Whispers Between The Two Houses

Chapter seven

Amara was careful with the picture she held in her hands. The edges of the picture were a little faded from time, which made it look old. But you could still see the faces of the three men in the picture. Her grandfather was on the left, and he was smiling with pride. Daniel's grandfather was on the right. But the man in the middle of them caught Amara's eye the most. He seemed sure of himself, strong. The type of man who thought he had power over everything around him. Amara slowly looked up at her aunt. Who is he? she asked again. Ngozi, her aunt, didn't answer right away, she walked over to the balcony railing and looked out at the busy city lights of Port Harcourt. The headlights of cars on the streets below made long lines of light in the dark, like glowing bugs. Finally, Ngozi spoke. His name is Victor Daramola, Amara frowned a little. I've never heard of him before. Her aunt said calmly, " That is not surprising". Most people in Ogwashi act like he never existed. Amara looked at the picture again, but he's standing with my grandfather and Daniel's grandfather like they are friends. Ngozi nodded. "They were " Amara looked so confused, did they know each other? Yes, Ngozi said. Once very close friends. Amara's head felt like it was spinning. That doesn't make sense, she said. Our families have hated each other for a long time. Ngozi sighed and looked back at her, that hate didn't start the way most people think it did. Amara moved closer, her curiosity burning inside her. What is the real story then? Ngozi was unsure, she said carefully. You need to know something first, the Adebayo and Okafor families used to work together before the fight started. They put money into land, farming, and trade. Amara looked at the picture again. So Victor Daramola was their partner? Yes, Ngozi said. But what went wrong if they were partners? Amara asked.

Ngozi's face got a little darker, and the deal for the land. Amara frowned, what about it?

Documents were changed, Ngozi said in a low voice. Changes were made to the ownership papers. It looked like one family had cheated the other all of a sudden. Amara's heart started to race. She said, Daniel told me that something like that might have happened. Ngozi looked shocked. "Daniel?" Amara quickly understood that she had said too much. She hesitated. Yes… we talked before I left Ogwashi. Ngozi studied her for a moment but did not comment. Instead, she continued talking. After the papers were found, both families said the other had betrayed them. And what about Victor? Amara asked. Ngozi turned around and looked at the picture again. He went away. Disappeared? Amara said again. Ngozi said, Yes. After the fight, no one saw him again. Amara felt a strange sense of unease in her chest.

It couldn't have been a coincidence that Victor disappeared right when the fight started. You think he did it, Amara said slowly. Ngozi didn't give a straight answer. Lots of people thought he would benefit from getting the two families to fight. Amara's grip on the picture got a little tighter. But no one proved it? Ngozi shook her head. “No.” Amara placed the photograph back on the table. But now her thoughts were racing. If Victor Daramola had changed the papers... Then he could be the one who ruined both families. All of a sudden, her phone started to vibrate in her hand. Dan. She quickly left the balcony and opened the message. Daniel said, Something weird just happened. Amara's fingers moved quickly across the screen.

Amara:

What is it?

Daniel:

The old man at the train station...I saw him again today.

Amara's eyes got bigger.

Amara:

What's going on?

This time, Daniel took longer to respond.

Amara's stomach tightened when the message finally came through.

Daniel:

Someone hurt him.

Amara's heart skipped.

Daniel stood outside a small cafe near the market in Ogwashi, which was across town.

The sun was starting to set in the afternoon, making long shadows on the street. The old man from the station was sitting weakly in a nearby wooden chair, Daniel had helped him get up after the attack. The old man looked scared.

He shook a little as he held a glass of water.

What happened to you? Daniel wanted to know.

As if he was waiting for someone to show up, the old man looked down the street nervously.

I told you before, he said softly. "Some secrets are bad. Daniel frowned. Do you know the man who pushed you? The old man thought for a moment, then he nodded slowly. Yes. Daniel leaned closer, who is he? The old man spoke more quietly, he works for someone. Daniel felt a chill go through him, for whom? Fear filled the old man’s eyes. “Victor Daramola”. Daniel froze, but Victor went missing fourth years ago, he said. The old man shook his head slowly, that's what everyone thinks. Daniel looked at him, Daniel's blood ran cold when the old man leaned in and whispered something. Victor Daramola never went away. Daniel's heart raced, what do you mean? Before speaking, the old man looked around again. He has been watching the town for years. Daniel felt the words sink in.

The man who started the fight may still be alive and still strong, and risky.