13 Wishes

Secrets are best unspoken

Sometimes,I feel like the only one who doesn't know the truth.

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Wish #1: give to a cause

Wish #2: go to a carnival

Dave's POV

I woke up to the sight of Katherine. I groaned and covered myself with my wrapper again.

"Come on Dave,you promised to take me to the carnival" Kath complained and I was seriously regretting telling her that. I have work and–, Wait! Work!

I sat up immediately,staring at Kath with wide,worried eyes. "Kath,what's the time?".

"Past seven,what's wrong?" She asked,watching me shoot up from the couch and rush inside. I came out with a towel and a bucket. "No questions Kath,I have to be at work by 9 o'clock".

"But we will go to the carnival right after,yes or no?".

I shot her an irritated look "yes we will. Thanks for not helping".

"How would I know?" I heard her say as I stormed off. I took a bath,got dressed and sped off in my bike not bothering to eat breakfast.

"Dang!" I cursed. Breakfast! I forgot to prepare breakfast for Kath. I know she is annoying but it's still not fair to her.

I arrived at my work place and began to call Kath as I made my way to the restaurant. Kath answered the call and I spoke immediately. "Hey Kath,sorry I couldn't make breakfast. I had to rush to work,can–".

"Don't worry Dave. I got it. I just ordered pizza" she answered not in the least annoyed.

I quirked an eyebrow. "Pizza,lucky you,enjoy".

"Yep! Come back fast" she said and I hung up. I got in through the employee door and my coworkers greeted me.

"Hey Dave".

"Sup?".

"Morning".

I smiled and greeted them back,then I went to the employee's room to change. I came back to the kitchen ready to cook.

"Hey Dave,I heard that Miriam got married. I even saw her wedding photos" One of my coworkers,Toyosi said.

I stiffened and shut my eyes instinctively,an irritated look on my face. This is why I don't tell my coworkers anything,they are huge gossipers,men and women alike.

I decided to let it go since anybody would be curious. I moved to the fridge and began taking out food items.

"What happened? I thought you loved her" Another of my coworkers,Fred asked.

"I didn't" I said defensively. "I was close to,but I didn't".

"Stop being cryptic and tell us what happened dude" another one of my coworkers asked,almost abandoning his work to listen to me.

I sighed in defeat. "She just dated me so she could have fun. She knew she was getting married a long time ago and wanted freedom for a while. She used me to be satisfied for when she got married," I ignored everyone's pitiful stares, "She got married to some rich dumbo she doesn't love but who gets married to anyone they love this days" I added with a bitter smile.

"What a b***h" Efe cursed. "What a gold digger".

"I don't approve of your language" Toyosi said,wagging her finger disapprovingly. "But I agree. It's women like her that ruin men for women like me". She frowned upset then batted her eyelashes at me,smiling flirtatiously, "now that you're single,we can try our luck".

This earned a laugh from almost everyone in the kitchen. I stared at Toyosi amused,knowing she was joking. She always did this and not only with me but with Fred and the others.

"As much as that is a tempting offer,i have to pass" i grinned at her playfully pouting face. "Not interested in being in a relationship anymore. I have enough of a problem at home to add another one".

Everyone laughed again and Toyosi gasped dramatically "are you calling me? we women? Problem?".

"No no sweetheart" I smiled,not bothering to apologise.

Toyosi brushed me off,whipping her hair in my face. "I don't blame you. Men are also a trouble. If i go all feminist on you,you won't hear word so i go just spare you".

I laughed. "I got to say Toyosi,you really know how to cheer me up". Toyosi nodded and smiled and everyone returned to their jobs. I was over Miriam,the hurt was still there but with Kath as a new problem,I've had time to forget her.

Soon,hours passed by and my shift was over. I drove home and couldn't help but worry about Kath. I haven't known her long but I can tell she is trouble. She left the house without permission and she can do it again,this time who knows where she will go to.

I would hope she would leave but having someone's life on my head not knowing if they lived or died would kill me. I sped up and arrived at my house. I rushed inside and was surprised to see her quietly looking at her laptop. She turned to me and smiled "hey,you are finally back".

"Uh yeah" I said,looking at her and around suspiciously.

"Is something wrong?" Kath asked confused.

"I er,i expected you to get into trouble before I got back"

"Really?! But I barely get in trouble,I mean" Kath defended,an amused look in her eyes. "I didn't do anything bad when I went outside yesterday".

"I told you not to go out yesterday".

"No you didn't".

"You also went through my stuff".

"That isn't trouble. It's being curious,now let's go" Kath said changing the topic. "Let's go to the carnival and give to a cause!".

"Give to a cause? That's one of your wishes?" I asked.

"Yeah" Kath said. "I have already decided who to give to".

"Who?"

"Children with medical problems" Kath answered,with a strange glow in her eyes. "I just want them to be happy,to live life happily. No matter what illnesses they have. I want to give them hope that they can live without pain or anything".

"That's a really nice thing to say Kath. I never expected it from you" I looked at her surprised. She looked so passionate saying those words,she must have meant them. "It seems spending time with me is making you mature" I said in a cocky,playful tone. I got on my bike and wore my helmet.

Kath just laughed and got on behind me. "Dave,when my 13 wishes are over,I will have to go home" Kath said in a small voice.

