My Quarantine Diary (Day 2)

Tuesday 14th April 2020 

11:35 PM

Dear Diary,

Today is Pahela Baisakh. It is the first day of the Bengali Calendar. Being a Bengali, I always had sweet memories of this day. It is not just a new year or first day of the year, it is an emotion. It conveys to us that a new start is beckoning. 

This year, due to lockdown, the Brussels Bengal cultural community did not arrange for any social gathering as it is not allowed anymore. Last year, this day, I performed a solo performance on Rabindra Nritya followed by a group performance here in Brussels. I was so proud to represent my culture in a foreign country and so was he. Though he did not come that day to see my performance but to true, he always encourages me to do and be better. 

Though still, I have the whole hideous story to be told, I would not say that today, the entire day went hard as expected. Rather it was not so bad.

My flatmate told me yesterday that she has read one nice article about an eminent psychiatrist about how to deal with breakups without much harm to your self-esteem. According to the article, it takes only 21 days to get over a breakup. All you need to eradicate all your connections with that person. In simple words, as instructed by her, I stopped texting him. Today is the second day of the lockdown of my heart and I got his text in the morning. He wished me ‘Happy Pahela Baisakh’ and despite all the pains in my heart, as I was trying to be so compassionate so I replied to him with a smile and that’s it. I hope I did not break any rule of my own lockdown. I hope the virus of love will not catch me anymore. I hope I will get well soon after 21 days. So, 19 more days to go…

My mentor Dr. Daisaku Ikeda says, “Real love is not two people clinging to each other; it can only be fostered between two strong people secure in their individuality.”

I think that when we acknowledge that we have broken up, we have opened up doors to learning from our mistakes!!

Well, feeling exhausted. It's a stressful yet meaningful day. Off to bed now!!