The Diamond Ring

Kate looked at the dog with derision. He was a cheerful dog with a nice disposition that endeared John to him. That was Kate’s problem; she saw the dog as a threat.

Kate and John have been dating for three years and counting, she was very happy in the relationship and felt she had found her Mr. Right; not until she became aware of John’s extreme affection for the dog.

John cared for the dog as if it were his child. He would wake up in the morning, and after his morning prayers, and prepare a meal for the dog. Before serving its breakfast, he would take it to the bathroom and give it a pampered bath. He would always make sure the dog was ready for the day before he considered himself.

Kate felt threatened by the dog. Most times, she wondered if she was not playing second fiddle in John’s life. Even the dog seemed to notice the overflow of affection and was basking in it.

When John proposed to Kate, her john knew no bounds, she hopped for joy and kissed him full on the mouth. She was in the third heavens. The two carat diamond ring was beyond her wildest dream. It was fit for a princess. Just as she made to recline on john’s chest and savor the emotional feel, she saw the dog stroll in.

He came towards Kate and wagged its tails. It noticed something good had happened and wanted to share in the fun. Kate looked at it in disdain and walked into the kitchen.

Later that day, Kate decided to go shopping. John offered to drive her. As expected, the dog tagged along in the backseat.

The market was swelling with traders and buyers alike with a healthy serving of beggars, pickpockets, toll collectors and porters. Navigating one’s way was a near nightmare.

Kate had left John and the dog in the car. John advised that she left the ring in the car but she would not hear of it. No one could snatch the ring from her hand unknowingly to her, she reasoned.

After one hour of sampling, bargaining and heaving, Kate made her way to the car park with a half-filled BARCO bag. John looked on as she made her way to the car. He could not understand how #5000 should not bring at least two overflowing BARCO bags. He shrugged and walked towards her to help with the “load” much to her comfort.

They walked to the car as Kate recounted tales of how market women tried to cheat her and touts gawked at her. They had go round to be back of the car to keep the bag in the booth. Just as she attempted to close the booth, John noticed that the she wasn’t wearing the ring anymore. He pointed it to Kate and they began looking for the ring.

Just then, the dog ran out of the car and attacked a man in suit. The man was shocked and scared at the same thing. He was struggling to get the dog’s teeth from his face when John and Kate ran up to him. They were very embarrassed. Kate was apologising profusely to the man while John scolded the dog.

Just as the man stood up and was about to leave, John something shiny in the man’s palm. He held the man by the hand and saw Kate’s diamond ring in his palm. The man immediately drop the ring and fled for his life.

Bystanders who had witnessed the event chased after the man. He was then taken to the police station after been beaten by the guys in the market. Kate hugged the dog, grateful for what it had done. She no longer saw it as a rival but as a friend.