I felt a bit sad. I wonder what is wrong with Katherine's dad,can't he see he is hurting her by keeping her a prisoner in her own house. "Maybe you won't have to. If it comes to it,I will help you tell your dad that you can take care of yourself".

"You will?" Kath asked,disbelief dripping off her words.

"Yes,it won't be right for you to live like a prisoner in your father's house. You are more than unhappy about it,I can feel it".

"You won't be able to Dave" Kim said,doubting me. She snuggled closer to me "but it's the thought that counts".

I said nothing but I will make sure I prove to Katherine that I will be there for her,no matter what. I drove off,first in the direction of the nearest medical center where she anonymously dropped an envelope with a cheque of 35 million Naira.

I almost fainted when I heard the amount and stared at her in pure shock. She waved it off like nothing saying "it's no problem. I had a lot of money in my trust fund that I never got to use until now".

Hearing that made me wonder how rich she is to give it away so casually and I couldn't say anything in reply because she went on a happy fit that her first wish was finally granted. She looked like a kid high on sugar but it made me happy to see her happy.

I drove off to the main road before stopping in a big field which was blocked by big blue metal gates and walls. There were so many people going in and out,families,lovers,friends.

"Wow,there are a lot of people" I commented hesitant to mix in with the crowd.

Katherine didn't look deterred. She instead stared at everywhere with shining eyes. "Everywhere is so beautiful" she sighed and I thought ‘what are you talking about?! Everywhere is dusty and cramped with people’ until I realized Kath has never seen the world for real and she becomes fascinated with every single thing.

She dragged me with her and I held on tight,I didn't want to lose her in this mess. We got to the front and Kath paid the fee. I felt a little embarrassed.

"You should have told me,I could have made an effort to pay" I grumbled sheepishly.

"No,you shouldn't have to spend your money for me. You've done me enough by accompanying me and being my friend it's more than I could ask for" Kath said staring earnestly at me.

I smiled. "You are really cheesy. You can also bruise a man's ego".

"Forget your ego and let's have some fun!" Kath squealed and pulled me with her to every single ride.

We rode on a rollercoaster,ferris wheel,–turns out Katherine is afraid of heights–played games,ate a lot of snacks. Honestly,it was one of the best days I had.

"Are we done now Kath?" I whined. "Aren't you tired? The sun is so hot and we have been here for three hours".

"Not yet,I want to enjoy every single moment. Let's take another picture" Kath said excitedly and I sighed exasperatedly. Kath pulled me in and we took a selfie.

Katherine looked through them and my stomach growled. I was hungry...again! This is the third time since we got here. The snacks here are barely filling anything and walking around makes it worse.

"Let's sit down and eat Kath,I am begging you" I pleaded tired. I can't wait to get home and lay on my soft–dang,she has claimed the bed for herself already.

We sat at a small stall and ate. I scarfed down the food as fast as I could not caring if I burnt my tongue. Kath giggled at him and I narrowed my eyes at her.

She continued eating then looked up,opening her mouth to tell me something but shut it,her eyes widened as she stared behind me.

"What's the matter?" I asked confused.

She looked at me and pursed her lips. "N-nothing. Excuse me a bit,I'll be right back".

"Where are you going? You don't know anywhere around here. Are you alright?" She got up to leave but I held her back.

"Are you alright?" I asked,noticing she was shifting uncomfortably.

"Yeah,I'm fine. Just leave me and I'll be back" Kath said with a tight lipped smile and she walked away.

That was weird. Kath has never behaved like that before,I wonder if she is alright. I finished eating and sat down waiting but I couldn't keep still because I was worried and before I knew it,I found myself looking for Kath.

I'm glad it didn't take me long to find her. She was in a corner with three men and they were fighting. It didn't seem like a normal fight,it seemed like full on war.

What surprised me was how easily Katherine was able to avoid their punches and kick. She was a bit dirty and her hair was in her mouth but she looked fine. One of the men was on the ground holding his head while the remaining two were still fighting.

I rushed in when they were close to dealing Kath a brutal blow. Kath looked surprised to see me when I kicked the approaching man.

"Dave,I..." Kath didn't complete her sentence.

I stared at her irritated.

"What's going on Kath".

"I can't tell you but what you need to know is we aren't getting out of here until we do them some real damage so I suggest you leave your manners out the door" Kath said looking serious,her eyes darting between me and the three attackers.

I narrowed my eyes at her irritated and frustrated. One of the three men came for us and I decided to listen to Kath and fight. The fight ended rather quickly since I was stronger and Kath was skilled. I turned to her once we were done with them but she had already walked away.

"Kath!" I yelled angrily,catching up with her but she didn't regard me. Only when we were outside the carnival and back home did she talk.

"Will you tell me what on earth is going on Katherine?!" I asked angrily,crossing my arms in front of my chest as I glared at Kath.

She looked down not facing me. "I can't tell you. You don't need to know,it isn't your place to".

Hearing that almost made me explode. "What do you mean it's not my place to know?! If I didn't help you,who knows what those men might have done to you!".

"Explain yourself Kath! Now!" I yelled.

"I won't" Kath said firmly,looking me in the eye.

"Then find someone else to help you with your silly wishes" I spat bitterly and stormed off in the direction of the room not bothering to see Kath's reaction.

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Dave and Kath had their first fight,sad. Do you think Kath will work up the courage to tell him what she's been hiding? Find out in the next chapter of 13 Wishes.