THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 71 – 80
EPISODE 75
“I was just thinking of calling you.” Kathleen said the moment she received Ella’s call the next morning. She was sweating profusely since she had been busy cleaning the house and washing both her clothes and those of her mother and Isioma. Although she had kept busy because she was trying to avoid running into Pete after last night’s drama, however she knew she couldn’t stall anymore since she had to go over to his house to help him with his chores too.
“Well, good thing I called you first. How are you doing today? I hope you’re not still upset about last night 0?” Ella asked curiously.
“I’m okay.”
“Are you sure? You seemed like you were in a pretty foul mood last night.” Ella said doubtfully.
“I was. But I’m okay now. Sorry I couldn’t call to check if you got home safely last night. And I’m sorry I ruined the night for us all.” Kathleen said apologetically.
“Come on, you don’t owe us an apology. I’m sure you did what was right at the moment. I have to admit I was pretty impressed by how you held that bottle sha! I wish I had snapped you.” Ella said with a giggle making Kathleen laugh despite how embarrassed she had felt.
“What did my brother say though?” Ella asked.
“Abeg just leave that one. I’m not ready to think about him yet.” Kathleen said with a sigh. Her mother had been disturbing her to give her the details of the events at the club but she had successfully managed to avoid answering the question.
“You’re still going out with him today, right?” Ella asked curiously.
“Yeah. I doubt he would allow me change my mind. He has been threatening to bundle me into his car if I change my mind.’ Kathleen said with an amused smile.
“Aww. That’s so cute and romantic.” Ella said making Kathleen’s smile widen.
“Only because he is your brother. If this same line was coming from another guy it would probably sound creepy, and you know it.”
“Maybe. But it is still cute.” Ella said with a smile, “By the way, Kimberly called me a while ago. She says she wants your phone number, so I wanted to find out first if you are okay with me giving her your phone number?” Ella asked politely.
“She did? Please give it to her. I want her number as well. By the way how well do you know her?” Kathleen asked curiously.
“I can’t say I know her very well. She was just my classmate in secondary school. Why?”
“Nothing. I just need to apologise to her for last night. I think I did more harm to her than good.” Kathleen said thoughtfully. It was probably best she meets with Kimberly herself rather than enquire about her from Ella who obviously didn’t know much about her.
“I’m not sure she feels that way. But I’ll leave that for the both of you to decide. Let me know an hour before you’re ready to leave so I can send someone over to fix your makeup. Okay?’
“I will. Thank you very much. Please don’t forget to send me her number.” Kathleen added before they both hung up.
She cleaned the sweat on her brow with her shirt as she dipped her phone in her pocket and left the room. It was time to go over to Pete’s apartment to clean his kitchen and mop the house.
“What can I help you do?” Isioma asked when Kathleen walked into the living room and headed for the door.
“You have tried by washing the bathrooms, so just rest. I will ask Amanda to come and stay with you while I clean the house so she won’t get in my way.” Kathleen said as she continued outside.
“Bia Ngozika, you’re going to the main house dressed like this? See the kind of buluku trouser (Shapeless trouser) you’re wearing, and that shirt is too big and too dirty. See the way your hair is looking rough and you’re even sweating.” She said with disapproval making Kathleen sigh.
“I’m going to clean his house, not for a fashion show abeg. I’m not ready for any drama today so please leave me and my clothes. If he doesn’t like what I’m wearing let him leave me. Everybody should leave me.” Kathleen said irritably as she walked out of the house.
Immediately she got to Pete’s house she saw Chidi mopping the living room, “Why are you doing that? I was just coming to do it.” Kathleen protested.
“I’m staying here too, so I should keep it clean. Besides you’re not anybody’s house girl.” Chidi reminded her as he kept mopping, “By the way I heard you did some warri girl move at the club last night.” He said with a chuckle making Kathleen frown.
“He told you? I thought men were supposed to know how to keep secrets?” Kathleen asked with a displeased frown.
“Except that this wasn’t a secret.” Pete said as he joined them. He grinned when he saw the shapeless trouser and dirty oversized shirt she was wearing, “Nice outfit. You look like a real area girl now, or is it a cultist? All that is missing now is a bandana scarf and a bottle.” He said with a chuckle making Kathleen hiss as she headed for the kitchen leaving Chidi and Pete who were both laughing now.
“I thought you were going to hide in your apartment all day.” Pete said as he followed her into the kitchen.
“I was busy, I wasn’t hiding.” Kathleen muttered as she looked around the kitchen for something to do, but the whole place looked like it had been cleaned already.
“Yet you sent Isioma to come and ask me what we wanted for breakfast?” He asked as he stood by the door watching her.
“That’s because I was washing.”
“You could have come to the house to make use of the washing machine.” Pete pointed out.
“I prefer using my hands. The clothes are cleaner when you use your hands.” Kathleen said making Pete raise a brow.
“Yeah. I wonder who the stupid person was that decided to make washing machines when our hands can do a better job.” Pete said dryly.
“Whatever.”
