Will be saved

Suddenly, icy fingers grabbed my arm as I moved slowly towards the dark corridors, freezing me at my spot. It was him, he found out I was following him.  

I returned to my village in Kerala as it was lockdown in the city due to the corona pandemic. I was very excited about meeting my grandpa and I still remember he was very joyful and glad when I left a year ago. He was my only family after my parents expired. 

But since I have returned, he always seems gloomy about something. It was odd to see a person full of positivity like this. He didn't even lose charisma after their children's passing. There was a time when he was so happy, but perhaps those days are over. I have also seen him crying at night and now I was determined to find the reason for it. 

 One night, my sleep was disturbed abruptly by some strange noises coming from the hall. It was dark, I took a glance at the wall clock. It was midnight, who could be in the hall? I got up and took the torch near my bedside, tiptoed softly towards the outside.

I was shocked to see grandpa ready to go somewhere. I knew he was an insomniac so he was advised to be healthy considering his age. But I didn't notice he goes for walks at midnight, so today let's follow him. 

It was the dead of the night, and I could see hundreds of stars in the sky and there was no moon today. I silently walked behind him, and after a few minutes, he stopped. We stopped by a house, and I hastily hid behind a tree to wait for him to open the door. 

The door screeched open as he entered, I followed him after a few moments. We came into the manor, and I was just following him around like his own shadow. 

It was an empty dusty manor, with big halls, small cobwebs and hanging bats. 

He was collecting something from some bags in a room and then he started grinding them in a mortar. After that, he gathered it in a bowl and proceeded to another room. 

It was frightening, it had gravestones carved with words and the flooring was not cemented. This manor was like a secret burial site in the village.

He sprinkled the powder on each grave and got out of the area to prepare for his return. 

I motioned towards the corridor but suddenly, he grabbed me by my arm. 

He inquired, "You were not supposed to be here."

"What's this pa? I want to know each and everything so please tell me now."

"Let's head home, then I swear I will clarify everything. Okay?" 

"Ok, let's leave"I agreed.

Moments later, we were settled on the couch and he handed me an album. As I flipped through the photo album, I couldn't stop memories from flooding back and the tears from filling my eyes. 

"Those graves were of your parents, their siblings and their children who died in the Nipah virus outbreak in 2018. That day and today, again a new pandemic is here. Everyone is losing their jobs and loved ones like before. I guess God is upset with us, we are being punished for our sins. Some days ago, my friend died because of corona and it's cases are increasing day by day. Now, only prayers can save us."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine and remember we have also fought the previous pandemics, and this will also pass soon." 

To pass all the hardships, instead of worrying about them, work on them and this will give you better results.