Chapter 11 Daniella impersonates Danica
It was Sunday and Daniella was dressed for church. She waited patiently for Herty, who showed up as promised.
Herty kept thinking about how she was going to explain things to Jones. Jones was always all over Danica, therefore, it would be practically impossible to keep him away from Daniella. She also feared that Daniella might not be truthful to her words and destroy Danica's reputation.
Whichever way, when she arrived at Daniella's house, her eyes popped out in concussion with Daniella's outfit. "Where do you think we are going? Please, Daniella, the church is different from a nightclub. "Herty didn't expect Daniella to be perfect but she at least expected her to be somewhat reasonable.
Daniella looked relaxed, not showing a quota of responsibility. "This is like my most decent dress," she sat back on the couch and crossed her legs sparingly.
It would have been quite unusual for Herty to allow her to have her way, which of course didn't happen. "Let's check Danica's closet. You said you want to be Danica right? You have to begin wearing what she wears." Herty countenance was solemn, not ready to let Daniella have her way but she was too much for her to handle.
Daniela had already taken off her shoes, communicating to Herty that she wasn't going to change but would rather not go with her. "No way."
"Yes way, Daniella, you aren't following me to church half-naked." Daniella's dress was short and backless. The front was V-shaped, her cleavage exposed. The hem of the dress did as much as cover just her hips, therefore, to Herty, Daniella was crazy.
"Then I would rather stay at home."
"You made a promise to your sister and she is out there carrying your cross. The least you can do is turn over a new leaf," Herty reminded Daniella. It seemed to her that Daniella had forgotten so soon, all the sacrifices Danica had made and tried to poke her senses.
However, to Daniella, the meaning of modification was totally different. "But I have changed. I have stopped clubbing and I haven't had sex in two weeks. That is a reasonable sacrifice," Daniella tried to reason from her end.
"But you drank all the drinks right here in your home. It is any different from how much you drink in the club?"
Daniella murmured, "it's more than I drink in the club because I was lonely."
A promise is a promise. I will get you some clothes and stop thinking about yourself because as far as I am concerned, you are Danica so do what she does and you are obliged to tell me everything you read from the bible on our way." Daniella's eyes narrowed in bewilderment. She never read the Bible with seriousness.
"That would be difficult. I didn't understand a thing from the Bible. The language is archaic."
"I will get you an NIV version but I received a call that you haven't been reporting to work as Danica should." Herty's eyes swayed left and right at every word. She was embittered by the scattered home. When Danica was home, it used to be spotlessly clean. Meanwhile, Daniella was comfortable enough to live in the mess she created.
"I can't do her job so I will send them a resignation letter." Herty didn't disapprove. It sounded like a laudable idea because Daniella in that restaurant's kitchen will end up burning it down with mixed concoctions.
"You are so lazy. Look around. Beer cans, pizza packs, and take out packs. You have to be responsible for once, Daniella."
"Come on, I am going to buy a bigger house and sell or rent out this one. I will hire a maid too. So that everything will be neat and tidy."
"And just what will you be doing?"
"Spend the rest of the money while waiting for a rich man to make me his wife. That way, I can live the life I've always wanted."
Herty observed her best friend's twin sister in a daze, "You are so delusional."
Daniella was unaffected by Herty's remark. "At least I'm a good girl. Or would you rather have me running into trouble with the mafia?"
Herty saw no gain in arguing with Daniella and gave up. "Just put on this dress and let's go to church." She shoved Daniella a decent dress from Danica's closet.
"It's too long and flowy. I hate it. I have beautiful curves and I love to show them. I will not wear it."
Herty was lost for words. Finally, she decided, "Fine. Wear my dress and let me wear this one."
"Okay. At least you are more fashionable than my sister but you are a little bustier than me."
"We can make some adjustments. Here, put this on," Herty removed her knee-length dress and gave it to Daniella.
Daniella wore the dress for Herty to make a few adjustments before the pair left for church. Due to all of Daniella's charade, they were thirty minutes late so they had missed the worship and opening prayer, right into the sermon. Daniella sat on the last seat at the back before Herty could object, making the latter sit beside her reluctantly.
Throughout the preaching, Daniella kept staring at her artificial nails and played with her phone. Other members looked at her questioningly, surprised at her irresponsible behaviour. When the sermon was over, A tall slim guy with black hair approached her seat. He wore a black pair of trousers with a blue long-sleeved shirt. Daniella shifted uncomfortably.
"Hey Danica. I wasn't expecting you to be late today and you did makeup? Your nails too. What happened?" He frowned sceptically, surprised at the person in front of him. He knew that Danica never fancied those things.
Daniella wasn't nervous but she felt uncomfortable at his remark. It was as if he saw through her. "Who are you?"
The man frowned, "I'm Jones, have you forgotten?" He didn't hide his confusion.
"Sorry Jones, Danica was involved in an accident and lost her memory. The doctor said it might be for a short term," Herty countered to clear the misunderstanding.
Jones was worried. "But throughout the time I called, you never told me. I would have come to visit. Is it that bad?" His question was thrown at Herty but he didn't take his eyes off Daniella.
"No, she should be able to recover soon, especially with being at familiar places."
"Great, I'll take her to the children's service," Jones, held Daniella's hand and pulled her away. "Did you bring any candies for them?" Jones asked the question before he recalled Herty's words. "Or you just lost your memory. You used to bring candies for the kids and they love you so much. You also used to wait around after church to welcome the newcomers. I have always been with you throughout those times. Come, the children are waiting."
Everything seemed strange to Daniella but when she got to the children service. She was overwhelmed by the reaction of the kids.
"Danica, you look so beautiful. You even put on make-up. Did you bring us candies?" One of the kids, blonde with hazel eyes said. She looked older than the others, who circled Daniella expectantly.
Daniella didn't know how to respond to them. Her sister's life might have been very simple but she felt out of place and uncomfortable with the children circling her.
Jones noticed her discomfort and quickly came to her aid, "hey hey hey, Danica had a bit of an accident and lost her memory. How about you perform that choreography. It might help her to remember a few things."
Daniella watched as the children performed the choreography and towards the end, they pulled her into the circle to dance. Reluctantly, she began moving to the song, following their pace and found herself dancing with them. By the time Herty arrived, Daniella didn't want to leave. She was beginning to understand the reason why Danica was so selfless. There was so much fulfilment in putting smiles on others faces, rather than thinking about yourself all the time.
Before she left, Jones asked her to join him for a Christian program the next Friday, which she agreed to. She realized that Jones would help her to know more about Danica. That way, she could perfectly act like her. 'But what happens when Danica returns? Will I then live as Daniella?' Her mind for the first time had begun asking the most relevant question about her decision of being Danica.