My Foolish Heart

Bad dreams

            “Kathy!! Kathy! Wake up! Follow me!” It was Miles waking me up in the middle of the night! I was in my deep slumber when he started shaking me and asking me to change outfit and follow him. I stood up, went to my closet.

             “I will wait for you downstairs,” Miles told me before rushing outside my room.

            I didn’t have a chance to ask him why but I changed to jeans and an oversized jacket. I went downstairs and walked outside the house. He was not talking to me, but he looked anxious by the way he seemed, and his eyes were sore red.

            I stopped walking and grabbed his arm, “Is there something wrong, Miles? Where are we going? My Mom and dad didn’t know I went out with you in the middle of the night? Is there anything I need to Know?” I questioned, frowning at him. He can't just wake me up and bring me somewhere I don’t know.

            “Your Mom and dad are expecting you. Just get in!” He shrugged my hand away from his arm and ushered me to get inside the car

            I went inside his car. He turned the ignition on and drove away. I was thinking of asking him, but he was too focused on the road. There were hundreds of questions I wanted to ask him, but I kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to distract him.

             “Could you please slow the car down? I don’t want us to end this trip to the hospital.” I irritatingly said.

            He ignored me and drove the car much faster than it was.

            “I’ll tell Marcus about this..” I murmured

            I didn’t talk to him during the ride. I looked away and focused my eyes outside the window. Why was he acting so weird? And why were my parents expecting to see me? I felt a little bit anxious, and imprudent thoughts were building up in the head.

        Sometime later, we arrived at the hospital. Miles opened my side door and grabbed my hand. He dragged me inside the hospital since my body wasn’t cooperating, and I was still thinking about why we were here. My thoughts kicked in when I saw my Mom and dad in the hall, hugging each other and crying… “Why are they crying?’ My dad saw me first and hugged me.

            “Sweety, you’re here,” my dad said. I broke the hug and went to my Mom.

            “What’s wrong, Mom? What happened?” I worriedly asked

            “It’s your brother Marcus,” my mom cried.

            ‘Oh s**t,’ I never thought about it. My heart started beating fast. ‘What happened to Marcus? Please don’t tell me he did something stupid. Was he involved in an accident? What’s wrong?’

            “What’s wrong?”I blurted out, trying to hide my worries.

            It was Miles who answered me back, “He tried to kill himself.” His gaze was on the ground. He couldn’t look at me.

            ‘No! No! That wasn’t my brother. We were just talking this morning. He just told me about his plans after graduation. Marcus just said to me that he finally met the person that he loves and will be spending the rest of his life with.. no! No!.’

            “Is he okay?” I was still trying to make my head function. I was lost, keeping my tears at bay.

            “He’s still under observation. Doctors said he took too many pills and alcohol,” Miles answered.

            “When did this happen?”

            “Just earlier tonight,” Miles replied

            “No way! This seems unreal. He’s fine! I was with him this afternoon. He was so happy! What made him do this? You know the answer, Miles, right?” I questioned Miles. He knew the reason why he did this. He was Marcus’ best friend, for f**k sake!

            Miles didn’t speak; he just looked at me and took something out from his pocket.

            “I found this next to him. Your name is written here,”  Miles said, handing me the letter.

            I snatched the letter and ran away. I heard my Mom and Dad calling my name, but  I ran away. I needed to go somewhere. I needed to read this letter whatever it meant. ‘You can’t do this to me, Marcus. You're strong and smart enough for this.’ He was my only brother, my support and strength besides Mom and dad.’

             I went to the parking lot and saw an old open-back truck. Climbing up, I sat in and opened the letter. My body was stunned by what I read.

Dear Sweetkate,

I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like to read this kind of letter, especially when I’m not here anymore. I’m so sorry, my Kate, for doing this to you- my favorite sister and pretty sure you’ll say, “I am your only sister”... I chuckled.

I’m so sorry, remember when  I told you about my special someone? .. I thought she was indeed the one. I thought we were in love. I thought she loved me too. I had planned to elope with her since she’s all I have ever wanted. Mom and Dad may not like it, but this was what we desired, and I believed she wanted it too, but I was wrong. I loved her so much, Kathy, but she cheated on me... I saw her making out with Miles. I didn’t know that Nadia was still after my best friend too. I thought Miles would let me be with her, but no, I saw it with my own eyes. It hurts me so much that I couldn’t think of any solution but to do this. I can’t take it. You’re the only person that I’ve spoken to about this. Please forgive me. Please don’t hate Miles. After all, I am also at fault. I love you, Sweetkate. Please say sorry for me to Mom and Dad.

Till next life,

Marcus

            I bawled my eyes out after reading the letter. I couldn’t believe it was Nadia after all. My brother got betrayed by none other than Miles and Nadia. I knew it! She did it on purpose. She knew what I’ve been trying to do, and she did it to us. She made my brother do this… and Miles..why Miles? What did they do to my brother? I was in so much deep thought and tears when I heard someone calling my name.

            “Kathy…”

            I turned around and saw this man’s face. I couldn’t believe I fell on him. I couldn’t believe that I had to change myself for him, do stupid stuff for him. I tried to warn him about Nadia, telling him how cunning and evil she was. I tried to protect the man that I love, but I also forgot to protect my brother from her. How stupid I was. I never thought that the woman my brother was talking about was also the same woman I’ve been trying to tell Miles to avoid.

            I climbed down, tried to walk away from him, but held both of my shoulders and swung me around.

            I spoke before he could open his mouth.

            “What have you done to him? ”.

            He was wordless. His eyes were wet, looking down.

            “He’s your best friend; why did you have to steal his woman away from him?.” I questioned his choice though I know it was Nadia; it was still wasn’t right to go after your best friend’s girl.

            I didn’t want Miles to see me crying. I wanted him to see my anger and fury for what they have done to my poor brother, who was now fighting for his dearest life. But I failed. I let go of the tears I was trying to hold back.

            “Listen to me. It wasn’t my fault, neither Marcus...It’s just that…” he said, trying to explain himself to me.

            “Just what?... You know that he loves someone, and you still tried to steal her from him? Is that what you wanted to say?” I shouted back.

            “No, You don’t understand. You don’t know the whole story,” Miles replied sadly. His hands were clenched tight.

            “I don’t need to know the whole story, Miles. If you had just listened to me, my brother would’ve understood if he found out the truth about her, but like you always thought, I was a -childish lying b***h!” I yelled

            “Kathy…” Miles protested. I didn’t miss the tears freely flowing from his eyes. I was hurting as much as he was. I wanted to run my fingers on his face and hug him, but I can’t. It was still all his fault.

            The next thing I knew, I felt a stinging pain from my hand. I slapped him. But before I left, I took out something from my finger and tossed it at him.

            “Why Miles?.. you’re responsible for my brother’s death …you killed him….”