Shella sat on the couch glancing around, trying to get a view of something she had pictured in her mind but Shelle's voice cut her thoughts short.

"You look pretty good. How have you been?" Shelle asked,there was a tone of sympathy in her voice. One could easily tell she wasn't okay.

"Ohh!"Smiled Shella. "I did really great too.."She paused then continued,"..after you left without a goodbye at the orphanage's home". She was happy that Shelle admitted to the fact that she looked good but she wouldn't do the same. Not because of any bad reason,but Shelle's look was absurd. Very,very. Plus,it's none of her business.

Shocked,Shelle raised her eyebrow,"But I did say goodbye,you did not answer, remember?"

"Whatever!"Shella sat upright,then let out a hot breath,"So,how are your parents?".               

Shelle bit back a Smile,"They're doing fine"she smirked,"i mean,they used to..but I lost my dad some months back"

Shella shuddered as she listened. When Shelle saw that she wasn't going to say anything,she continued,"Yours?".Then,she bit her lip afterwards. She wasn't even sure if Shella had gotten adopted after she'd left the other day.

Shella looked at her for a moment,then said,"They're good also". That was a lie. But then,she didn't owe anyone the truth,did she? After all,they'd only met and 'known' each other for a month now. And people change,she'd learnt that-in the hard way.

Shelle sighed softly,"thank goodness"

Shella continued,"When you left,about a week or two,some wealthy couple came by".

"Wow..lucky you"Shelle smiled at her twin and she smiled back.

After an awkward moment,Shelle thought it was the best time to change the subject and bring up the discussion that was mostly important,to her. But how on Earth was she going to start?Still ruminating, Shella stood up . She decided to give herself a tour. The weeny sound of her heels was what Shelle could hear. Shella looked really beautiful in her black velour dress with cute little flutter sleeves and a crocheted yoke-style neckline and stiletto heel. She had on a foxy makeup and wore her hair up in a French pleat.

'Shella has grown into a very beautiful and stylish woman' Shelle thought.

"Your house is really beautiful"Shella's voice cut her thoughts short."I love the interior decors"

"Thanks"Shelle smiled dryly,"I actually reside here with my husband"

A look of surprise dawned on Shella's face,"H-husband?"

"Yes"Shelle answered and sighed.

"He must be very influential"Shella grinned,then looked away . Her eyes immediately caught their wedding photo frame. She walked there,"he's handsome too"

Shelle chuckled,"He is. He owns various business assets,he's a real estate manager and also a..."

Shella cut her off heatedly,"That's okay. He is really.. something". Shelle nodded and crossed her legs. "You're lucky to have someone like that"Shella continued,"how did you guys meet?"

"My parents introduced him as a friend's son. We got along so fine and married a year ago"

"Interesting"

"So,what about you?"Shelle asked.

"I'm working on it"Shella replied, nonchalantly.

"Mmhn?"

"Well...yes!"

They laughed. Shelle felt a tingling feeling in her belly button. It has really been long since they both had a sister time. Lol,a sister time! She and Shella never really had a sister time and if it ever happened,it was usually a once in a blue moon experience. They never got along so well cause they had  contrasting personalities. Even though they were twins and looked really identical. Really really identical.

Shelle has a straight,shiny black hair, like their birth mom and she has brown eyes, emerald eyes,and a small feline nose, while Shella has straight dark brown hair,black eyes,and also a small feline nose. One couldn't tell their differences apart,unless you are really close. Shelle preferred her natural look with simple dresses while Shella was the hot one, she'd always go for flashy looks. Their characters were quite different too. Shelle was the cool headed one,shy,loves music and scared of darkness while Shella was the fearless one,hard hearted,hot tempered,and usually not girly.

The only thing that could be used to tell them apart is their birthmarks. Shelle had her birthmark on her left arm while Shella had hers on her left thigh.

Just as Shelle was about to bring up the discussion,Shella interrupted again.

"It's so obvious you guys have a happy marriage life cause..damn!"She took a final glance and walked away from their wedding photo frame,"Any kids?" She asked as she settled beside Shelle.

"Not yet"

"Why though?..Where is he now?"Shella snapped.

"Business trip"Shelle mumbled slowly.

"I'm so eager. I can hardly wait to see my twin's husband"She faced Shelle and saw her face fell. Her chin trembled and her expression turned to outright fear. "Uh?..what is it?..Did I say something bad?" When Shelle wasn't responding,she threw up her hands and sighed "That's it,I just over-talked"

"No" Shelle said,not looking the least bit offended,"you didn't. You just reminded me of something I really need to do. Something that haunts me.. something that I need your help with"

Shella listened cautiously. She recognized the genuine fear behind her words. "Uh?..why?" She leaned forward and whispered,"you can tell me everything... everything, trust me!"

They exchanged looks and Shella nodded, before patting her gently.

"I need your help" Shelle said, facing the ground.

"Go on. About?,I'll might be of help" Shella retorted. She knew it! She knew something was up with Shella.

"I...you see,I.."

And at that perfect moment, Shella's phone rang. Grrghhhh! After few minutes, Shella hung up and faced Shelle.

