The Day I Questioned Life...

ACT VII : SUDDEN FAREWELLS

To my ever dearest Kate,

I received your letter. Thank you for writing back! I was happy you still remembered me, and I was grateful you replied. But it brings my heart into thorns about that sad news... of course I'm going to find you! I'm so sorry I was late... If I knew all this would happen, I should've never left you for so long, sleep for ten-frustrating-years. It's really hard for me. How I wished I could trade places with you.

You knew me as a fighter, so now I want you to fight for yourself. I believe you conquered a lot of obstacles in life. So do take care of yourself while I began to journey back to your arms. Do not bring me bad news for I have faith that you. I cannot live without you. You can't leave me behind and go ahead to a better place. I got nothing but you in this world.God gave me a second chance to live because we're supposed to spend the rest of our lives together. I will marry you! You do not need to wait long. I'm on my way...

Yours truly,

Joseph Brown

---

2nd of March 2009

St. Lorenzo Railway station,

I woke up in the benches at the waiting room of Station building No. 4. The railway is old, and so steam-locomotive passenger trains are the only ones to use the tracks. It was six in the morning, so I bought a cup of coffee beside the ticket sales office. I sat back and crossed my legs, awaiting the arrival of the train. An hour later, it came.

"I'm going to see her again."

I prepared a short prayer for Kate, as I began to travel: "God on high, deliver this letter safely to Kate. Bring her sickness to an end, like you did when I was asleep. Bless her for she's done nothing wrong. We praise you up high, and our love that blossom is our gift to you."

The thought I kept saying in my head while holding my hands together, praying she'll be alright. I glanced at the window, looking back on my memories ten years ago. Katelene and I sure have spent a lot of good time together. It kept me believing we can have more...

The more I think of Kate's letter, it made me feel so depressed. I was given the chance and the motivation to experience the life that was robbed to me, but if I lose my motivation, will I be able to live the life I wanted? If things come to worst, can I live without the person who gave me reason to live?

After five hours of travel, we approached the city of Santrock. A city built with a fast-paced living. There were tall buildings and gigantic skyscrapers, flooded marketplaces and busy tabloid stands. My eyes were caught by the fast-pace modern living. It seems like people work tirelessly in the city, every day was a race for them, and I saw that in their eyes. Life is grey. I asked around for the hospital Kate was admitted, people weren't nice but I was persistent.

I wasted two more hours, and that the sky darkens, it was afternoon. I visited three hospitals by the end of the day. I haven't eaten or drink anything. I was desperate. I was walking in circles in the big city. Finally, I turned right two blocks from where I am, and glanced on her in a garden of an old hospital.

I ran inside and find my way to her. As I found the garden, it bears a great resemblance to our usual spot. I never seen this much trees in Santrock. I saw her sitting under one of the sakura trees, watching the twilight breaks. She haven't changed a bitI walked towards her slowly...

"Kate? I am here now... I found you..."

She looked at me with a calm, steady gaze. I found heaven in her eyes, and for the very first time in a very long time, I started to feel the warmth and comfort I've lost all this years. I stood face-to-face with the person who stood and waited for me. The feelings that didn't reach her, and the words I couldn't say in my sleep, I can have the chance to say them.I sat beside her, and there, we broke out in tears. We couldn't hold back our emotions as we embraced each other tightly.

'Finally...I have you in my arms...' Kate sighed in relief.

"I'm sorry I made you wait! I ran into a little problem finding where you stayed..." she chuckled with my reply. 'I apologize for that! I forgot to tell you that simple detail.'

I held her in my arms even tighter and said, "You don't need to worry about that anymore-I'm here and I will never leave you ever again!"

We talked almost the whole time, and watched the sunset like we did before. We held our hands until dark. As the night falls, Kate started to feel a bit bad. I was hurting, seeing her in pain. She couldn't even hold her eyes open. I offered to bring her back at her room, and she gave me nothing but a smile. Silence overwhelms the atmosphere as I walked her back to her room. I tried talking to her, sharing my stories, and all that I felt in the past decade. She kept even quieter, moving very small, and I just kept talking. The moment I brought her to room, I remember the small, dull, and obsolete place I once stayed. I carried her on my back, and sat her nicely on the bed. She felt a little cold and started to look pale.

'Thank you Joseph... I have no regrets in my life now. I can finally rest now that we've met."

"For all the sad words of tongue, please don't give up yet! I just got here... there's so much things I want to tell you"

'Thank you for traveling half a mile for me, Thank you for making my wishes come true, and for the love you gave unconditionally. You always came running when I needed you the most. Spend your life wisely. I hope that you'll live the life you've wanted. I wish I could be there, butI'm a bit tired. I think I should rest...'

Kate put my head to her chest with the last of her strength. She didn't let me talk. She just closed her eyes. I was on my knees, weeping for what is about to happen.

"I wanted to thank you too...”

‘For what…?”

“For the letters you send when you're far away, for the memories you carved in my heart. I am thankful that I had the privilege of meeting you. I’ve always been meaning to ask you, Katelene Secrets.

She didn’t try to answer…

“Will you marry me?"

She smiled once more as went in peace.

Kate passed away...