No Noise Please

Earlier whenever the phone used to ring, a smile used to come

But, now !!!!! Whenever the phone rings, a hope come that all is right, all is well

The situation has come where even family can't reach to you for help

Even a single sneeze horrifies everyone

Everyone would have a tragic story to be told because of the Covid virus

Even I have mine!!!

I had an uncle opposite my flat. Whenever I used to come from office, he used to open his door to say me hello and ask if all good. Sometimes on weekend even I was invited for lunch or dinner. Aunty used to make delicious food. The old couple lived all alone in flat. They had two sons; both settled abroad. It was so bliss to have them; as whenever needed, they were always ready to help. 

Suddenly, the pandemic came and physically meeting them became tough. We still used to open doors and say hello from within our doors and ask about each other's well being till the day when the news came that both very infected by virus!!!!!

I still tried ringing the bell and trying to talk to them, but they were not ready so that I should not get infected. They strictly asked me to be inside flat and just take care of myself. That day was the last conversation with them. As both their sons were abroad and international flights were not operating, they were managing everything all alone. 

Suddenly, one day I heard the sound of ambulance!!!!

My heart beat started running very fast .....

Why, why Ambulance in our building!!!!

Suddendly, I could hear the lift bell. I quickly opened my door.

The lift stopped at our floor, the medical team coming out .... 

My question in mind, for whom have they come on our floor??

I was astonished when I saw them ringing uncle's house bell. 

Aunty opened the door and team rushed inside the house. I could hear lot of discussions sound coming from inside the house. After that there was rushing from their house. I saw uncle having oxygen supply and in no senses. I was shocked !!!

 I wanted to go and meet him, but couldn't!!!! 

Aunty was also not looking good by health. Both of them were taken in Ambulance to the hospital. 

Days passed, but didn't get any information about the couple.

Suddenly, one day, I saw Aunty from top of my flats balcony. I became so happy to see her. I opened the door and was happily waiting for her. The lift opened and with great excitement I greeted Aunty and asked her about Uncle. She was blank and said very slowly, he couldn't survive the virus attack!!!

Mere silence prevailed in the whole atmosphere!!!

She closed her door with no further conversation. I closed mine with a big shock!!!!

Just thinking that there will be noone to say me hello, noone to take care of me without any expectations !!!!

I was in shock that I will never meet uncle again, couldn't sleep many days.

Whenever used to open the door and see his door closed, used to feel so bad and incomplete!!!! 

Somepeople are not related to you by blood, but can't be forgotten and uncle was one such person. His loss was a big loss, not only to aunty but to me as well.

Since that day, whenver I hear an ambulance sound, I get horrified and my soul says No Noise Please !!!!!