My Victory over Fear: 'Corona'

At 7:42 am, I packed breakfast for my friend Manisha, gave her mask and sanitizer and she left for her job at 8 am. I spend my days with reading books as I am a research scholar. After that I did other household works. At evening, Manisha returned and washes her clothes with Dettol liquid every day as Covid-19 pandemic was at the peak. After that we did gurgle and drank ginger decoction. It was our daily routine. I was very much concerned about her health because she was an asthma patient and this Corona effects lungs and people died. Sometimes I asked her to stop her job but she argued with me and continued her job. She was also concerned that's why every day after returning back from job she washes her clothes and maintained safe distance for me. But my real tension was we live in a hostel in Bilaspur where if anything happens to one, other will also suffer. And in the institution in which she worked there already four members are Covid positive. Finally God listened to my request and from 14th April there was complete lockdown in Bilaspur.

New day began with relaxation that now she don't need to go outside, she can take her Online Classes from hostel only and we are safe now. But who knows Corona is at our door steps. For the very first time both of us started facing problem in our throats. Gradually we developed a bag cough. At first we thought it was because of weather change because on those days sometimes there was rainfall and then suddenly it was sunny. 

But on 20th April, a day before Ramnavami at 4 am. Manisha started suffering from high fever, headache and body ache, from that time my tension level is high. First I started screaming at her. I said, "It was all because of your institution where you work. We are two small kids leaving apart from our family, who we will manage everything, if anything happened to us, if we unable to take proper medical treatment we will die." She listened to me quietly as she understands that I was getting afraid. Then she said quietly, "Nirmala, when both of us are with each other for last six years apart from family solved so many problems together, this time we will be able to manage this problem also." It brings positive vibes in me. After one day I also got high fever, headache and body ache. As Manisha already started taking medicines so she gave me same medicines from very first day. Then comes news of extension of lockdown, we were worried we have collected groceries for 10 days only again I am worried. Then I found out a way that I will go to the market. I cycled with fever and anyhow I reached 'Budhwari Market' to purchase fruits and vegetables as we are feeling very weak. Prices are high, only few stalls are there, I called my friend "Prices of fruits are very high, vegetables at almost in bad condition what to do now?". Manisha said, "Don't think about money, only think about your health. We have to get rid of this Corona." I understand that whatever she said it's correct. I purchased fruits and lemons. 

When I returned back I saw Manisha was taking her Online Classes. She is a very good, hard working and punctual teacher. Her students love her a lot. She enjoys teaching, that's why even in Corona when she is suffering from 103° high fever, bad cough and extreme weakness that time also everyday she took classes. She said, "My kids give me positive vibes to live life cheerfully. Till now how much I have seen this world? I have not ate so many delicious food item. I have to live. I have to taught so many kids." 

First three days spent with high fever, headache, body ache, cough and cold. Till now we have not informed our family about our situation. Every day we had conversation we our parents but we tried to hide our pains infront of them. We tried hard for Covid Test. As we are that much weak we are unable to do cycling to reach Chhattishgarh Bhawan, Nehru Chowk 4Km.far from our hostel. We tested positive. Manisha called her uncle-aunt living in Kolkata. They were very much worried about our situation. And because of complete lockdown they can't come to Bilaspur to help us. They contact one doctor of Kolkata Dr. Jyonto Banerjee, he prescribed medicines and ask Manisha for HRCTC scan for lungs. One colleague of Manisha, Vicky Kewat helped us to find vehicles and we reached Sky Hospital, Bilaspur. Situation of hospital was were bad. So many patients were there, more aged than us, some of their condition are worst and some of them are in little bit good condition. Continuous in and out of ambulances it brings terror in our minds.

Both of us hold each others hand tightly and waiting for Manisha's turn. Finally, she entered in scanning room, I was sitting outside. Crying and praying to God for her good reports. When she came outside I asked so many questions. She said, "Don't worry, everything will be alright. My reports will be positive." We waited outside for two hours and we received the reports. Manisha is fine, reports are positive. We are relieved. After returning home, we sent that report to Manisha's uncles and Dr. Jyonto Banerjee. Manisha's uncles are also Homeopathic doctors, they said no need to worry but Dr. Jyonto Banerjee said Manisha is having mild infection in her lungs (Score-4/25) because of that she is facing breathing trouble. Doctor changed the power of her inhaler. And Manisha herself did proning to increase her oxygen level. Along with medicines we buy oximeter in order to monitor us in regular interval of time. Manisha's aunt got afraid after listening about her mild lungs infection, so she informed Manisha's parents about her health. Her mother got panic. First she started screaming at Manisha but later on she understands. Manisha's father he listened to everything very carefully and tried to encourage us. 

Seven days over, now both of us got rid of fever but we lose smell and taste. As I have no fever, I started doing my household works. Suddenly my fever is back. Once again I suffered from fever, headache and other symptoms. Manisha run here and there for medicines as our dose of medicine was completed. Again I have to start medicines, this time it takes time to recover. Because of medicines or I can called it as side effects of Corona I am feeling very much weak. I am unable to cook food. Manisha said, "Now I will cook food and will do other household works. You are going to take rest only." I know that till now Manisha never cooked food, nor did other household works. It will be difficult for her. But thinking of my situation she did all. I guided her and she helped me a lot. She and I went to search shops to purchase rice, pulses and other groceries as again lockdown extended. She buys fruits, vegetables and dates. I ask her to stop wasting that much money. But She said, "First eat, cure yourself, come out of this situation and then think about money. Money is not at all everything. If we'll be fine we will be able to earn more money." 

Prasanna Francis ma'am, Beenu Ma'am they are Manisha's colleagues who prayed for us every day and night. Their prayer worked. The love and care we received from Manisha's uncle-aunt that helps us to recover fast. Every day they did video call thrice a day, ask about our health specially mine because for first time after getting recover from fever after seven days I suffered back. 

In Corona, I got new uncle-aunt, who loves me and Manisha equally. I got a new family in Bilaspur, the landlord of our previous hostel. Their son Kamesh Aatkurwar works in a medical store, whenever we need medicines, without caring for his own health, Kamesh brings medicines for us. Kamesh's parents everyday called us and enquired about our health. In Covid I loss health, money but I gain family, their love and care. I learn that money is not everything. Our greatest treasure is our family. People leaving far from us, with the help of video calling stayed connected to us till now, enquired about our health, gives us proper guidance. Encourage me to attend my online classes for PHd Course work. In this situation, I never missed any class of mine. I listened to them attentively. Participated in quizzes and received certificates as well. I source of inspiration is Manisha. She always inspire me to study well in this situation as well. 

 I do not understand

 May it be safe life, for adding so many valuable people in our life whose payers, helps and cares helps us to overcome this problem. Now, I am fine. Yes of course it will take time to be fit and fine as before. We are taking good care of our health and diet. Hope one day everything will be fine.