This chapter is dedicated to
Wattpad

#WriteTogether

***

Challenge #3

14th March 2020.
9:00 pm, Saturday.

I tore through the crowd, almost toppling down the stairs as the train's horn blared.

I hurtled inside the train's compartment box huffing like a dog, startling people, as the train set into motion. Few threw dirty looks while others ignored me. I sighed, physically drained.

It had been my routine for the last five months. Set out of the house early, attend college lectures, prepare for upcoming finals, work a part-time job on weekends. There was no break. The cycle seemed to have no end.

This was Mumbai.

Mumbaikars never took a break. I was a part of the crowd now.

I plugged in my earphones. 'Train Song' from Gully Boy blasted in my eardrums.

I had spent my Saturday evening, working at a monotonous teaching job with just one student in attendance. What was I doing with my life? I was young, I was supposed to be out, partying with my friends, enjoying life, not spending my Saturday evening at a part-time job that didn't interest me anymore.

But the pay was good.

But was good pay worth spending my life in this dull routine?

I looked around the heavily crowded space, despite it being late, everyone was busy living their daily lives. Clad in their office attires, weariness and tired lines shone on their faces as they lulled to sleep with train's violent lullaby. Work, home, sleep and repeat. 

Would this be me in the next five years?

I scrolled through the news on my phone when one particular article caught my attention. 'India, the latest victim of coronavirus pandemic. Govt to declare strict guidelines for the upcoming week.'

***

27th May 2020, 5:00 PM, Wednesday.

I sat in front of my desk, my phone resting on the stand as the voice blasted through the speakers.

'Now neatly fold the paper, making sure the edges are aligned.'

I mimicked her steps, staring at the folded piece of paper that looked like a flower. Or more like lettuce. A very crumpled up one, torn on edges. Nothing like the one displayed in the video. 

Origami was tough. 

A global pandemic, Amphan cyclone, locust attack, Uttarakhand forest fire, and a social media war of TikTok Vs Youtube later, life took a break.

Mumbai, the city that never slept, stood still for the first time in centuries. Everything lurched to a sudden stop. Trains, planes, ships, everything.

Boards game that collected dust in the deep corner of the drawers, saw sunlight for the first time in decades. Nails trimmed off, my fingertip felt the scalding burn of my guitar strings after ages. Debates and arguments bounced off our house walls as I tried to beat dad at chess game. The canvas that laid neatly wrapped in a newspaper foil now sat against the wall, staring at me, urging me to unleash some colours over it. 

House chores were distributed between every family member. 

I discovered my inner chef with every new dish. All the random packets like 'active yeast' and 'whipped cream' that laid untouched since weeks were now dug out of their boxes. My youtube history displayed ten different recipes. All ranging from garlic bread to ice-cream. I baked, cooked, and made the infamous Dalgona coffee.

My friends envied me a little more after every new Instagram post of food. 

'I'm blocking you' they said. I laughed, enjoying it.

I familiarized myself with old yellowing pages of my mother's cookbook. The ingredients and all their measurements neatly laid out. 

'My mother taught me these,' she said and I beamed, eager to soak in all the new ingredients.

The items that weren't available in the shops were DIYed at home. Our plants bloomed a little more every day under dad's nurturing and love. Evening tea was, now, enjoyed in the balcony with the view of the emerald red Gulmohars swaying lightly in the breeze. 

The lilies laid dusted on the concrete roads as nature bloomed and grew without any human interference.

The alphabets and the numbers of a foreign language course which were long erased from the memory were restored. Forget the gym, old dumbells and traditional 'Surya namaskar' were keeping me fit. Mom and her friends took up a premium Netflix account. Dad indulged a bit more in nine payment methods. Childhood photos and memories made round on the family Whatsapp group. The events happening at the same time last year were fondly cherished by people. Video calls took place.

My last year's Manali snow trek almost brought me to tears.

Our graduation party, final farewell, everything was cancelled. The decision of final exams was kept on hold.

All the plans for upcoming summer vacations vanished like a puff in the air. 

Yet, I hoped that things would change for better in future...

This break was something that we hadn't seen coming. It was bound to happen. Things were changing really fast, real quick. Humans were adapting to the new situations, making the best out of it, 

We needed this break. We have it now. 

We need to use this time to stop, think, and reflect on our lives. We need to stop being restless, feeling caged at home, wondering when things will go back to 'normal'.

This is our new 'normal'.

***

A/N:

Wow! I really churned out something so free and random after a long time. It was a good change from my usual word limit contest entry.

How are y'all? 

Tell me something about your quarantine!! How is it going?

I know I have missed many ugly and gory realities taking place around us (Boiz locker room, migrant labourers being displaced, forest fires) 

but at times, we need to focus on something positive, take a breather, and set ourselves in a space that is free of trouble.  

I hope this random piece helps you with your creative flow too! 

More positive vibes to y'all!

Lots and lots of love, 

Eena.