Coronavirus has changed the world. The way we live, work, eat, hangout, shop and communicate with one another. It has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives across the world and devastated millions by job loss, loss of loved ones and inability to meet them in person
I have one tiny story to tell in such countless stories affected by Covid.
In one of my neighbours household, a happy joint family lives together. They have 7 members in total. Parents, their two sons, who are both working and both happily married. The eldest son has a child, a 3 year old. Very sweet kid. Can’t speak properly but full of happiness and energy. Unfortunately I don’t even know his name. I guess I’m not a very good neighbour after all.
Last week, Covid took their youngest son’s live. I believe his ‘nick’ name was Guddu? Such a shame I can’t even name the deceased. RIP Guddu.
Guddu was married for couple of years now. His wife is in her last trimester, I presume, from the size of her abdomen!
The whole family got covid. They had to isolate the little one into one of their relatives house just few blocks away in the same neighbourhood. That house, where the little one resides now, while his family is in self-quarantine, is visible clearly from the terrace of their home.
Yesterday, while I was strolling on my terrace, just a few 5 meters away from Guddu’s, I saw his eldest brother and wife came up. I haven’t seen their parents in a week now. I guess they don’t have any strength left to climb stairs anymore. Devastated as they looked for the whole past week now, I nodded and greeted to the elder brother and went for my own loop.
A few minutes later, something magical and devastating happened at the same time. I can’t forget that feeling which I felt at the moment for the rest of my life.
The little one came up to the relative’s terrace, accompanied by some girl who lives there. He was playing with her happily, unaware of all the hell breaking loose around him. He was full of such innocence, charm, child-fulness and zeal. I could hear his loud voice from 100 meters away.
The girl, on the relatives house, brought the little one to our end, and started waiving. The little said, “Hellooooooooooo”, loud and clear. Waived his hand couple of times. He was laughing and smiling.
I looked back, towards the eldest son and his wife. I could feel the pain of belonging for their 3 year old baby. I saw tears in their eyes. His mother’s face was devastated. His dad, however, tried to control his emotions. I guess men can’t cry in open. I couldn’t look for one more second. I had to turn away my head. I spend some five more minutes there and came back down. Told the story to my mom and even she got teary.
While writing this, I’m getting choked and emotional. People who know me, know that I’m a very ignorant person. I don’t understand and care for other’s feelings very much including my parents. But at that moment, I realised what’s the most important and precious thing in the whole world.
Apne! (Your own).
Happy Mother’s Day.