Amihere was reminiscing the good times he and Mamle had together and how much they had grown so close until fate separated them once again. Wishing to remember her vividly, he typed the name of her company to ascertain their progress. There right before his eyes, he saw someone like Mamle doing wonders. Lo and behold, it was his very own Mamle. Amihere let out a shriek, couldn't believe his eyes and almost fainted.
Mamle drew a vivid picture of herself and Dome being separated by forces more powerful than the two of them put together. It was so touching that it made Tsotsoo cry. Tsotsoo was not the only one who reacted to her picture; others did; they were not related to her in any way; just her fans. The story of her life was clear and screamed in the eyes of her viewers. Amihere viewed this too and moaned silently. Mamle was in trouble again.
"What happened to you? Mamle?" asked Tsotsoo, unable to stop her tears from flowing.
"Exactly what you can see, Tsotsoo." Tsotsoo gave her sackcloth on which she could paint another one. Very soon, people were demanding more of that very picture. Mamle drew a few others of herself in an institution with everyone's mind running helter-skelter. They were so scattered that none of them could identify any as their own. Mamle also drew out a few designs and cut them out herself. Her sponsors gave her manikins on which they could fit the fabrics she sewed and then one day, she began to model her own clothes. Intuitively, her sponsors knew what she wanted and began to organize fashion shows for her. Amihere was one of the attendees, after vowing to comb heaven and earth to find his beloved.
Who is to blame?
"What did you say your name was?"
"Adotey," he replied, trembling before the group of interrogators.
"How did you contribute to this lady's insanity?"
"I didn't,"
"You said what?" standing up to challenge his statement.
"Take it easy!" admonished one of his colleagues, knowing that his colleague was overreacting.
"I know you don't believe me, but it was the man who went insane at first, not the woman, and I didn't mean to harm them in any way."
"And you want us to believe you?" said the dark, lanky police officer, ready to pounce on Adotey.
"I only meant to separate them and have his girlfriend for myself," he blurted out. The two gentlemen leered at each other.
"So where have you kept her now?"
"I didn't hurt her. I don't know where she is," Adotey said remorsefully. The men withdrew from him and compared notes, shaking their heads as they did so.
"This man seems to be telling the truth," they said. "But we can't be so sure of that."
When they came back to see him, he was weeping, still attempting to convince them.
"I haven't had any peace ever since I separated them even after I apologized."
"You did apologize?" the two investigators leered at each other once again. "We understand. Wipe your tears and be a man. The ladies will be coming in soon. Don't let them see your tears." Their words lightened up his spirit as his sad face gave way to a smile.
"There!" said the lanky interrogator, taking a picture of Adotey." This will give us a far better memory of you!"
Next, to be interrogated was Afrakoma, who had been seen a few days before Mamle's disappearance.
"Take a seat," they said.
"I hope I'm not in trouble," she asked, fearing their wrath which was written all over their faces. That fierce look was only a ploy to get the truth out of her.
"I hear you're interested in her boyfriend, Dome?" asked one of the officers. Afrakoma turned her eyes away shyly.
"Why would you say that?" she asked softly.
"Because you had the guts to appear in the hospital without any shame!" said the officer stamping on one of the tables before her. Afrakoma raised one of her shoulders and turned her body away from him as if he was about to hit her.
"I just wanted to tell whether he still liked me like he did before he landed in that prison!"
"After all he suffered in your hands?" asked the officer sternly. "You have no shame!!!" His words dug deep into Afrakoma's soul and now it was beginning to sink in. She meant no harm though.