Lost And Found

Lakshmi was getting ready in the morning, as usual, preparing Breakfast and Lunch for her kids Kamakshi and Kartik. Kamakshi, their 15 year old, came running to her in the kitchen giving her updates on news, stating that China had an outburst of a virus, Covid 19, many people died, and many are quarantined. Venkat, her husband ushered Kartik, their 10 year old son, hurrying and reminding everyone about school bus. They all hurried, busy in their own world, distancing each other with their busy lives. Lakshmi sighed, feeling bad about her family. She was working as a lecturer, giving her best to train students, who she feels approached her for her advice, but back home, her world was toppled down. Venkat hardly had time for them, busy with his work, as always, he was seen with his laptop, as if it had become a part of his body, even during holidays. Nobody cared, everyone was mechanical, busy in their schedules, homeworks, tuitions and preparation for next day, Battle to survive, the world, give their best to support others, but crumbling their own in this bargain.

A week later, Lakshmi heard her colleagues talking about Corona and how it has impacted the world around. Her morning lecture was on Human behavior and the threats humanity posed on each other and Corona became the center point of the discussion. Lakshmi, shook her head, distanced herself from the discussion as she had another lecture for the day. She wanted to call it a day and go home. She wanted her family back at any cost. In the bargain of creating a world of her own, she had lost it to the world of material. What a Paradox. She thought of calling Venkat, but than thought against it. He would be busy with his scheduled meetings. She lost him too, or rather He was lost, in an attempt to provide for them. Was this their dream, when they vowed to each other, that they would create a world of happiness and joy, love and care? As soon as she finished her lecture, she overheard her staff talking about closure of educational institutions, as Covid was slowly sliding into India with its murderous claws, hungry to devour Indians now. Her panic rose to next level. With no one around, kids would be full time glued to Internet, she wished she could be home too. Venkat was no help here, he had his laptop. She really felt hopeless and frustrated.

A week later, when the Government declared the situation as a pandemic and gave orders for work from home, Lakshmi gave a sigh of relief, at least she would get time to know her kids much better. She decided to chalk out a schedule, so that she can bring her kids back to the real world. Venkat, she felt was beyond her reach. She had lost him in the fold of time, she just wanted to rewind her life and run to those moments and hold them together, but alas, it was her virtual dream, real world was totally opposite. Three days of quarantine, atleast kids were opening up, Venkat too joined, for few minutes and used to vanish and Lost in his work. But at least that was an attempt. The house needed a cleanup and Lakshmi with kids thought it was the best time to do as Ugadi was round the corner. She started decluttering the commodities, when kamakshi joined, sooner kartik approached asking Wat to be done. Lakshmi was happy, at least kids are taking part in the chore.

Venkat was over the phone but was observing the laughter and bonding happening. He had been observing it past three days and felt the void. He was too engulfed in his work, that he forgot that his important work was to give time to his family and raise kids equally, knowing their world, understand them and be a part of it. As soon as he finished his call, the first thing he did was to join Lakshmi in cleaning the house, he took the vacuum cleaner and was ready for his job, just like sweet old days. Soon the house was filled with love and laughter, which was missing all these days... What they lost, they found it... A feeling of togetherness and love for each other, the house was buzzing with normal talks. not with the tapping of fingers over the mobile. Lakshmi was content now, feeling her world come back to her. She thanked Government, for taking such steps and bringing her family together. Social Distancing sometimes does wonders to bring the near and dear close..