Blinded by our eyes

It was 10 'o' clock Friday night . I was really pissed off after studying for my upcoming exams . I just took off on my two wheeler to chill out .The street lights were out in that area, but a guy was working on it . I parked it near a 'paanwala' . I wanted to buy some chewing gum while riding back . On that seat of 'paanwala' was a blind boy . I was really surprised and amazed to see this boy . He must be 16 . I had to really squint my eyes to look for change in my hands . At that very moment the lights fell on the streets. I let out a sigh and whispered "Thank God".

The boy heard me and smiled . While I was leaving the repairman walked in and asked for cigarette . He said ," From last 6 days some guy is calling me every day 3 times for this . Its done finally . "  I gave a wry smile . The 'paanwala' said "Thank you bhaiyaa . Aap paise mat dijiyega . Ye aapke liye free hai , light theek karane k liye . Vo mai hi tha jo roz phone karta tha." (Thank you brother . Don't give any money for this , its free for you . I was the one who used to call you from past few days). I don't know who was more shocked , me or the repair guy . I think it was repair guy because he asked ," Why ?" . His question made sense , the kid was blind still he cared about the street light being on rather than the actual people who need this street light . 

The boy answered in Hindi but I will write in English :P . He said and I quote " Every customer who came in late evening used to complain about the street light , blamed government officials and went away . I just thought it was appropriate to call again and again till they do the job. Nobody should suffer from lack of light ." I was moved and I guess so was the repair guy . I just took off without another word . I couldn't stand the shame .

My own grandfather is blind . He was partial blind earlier , turned almost blind 5 years ago . I cannot describe the problems he has to face in day to day life. It pains me to see that the people who care about small things in our day to day lives are the ones who are not privileged with it .
"Eyes are a luxury which all are not privileged with . Value it"

Dedicated to ,
the paanwala,
my grandpa ,
Thank You For Reading ,
From ,
Hetansh Shah a.k.a Hetu :]

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