Jemaima bit her lower lip in anger as her sister walked out on her. Steve had heard the shouts and had come to check out the problem.
"Jemaima," he called.
Jemaima turned to face him. There was a heavy silence, Jemaima went to his arms and enclosed herself there.
"Why not tell her the truth?" He whispered.
"That you are a robbery?" Her eyes peered up at him.
"That's what I am." He chuckled lightly.
"No, do not.....,"
"Hush.." he placed a finger over her full lips. The sensation was electrocuting. "You told her you do like me, why not tell her the whole truth?"
Jemaima pushed herself away from his arms and stared up at his face in surprise.
"Will you still return to them after you have helped us find our mother?" She asked him.
"I have no choice." He shrugged with a smile.
"You have always got a choice. You have a full life ahead of you. You don't need them, they don't need you. You can do without them, it is evident." She told him.
He pulled her close to him and held her cheeks with both hands. "What do you want me to do?" He seemed helpless.
"Just live your life like a normal human ... In time to come, I will definitely be proud of you." Her eyes went misty.
He tried a lazy smile, wiped away a year falling from her left eye. "I've never liked any girl." He reminded.
"You told me." She grinned.
"Put it this way.. I totally hate girls." He said.
"I know of that." She replied.
"But you..," he paused. "You inspire me."
She tried another smile.
Slowly, he leaned in carefully, taking pauses at intervals to be sure if she also wanted the kiss as much as he did. His lips met hers in sync, her hands crept round his neck as he deepened the kiss.
******
Joan watched with disdain from a corner as they kissed passionately. Hearing what Steve had said was a total shock to her. He was a robber and..... what other surprises were there for her?
And her sister was kissing him!
Hell no!
Joan held back herself, her fury. She wanted to go there and disrupt whatever thing they were doing. She wanted to fight Jemaima.
Her sister was in love with a robber! A big time robber!
There was more to it than just being a robber.
********
The next morning, Joan refused to talk to her sister. Jemaima certainly feel disturbed by her silence.
"Joan, there's something I must tell you." Jemaima finally found the boldness to tell her twin.
"About your lover boy. I already know about that." Joan grimaced.
"You eavesdropped?" Jemaima was taken aback.
"It's not a new thing."
"Well, that's not all." Steve added, joining them.
Joan glared at him. "What is it you want to say?"
"I was...I was part of the gang that attacked your bus four years ago." He said to Joan.
The twins stared at him in astonishment.
"Wait, hold on a second. What are you saying now? You were...part of the gang that robbed and kidnapped..." She stopped, her hands visibly shaking.
"Yes, Joan."
Joan staggered then laughed while Jemaima stared at her sister. Wondering what next would be her sister's reaction.
"Jemaima, do you know about this?" Joan turned to Jemaima.
"Yes..s." Jemaima nodded.
"You are so stupid." Joan bursted out. "Here is someone who nearly killed us and God only knows what they have done to mum and to other people on that bus!" Joan shouted, her body quaking as she spoke.
"Joan, calm down."
"Don't you dare calm me down! You were all over him, kissing him ...and don't tell me it is none of my business!"
Jemaima tried to touch her sister to calm down. But, Joan slapped her hands off. "Joan, Steve is a changed guy."
"I can see that! I have always admired you for years and now, you want me to throw it all away." Joan slapped her forehead.
"It's not her fault." Steve put in.
"Of course not, great robber!" She mocked.
Joan suddenly started to cry. "Oh mother, where are you?" She paced around.
"She is alive. That's why we are looking for her." Jemaima said.
Joan turned to glare at her sister. "That's why? Jemaima, can you hear yourself? Do you recall what it took us and ......" Joan turned away and turned her face upwards.
"I do." Jemaima answered her.
"Don't you dare interupt!"
"What's wrong with you, Joan!"
"And what's wrong with you, too! I can't believe you are my sister!"
Jemaima tried her best composure. She tried to remain calm despite her outburst. "Joan, come....."
"Don't, please." She shifted. "I know what to do, I know perfectly what to do." Joan muttered to herself as she wiped her fallen her tears.
"Fine, I'll try my best to act like I didn't hear any of this." Joan looked over at Steve then tried a mocking smile.