Social-isolating

Playing on TV :

'The Covid-19 pandemic in India ,caused by severe acute respiratory. Six cities accounted for around half of all reported cases in the country – Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata.'

Spread of coronavirus started in end of 2019 . It came in India in January 2020 . No i am not a very big fan of news , but that's the only channel which was showing something new . I even watched those dramatic Ekta Kapur serials , I don't blame people who watch those serials anymore , it can make you curious and doubtful . It teaches you to doubt everyone except the love of your life whom you married accidentally , who in the beginning torchured you to death . 

Quarantine from my point of view is a great concept . Because , first I am an introvert , second, I work in Mumbai as a business analyst away from my family . That means everything quite . No one other than my mother called me daily but that was normal . Quarantine or no quarantine call from my mother was confirmed. She told me this kadha recipe and I was supposed to drink it daily on video call . 15 -20 minutes call from Ma then again everything quite . I loved it but one day I saw 20 pending messages on my whatsapp ,some missed calls ,'friends forever' group being made on whatsapp with friends whom we haven't met in years and maybe will never meet even after this pandemic ends . 

Was it fun talking about those memories ? I never knew as I never attempted to even open chats . I know I am an introvert , but maybe this introversion is taking over me . I feel like I am not introvert anymore , but introvert is me. 

Being socially distant is good , but I was being socially isolated . As time passed phone calls with my mother also decreased from 15 minutes to 10 to 5 and now only text messages . One day I clicked many picture wearing different clothes while drinking kadha now I send her one everyday. 

Its not like my family and friends don't try to approach me but everytime I tell them something or the other . Then I came up with this new idea . I put a status on my whatsapp saying 'my phone has accidentally broken I won't be able to pick any calls or send any texts . Please understand'

No calls since then just some texts . I worked all day long ,surf through social media me att night . My life sounds pretty boring right ?but it isn't, I like it this way. 

Everything was going well I was happy socially distant with everyone . Until one day I got a call from an unknown number . Usually I dont pick up any calls, it was pure coincidence that I answered that one . 

The caller on the other side of phone first confirmed my identity and then asked me where I was . As I told them I am in Mumbai . The other side said ' I am sorry sir your mother and your sister is no more. About 5 days ago they came in contact with novel coronavirus they were being treated in city hospital, I apologise sir . Influence of coronavirus in Mumbai is very high ,I suggest you stay there .'

I was numb in that moment I realised I wasn't the one who reduced the time talking to my Ma it was she who did that .

' No no I will come there I want to see them ' said I 

' I am sorry sir that's not possible ' 

' No I am not in Mumbai I was lying I thought it was some fake call I will come there I will be there by tomorrow ' I lied . 

' Okay sir .Have a nice day ' 

I chuckled sarcastically on her comment before I disconnected the call .

There was no time to spare . After disconnecting call and taking some important stuff I left . Even when the whole world was in fear and has stopped India never did , by some extra money you can go anywhere you want . I reached my hometown in Punjab in middle of night . The bodies were already cremated . They gave me there ashes . I don't blame them for doing so . Next morning when I woke up there was still an utter silence in the atmosphere . There are not many clear memories of my childhood but I still remember when my father passed away . There was thousands of people on road just outside our home , crowded like a flock of locust . Everyone telling me how great of a man my father was , how he have always been proud of me , how he is still with me even when he is no more .

But today when two of my closest died there was no one, no one to tell me how great my mother was , how she alone by working her blood , sweat and tear fed us and never denied any of our desires , how talented my sister was , how she always looked up to me , how they are still here even when they are no more . 

I wanted a shoulder to cry on , I tried texting my friends many times but I removed it everytime.

This pandemic I made myself not only socially distant but also socially isolated .