Summary

Section 2 of Freshwater is narrated largely by one of the ogbanje Ashughara, who becomes more powerful after Ada discovers Soren has been raping her. Ashughara opens her narration by saying Ada “meant every world to [her]” (61) and that she emerged as an individual from the collective We in order to protect Ada. Ashughara takes control of Ada’s body and has Ada run away from Soren. As Ada leaves his bedroom, Ashughara feels “drunk and full of life… I was a me! I had a self” (62). Soon after she leaves, Soren comes after Ada and begins having sex with her again. Ashughara then reveals that when Ada’s body has sex, “Ada [isn’t] there anymore” (64): instead, it is only Ashughara. To help Ada heal from Soren’s abuse, Ashughara promises that Ada herself will never have to have sex again, for...