My dearest hubby,

I write to you today as I am not sure how far I can speak. I have tried to break the silence and yet the din in my head just does not allow me to gather my thoughts. I did not mean to slice your feelings; I was merely trying to save me. Forever I lived under the obedience spell. I knew nothing of discipline and organization, but surely appreciated it from you. Some say that it is in your stars to be happy or sad, the rest you decide what you can make out of life. You told me to organize things I started late, though I did make a start. You told me that I should check out other pieces of life that make for an interesting journey; although I am not sure what it meant, I still tried. Throughout the cold stillness of our existence, I gave you the best of everything; especially food! I never compromised on its quality, as I knew that this was the only best way I could get closer to you! I tried real hard to understand what it meant to inherit the wrong sense of timing especially with words. Trust me I want to believe all that you say. I never for once thought you were morally breaking me apart, much as what the people around me told me that this is what you had always done. I guess you were right! I only know how to write, as this is the only thing that gave me company while mom and dad fought and little bhaiyya and me fretted and shivered.

I won’t write much as I know you hate to read long letters. I remember with a smile how you patiently heard my poems and then told me to interpret its meanings. Sorry I had to nag you to read them, while I finally read them aloud. I am going to meet a friend at the Taj and somehow I feel good that I can finally talk to her. I feel an exhilarating feeling while I get ready to meet her, almost as if I had an appointment with the Almighty! Yeah I know its crazy, but that’s what you always thought of me. Will return early as tomorrow is VB’s birthday! See you soon!

Pooja

‘Patil, does anyone know to whom this letter belongs to?’ ‘Someone’s wife by the name of Pooja!’ ‘Did you find any identification amongst the dead bodies?’ ‘No Sir!’ there are so many, can’t even identify the bodies, let alone name them.’