Their mother was actually happy with this behavioural pattern, as she could easily identify who the child was. It was even hard for her at times to bring up a pair of Siamese twins. The girls grew up, attended school, college and were always the best friends, in spite of others who made friends with them. They walked, and talked and shared all their innermost thoughts with each other.

Not a very rich family, the parents coming from an orthodox society, they started looking for a suitable bride-groom. They did not have the heart to lose both girls at the same time, so Renu was the first to get engaged. The prospective groom, Shiv was from the city and was well educated, had a nice comfortable house and lived with his parents. The alliance went through and they were married shortly.

Renu, newly married, moved to the city with mixed feelings. She left behind her a bleeding heart, meant for her sister. One part of her was happy being married, and moving to the city with promises of romance in the air, one part she was not sure she would survive without the bubbly, outspoken nature of Sonu.

Sonu was devastated. She felt totally cheated and lost. Not only was her best friend not with her, she had moved away so far, they could not even see each other frequently. One part of her was happy for Renu being married and settled down, but the invisible cord between them still pulled each other over the miles. She pined for her sister and her warm love.

Renu sent letters every week without fail. She seemed very happy and she wrote to Sonu in detail about her daily life, in-laws and her new and wonderful husband. When time permitted, Renu came home for a day or two with her husband, so, there was not much privacy for the girls to have a heart to heart.

Ten months later, the much awaited news of Renu’s pregnancy reached home. They were so delighted and hugged each other with happiness. With a cartload of sweets they went to Renu’s home, where they were treated royally. Renu’s parents then approached the in-laws and wanted to know a good date for them to take Renu home for delivery as was the custom. Much to their shock, the in-laws negated their plan and said, “We live in the city, with more comforts and doctors close-by, Shiv is our only son and we want our grandchild to be born here in this ancestral house of his”. They were very firm with their decision. Both Renu and Sonu were so very upset. They had hoped to spend some time together and now this. Their parents not wanting to upset Renu at this crucial point of time, put up a brave front, and wished their daughter well and took leave. They felt insulted and cheated too, but did not want to rock their daughter’s boat.

Renu’s pregnancy was progressing well until she was into 8^th month. Some complications made her bed-ridden and made her morose. She longed to be with her parents and sister. Much as she was physically comfortable here, she longed for the fresh air of her town, walks to the temple, across the fields with her sister and eating cool food fed by her mother with loving hands. At her husband’s home, food came to her bed in a tray, brought by a maid who was specially appointed to help Renu. Shiv, though a lovely man, could not replace the closeness of Sonu in many ways.

Sonu, in the meanwhile had taken up a job as a teacher and horoscopes were being matched for her. She was very frustrated being away from Renu and many a time she cheekily wondered, wouldn’t it have been perfect in Shiv had a younger brother!! She so wanted to be with Renu, help her with her pregnancy, share all the joys and hear the heart-beat of the new life in her sister’s tummy. Her family and she did not feel comfortable visiting Renu, they did not want any more insults piled on them either directly or indirectly. All this added to Sonu’s frustration, but in her heart she knew Renu needed her.

As the due date approached, Sonu felt she was walking on hot coals all the time. She, very desperately wanted to be with Renu, but her parents did not want her to intrude on Renu’s life.  A week before the baby was due, her parents moved to the city to be close to their daughter during her delivery. They stayed with relatives there.

Friday night, Sonu went to sleep and all of a sudden she thought she heard Renu call out to her. She felt restless, but could not sleep. Feeling terrible and bothered she packed her clothes in an overnight bag, and waited till 4.30am to go to the bus-stand to take the first bus out. 5 am, she was sitting in the bus, chewing her fingers waiting for the bus to leave.

Renu’s labour started Friday evening. She was in severe pain. The mid-wife appointed to help her with the delivery was feeling flustered. She felt the baby was in crisis. They had to rush Renu to the hospital. Her labour continued and the doctors were encouraging her to have a natural birth. Renu was in agony was screaming her heart out, if only Sonu was there to hold her hands and wipe the sweat off her brows!! Finally, the doctors decided to do an emergency c-section. The cord was around the baby’s neck and they could not turn or release the baby. 5am, Saturday morning, she was in the operation table, well sedated and the doctors started their procedure.

5.20am, Saturday morning, Sonu's bus left 10 minutes late, and the driver was under pressure to catch up on lost time. He had slept over-time, after the Friday night drink session. 5.45am, the bus turned at a junction, not noticing the oil truck coming from the opposite side.  There were no survivors.

The operation procedure started, before the doctor’s realised Renu had a heart condition. Her situation was very serious and more specialists rushed in. 5.45 am at the hospital, the ECG machine gave a loud and long beep. Renu lost her battle with life. Fortunately, they could take out the baby, and she was rushed to neonatal. It was blue in colour and was breathing with a lot of difficulty. She was not expected to live

The souls of Renu and Sonu, which were separated at birth, met and hugged each other. With a smile and a nod they united and entered the baby’s fragile body. With a loud cry the baby won the struggle for life and a rosy bloom tinted the baby’s beautiful body!!