A Silent Conversation

I always prefer travelling by the window seat, be it any mode of transport. The reason being that I love to see what all unseen and ignored incidents are happening in and around me. So, my travel from my workplace to my home yesterday was an interesting and a thought provoking one. I say that it was thought provoking because it made me write a blog about it.

The episode happened when the bus was at a halt at Yeshwantpur bus depot. The depot was like the usual crowded bus stands. Passengers busy boarding and de-boarding the buses, taking care of their belongings to escape from the hands of pick-pocketers, conductors blowing whistles at the loudest volume possible. The honks of the buses are an add-on to the chaos and commotion at the location.

In between all this bedlam, my eyes caught a glimpse of two individuals who were sitting by a tea stall with a cup of tea and a sandwich in their hand. It seemed that none of the noise there made any difference to them nor did it act as an impediment in their conversation. The two of them faced the challenge of being mute and unable to hear. For some this might be a disorder but at that particular moment I could just think of it as a ‘blessing in disguise’.

I know it comes as a shock to you but I have reasons as to why this thought triggered in my head. I wake up in the morning with all positive thoughts and step out of my house packed with energy and enthusiasm. Not even two steps I take and I can hear people screaming and yelling at each other for the most illogical things. I hear news about rapes, murders, deteriorating economy and all the possible information that could put anyone down.

Coming back to the differently challenged folks, they obviously expressed each other using their sign language. Suddenly, they zoned me out completely from the hubbub and made me only concentrate on their beautiful wordless conversation. It looked so intense for a few minutes that I was there that it made me feel less privileged to not be able to gain more knowledge about their intense discussion. I kept thinking about them throughout my journey, how different their world is. A peaceful atmosphere where they can hear their inner voice. It taught me to get a different perspective towards life and towards the differently abled individuals.