If I ignore a friend I have the ability to help,wouldn't I be betraying him?
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Dave's POV
I have to admit...my village people have finally caught me. I am so stupid. What was I thinking when I decided to help this woman? now I am in so much trouble.
Anyways,it turns out I can't do anything. She has me trapped but I still find it hard to believe Katherine,I mean she is like the living example of Rapunzel.
She knows I can't tell her father because I don't know him and also he might kill me without her defending me. Plus,I can tell she knows I feel bad for her terrible childhood.
Darn me for being so sensitive.
I came back to the living room after Katherine had dressed up and the sight in front of me was hilarious. Katherine looked like she was swallowed by my shirt and the trousers weren't doing her justice.
She glared at me and I clamped my hand down my mouth to stop the laughter from escaping. I got to admit,she is really funny. She has made me to laugh twice in such a short span of time.
I settled for a chuckle. "Wow,you look dazzling".
"Shut up okay?" Katherine huffed,crossing her arms. "Now,before we start with my wishes,we have to go shopping tomorrow. I need clothes,toiletries,a laptop–".
"And who is going with you?" I asked playing dumb.
"Don't make me sass you David" She smirked. "You have to".
"Unlike some people,I have a job" I said,sitting on the couch and grabbing the remote. "Besides,how did you know my full name is David?".
"It was a guess" Katherine said sitting next to me. "You can call me Kath,it's a short form".
"Okay,Kath" I smirked. "Now,tell me. Why do you trust I will help you? Aren't you scared if I'm a ritualist or kidnapper and you don't know?".
"I am a good judge of attitude and looks" Katherine answered nonchalantly. "Besides,you are obliged to help me. It's not like you have much of a choice,in between my dad and helping me,you have a better shot with me".
I sighed in defeat. My fate is sealed.
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I woke up falling off the couch hard. I groaned remembering why I was here. Like a gentleman,I had to give Katherine my bed which I was really regretting. She complained the bed was lumpy,she wasn't even grateful.
I was met with a strange face close up the moment i opened my eyes and I jerked back,hitting my head on the arm rest. "Oow!".
I looked up and saw Katherine's cheery face,I scowled. "Good morning" she chirped,seeing I had woken up and skipped to the kitchen.
I glared at her figure. "To what do I owe the displeasure of this awakening?" I asked in a plain and annoyed tone.
"We have to go to the mall to get new clothes" Katherine said.
"It's too early,my shift starts late today,at least let me sleep in peace" I grumbled before covering myself in a wrapper.
Kath peeled it off "no! I did a lot of exercise yesterday and i'm hungry,I need food".
"Then make it yourself!".
"This is your house!".
"Ugh!" I snapped and got up. I walked into the kitchen and Kath looked pleased. I glared at her.
"Just make the food yourself Kath" I whined tired.
"I can't".
"Why not?".
"I can't cook".
I looked at her in disbelief. "That's a lie right?". She said nothing. "You spent all your life in the house and you didn't learn to cook?".
"I tried but my mother never let me. They said they didn't want me to get hurt" Kath defended. "The only thing I ever learn was how to make noodles,spaghetti and rice".
I slapped my forehead and sighed in disappointment. "Your parents took protectiveness to a whole new level".
"You have no idea" she muttered.
"Do you want to learn? I can teach you" I offered despite my grumpy attitude.
Kath turned to me with glowing eyes. "Really?".
"Yeah,I'm a chef" I said with pride. "It's my job".
"Cool" Katherine smiled. "It's not really part of my wishes but it is worth a shot. Now make me breakfast".
I smiled shaking my head. I felt happier in contrast to how I felt this morning. I realized I hadn't thought of Miriam since last night. It felt nice.
I made macaroni and stew,the stew was a bit spicy but Kath couldn't complain because she was hungry. I stared at her and decided to tease her.
"You know...what kind of woman doesn't know how to cook?" I smiled.
"Shut up" Kath snapped,she didn't seem to understand what I was doing. "there are many women out there who can't cook,it isn't a big deal".
"That is true but it is expected of a Nigerian woman to know how to cook" I said,my lips twitching and threatening to burst into laughter.
"Whatever" Katherine sulked. "I don't care,do you expect me to be like those typical Nigerian women who sacrifice their dreams for men who won't appreciate it,no way!".
I laughed. "I was just joking Kath. I won't judge you besides,it seems you have quite an opinion about men".
"Uh,well" Kath flushed. "I just don't like the ideas of men thinking women should be the ones at home,maintaining the house like housewives. I'd like it if women were able to achieve their dreams by working".
"I think you are still in the olden days Katherine. That doesn't happen anymore".
"It does but it's rare". Kath said following me. "I didn't really mean it like that anyways".
"I know now let me get dressed so we can do your shopping before you go all feminist on me" I teased,clicking my tongue at her.
She looked pretty embarrassed for some reason. "I am not a feminist!" She yelled as I walked into the room with a satisfied smile. Teasing her is so fun.
An hour later,I had dressed up and got my bike ready. Kath traced the edges of the bike and I suddenly felt worried.
"You know,I always wanted to learn how to ride a bike" she said staring at me hopefully. I knew there was a reason I was worried.
