A SMALL WORLD

The storm poured down heavily that evening. Tessa ran into the old library in search of shelter. Her hair was wet, already soaked by the rain. She pulled away the big coat that she wore on top of her dress. Squeezing out the little water from it. Then she went inside the library, in search of a quiet shelf she could hide in till the rain subsided. In front of her, a young lady stood on one of the shelves. Busy searching for a book or something. She was dressed in a pink light gown. As she turned around, Tessa paused on her steps. It couldn't be, Her inner voice spoke. It felt like she was staring right at herself. The similarity was too hard to look past. They both stood facing each other, busy staring at one another, in silence. Different questions flashing through their minds.  GENERATED USING META AI Finally, the one that was dressed in the pink gown spoke. “I’m Natasha. I've seen different people that somehow look like me, but this is like staring at myself in the mirror.” “Me too,” Tessa responded excitedly. They found a quiet table and immediately started a conversation, questioning one another, their curiosity taking over. “My adopted parents told me I was a twin, apparently one died.” Natasha spoke up first, her English eloquent, her tone measured. “Same too. They said my twin died at birth,” Tessa replied. “Perhaps, could it be you're my twin?” Natasha asked. Tessa scrunched her eyebrow, unsurety evident in her expression. It seemed impossible, but the resemblance was just too good to ignore. They had the same birthmark at the right corner of their neck, they had the same black curly hair, their noses were the same, small and pointed. All their physical features were the same, one could hardly tell the difference. However, despite how physically the same they were. Their behaviour and composure spoke a lot about their differences. Natasha, having raised by foster parents who valued eduction and good morals, Natasha learned to stick to the rules and always do the right thing Tessa, However, grew up with foster parents that were most times unavailable. She learnt how to fend for herself and survive by any means necessary. “The world is not fair. You either take from life constantly or it takes from you,” Tessa said to her. “That's the problem with our society. Life is more than just survival and rules are there for a reason,” Natasha countered. Tessa sneered “You're saying that because you've never known what it feels like to fend for yourself.” There was a clash between Morales as they spoke to one another. Despite the undeniable resemblance Nature had given them. Nurture had formed them into two opposite individuals. Enthusiastic about each other, they made a point to learn about each other. Spend more time together; at the library, parks, or other times at each other's apartment. While Natasha marveled at how carefree, bold and strong Tessa was to survive all by herself. Tessa silently admired how disciplined and stable Natasha was despite her strict abhorrence to rules that she often mocked her for. However, when two opposite collides, there is always bound to be an eruption. It began one day when Natasha caught Tessa putting a necklace from a jewelry shop in her pocket without paying. “What are you doing?” Natasha asked, grabbing her hands. “Relax, they won't notice it's gone,” Tessa said in a calm tone. “But it's stealing, that's wrong Tessa.” “Nope, I’m just taking it. Besides, they have a lot more than this to notice it's missing,” Tessa said, brushing it off. “Let's go,” she said, dragging Natasha out of that place. “You really don't need to steal anymore, you know,” Natasha said to her on the walk. “You're not alone anymore, I'm here now.” Invoking that gaze of neediness and fear, Tessa kept looking at Natasha. “This is who I am. If you don't want to accept, then that's okay,” she finally said with a cool countenance, acting to be brave and showing anger about her feelings. A month later, they met again at the library where they first met, and here too Natasha agreed to meet Tessa on time as usual. However, Tessa had come later than her usual self, and it was already getting dark. “What kept you so long?” She asked the moment Tess stepped in. “I have some business to do tonight. I was thinking you could help us.” “This is Greg, by the way,” she said, gesturing to the rough-looking man that stood behind her. “What kind of business is that?” Natasha asked warrily, squinting her eyebrow. “Easy! Just break into the front desk, and take whatever useful thing we can find. You're the smart type, we could use your help with bypassing security codes and passwords,” Greg spoke this time around. Natasha stood unblinking, her eyes wide with fear. Her palms became cold. “Tessa, you can't do this.” “ You don't get it, do you? We may look the same, but I cannot be you. This is my life now,” she said, her jaw locked in, mind already made up. Natasha moved closer, taking her hands in hers. “I’m not asking you to me, just let me help you, truly help you. You're not alone anymore,” she said in a soft voice, pleading. For the first time, that hard exterior Tessa always wore on her face cracked. Tears gathered around her eyes, as she leaned in to Natasha, giving up on the mission. They both watched as Greg, who was obviously pissed off, cursed under his breath and left. Nature had made two identical individuals, but nurture had produced two different people and perhaps love could unite them again.