The woman in the pink sari has been staring at us for some time now. 
She approaches us, albeit hesitantly, and asks, "Are you both sisters?"
I smile and say (for the nth time), "Actually, we are twins".
"Aaah ! I guessed as much. Both of you look the same!", the lady replies. We smile back (as always).

Believe me, this is not an isolated incident. We've had strangers strike up conversations with us at supermarkets, in the bus, at hospitals and even on the roads! Yes....because we happen to be twins. Many a time, it's subtly acknowledged. When people notice we are similar, their eyes dart like tennis balls on court. Their perplexed expression gives way to a smug look as they 'deduce' the fact that we are twins.

In other words, life is 'different' being twins. For one, you get noticed instantly; and you are not forgotten easily either. Now, I still haven't figured out whether it's advantageous or not, because attracting unnecessary attention isn't exactly my cup of tea. We've had our share of amusing incidents as well. For instance, I attend a viva voce, and my twin later steps in to attend hers. And the teacher unwittingly asks, "Didn't you just attend the viva? Why are you back?". Or like the other time a Sir came to class, looked at both of us and said, " You both seem to be related", at which the whole class broke out into laughter.

When we were young, we used to be literally 'mirror-images', that is, the same dress, hairstyle, accessories and so on. I guess it was quite a 'cute' sight then. Now we consciously avoid wearing the same kind of outfit (would look quite strange now, don't you think ?)

As much fun as it may seem, there are some 'not-so-nice' things about being twins. If I were to single out the most prominent disadvantage, it would be being considered 'substitutes'. We are not the same; we are just similar. This fine difference is often neglected. Teachers jumbling up our marks at school is ample proof of their non-chalance when it comes to our 'identity' ! Another of our constant worries is the 'double' expenditure we simultaneously incur. But then, it's inevitable, I guess.

Even though I may crib about such minor inconveniences, the fact remains that it couldn't get better. Being the same age, having the same friends and doing common things (so far) have made us almost ' inseparable'.

Let me end with a few 'interesting' questions we've answered in the past two decades of being twins.

Why 'interesting' ?? Sample these :-

* Question to me: "What's your date of birth?"
And then to my sis: "And yours?"

(Hhhmmm...and that too in spite of being told we're TWINS!)


* Old wine...new bottle:
To me: "Which class are you studying in?"
To my sis: "And you ?"

( Okay.....why ? Did you expect one of us to fail ?)

* "Can your parents distinguish between you both?"

(Yes they can...it's amazing, isn't it ?!)

* "Will you marry twins?"

(No comments!)
And by the way, a friend of ours even went to the extent of imagining us marrying twins and having twins of our own.....leading to confusion among the four kids ;
not to forget,the husbands!

* Oh ! You've rhyming names !
(Yes.....it helps to further confuse people!)

* On seeing us, people say either of the two:

"You look just the same" OR " You can't be twins, you both look different!"
For the record, we are FRATERNAL twins; not identical twins.

* "Do you both fight/quarrel ?"

(Yes we do...like any other pair of sisters.....or are we not 'supposed' to ?)

So long folks !