*SCREECH*
I barely manage to stop the car before I hit it. Please don't be dead, please don't be dead!
I chant this over and over in my head as I get off and make my way towards it. I some spot blood stains and gulp nervous.
This... This is not possible! Yvette (my car) didn't even touch it!! I peek at it nervously only to find an injured kitten.
Ashton: Oh, my God.
I quickly pull out my handkerchief and pick it up. She's so tiny that she fits perfectly in my palm. It must have been a motorcycle accident.
Kitten: Mrauw!
She lets out a terrible cry of pain. I need to get her to a vet. Fast. Where do I keep her? She could fall down if I keep her directly on the seat.
I get seated and close the door. I need a box. A box for keeping the kitten. The kitten's box. Ugh, did I just quote a movie line?
I start looking around, the kitten still in my left hand. Aha! I spot a tissue box and rip the top open.
There you go, the tissues will absorb the blood too. Okay, Yvette, we're set to go. I gear up the GPS and drive to the nearest veterinary hospital.
A while later...
Vet: There, she's all bandaged up. You'll need to change the bandages in every 5-6 hours and apply this ointment to prevent any infections.
Ashton: Okay...
The vet hands me packet containing all the essentials including some oral medicine to boost the kitten's immunity. I glance at her.
She must not have any energy in her fragile little body so, she's napping. I guess I'll have to take her home. 'Can't leave the poor thing in this condition.
Maybe she could keep Kate company while I'm away too. I recall memories from when we were dating.
Kate spent most of her free time with Neha and me at our place since she always felt lonely in her empty apartment. This must be a blessing in disguise.
After taking all necessary instructions from the vet and fixing the next appointment, I buy some necessities for the kitten like her bed, feeding bowl, etc.
Yvette has always proven to be lucky for me for some reason. I rarely take her out, but when I do, something good always happens.
Not that the kitten's injury is a good thing. I mean... Uh, I guess I should just shut up.
A while later...
Ashton: Okayyyy, we're here. I park Yvette in the garage and carry the kitten to door in my arms. Well.... have I considered the possibility that perhaps she would be opposed to this...? I hope she's not.
As soon as I enter the house, I spot something very out of place. Kate is sitting on the couch, her legs crossed, wearing a crop top and a pair of shorts.
She fiddles with her phone, paying no attention to her surroundings whatsoever. She hasn't even noticed that I'm here. Now this is something that I haven't seen since we met again.
I guess her parents have always forced her to become a "proper lady" so she has to make her every move graceful including the way she dresses.
Ashton: Ditching the "elegant act", are we?
It's only after she hears my voice does she realise that I'm home.
Kate: ?! Why're you here so early?!
She stands up instantly, flustered. Ah, I see; she only pretends to be ladylike in front of me to leave a good impression. Well, surprise, surprise; I like her this way better, not stiff and uptight.
Ashton: There was a change of plans-
Kitten: Meow.
... Yikes, there's no way in hell that she didn't hear that.
Kate: What was that?
She walks towards me and I take a deep breath. Since when am I so afraid of her?
Ashton: Erm, look at what I found!
Kate peers into what's hiding under my jacket and looks back at me.
Kate: Aww- Ahem, I mean, where did he come from?
Ashton: I found "her" injured at the side of the road. Do you mind if she stays here until she recovers? She could keep you company too.
I automatically start blabbering out everything as if I'm desperately trying to justify myself. I guess this what they call... "Survival instincts".
Kate simply shrugs at my response.
Kate: That's okay, I don't mind if we decide to keep here even after that. What are you being so timid for?
Ashton:.... I'm not.
She gives me the "Oh, really?" look before glancing back at the kitten, longingly. Does she want to hold her?
I carefully pass her to Kate.
Ashton: Here, be careful with the wound.
The kitten starts purring as Kate strokes her ginger coloured fur. Her expression softens as she breaks into a smile.
Kate: She's so adorable! Have you named her yet?
Ashton: Nope.
Kate gazes at the kitten, deep in thought for a moment. Then, she beams at me like a child.
Kate: I'm going to call her "Katie"!
Wait, what? Isn't that one of Kate's nicknames itself? Sensing my confusion, she goes on to explain.
Kate: Katie, as in "Kate's kitty"! It's cute, isn't it?
Ashton: Pfft.
Heh, I've missed this "Kate's logic".
Kate: Well, while you stand here and laugh, I'm going to get "Katie" all cleaned up.
She turns around on her heel and walks away with Katie. I watch her figure as she disappears into the bathroom and a smile spreads across my face.
Although I can't say the same about Claire, I don't have to search deep down to find Kate's older self. I'm not saying that she hasn't changed at all, but her familiar behaviour gives me a sense of reassurance.
I really liked Kate while we were dating. She could be really immature sometimes, but she always could understand how I felt without words.
I grew really attached to her, so much that when I recall our memories together, from the day I woke up next to her to the day I held her hand tighty while seeing her off on the airport, they're all so vivid still that it almost seems like it was yesterday.
There are still many things that I'm sceptical about however,.... I don't think that made the wrong decision about agreeing to marry her (yet).
I mean, what could go wrong?