“I already cleaned the house and the kitchen, and I already fixed breakfast and lunch. So go freshen up let’s go for our driving lesson. When we get back we’d leave for our date.” Pete said making her look at him in confusion.
“What? You thought I forgot the driving lesson? We agreed to do it every weekend, right? Our date doesn’t affect it, so go get ready. Hurry.” He told her with a grin as he walked away. He intended to see how she would have the time to meet with anyone else during her spare time.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 71 – 80
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By the time Kimberly and Eric returned from the gym some minutes before 10 AM, Kimberly was completely tired. She collapsed on the floor of her room the moment she walked in and just lay there.
“I’ve been waiting for you all morning.” Prisca said as she walked into the bedroom and shut the door behind her.
“I’m so tired. I can’t even find the strength to walk into the bathroom.” Kimberly groaned from where she was lying down. She wished they didn’t have to go anywhere else so she could just sleep off.
“Kim are you okay?” Prisca asked as she sat by the edge of the bed and looked down at Kimberly.
“Yeah. Why?”
“What happened last night? Why were you crying?” Prisca asked curiously making Kimberly sigh. She had been trying hard not to think about it since she woke up, and even when she had called Ken to text her Ella’s number, she had tried to avoid the subject.
“I ran into a guy at the club. He harassed me saying I’ve been with all of his friends but him.” Kimberly explained wearily as she sat up on the floor and rested her back against the wall so she could look at Prisca.
“Eric was there? What did he say? How did he react?” Prisca asked with a frown.
“Well, someone else stepped in before he came. We weren’t alone.” Kimberly said as she went on to give her the details of how they had met Pete and the others, as well as how Kathleen had defended her.
“Wow! That must have been pretty awkward and embarrassing for you. I’m sorry you had to go through that.” Prisca said apologetically, “I’m glad they were all there with you. Especially Eric.” Prisca added.
“I can’t imagine how Eric must have felt. I’m sure he must have been pretty embarrassed.” Kimberly said sadly.
“I think he cares too much about you to be embarrassed.” Prisca said in awe. She couldn’t imagine any other guy stepping in and defending Kimberly that way, especially when he was aware she had done all they had said.
“Care?” Kimberly asked with a dry laugh, “I don’t think so. What is here to care about? It’s funny that I don’t even remember the faces of ninety percent of the guys I’ve slept with. I think he’s just trying to keep to his end of the deal. I can assure you he’s going to run far away from me the moment the deal is over.” Kimberly said trying not to look sad. She really wished all of this wasn’t just about their contract. She wished it was real and Eric was really in love with her and on her side genuinely.
She had been unable to meet his gaze last night cause she hadn’t wanted to see the pity in his eyes. He probably pitied her. She didn’t want to be moved by anything he was doing, but she couldn’t deny the fact that all the attention and care he was showing her was beginning to get to her. She loved the way he held her when she cried, she loved the way he always playfully complained about her ruining his shirt with her makeup just to make her smile, she loved the way he kssed her forehead and her cheeks, she loved the way he kssed her and tried to do things for her. She loved the way he had woken her up this morning with breakfast even though she hadn’t tasted it. She loved everything about him, and even the way most ladies at the gym had been staring at him but he had looked in only her direction. It was too sad that it wasn’t real. Of course it couldn’t be real. No man would love someone like her.
“Why does he have to keep to the deal? He hasn’t even asked you for money yet, or has he?” Prisca asked curiously.
“Who knows? Maybe he’s going to ask for a huge sum when all this is over.” Kimberly said with a shrug.
“I know you even don’t believe that. We both know he doesn’t need to do any of the things he is doing.”
“Yeah. Maybe he is doing all this because he feels sorry for me, who knows? Did I tell you he let me talk to his mother, over the phone?” Kimberly asked Prisca.
“He did?”
“Yeah. She’s nice.”
“Yet you don’t think he cares about you?” Prisca asked with a slightly raised brow.
“Maybe he cares about me just as his friend. He’s a nice guy after all.” Kimberly said making Prisca roll her eyes.
“Na you sabi. When you’re ready to face the truth, you will. Have you called to thank the bottle girl at the club?” Prisca asked changing the subject.
“Babe? I hope you’re getting dressed? We have to be there by 11, remember?” Eric called from his bedroom.
“Where are you both going to?” Prisca asked curiously.
“He set up an appointment with a therapist.” Kimberly said with a shrug.
“And you’re still here? Go and shower jor. I’ll pick out your clothes while you are bathing. Hurry o, don’t sleep in the bathroom.” Prisca said as she stood up and opened Kimberly’s wardrobe door, while Kimberly took off her clothes which were soaked with sweat as she walked into the bathroom.
Ella had sent her Kathleen’s number while she was at the gym, but she was yet to give her a call. She didn’t know what she was going to say to her yet. But she knew she had to apologise for ruining Kathleen’s first night at the club, and thank her for stepping in for her that way. She couldn’t even begin to imagine Kathleen’s disappointment when she finds out she had defended her for nothing. She was just going to give her a call later in the evening, and if possible ask for them to meet, since she wasn’t sure she wanted them to just talk things over the phone.
