It was her birthday today. She woke up bright with her eyes shining, looking for new things in life. Nothing was preplanned for the occasion so she was obviously ready for the back end planning we had done. She was ready to be surprised. As I was busy in my daily chores, she hopped pass by everybody in the house and landed in the kitchen, surprisingly headed for her glass of milk and approached me with her eyes full of questions unanswered. What more I could have expected with my 8 year daughter, Esha and her patience level as the children of her age usually have an bank of questions which they keep handy. I told her to get ready soon as we were leaving to visit some people. When she asked me to choose among her red satin dress with pretty fine white net or a bright yellow tank top with white capris for her to wear, I told her to wear anything, as it doesn't really matter. She looked confused thinking why would I say such a thing to her not advising her specially on her special day. She headed straight towards her wardrobe and was ready within 40 minutes at the gate with her red dress on. Taking everybody's compliments with a big smile, she sat with me in the car.
While on our way, she talked with her dad over phone who was traveling for business and took many promises for n no. of gifts she wanted. She also persuaded me to book the cake for the evening party on our way so that it will be ready well on time. She said she wanted her cake in a special color and shape. I suggested to visit the cake shop on our way back before lunch and promised her we wont be late.
We reached the destination and there she got out of the car and read the white letters on a blue tampered board in front of her. She read it out slowly and loudly as " Chhavi, thee school of blaaind" and then she read it again with clear phonetics, "Chhavi, the school of blind"
We went inside, met kids of her age, younger and even elder to her. She distributed sweets to them and played few games as well. A girl of age about 10, named Shreya came to her and asked what dress she is wearing as she cant see her.
For a fraction of second she looked into my eyes and I indicated her to carry on and I could see pride in her eyes as she thought she is getting along with the kids well and in fact helping them understand things they cant see.
She started explaining as I watched her, she told and explained Shreya really well that she was wearing a 1 piece dress, tight from the top and layery from the bottom. When she asked the color of dress. She told her it was red with white net. Shreya with her complete innocence asked which is the red color. Esha repeated that she was wearing red color dress. Shreya with no fear of anything asked again. Esha got irritated and looked at me, I gave her a confused look myself and indicated her to try again.
She turned back to Shreya, who was eagerly waiting for the answer. Esha paused to think for another 5 seconds, looked into Shreaya's eyes and told her that colors dont matter much and not think about it. Its red and white to be named as. Esha then turned to me and whispered into my ears me a new discovery for her, that blind people dont know colours and many such things possible to be signified in life.
We soon moved out for lunch, she was quite all over the lunch with few little discussions of the evening party where her friends were coming over. On our way back home, we dropped by the cake shop and as soon I asked her which colour and shape cake she wanted. In no more than 2 seconds, she said straight to the person on the other side of the counter, "you know what it doesnt even matter what colour or shape it is, few ppl in earth dont even know colors, just see to it that it tastes sweet"
And I knew my gift to her has been given and well registered.