Nothing Is Indispensable

Lock down has virtually put a lock into our lives, restricting movements. we cease to be our original selves. We are under pleats and folds, shrunken to the core, and have put brakes on our behavioral pattern doing a bevy of adjustments, lessening needs, expenditure, and living life in a modest way. The enforcement has squeezed all those exotic desires, leaving us to explore life's elasticity measures and we are proving again and again that we humans are tenacious.

They say, when you are pushed to the wall, you find ways and means to come out of the ordeal. Human character is amazing. One small incident I will narrate here, that taught me to be more adaptive, gracefully accept challenges and evolve as a better person during this lockdown.

Our refrigerator is seven years old. It is in immaculate condition. Purposefully I had chosen deep gray shade, as I am not a cleanliness freak and do not dust and clean every day. The exterior is decorated by some 20/30 fridge magnets of different shapes and sizes. They are memorabilia and remind me of my tours to different parts of the country. The sturdy 261 liters refrigerator has been taking care of the family 24*7. Never complained so far. But, yesterday in the morning when I opened the fridge to get milk for my morning cuppa, I found the milk warm. As because we experience elongated summer here in the eastern part of the country, the temperature of the fridge is always set at the maximum. Then, the reason for milk turning warm inside must be that the stupid has stopped working.

My immediate action was to check whether the plug was properly inserted in the socket or not. It was. By then rude shock had overpowered my being and it was slowly spreading tentacles leading me to a state of limbo. Being a working woman, I remain dependent on the gadget for storage of food items, raw mutton, chicken, fish, vegetables, milk, curd, butter and whatnot. I always cook 2/3 extra dishes on holidays and use them in the evenings. My tiring self does not support me to spend more time in the kitchen after I come from the office. Add to that, it was a Sunday and I had invited a few of my neighbors and colleagues for a get-together. I had stuffed the cooling machine with a few sweet dishes like custard and ice cream, all by now we're in the molten stage.

The first thing that struck me was to find the mobile no of the company outlet from where the fridge was purchased. After my persistent effort, I could connect to one of their technicians. I could impress upon him through my fervent pleadings. He gave a patient hearing and told me since lockdown is in vogue and his home is quite far away, he can only promise a visit the next day. It was a bolt from the blue. I had invited people and cannot step back now. My spouse gave me the strength of mind and promised to help out in the kitchen. I paid some extra bucks to my maid to do the chopping and grinding and for doing errands. I had planned a grand lunch but it turned out to be a modest one. Since items were a few, I had virtually poured my heart and soul into preparation. Items turned out to be finger-licking tasty. I could heave a sigh of relief.

The next agenda in my life was to get the refrigerator fixed. The technician true to his word, arrived the day next with his backpack filled to the brim with supporting tools. He did a few testings and told the sensor is not working. It was so natural on my part to utter "Go, get it, and fix my refrigerator.”

"The mechanic looked at me with an amount of innocence and told-” Madam, due to lockdown, all shops and showrooms are closed, only essential services are being provided. Still, I would try. If I happen to get, then I shall do the needful for sure.”

The evening call was from him. He begged excuse for not having procured the spare sensor, as he could not find any shop opened. With seething anger having overpowered me, I felt like slapping the chap for his insincerity. When greater sense prevailed after some time, I tried to analyze and had to console me that now for a fortnight or so, I have adjusted without a refrigerator. These fifteen days, I had to procure milk, veggies every day. I had no respite too, as I had to cook both the meals. But, I ate fresh and healthy food and did not waste a morsel even. I learned to adapt to different and difficult situations. Refrigerator for me had become a luxury item, more than a necessity, after ten days of change inhabit. To procure provision daily I had to walk and that was a compulsive exercise for me, which made me fit. In a way, the refrigerator taught me a lesson -” Nothing is indispensable in this world. We can always limit our wants and needs and become better versions of ourselves if we cherish a desire for the same.”