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 71 – 80
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“How can you say you’re teaching me how to drive yet you’re the one driving the car? How will I learn if I don’t drive?” Kathleen asked irritably.
“I already told you that today’s lesson is just for you to learn what each part of the car is used for. So you should just keep your eyes on me. Maybe if you are a good girl, I will allow you practice with the car tomorrow.” Pete said with a pleasant smile despite the obvious annoyance on Kathleen’s face.
“I don’t think this is going to work. I should just go and register with a driving school.” Kathleen said as she looked out of the window.
“You have forty thousand naira to spare for driving lessons? I thought you were trying to save money?” Pete asked making Kathleen sigh.
He was right. She didn’t have that sort of money to spend on learning how to drive. She couldn’t afford it right now, especially not when they were taking Isioma to see a specialist doctor next week. This was the time she had to swallow her pride and accept the help that was being offered for free, “Okay. I’ve heard you. I will watch you today, then tomorrow I will practice.” She murmured in a low tone.
“What? Did you say something to me? I didn’t hear you.” Pete asked looking at her with laughter dancing in his eyes.
Kathleen gritted her teeth, “I said I will do as you have said.” She repeated.
“But I thought a moment ago you were saying you don’t think it’s going to work? No need to do it if you don’t…”
“I said I will do it!” She snapped making him laugh out loud.
“Ah! Shey I was only asking a simple question nau? So why are you shouting? Abi you want to carry bottle for me too?” He asked with a chuckle making Kathleen suck in a deep breath. It was clear he wasn’t ready to forget about the incident of last night. He just kept bringing it up at every slight opportunity he got.
“So what is this and what is its function?” He asked pointing to his left foot which was on the brake pedal.
“That’s the brake. It is used to stop or slow the car and also prevents it from moving when stopped or parked.” Kathleen said making him nod.
“And this? What is the difference between this and that?” He asked pointing at the other foot.
“That’s the accelerator. It is also called gas pedal. The difference is that the brake pedal is wider than that of the accelerator. Also the brake is on the left, while the accelerator is on the right.” Kathleen said as she looked at both pedals.
“I was asking for their functional difference. Anyone with brains can tell the brake pedal is wider and on the left side.” Pete said making Kathleen seethe with anger. What did he mean by ‘anyone with brains’?
“So what is their functional difference?” Pete asked again.
“I don’t know.” Kathleen murmured grudgingly as she looked out of the window. How did he expect her to answer him after he had just insulted her indirectly?
“Come on, give it a try, I’m sure you know it.” Pete said encouragingly.
“I don’t have a brain. So I don’t know.” Kathleen said making Pete chuckle.
“You have such a foul temper and you pick offense so easily. I thought self-control was a fruit of the Holy spirit? Or don’t you have the holy spirit in you?” Pete asked making Kathleen snort, but she remained quiet and crossed both hands in front of her.
“I never said you don’t have a brain.” Pete said still chuckling at how petty and childish she was acting. He felt like pointing it out to her that she was acting like a girlfriend or a wife, but decided to keep it to himself.
“You didn’t have to say so. Anyone WITHOUT a brain can easily deduce that from what you said.” She said making Pete laugh out loud.
“Would you have behaved this way to your teacher had you paid forty thousand naira to learn how to drive? Or you’re acting this way because it’s me?” Pete asked in amusement, reminding her once again that he was doing her a favor.
“No. My teacher wouldn’t have talked to me that way because I’m paying him and a customer is always right.” She reminded Pete.
“God! I’m tired already. Let’s just close for today, okay? You can go get yourself a teacher.” Pete said as he turned the car on.
“So you’re not teaching me again?” She asked after sometime.
“Nah! I can’t deal.”
“Okay. I’ll just call Chuka… I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.” Kathleen said as she took out her phone making Pete glare at her.
“You’re doing that deliberately, aren’t you?”
“Doing what?” She asked with an innocent smile as she kept scrolling through her contact list.
“I can’t believe you are like this! What am I saying? Of course I should have known! Especially after that tongue thing you did on my ear last night. How could I have forgotten that?” Pete asked making Kathleen look away in embarrassment.
“I think beneath all this good Christian girl you do, is a very bad girl.” Pete said with a grin, “I’d like to meet that bad girl one of these days. Not the area girl kind of bad… I mean the naughty girl kinda bad.” Pete said with a wink.
Kathleen cleared her throat, “The accelerator is used to speed up the car while the brake slows or stops it.” She said, wanting to change the subject.
“It goes beyond that, but I will accept that. So between us who do you think is the accelerator and who is the brake?” He asked, returning the subject to them both.
“I don’t know.” Kathleen murmured.
“I knew you wouldn’t answer that. So the way it works, our relationship is the car, I am the accelerator, and you are the brake. I’m here trying to move things between us forward and very quickly but you keep applying the brake taking us back every dmn time.” Pete said with a sigh.
“Slowing things down isn’t the same as going backward, unless you’re saying the function of the brake is to reverse the car.” Kathleen pointed out.
“That’s not the point Kat.”
“What is the point? Do you love me?” Kat asked
THE MIRACLE I NEED : Episode 71 – 80
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