True Love

It had been a year since Anjali, a once fiercely independent woman, became blind. She was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. Now all she had to cling to was her husband Karan,an Army officer.

Eventually, Anjali felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Karan volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Anjali and fulfilled Karan's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task.
Soon, however Karan realized that this arrangement wasn't working - it was hectic, and costly. Anjali is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. Just as Karan predicted, Anjali was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!" she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I'm going? I feel like you're abandoning me."

Karan's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Anjali that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it.

For two solid weeks, Karan, military uniform and all, accompanied Anjali to and from work each day and then took a cab back to his office. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. Although this routine was even more costly and time consuming than the previous, Karan knew it was only a matter of time before Anjali would be able to ride the bus on her own. He believed in her.

Finally, Anjali decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own.
Monday morning arrived, and before she left she threw her arms around Karan, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday ... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Anjali had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself!

On Friday morning, Anjali took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying for her fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure envy you." Anjali wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?

Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Anjali had no idea what the driver was talking about, and replied, "What do you mean?"
The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you when you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches you until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady."

Tears of happiness poured down Anjali's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Karan's presence.

He had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there had been darkness.
Sometimes it's the unseen support that makes for the biggest gifts of joy...

[ i like this story so much because i think this is the way i would have reacted....made sure she was strong and independent but also safe and secure..:-) the unseen support...:-) ]