I laughed dryly then stopped. "Nice try. Not going to happen while i'm with you. I don't want you to get hurt and have your influential father want to hurt me more".
Kath pouted like a child. "You are no fun". She sat on my bike and wrapped her hand round my waist.
"Glad you realize it" I answered monotone and flipped my helmet shut. I drove the bike to Ikeja City mall also known as shoprite.
I felt Kath squirm and stole a look. She was looking at everywhere curiously and excitedly like she had never seen anything like it. If I had any doubt's about her story,I felt them disappear. She really doesn't know anything about the world,it's quite sad. What I just don't understand is why her parents would keep her locked at home. Is it really just to keep her safe? And from what?
I shook my head,ridding the thoughts and focused on my destination. I drove into the compound and parked.
"Wow!" Kath looked at the building in awe. She looked so excited like a child. It made me laugh. We got off the bike and I had to hold Katherine down just so she wouldn't faint out of pure excitement. I found it hard to frown at her.
Kath was so excited that she forgot she was in a parking lot. She didn't notice a car driving in her direction,my heart skipped a beat and I didn't even know what happened.
It turned out that I pulled her back on time. The car stopped after driving past and the driver yelled at us "be careful na! Do you want to put problem for pesin head?".
"Sorry,sorry" I apologized and turned to a sheepish looking Kath. I glared at her "are you accident prone? Is that why your parents don't let you leave the house?".
Kath looked surprised at my question. "Um,no. Of course not".
"Then watch where you are going" I scolded. "I know you are excited but don't die before you get to do anything".
Katherine seemed to have toned down hearing that. She bowed her head sadly "I'm sorry". She didn't look at my face anymore and I wanted to grunt in annoyance.
Is she angry at me because I scolded her? She looked like a child who was told she had to grow up. Despite our strong Katherine is,she seems quite sensitive...and childish.
"I hope you understand Kath" I sighed and held her hand in mine. I don't want to lose her before the end of the day,she is my responsibility after all. "I am not angry at you. I'm just...worried. You are my responsibility,I have to take care of you".
"Thank you" Kath smiled,staring at me.
"But only so you can get out of my life" I added to lighten up the mood. Kath laughed and I smiled.
We walked to the entrance and as soon as we got in,Kath went shopping spree crazy. Everything she set her eyes on,she wanted to buy. I know she probably doesn't have money problems but still no wasting.
I pulled her to a clothing store and she picked out the dresses she wanted. She even asked for my opinions on some. She tried the clothes on and said I should judge them. When she disappeared into the changing room,I remembered doing this with Miriam. I wish I didn't remember her. She is married now to some guy she doesn't love. All she wants is his money.
I didn't notice Kath had come out.
"Ahem,Dave" she cleared her throat and looked up.
My knitted brows unfolded and my jaw slackened. "Wow".
"Is that what you think?" Kath asked me. She looked really good. She was wearing a red patterned shirt which was a crop top and black jeans trousers with some black canvas.
"Wow,it suits you" i smiled.
"Thanks,now your turn,is there anything you want to buy?" Kath asked "trousers? t-shirts?".
"No,it doesn't feel right using your money plus we have been here for a whole hour" i said looking at my phone. "let's go".
Kath stomped her feet,pouting like a child. "You are no fun Dave. I haven't even tested the make up".
"No".
"At least let me buy them and a laptop,I need social media" Kath insisted. I sighed in defeat and she beamed. "Great!".
We walked into more stores where Kath bought a new Sim card,make up and a laptop. I wonder what she needs a laptop for. We decided to leave but Kath said she wanted to use the bathroom since the one in my house is a 'nightmare'.
I waited for about 20 minutes but Kath wasn't coming out. "What is Kath doing in there?". I waited for a while but I lost my patience and peeked,crossing my fingers that I wouldn't be caught. I saw Kath grabbed by two men.
"Let me go!" Kath yelled furiously as she pulled her arms from the men but the men had a tight grip on her.
"You have to return home miss Katherine" one of the men said.
I backed up,staring in disbelief. They caught Katherine. I felt conflicted; I really wanted to help Kath after hearing her sad story but I didn't want trouble,Kath's life is dangerous. I just know it.
I heaved a sigh and barged in,hitting one of the bodyguards in the face. Kath and the other bodyguards looked surprised. Kath used this as an opportunity to hit the other man in the face with her elbow. He stumbled and fell. I grabbed Kath's hand and we ran away as fast we could with all the bags in our hands.
We panted heavily as we got into the bike. I drove off immediately and soon,we were out of sight. I sighed in relief and Kath began to laugh.
"Why are you laughing?!".
"Because that was fun!"
"You're crazy. Running from your father's dangerous men was fun?!".
"Yes!" Katherine yelled with a laugh,leaning to look at me. "Now,why did you help me? You could have walked away if you wanted to".
"Yes,I could have. But I couldn't at the same time. After all,If I ignore a friend I have the ability to help,wouldn't I be betraying him?".
Katherine didn't say anything after that but I sensed she smiled because she squeezed my waist tighter. I smiled as well knowing i had made the right decision.
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Aww,Kath and Dave are now friends. What is next on their adventure? Find out in the next chapter.
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