The Blind Vision

By Arpitha Kakade

Darkness cast over the sky, lightning struck the trees nearby. Chilly breeze kissed Anumita’s soft and delicate skin whilst the moonlight danced on her placid face. In the veranda sat Anumita, calmly experiencing a distant night. Anumita Desai of age fifteen was a brilliant young woman of extreme poise and grace. She was a wise young adult for her age, or so she was told. Claimed to be the prettiest in all her class though she never believed it. Thanks to years of kathak training, an Indian classical dance form, she carried herself with utmost confidence. Top of her class, a Kathak prodigy, an ideal daughter, a perfect citizen, yet she felt a part of her was incomplete.

Dwelling in the tranquility and silence of the night, Anumita observed every faint and clear sounds. Her adroit ears picked up the sounds of faint footsteps that seemed to be approaching her. Dainty and flimsy footsteps, it seemed to be that of a kid.

With the following steps the kid bumped into the Aram-chair that Anumita ensconced herself on. Anumita turned towards the kid and grabbed him by his left arm and pulled him close to her face furiously. Anumita’s anger management skills were null. She despised being interrupted. The boy twitched and whimpered in her control. She was squeezing the innocent boy’s arms. He brought his right hand, which was not in Anumita’s captivity, close to her face and examined. He continued observing her facial features for minutes until she finally comprehended the situation.

Wait, he is blind.

Anumita’s consciousness struck her and she remorsefully let go of his sensitive arms. He now continued to examine Anumita’s face delicately with both of his hands. The kid did not seem to fear Anumita even after her rude actions.

“You seem to have really pretty eyes.” the kid said adenoidally.

“Everyone says so but I do not believe them. People are not trustworthy” Anumita replied, still slightly embarrassed.

“Well, I don’t know about others but I for one can’t see anything and yet I can imagine your eyes gleaming like the night sky” the boy said rather wisely. His comment left Anumita spellbound. His statements proved Anumita right, the boy was indeed blind.

“You are blind. How can you have seen the glamour of the night sky?” Anumita replied blatantly as she despised lies.

“I sure am blind but that does not stop me from experiencing the wonders of the world. Your eyes feel like the gracious night sky.” The kid replied patiently trying to prove his point.

Anumita respected the kids remarks, he seemed gifted. His vision might be impaired but his wisdom and wit were discerning. Anumita’s “wisdom” seemed to have left the conversation. She grew curious about the kid and his perspective of the world.

“What is your name?” Anumita asked, trying to not give away her curiosity.

“Akshan. Akshan Singha”

“How old are you?”

“Eight.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Your father has invited me and my dad, Anirudh Singha, for dinner today and I’m here to invite you in to join us didi” the boy said innocently. His voice was ironic to his vast acuity. Anumita stayed quite for a while. Silence filled the atmosphere, all that was heard was the hooting of the owls, the rustling of the leaves, the sounds of the breeze.

“I like staying here. The cold breeze that comes out of nowhere gives me exciting chills. On Nights like these I never sleep. The beauty of the moon and glimmer of stars blanket me throughout the night. The hooting of the owls is like music to my ears. My train of random thoughts keep me awake. Oh! What an escapade.” Exclaimed Anumita.

“I too wish to experience such natural wonders. My dad often gives me description of places and events. He is the only portal that connects me to, as I like to call it, the visionary world.” Akshan said as he took a seat beside Anumita on the steps of the entrance of the cottage. Anumita got down from her aram-chair disturbing her leisure and took a seat beside him.

He seems sweet. I should not have been so rude with him. Argh Anumita! It is high time you learn to manage your over-the-roof anger. He did nothing wrong and you still managed to get furious at him. You must make up for it.

Akshan randomly started humming a melody. The melody had a ring to it but Anumita could get a catch of it. Just then it hit her. It was one of her treasured songs, sung by the late Kishore Kumar, Phoolon Ka Taron Ka. She too started humming the melody of the song in chorus with the little boy. She became a kid with him. Akshan’s accordant singing was interrupted by a voice crack. Anumita could not contain her laughter and let out a loud giggle. The night was soon filled with sounds of laughter. Silence was silenced.

“I sure do adore nights like these and you my little friend made it a whole lot special for me. Would you like it if I described the aesthetic night sky that is bestowed upon us tonight for you?” Anumita seeked kind consent from him. No traits of anger were alive anymore. It was just mirth and sheer innocence.

“Oh my! I would love that, Anumita Didi!” Akshan naively exclaimed.

Anumita took a deep breath before she started.

“The moon shines bright, illuminating…. green- no, no, illuminating red light on the white leaves of the trees. The roof of this cottage becomes red by the moonlight in the dead of the night. The quite rustling of the trees and the black and white butterflies flapping their wings is harmony to one’s ears. The beauty of these nights can be fatal. Oh dear, if only you could see it. The colors are all so radiant and vibrant.” Anumita confidently described to innocent Akshan. An affiliative smile spread across Akshan’s petite face.

To see was her dream. To see the midnight’s beauty was her dream. She was a blind kathak prodigy.

Akshan had not always been blind. At age 5, his family met with an accident. The accident was pricy. It costed his mother her life and Akshan his eyes.

“That is utter beauty didi! You are grateful to experience it and I am grateful to you as through you I take with me the experience of the midnight beauty. I am hungry and I am sure the food has gotten cold, let us go and feast on this night, shall we”? Wise Akshan kindly offered. Anumita replied with a faint giggle as they made their way inside the cottage. Anumita and Akshan slowly walked inside. Anumita’s face was lit with a silent smirk the whole night. She thought that she had fooled the little blind kid, but little did she know that she had become the little blind kid.

Kids these days, they believe anything.

By Arpitha Kakade