BEAUTIFUL EYES

I had the train compartment to myself up to Rohana , then a girl got in .The couple who saw her of f were probably her parents .they seemed very anxious about her and women gave her the details instructions as to keep her things , when not to lean out of windows , and how to avoid speaking to strangers .

they called their goodbyes and the train pulled out of the station . As I was totally blind at the time , my eyes sensitive only to light and darkness I was unable to tell what the girl looked like .But I knew she wore slippers from the way they slapped against her hills

It would take me some time to discover something about her voice and even the sound of her slippers .

"Are you going all the way to Dehra "I asked .

I must have been sitting in a dark corner because my voice startled her. She gave a little exclamation and said "I didn't know any one else was here."

Well , it often happens that people with good eyesight fail to see what is right in front them . They have to much to take in , I suppose . Whereas people who cannot see (or see very light) have to take only the essentials , what ever registers tellingly on there remaining sense .

"I didn't see you either ," I said . "But I heard you come in. "

I wondered if I would be able to prevent her from discovering that I was blind ."Provided I keep to my seat" I thought, "I shouldn't be too difficult." The girl said , I am getting off at Saharanpur. My aunt is meeting me there " Then I had better not get to familiar," I thought . " Aunt are usually formidable creature.

"Where are you going? " she asked.

"To Dehra and then to Mussoorie."

"Oh, how lucky you are .I wish I were going to Mussoorie . I love the hills ; especially in October,"

"Yes , this is the best time ,"I said , calling on my memories ." The hill are covered with wild dahlias , the sun is delicious , and at night you can sit in front of a log fire and drink brandy . Yes ,October is the best time . "

She was silent .I wondered if my words had touched her or whether she thought me a romantic fool . Then I maid a mistake.

"What is it like outside ?"I asked.

She seemed to find nothing strange in the question Had she noticed already that I could not see? But her next question removed my doubts.

"Why don't you look out of the window ?" she asked.

I moved easily along the berth and felt for the window ledge. The window was open and I faced it ,making a pretense of studying the landscape .I heard the panting of the engine ,the rumble of the wheels ,and ,in my mind's eye I could see telegraph posts flashing by .

"Have you noticed ,"I ventured, " that the trees seem to be moving while we seem to be standing still ?"

"That always happens, " she said. " Do you see any animals ?"

"No , "answered quite confidently. I knew that there were hardly any animals left in the forest near Dehra .

I turned from the window and faced the girl and for a while we sit in silence.

" You have an interesting face," I remarked. I was becoming quite darling put it was a save remark . Few girls can resist flattery. She laughed pleasantly -- a clear , ringing laugh.

"Its nice to be told I have an interesting face .I'm tried of people telling me I have a pretty face."

Oh , so you do have a pretty face , thought I .and aloud I said ,"well, an interesting face can also be pretty ."

" You are a very gallant young man ."she said ."but why you are so serious?"

I thought then ,that I would try to laugh for her ,but the thought of laughter only made me feel troubled and lonely.

"We 'll soon be at your station ."I said .

"Thank goodness it's a short journey. I can't bear to sit in a train for more than two or three hours."

Yet I was prepared to sit three for almost any length of time, just to listen to her talking. Her voice had the sparkle of a mountain steam .As soon as she left the train she would forget our brief encounter. But it would stay with me for the rest of my journey and for sometime after .

The girl got up and began to collect her things. I wondered how was her hair .

"Goodbye!" the girl said .She was very close to me . So close that the perfume of her hair was tantalizing. I wanted to raise my hand and touch her hair but she moved away. Only the scent of perfume sill lingered where she had stood .I returned to my berth .

The man who entered the compartment broke into my reverie.

"She was an interesting girl ."I said "Can you tell me did she keep her hair long or short?"

"I don't remember," he said sounding puzzled. "It was her eyes I noticed, not her hair. She had beautiful eyes but they were of no use to her. She was completely blind.

Ruskin Bond