My EyEs ArE NoT WiTh Me

....
I had the compartment to myself up to Rohana, and then a girl got in . the couple who saw her off were probably her parents; they seemed very anxious about her comfort, and the women gave the girl detailed instructions as to where to keep her things, when not to lean out of the windows, and how to avoid speaking to strangers. They said their good-byes; 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 heels. It would take me some time to discover something about her looks and perhaps I never would. But I liked the sound of 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 started her. She gave a little exclamation and said,' I didn't know anyone else was here.'