Glorious Gift of Sense was Suspense

"Am I Disabled " ...I don't know.. You tell me. I sprouted on this earth in 1984. People seem to be elated and startled when they see me, born to such parents.

The Silence of my night was broken by the harsh grating noise of our huge iron gates by the milkman. At 5:30 AM the alarm bell rings for me to get up. There is the scratching sound at the door. It was my dog, Goldie. It jumped on me and I felt her fluffy fur and heard the sound of her wagging tail. It was a morning greetings for me.

I managed to go near the window and opened it. I was able to smell the pristine pure fresh air after months together, being bed-ridden in the smell of medicines & Dettol in the Hospital. I felt happy for the reason that I'm back Home. I heard the chirping noise of the tiny birds. This indicated that the spring was setting in. These birds had survived from the pinching cold of winter and were lucky enough to see the lovely weather that spring had brought. There was a joyful atmosphere all around.

A few minutes later, I heard the bumping sounds of the foot steps ascending on the wooden staircase. My bro had switched on the Radio and the "Suprabhata" came floating into my room. I also heard the chink of plates and tea cups being washed by my maid-servant. I then moved to take a warm towel steam bath and finished my other morning routine.

I again heard the ascending footsteps on my wooden stairs. This time it was my dad. I had the ability to make out every family member of mine by the variations in the footsteps. My dad had promised me to buy a Chair last fortnight. Hence we had to go to a store in the nearest town. My dad helped me out to reach the changing room. I changed my dress and managed to go downstairs, without the help of a stick to balance.

Me & dad started off in the car to the nearest town to buy a Chair of my own. This was my long time desire. We reached our destination. There were not too many designs for me to choose from. Dad choose the best one and I was happy with it. This is because one cannot be too choosy to select one of these as there are not too many variants. I sat on it once and experienced the feeling. It was a comfortable one. My Dad seemed to be more happier than me after seeing my face shine with happiness. We then dumped the chair into the boot of the car. Now, we were on the way back to home.

As the return journey began, my memories had to revisit the good old days. I heard the air that was cutting through coconut trees producing a hissing sound. The sound of the chuckling, laughing and shouting of small children playing in the mud was heard. I went back to my childhood memories when I used to keep myself busy with mud-pies and broken twigs. All these memories faded as we were approaching home.

Hearing the sound of the car my mom came running out. Her elated smile was still visible to my mind's eye. I waited for Dad to go inside together with our shoulders rubbing each other. Meanwhile the servent had brought the chair from the boot and I began.

Days had passed by like clouds. My chair was now 3 years old. My parents were off to a relative's wedding in the town. The servants had also left for the day. The care taker had gone to buy some medicines for me from the nearest PHARMACY. I was all alone @ home.

Suddenly I heard a Quarrel outside. I managed myself to come out of the house. I heard 2 men who possibly came out of the Bar in the next street. I found out this by the Inebriated condition of the duo who got embroiled in a quarrel. I could still hear that the 2 persons were overpowering another person and he was none other than the Almonen whose voice I had heard in the hospital during his visits. The 2 persons had stabbed him to death and fled from the scene. The defeated person was crying for help. I could'nt control myself. I stood up, but I could'nt withstand the pain, not of the man but of my own. I fell down from the chair - "Wheel Chair". I could'nt see where the person was - Not because it was a dark late night but for the reason that I was Blind. Even I was helpless..!!

"Am I Disabled.....?"