The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young women with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, found the seat he'd told her was empty. It had been a year since Kaya, thirty-four, became blind. Once a fiercely independent women, kaya now felt condemned by this terrible twist of fate to become a helpless burden on every one around her. Just getting through each day was an exercise in frustration and exhaustion. And all she had to cling to was her husband Reenik. Reenik was Air Force officer and he loved Kaya with all of his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink in to despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Reenik's military background had trained him well to deal with sensitive situations, and yet he knew this was the most difficult battle he would ever face. Finally, Kaya felt ready to retun to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frighetend to get around the city by herself. Reenik volunteeted to drive her to work each day, but soon realized that this arrangement wasn't working. But just the thought of mentioning it to her made him cringe. Just as Reenik predicted, kaya was horrified at the idea of taiking 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". Reenik's heart broke to hear these words but he knew what had to be done. He promised Kaya that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, untile she got the hange of it. For two solid weeks, he accompanied Kaya to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her others senses, specificially her hearing, to adapt to her new environment. Each morning they made the journey together, and Reenik would take a cab back to his office. Althought this routine was even more costly and exhausting than the previous one it was worth it. Finally, Kaya decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left she threw her arms around Reenik, 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 Kaya had never felt beeter. She was going to work all bye herself! On Friday morning, Kaya 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." Curious she asked "why do you say that?" The driver responded, "it must feel so good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Kaya had no idea what the driver was talking about, and asked again, " What do you mean?" The driver answered, "you know, every morning for the past week, a gentlemena 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 Kaya's cheeks. She was lucky, so lucky for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to belive. THE GIFT OF LOVE that can bring light where there had been darkness. Beauty is not caused. It is.(E. Dickinson)
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