, but he was right. I won’t mind it. The distance between us shivered my skin. I made a small step back to give us the suffocating feeling of space.

            “Oh oh.. okay,” I stuttered, “You said you wanted to give me something. I thought the giving gift ceremony is over,” I sniggered.

            He smiled and handed me out a small box.

            ‘Is it a ring?’ I asked myself. There’s no way he was giving me that.

            I heard him chuckled. s**t! Did I say it out loud?’

             “Of course, I can give you anything, right?”

             ‘Even your heart?’ my naughty mind teased me. I put my thoughts away and took the box from Miles. I opened it, and it was indeed a ring.

            “I thought of giving you this friendship ring since you’re fifteen, and in some countries, they gifted the quinceaneras a ring to symbolize the welcome to womanhood,” Miles explained.

            I was taken aback by what he said, I never thought of that, but I gladly thanked him. Miles took out the ring from the box and slid it in my middle finger. It was so simple yet beautiful. It was a gold ring with two small diamonds incised inside. I was so happy that I hugged Miles tight, tiptoed, and kissed him. I was shocked when I realized that I didn’t kiss him on his cheeks like what I always do but on his lips... I stole my very first kiss !! My eyes widen as I realized it; my legs went jelly. I broke the kiss and suddenly found the curtain behind him interesting.

            “It is okay. I don’t mind it” Miles broke my thoughts. I was so embarrassed and felt my body turned red.

            “I’m sorry, I was just carried away by my happiness. I know you won’t mind it.” I shamefully told him, though I was hurt. I meant nothing to him but a friend and a sister. I think it was time for me to say to him what I’ve seen earlier.

            “Miles, I have something to tell you..” I started while playing the ring on the finger.

            He nodded. He sat back down on my bed.

            “Earlier... I saw Nadia with….”

            “Kathy, please stop..” he stopped me before I could continue what I had to confess.

            “If this all about Nadia, please stop wasting your time trying to convince me she’s not perfect for me or to anyone. I know her, and I like her. Please spare her from your childish game. I’m begging you,” Miles pleaded.

            “Please listen to me at once, this time. It wasn’t only me who saw what happened. I was with Josh.”

            “Kathy, I do understand your jealousy. Marcus and I are having a hard time finding time to spend with you, but please, stop this nonsense thing. I got to go. Happy birthday,” Miles told me and walked out of my room, not waiting for me to talk back.

             How could he do this to me? One moment Miles made me happy. The next thing he was shoving his loving protection for Nadia in my face. When will you learn to love and trust me back, Miles?