Whispers Between The Two Houses

Chapter five

The town of Ogwashi woke up slowly in the morning. Daniel woke up just as the sun was coming up over the rooftops. He felt like he hadn't slept at all. His thoughts had been racing all night. The old man's strange letter was hidden in the drawer next to his bed, just like he had left it when he got home. Daniel got up and rubbed his eyes. He just stared at the drawer for a few seconds. He was a little nervous about opening it again. Another part of him felt something stronger. Wanting to know more. He got up from the bed and slowly walked across the room. It was very quiet in the house. His parents were probably still in bed. Daniel carefully opened the drawer, the yellow envelope was still there. He picked it up carefully and looked at it in the morning light, the paper looked old and weak, like it had been hidden away for a long time. The words were written in faded ink across the front, to Mr. Adebayo Samuel, Daniel's grandpa. Slowly, Daniel swallowed.

If the old man at the train station was telling the truth, this letter could hold the key to a mystery that had kept their families apart for decades.

Daniel took a deep breath and carefully opened the envelope, there was only one folded sheet of paper inside. He slowly opened it up and started to read. At first, his face showed that he was confused. Then, surprise. Then something like disbelief.

Mr. Okafor, Amara's grandfather, wrote the letter. The letter didn't have any accusations or anger in it, which was surprising. It was an apology. Daniel read the first few lines again to make sure he understood them. The letter started with, My dear friend Samuel. I think we've made a terrible mistake with each other. It looks like the papers about the land deal have been changed, and I think someone did this on purpose to cause confusion. Daniel's eyes got bigger. Changed papers? He kept on reading. I promise you that I never meant to break our agreement. Someone messed with the papers before they got to you. Daniel's heart started to race. Changed papers? He kept on reading. I promise you that I never meant to break our agreement. Someone messed with the papers before they got to you. Daniel's heart started to race.

The story he had always heard was very different. His father had always said that the Okafor family had cheated them. But this letter says that Amara's grandfather thought someone else was to blame. Daniel got to the end of the letter. Please trust me, my friend. I would never let you down. Let's get together tomorrow night to find out the truth together. That was the end of the letter. Daniel slowly put the paper down. His mind was racing. Everything could have been different if his grandfather had gotten this letter. The family's fight might not have even happened. That meant one thing. Someone had made sure the letter never got there. Daniel jumped when someone knocked on his door. He quickly folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. His father's voice called from outside, Daniel. Yes? Daniel said, trying to sound calm. Come down. I'll be there in a minute. Daniel quickly put the envelope back in the drawer and shut it. After that, he went down the stairs. His dad was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. Daniel's father put down the paper and looked at him closely when he came in. He said, I have a question for you.

Daniel felt anxious, what is it? I heard something weird this morning. He paused to look at Daniel, and Daniel forced a smile, what kind of rumor dad? he asked calmly. Someone said they saw you at the old railway station and you were with someone. Daniel kept a straight face, dad you know people in this town talk a lot, he said. His father stared at him for some seconds, stay away from the Okafor's family. He said firmly and left.

Amara sat quietly in the back seat of her father's car, which was several miles away on the road out of Ogwashi. The town slowly faded, her dad had made up his mind that she needed to be away from Ogwashi for a while. He said it would help her stay focused on school. But Amara knew the truth.

He had heard the rumours that she had been seen near the train station. The car kept going down the long road, Amara took her time reaching into her bag. Daniel had secretly given her a small phone before she left, and it was hidden under her books. She turned it on and a message came up right away. I have opened the letter, and our families were not supposed to be enemies from the start, Daniel said. Amara couldn't believe her eyes. Whoever didn't changed the lives of both families, now Daniel and Amara are close to finding out the truth.