Four
"Hush now baby girl, it can't be that bad" Tasha hushed Kathleen
" How could he be that cruel? Kath cried, " he tried taking advantage of me, all I did was defend myself, it's not fair that I still had to apologize to him" it
" Life itself isn't fair, would you rather go to jail than apologies? You have no proof that he tried raping you"
" Do you really think I should apologize?"
" Yes Kath, trust me everything will be fine, I know Dave loves you"
Tasha hugged Kath but inwardly she cringed, to be honest, she had always been jealous of Kath, she had always been everyone's favorite, that day that Dave had picked them up, she had eyes on him but he ended up choosing Kath, it has always been Kath and never her, that's why she feels that Kath deserves every bit of what she was going through with Dave, if Dave had chosen her, she would have treated him so well and they would have been so happy together. She rolled her eyes maliciously at Kathleen's back while hugging her, pretending to be concerned.
" Thank you" Kath broke away from Tasha's embrace feeling very relieved, she just needed someone to talk to, Tasha is like her sister, they have always been there for each other and Kath was glad Tasha was here with her, she wished Tasha finds someone who would love her wholeheartedly because she deserved it.
Tasha stayed for a while before leaving, " thanks once again, you're simply the kind of friend anyone would wish for, I'm lucky to have a friend like you in my life".
Kath went to Dave's house that evening, he smirked when he saw her, " I knew you would come, you just can't resist me can you? No, it's your greedy parents, they simply can't let go of the jackpot"
Kath made no comeback, " I'm sorry for what happened"
Dave laughed in glee, " that's more like it, my princess has come to apologize"
" But Dave, that shouldn't repeat itself"
" Why not? We would get married anyways"
" I prefer that we wait till we get married"
Dave considered for a moment before nodding, " alright, just be obedient to me at all times and we won't have any problem, we'll make a happy couple"
Dave moved to hug her and she stiffened, " relax, I don't bite" he laughed
" Dave, I have to go, we'll see tomorrow"
"Alright princess" Dave whistled as he watched her leave, he had her just where he wanted her.
*
*
The next day, Kath got to college only to see everyone staring at her, what was going on?
"Kathleen" Tasha called out to her, running towards her, " please come with me"
" What's going on Tasha"
" You'll find out very soon" Tasha dragged her along and Kath had no choice but to follow her, she followed her to the college's auditorium, it was crowded with students but they parted for she and Tasha to go in when they saw them, just before they got in, Tasha blindfolded her with a handkerchief and led her in, Kathleen wondered what has gotten into Tasha.
" Surprise" Tasha hooted, removing the blindfold, Kath opened her eyes to see Dave kneeling at her front
with a ring, her heart thudded, was he about to propose? Her eyes moved from Dave to the big banner behind him that simply read, "marry me, Kathleen"
"Oh my God, he's proposing, I still need a bit of a time" but she didn't dare say that aloud.
"Awwwnnnn, how romantic, I wish I am in your shoes right now Kath," Tasha said from behind her
Dave was staring into her eyes, " common love, I'm waiting for your reply"
"Say yes" someone shouted from the crowd
" He's so cute, please say yes" another voice joined in, one by one they started urging her to say yes till it turned to a song.
" Kath?" Dave looked at her questioningly and she found herself repeating after the crowd, maybe he would change after marriage, she would do her best not to anger him, maybe they can still find a way to work things out, these thoughts were moving in her head as she whispered yes to Dave.
" I can't hear you, louder" Dave curve his hands around his ears
" Yes, I'll marry you," she said aloud
" Phew, I love you" Dave hugged her amidst the applause of onlookers
" Awnnn, how romantic, I love this" someone said from the crowd
Dave carried her a twirl with her in his arm, the onlookers cheered and Kath's face flushed crimson.
" I love you" Dave shouted, but Crystal couldn't get rid of the feeling of strange premonition.
*
*
Preparations for her wedding was going on, guests have been invited, it was a day before her wedding and Kathleen decided to cut out time from her too busy schedule to visit Dave, she had been so busy she had not even had the time to see him, thank God he understood though that was so unlike him, she tried to reach him on phone to inform him that she was coming but he wasn't picking his call, she decided to go to his house anyway now that she has a bit of chance.
Kath got to Dave's house but it was locked, thank God she came with her own key, she would wait for him inside till he comes back from where ever he went, she opened the door and walked into the living room, the living room was a mess, his clothes were thrown all over the place, she shook her head at his untidiness and bent down to pick his clothes when something caught her eyes, it was a ladies pant and bra, at that moment she heard a noise upstairs, she followed the sound, she almost tripped on the stairs over something and when she looked down, it was a lady's heels, one heel was at the bottom of the stairs and another on the stairs, she followed the sound to Dave's room, the door to his room was ajar, she opened it and got the shock of her life, Dave was in bed with another woman, " Dave?" She whispered, hurt beyond measure.
Dave quickly rolled off the lady at the sound of his name, that was when she got to see who the lady was.
" Tasha?" Kath breathing suddenly started coming in short gasp, how could they betray her this way, she looked at Tasha, her best friend who didn't look the least bit remorseful of her act.
" You could have called me before coming" Dave growled
She glanced from Dave to Tasha still unable to believe what she just saw, tomorrow was their wedding and he was here frolicking with her best friend.
" How could you do this to me?" She gasp amidst the pain that clogged her throat, she whimpered and used her trembling hand to seal her mouth.
" You could have avoided this if you had called" Dave growled and Tasha snickered, for the first time, her eyes opened to read the pure hatred written all over Tasha's face, hatred for her? She doesn't understand, " I saw you as my sister"
" Oh please, spare me your drama" Tasha hissed," what you do not know is Dave has always been mine, you snatched him from me and now as from tomorrow he'll be all yours, I have the right to spend time with him"
Kath felt as if there was a hot knife on her chest, " so this has been going on for long?"
"From the first day we met him at the bus station" Tasha replied with glee
" Just go home, for now, we'll discuss this later" Dave cuts in
Kath couldn't take it anymore, she turned on her heels and ran out of the house.