First Day Of Many To Come

Dear Diary,

LOCKDOWN! Finally, the most inevitable and perhaps, the most awaited decision taken by our honorable Prime Minister. Hopefully, it has come just at the right time.

Anyways, I must tell you how did my first day of lockdown go? Well, to write the same, I let my memory jog through the day. Consequently, it recapped the entire day in three episodes – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Ironically, the 3 major events of the day.

Though, it is the first day of lockdown out of the extended 21 days applicable nationwide. I, as a Mumbaikar, have been facing this for almost a week now. Due to which my entire schedule has gone for a toss. Each of these major events have delayed at least by 2 hours.

My affair with work from home is not new. Whenever I faced any issues on personal front – Health or family emergency, I have exercised this option as a privilege in the past. But yes indeed, I hadn’t faced any challenge of being locked down in confinement. Like others this is a new phenomenon for me as well.

Thus, I also feel I have an option to compare apples with apples, rather than comparing it with another fruit. I have a clear view of my working days at home with and without lockdown. So, I don’t feel the need of differentiating a day at office against home for work. I am sure there are many who can wonderfully do that.

Now, speaking about the differences, I must say there are quite a few that comes into my mind. You know that the railways aren’t functioning. For Mumbaikar, like me, its like shutting down the lifeline. Anyways, the building in which I live directly faces to the pair of such railway tracks. It is the busiest route for many local as well as long distant trains. Every time when the train passes, the screeching, whooshing and chuff-chuff noise reverberates throughout the entire building.

Scientifically, the noise produced due to the train’s passage collides with the tall building in front and the same echoes making it sound even louder than what it is normally. For me, it is equivalent to sitting at the railway platform. A lot of time, it interrupts my conversations over the phone call or people physically present at home. I can’t even hear my own voice when these engines pass by. If I am attending a meeting, I make sure to go on mute first unless I have to speak.

But today and since the last 2-3 days of shutting down of these trains, I missed those noises. There is a strange tranquility and calmness in the atmosphere. Perhaps, that is why I got up multiple times from my seat to watch those empty tracks and got back being convinced of the lockdown.

During an ordinary day, I would venture out for a casual walk within the limits of my society premise. I would top that up with a casual conversation, mostly with my friend or colleague to discuss random matters. It indeed refreshed and reenergized me. Especially, when the workload was high. But now having quarantined by virtue of lockdown. This is something I have to stay away from. Like me, many may just come down and think of a casual walk. If that happens then it is violation of SOCIAL DISTANCING. An absolute no, no.

On a brighter side, I could utilize the same chunk of time by indulging in a small conversation with my son as well as with my wife. Like me, they are also facing the same punishment. I must confess to be little monotonous on that front. We just had been talking about how much is the increase. Why our people are not taking it seriously? What if the supplies run out? Basically, on similar lines. I clearly see an opportunity here. I may have never thought of that if I would have not actually written this instance. So, there is a room and I must be able to come up with something that could help me deal with this void in a better way and there by help my family members to cope up with the situation. Let’s see.

The work, overall, had died down a bit. Unavailability of many contributors or we may call it as ‘lean staffing’ has indeed impacted routine deliverables. However, considering the quarterly closure in picture, there is a volume enough to keep me busy if not others. My focus span in performing activities has certainly improved. That used to often get disrupted due to the chaotic environment otherwise.

Just when I was about to end the day, I called up my friend and had a little lengthy conversation. Though on the adversity of others who stepped out and got beaten by the police, we discussed how we can help our country by staying indoors and not stepping out unless there is any need or emergency. My friend too agreed and appreciated the steps taken by our government.

Then finally, right after having dinner, I played monopoly – business game in the company of my wife and kid. That is definitely not the normal thing I do. I enjoyed every bit of it. We also shared laughter in instances whenever any of us had to pay higher rent after visiting to the place with house or hotel. At the same time, my son and I also traded places with each other in exchange of sum which made my wife unhappy. That was fun. I must do this as well fairly often.

I sealed the day by capturing its doing and sharing it with StoryMirror writing for a unique diary writing challenge for 21 days. I think the last line will remain constant for the rest. Hope the reader enjoy reading it.