Two Paths

Akash and Saroja. Saroja and Akash. The names were nearly synonymous. They grew up together. They were born one month apart. First came into the world, Saroja. Akash followed exactly one month later. They were like twins or more than twins-they were inseparable. They were the best of friends in the world. Their mothers were also friends, very good friends. They had their houses side by side in the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. Saroja and Akash had identical upbringings in modern Mumbai. Akash went to America to pursue his dreams. Saroja stayed back. Their paths diverged and so did their lives. They kept in touch through letters. They wrote to each other the minutest details of their lives. Even though they didn't meet each other after they had parted, each knew exactly what was happening in the other's life. Sometimes there were lulls because of a major event in one or the other's life, but they wrote their hearts out till the end. Now, we get to read the letters they had penned exclusively for the other's eyes. We will see exactly what was happening in their lives, not only from the perspective of what others around them could see, but what they themselves saw.