five minus one

the air was damp, cloudy and such. i had left home early as i was on my way to attend a prayer meet...i boarded an ordinary bus. it's strange how most of my stories and experiences revolve around the bus, but maybe it's because i dont get out that much, and the only time i see so many people is while travelling...

ok digressing...

i got a seat, all that mattered. oh, a window seat to be exact. the weather was perfect, i had a view to keep me company...except... the little boy sitting next to me didn't.

this was the first time i was sitting next to someone who was visually impaired... he must've been around 10.

i was reading 'journey to the river sea'... it suddenly dawned on me..the simple act of reading a book is something he can (probably) never experience...what i take for granted must be his great wish...there was so much he was missing, the colours, the vibrancy...sigh-t. life for him is only pitch black...

i noticed his fingers were feeling this bolt on the seat in front of him...the entire journey his finger was on that bolt...touch must be so important for him...to not have a sense, makes you respect what you have a great deal i suppose...we won't understand... 

every time there was a loud sound from the roads, his ears would perk up and he would turn to that direction
.

i wanted to let him know someone was sitting next to him, so i rustled the pages a little extra...i zipped and unzipped my bag louder... one part of me wanted to tell him...hey, i probably don't understand what your going through, but you've taught me a big lesson today....

i wish i did...but maybe it wouldn't have made much sense to him...so i watched him leave...

his mom called out- "selva"...and he got up immediately...vanishing into that dark spot from where he came.