Chapter 5

It took him ages to speak so much that Frema kept goggling from time to time. Has he suddenly lost his voice or he's shy of me? she asked herself. Suddenly, Atta spoke.

“My name is Atta."

“Atta," she repeated. "Are you a twin?" leering closely at him.

“Yes, I am."

“That may be a bit of a setback for your keeping this job."

“Why do you say so?"

“If you exchange places with your twin to do something dubious, how will we know?"

“You still haven't changed your way of thinking, have you? I will show you the difference between the two of us."

“That will not prevent me from having these doubts about you."

“You are too suspicious. Ever since you saw my face, it's been a suspicion galore. I even wonder whether anything I said before this chat stuck in your mind!"

“Why not? I'll tell you what you have said so far then." Frema rattled everything he said from beginning to end and sat waiting for his reaction. Atta stood dumbfounded. There was no telling what this intelligent lady could do next.

“Let’s begin the next lesson then," he said, perplexed.

“It’s lunchtime, sir. I hope you've not forgotten that we need to take a break?"

“Sorry. I almost forgot." Frema rang a bell on the table. Her servants came swiftly with her meals and some for Atta too. Atta marvelled at the excellent presentation of food before him and shuffled the cutlery around until Frema helped him out.

“Master. We are in Ghanaoooo. Don't be shy of me. If I choose this kind of lifestyle, it's because I've been trained with it; But you! I can see how much you're struggling. Quit trying to please me and feel free."

Atta abandoned the idea of using cutlery and asked the servants to bring him a bowl of water with some liquid soap in which he could wash his hands.

“You’re free to choose whatever food you like, but please don't ask for fufu and soup or for banku and okro stew. You might sleep on me." Atta laughed. For the first time, he noticed how much Frema had a sense of humour. It would be great to teach her for a lifetime. When the two were done, teaching began in earnest. It seemed they were refreshed enough to start on a good note.

“We’re going to begin our next lesson." As Atta explained away the subject at hand, Soya tiptoed into the room where they were learning and nodded. So far, so good, she thought. I just hope they get along well. Midway through the lesson, Frema yawned and stretched her hands up as far as they could go.

“Are you listening to me?" asked Atta.

“Yes, I am. Keep talking." Soon, Frema was asleep, unable to keep her eyes open. Atta called for Soya.

“I’ve got to be going. I don't want to bother her too much. It's enough for the first day. I have put down for her a few assignments. Would you please give them to her when she wakes up?"

“Alright, I will." Soya saw him off to the door and said goodbye to him.

Turning back to see her daughter smiling, she said to her:

“It’s a good time to celebrate. Can we go out tonight? I feel so good.”

“We need to be circumspect, Mum.”

“Oh! Don’t be such a wet blanket. What’s there to be afraid of?”

“Ever since Dad told us about his children trying to get back at us, I’ve had the feeling that people have been watching us.”

“Get over it! It’s just your mind playing tricks,” she replied and held her for a moment. “We’ll get through this okay?” Frema was quick to interject her statement. Now was the right moment to ask such a delicate question.

“Is there anything you’re hiding from me? Mummy?” Soya immediately let go of her and ogled straight in her eyes.

“Why do you ask, my daughter?”

“One thing leads to the other. One secret was just discovered. I hope another doesn’t rear its ugly head soon.”

“I hope not, my daughter,” she said, holding her tightly once again. As soon as she did so, Frema knew there was something more to her life than she was revealing. Deep into the night, the two dressed up and sneaked out of the house unnoticed. Frema had done well to shut out the security cameras. Soon, they were out in the deep, cold night, making their way to the nightclub for a hearty celebration.

“We need to do this more often,” said Soya.

“Mum. The fact that it makes you happy does not make it right.”

“Oh! Stop preaching to me, Frema. You’re not going to live a life different from mine. This is all you know and this is all you’re going to be.” Frema, although she respected her mother, did not agree with what she was saying. With her heart thumping fast, she followed her mother to an undisclosed location, far away from the watchful eyes of curious minds and eyes, into a dark, cold corner. It felt like a dungeon, situated in the depths underground. Frema felt like she was sinking into hell. Had it not been for the loving arms around her, she would have screamed