"As much as I'd like to stay,I have to go now" Shella said, blinking repeatedly,"Just a call from my boyfriend. We have to be somewhere,I almost forgot" she grabbed her bag from the couch,then faced Shelle again,"Would you like to quickly summarize what you were saying?" She glanced at her wristwatch to check what the time says,"I could spare two minutes,you know."

Drawing strength from her fears, Shelle said,"No. Don't bother. It can definitely wait. You may take your leave."

"Are you sure sweetie?"Shella said before rising to her feet.

"Yes"Shelle answered. She saw how worked up Shella was after the call. If she had summon courage to tell her, Shella might, apparently, decline.

"Okay"Shella gave a radiant smile. "It's a goodbye then. Looove you!" She gave her a fierce hug,then said,"we'll talk,don't worry. I'll call you".

~~~

And she did. Shella did call her two days after.

Shelle had made sure she didn't call Shella during those two days,even though it was hard not to. She had been all over her phone, expecting Shella's call.

She picked up,"Hello?"

"Sup Shelle? It's YOU" Shella joked.she sounded so excited.

Shelle smiled lightly,that was one of the jokes they made when they were little. They would confuse their neighbours and even their parents.

"Who changed the channel?"Their mom once asked. Both girls were sitted on the couch, watching their favourite cartoon.

"It's me!" They both answered and their mom looked confused,"who?"

"Is it you?"They asked each other again.

Little did their mom know that Shella was YOU and Shelle was ME. Funny right?

And sometimes, they'd disguise to tease people. Shella would dress to become Shelle and vice versa. Once, Shelle had dressed up like Shella and went on a date with some guy Shella hated. Shelle had returned home late, when she knocked the window at night,Shella got scared and asked,"who is it?"

"Who else?"Shelle feigned annoyance,"it's YOU"

Shella couldn't help it, she burst out laughing and that attracted their parents and their punishment too.

"Come on" Shelle said,"you're either drunk or in a good mood"

"Of course ME. Come join me at Kilimanjaro" Shella smirked,"I'd appreciate not being kept waiting.. besides,we didn't finish our discussion the other day."

"Yes!yes!..sure" Shelle smiled "I'll be right there...with YOU!" Then she hung up.

~~

  "Psst!"Shella called Shelle,as she walked into the eatery. "Over here" She signalled and Shelle came over.

Shella was sitting at the corner of the eatery. Her purse,phones and a table water were on the table. Shelle settled next to her.

"This place looks beautiful" Shelle said, looking around, "heard it was recently established,but I've never been here"

"Well, is that a thank you for inviting me to my dream restaurant?" Shella teased and Shelle giggled,"Course,it is"

They laughed. It was a happy hour. Despite Shelle's situation,she plastered a smile on her face and caught the attention of the waitress.

"I'll have my chicken pie and icecream now" Shella said and the waitress turned to Shelle,"water". Then the waitress left and returned later with their orders.

They talked casually for a while before Shella finally asked,"what is it you were saying the other day?"

Shelle paused.

Shella took a big bite and continued, "what you said you needed my help with?"

"I know."Shelle retorted. "Erm..I.."she repeated frantically and Shella's eyes went wide. 'I can do this!' 'I can do this!' Shelle thought. She knew she had to tell Shella. She needed her help seriously. And Shelle is not a stranger. Well,not totally. She knew she had to summon courage to tell her.

"Shelle?.. Elle??..Shindara!" Shella called.

Shelle looked at the person in front of her. Shella was curious,with bulging eyes,that made her nervous. Then she took a deep breath, "I have to undergo a bariatric surgery"

"I knew it!!"Shella screamed.

Shocked,Shelle looked at her,"uh?"

Shella covered her mouth. "Sorry. But wait...what??"

Shelle shushed her. She obviously doesn't need attention from people. She became silent afterwards.

"Oh Shelle,I knew it. I knew something was up with you.. your body. I noticed that the first time we met and when I came over." Shella groaned, "So, why'd you need my help?...I mean,you just have to get yourself fixed and you'll be alright"

"That's the problem" Shelle inhaled deeply. Her tone was flat,she was frustrated. "Austine will be back in two weeks and I can't face him like this"

"Why?"

"My doctor is not around presently, he'll be back in a week's time. Then I'll be in the hospital for an average of two to five days and get back to normal activities in three to five weeks"

"Phew!"Shella sighed,"that's a lot!" She scooped her icecream and Shelle continued.

"If my doctor has to make a larger cut then, recuperation takes longer"

"Still,I don't think you need my help. Cause..."

"I want you to become me...ME" Shelle blurted out and wiped her tears. She didn't realise she was crying until it hit the table.

Shella wanted to laugh,but she managed to stop it.she gazed at Shelle surprisingly, "ME??..like you?..you're joking right?"

She wished she was but Shelle wasn't joking. The ME was serious. They have never used the ME and YOU terms for serious issues. Never! Shella actually thought she was joking,then she studied her oddly.

"You mean,you?...like an imposter??"

Shelle nodded slowly.

This was it! Shella sucked in her breath and stared hard at Shelle.

Shelle tried to study Shella's expression, but the look on her face had no definition whatsoever. Then she caught that glint. That glint of hell...