Love is Blind!

From two weeks I have been witnessing a couple who come for an evening walk in the college campus that I go to. They would have not evoked from me a mention here, had they not presented an exceptional sight.

The man somewhere in his late thirties, average height and glasses, is wheatish, with a regular face and the woman beside him is petite and pretty may be a few years younger. They are well dressed, their carriage boasting of a good upbringing and confidence of a good education.
And this is not what was uncommonly striking about them!

The couple walks at a very brisk pace, holding each others' hands.
Yes, for almost one hour that they take rounds of the campus and often cross my path, I find their palms clasped and intact there. Initially I thought it was very romantic to be doing so.
But gradually it became a bit unnerving!

We are generally not so unhappy about something lacking in our lives till we find it blooming in someone else’s. It’s been my unfulfilled desire since time immemorial to go for long walks with someone I loved. So the reactions began with “Awwww” but soon transformed to “Oh god, again today!” I was realizing why PDA-public display of affection, is intimidating for some!
But the love struck couple would not bother about me, or anyone else, as though their eyes were fixed only on to their destination!

Anyways, so every day without fail, I watch them sojourn the paths and take a glance at their countenances, making an effort not to stare, yet wondering at the motives behind the clasp. It’s not like one partner would run away...or maybe the guy’s too possessive...his wife was exquisite in her own right, after all! Maybe they’ve just been married, though it did not seem that way and even if they are...holding each other by the hand for an hour in a park doing a brisk walk does not justify that, does it?

Now to get to the arrestingly remarkable part...nope, I am not done with it yet!

Yesterday evening, I saw them again. As usual, doing their thing caring a f@#$ about what the world thought!
And then the lady stumbled...
Just a few pebbles on the way but enough to get the grasp undone!
And within seconds I saw the mystery unfold...

The man had gone a few steps ahead and rushed back immediately for he saw her groping!
Her fingers searching to hold on to his!
The pretty lady’s focus of her eyes had shifted.
She is blind!
How much, why, how...I have no clue...but enough to make her man hold on to her hand to lead her on her way...the physical challenge not becoming a handicap in leading a normal life!

The crisis was soon handled...a couple of reassuring words and a pat from him, a smile from her, the clasp back again and the footsteps quickened to rhythm, as they soon went past me, leaving me with a spasm in my heart!

True, unconditional and sacrificing love so rare...whenever you come across it, it rarely leaves you unaffected!

What an effort it must have been for the lady to muster courage to walk without a stick or dark glasses to face a public domain, despite all hang-ups that may deter them!
What a support it must have been from the man in love with her, to be willing and motivating her to do so despite only him being conscious of the stares they were inducing!
What a stupid mindset we have to judge people and motives of others, by appearances, without an inkling of what’s going on in their lives!
What foolish claims we make of love that we offer and indifferently handle the love given to us, when in such tests of time, we might simply fail!

Well, it is said ‘Love is blind and lovers cannot see’...well in this case...literally!