I have locked myself in my apartment for last 5 weeks. I only went outside to buy groceries. Covid-19 have became the biggest nightmare of my life. The daily news of thousands of people getting affected and then after few days getting prisoned by the death makes me wonder "Am I enough careful to protect myself from death?" It's like I am my own jailor and my house is the jail. I'm trapped inside only because the death is lurking out.
Today with a lot of courage I decided to face the sun. I wore my mask and hoodie and opened the door. After all why should I trap myself inside for too long? I too deserve freedom. I didn't went anywhere far but at the rooftop of my apartment. I felt an instant rush of charge when the sunlight hit my face. I admit the apartments of America are comfortable but without sunlight the day remains dull. Today finally after the self-prison of 5 weeks I was able to feel how really freedom feels like. Before I didn't valued it much but today I felt like I'm free even though I'm only roaming around in the rooftop for 20-30 minutes. After taking a round I sat on the bench at rooftop and started admiring my city.
After few minutes a lady came up to rooftop while I was wondering why are there cops at nearby apartment. To be honest I felt a negative vibe from her. Maybe because she was just roaming around the rooftop, touching many places and without wearing mask like corona never existed. She then took a seat beside ME!!! Omg I freaked out from this careless lady. I know I may seem like a scaredy cat because I'm a bit TOO much scared of it, but I love my life and don't want to die so early. I couldn't even change my seat as it will be rude to leave like that. That lady already seemed very depressed and as much as I know about human behavior she may feel unwanted if I try to distance myself from her. I think I am just overreacting. I should take it easy. I will take a nice warm bath when I leave and clean my clothes thoroughly to wash away the virus if it is there. She seemed like she was at her mid 30's. She wore a sleep wear. She had a butterfly tattoo on her wrist made of sketch pen? I guess she have kids too because my small cousin also draws tattoo of sketch pen on his mom's hand. Looking at her age it seems her kids must be around 5-7 years. I wonder why did she came alone leaving her kids at home alone. Maybe she have someone else on her home. By the time I was examining her, she was looking at the other apartment where cops were doing their job. She sighed sadly many times.
To be honest it felt very awkward so I thought of starting a conversation :
Me- Do you have any idea why cops have gathered here?
The lady- Yes I know. That is why I came towards this apartment to get a better view. *sigh*
Me- You don't belong to this apartment?
The lady- Yeah, I actually belong to the apartment where the cops are. I came here to get a better view of things.
Me- (I don't think she is scared of covid at all or maybe I'm the only one who is this scared) Oh ok...... Can you say why are cops there? I'm actually curious
The lady- The residents complained a foul smell coming from there. When the staff checked the flat with foul smell they discovered that the woman staying there was dead. The police came to check the case.
Me- Oh that's sad. Do you know how she died?
The lady- Yes of course I know because she was the most closest person to me. It started around a month ago. Her husband was in a business trip when covid started in America. His belief was that only people above 60 years get affected due to covid. He thought that young people and kids don't get it. When he returned home he was showing all symptoms of Covid. He still ignored it. That ignorance became costly. Day by day he grew more weak and his children and parents who stayed with him also started showing the symptoms. One by one all the members passed away except the wife. His wife was all alone in this world. All day she mourned at her innocent kids, her beloved husband and her in-laws. She died due to Dehydration and Severe Depression. She avoided drinking water and food for few days which resulted in this. This is all I know from her maid. She said that her madam was very depressed and avoided eating.
Me- Her husband is a jerk. He was totally careless. (I became really furious as I'm very strict to follow the regulations but he was even careless for his family).
The lady- No it is the fault of rumor spreaders not his.
Me- But- *cut off by a news notification in my phone* Excuse me
I excused myself and started reading the small article. It was about the death which happened nearby only. The story was same as the lady told me but when I saw the picture in the article I was shocked to death. The woman in the picture looked exactly same as the lady I was talking to!!!
I looked up only to see the place near my bench empty.
Story based on true events (they are really based on true events!)
Credits:
The credits of pics go to random websites from Google. The fictional part and story lines are mine. This is story is inspired by a true incident of Indian living in America (at least this is what my dad said) so I don't take full credits for the root of the story as it isn't my imagination.
Warning!
Please don't misunderstand me. I don't have any intentions of hurting anyone's belief about covid through this story. It is just for entertainment purpose and please don't take it in wrong way. I know I made the personality of the main character a bit too overreactive but this is not what the person really is. I just added more in it to make it more spicy you can say.
Lastly
I hope you enjoy the story. Kindly be respectful with comments. If you don't have any positive comments or thoughts on this story then please avoid rudeness. I appreciate true comments a lot but without rudeness. Please correct me if there are any grammatical mistakes. Thanks for reading till end! I hope you are enjoying my short stories series!
(story available in wattpad too)
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