INDIANIZATION OF “THE EYES HAVE IT” RUSKIN BOND NAME OF THE STORY: - “UNION OF TWO EYES”

I am Saikat. I am blind since birth. The light of the earth is an enigma to me. I am yet to have any specific quality to establish my identification with a class. The reason is very simple. I am considered insignificant in the eyes of others because a physically challenged person does have obvious limitations and because of that people take pity on him. I prefer to remain in isolation. I am pained to think that I live at the mercy of others. I do have a mind. This mind is equally responsive to feelings and emotion like others with clear vision. Who takes care of that? None comes close to my mind in order to touch that. I am still virgin in this context. It is an aching to a youth.

The train was moving very fast. I was booked to go to New Jalpaiguri. Incidentally I was alone in the train compartment. As I prefer all along to keep my presence not disclosing before others out of my blindness I took my berth at the farthest corner of the compartment with an anticipation that my presence would remain undiscovered to the stranger getting into the compartment.

In the midway the train stopped at a station. A girl, the identity being exposed because of the calling of her parents, got into the compartment. They were cautioning Manasi repeatedly not to come close to the strangers during the journey because they are usually not to be trusted. Her aunt would take care of her at the Station where she would suppose to get down. In the mean time the train gradually whistled out of the station.

It took some time to have a glimpse of the girl. But her sweet voice had already knocked at the door of mind. The rhythm of her movement was attractive indeed. I drew an image of her using my imaginative power. I failed to resist my temptation to have a conversation with her.

“Are you going to New Jalpaiguri”?

The girl seemed to be startled at my question. So long she was under the impression that she was alone in the compartment. Bur her instant response prompted me to believe that she could be communicated. That you had been in the compartment I was unaware of that.

My thinking moved like a flash - I don’t have any eyesight. That she would remain unsighted to me is very natural. But one with living and floating eyes could not discover me, really strange!

“I am going to Farakka at my aunt’s residence. I am pleased to enjoy the company of yours, failing which my journey would have been dull and monotonous” the girl said in an inquisitive voice. Perhaps it was an opportunity to her to have an acid test of my character.

So sweet and melodious was her voice it stormed in my passionate mind. It was the voice for what I had been waiting long. But my blindness might stand as an obstacle to continue conversation. A blind person can never be a loving element. It’s a curse. So I tried my best to conceal my blindness. Once I thought that it would have been better to terminate the further proceedings. But the attraction was infallible. My sixth sense prompted me; this girl would be an ideal match for you. Though her presence was very short living enjoy her company as much as you could.

“Where are you going”? The girl said,

“New Jalpaiguri” I replied.

“Are you the permanent resident over there” The next question comes.

“Yes, but it is Banahat, a place amidst natural forest beauty in ultimate abundance.” I said.

“I have heard much of the forest beauty. The attraction of it is irresistible because natural beauty acts here like a prodigal son. Is not it? The girl was further upbeat in tremendous enthusiasm.

“It’s true. But that is not disclosed to all. It requires specific eyes to enjoy that” I said in a grieved voice.

“You are really splendid. The way you are unfolding yourself, it is outstanding. Only the owner of a soft and passionate mind can do that.” The girl pleaded.

In the mean time I came close to her by the side of a window. Her rippling voice with occasional mind-touching smile was stirring my mind. I was, as if, going to be lost somewhere else. It was an emotive exchange of feelings with all beauties in full bloom. The strength of my vocabulary was slowly receding in total obsession. Moments were passing away witnessing moments only. It was appearing that profound silence was the best way to conceive the pleasure.

“You are sitting by the side of the window. Please be requested to brief me the passing away beauty. The girl said to me.

I could not tell her that my blindness did not allow me to do that. I was completely unwilling to break the charm of the emotive moments. However, I extended my imaginative power and went away giving a living description of that. I was surprised to discover my imaginative power. It was so long undiscovered. The girl was found not contradicting me in any way. She lent her ears with all attention to my commentary.

By that time Station Farakka came holding the hands of the time. It was time to get down of the girl from the train. I was desperately longing her company till my journey ended. But I was undone. I got the fragrance of her. I was about to touch her hair. But I was resisted my temptation. Let her remain alive in my imagination. Many things remain unachievable in this world. They are to be felt by heart. They are to be seen in the eyes of sixth sense. Let this short living memory be kept in the turret of my memory. I will be satisfied with that.

Responding to the call of her aunt shouting aloud the girl got down from the compartment bidding me good bye. I also bade her goodbye with a heavy heart. A new passenger got into the compartment.

Without a renewal of the scope of conversation I simply asked him the beauty of the girl just down from the compartment.

The new passenger said<’ The girl is a paragon beauty. the God has given her all in abundance. But unfortunately she is blind of two eyes. It is really a pity.”

I had no language to speak because the suddenness of the situation kept me mum. Again I went deep into the depth of sweet memory just terminated living me again alone in this world. Both of us are blind. How strangely got the eyes our sixth senses got unified in a straight line. Please do come back Manasi a day again as the momentary pleasure. This is my last fervent request.