The word ‘Quarantine’ is the latest addition to my vocabulary. Quarantine, by definition, is an action of living separately in a room, without physical contact with any other person. This is explicitly done to curb the spread of any infection that is contagious. The word ‘Quarantine’ had left a deep impact on my mind. This is because I had a bitter experience of getting quarantined in my home for 14 long days.

My final exams were over, and I was waiting for the results. My plans for my session break were already made. I wanted to visit my aunt in Ranchi during my term break. The tickets were already bought for the 7th of April 2020. I was quite excited to go there. So no sooner than I got my results, I left for my holiday destination with my cousin brother, who is older to me.

I was still enjoying my holiday in Ranchi when news of lockdown was making its rounds. The gravity of the situation was difficult to grasp towards the beginning, so my aunt did not hurry on buying the return tickets. Meanwhile my mother informed me that the schools had deferred their reopening date after the session break. So I took permission from my parents to spend a few more days at my aunt’s place.

My stay in Ranchi got extended, and after that, it only got further extended as a lockdown was imposed and no interstate travel was allowed. Finally, after almost four months the lockdown was partially lifted and interstate travel was allowed. This is when I finally got the opportunity to return home. I flew back to Kolkata from Ranchi. At the airport, the health officers advised me to be ‘home quarantined’ for 14 days. They had also stamped the 14-days quarantine period on my hand.

I had mixed feelings when I reached home. This is because even though I was happy to see my parents after many months, I was sad because I could not hug any of my family members. My parents were happy that I had come back safely. When I entered the house, I was told to go to the guest room that was already prepared for me. I went into the room and saw that my mother had arranged all my belongings in that room. From my books, clothes, to even my synthesizer, everything was there. This room was upstairs so an electrical bell was fixed so that I could call whenever I needed something.

I saw all things of necessity were neatly kept, even my painting materials, some chart papers, sketch pens, and all things that I might need for craftwork. Along with that, there were storybooks, a pack of cards, the game of brain vita, and an iPod. I was so thankful to my parents, and my eyes welled up, thinking how much thought they put into making me feel comfortable during my quarantine. And one more thing that was very useful to me was the calendar!

The first few days were comforting as I was still absorbing that I was at home. However, gradually when this feeling began to wear off, a single day seemed like a year. I did make use of all the time that I got to make up for my pending school work because my online classes had begun while I was at my aunt’s place. I used my iPod to do my online classes and my school projects.

My food was sent to my room in a very unique manner. My father had tied a long rope to a big basket and kept it in my present room. When it was time to send the meal, the calling bell was sounded. I would lower the basket with my plate and bowls arranged. My mother would pour out the food and put a disposable bottle into the basket and again ring the bell. This time I would pull up the basket. After enjoying my meal, I had to wash my own utensils; provisions for which were kept in my washroom.

Every morning I would attend my online classes and after that spend time doing some craftwork or playing the musical instrument. I was strictly instructed by my mother to restrict my screen time. I obeyed her as much as I could, for I had no option as most of my school work was sent on the phone. So whenever I got the chance I would indulge in some other activity. One other thing that I regularly did at the end of the day was to strike off that day’s date on the calendar. I do not know why, but that gave me a strange satisfaction. I was literally counting days.

The best part of all this was I would talk to my parents and brother over the phone; it was both a funny and unique experience. Even though I had so many activities to do along with loads of school work to finish, I often found myself lost in some thoughts. I longed to get back into the regular routine of life. I was missing the family meals that we always had together. Gradually the isolation was having a toll on me. Therefore I started to do yoga and meditation. These helped me to stay calm and keep my emotions under control.

On the 14 th and final day of my quarantine, I felt the same way as I used to feel the day before my birthday. All-day long I was singing and was in an excellent mood.
I could barely sleep through that night, every now and then I would wake up and look at the clock; but at one point I fell into a deep sleep and got up only at 8 a.m. in the morning. As soon as I opened my eyes, I quickly completed my morning rituals, sanitized myself and ran downstairs. I went and hugged my mother tightly. We both had tears in our eyes; my father and two brothers quickly joined us. It was family hug time, after more than four months. It was at the breakfast table that I let go a huge sigh of relief. I was finally back with my people.

This trip to my aunt’s place and the ensuing ‘home quarantine’ made me swear that I was never going to go anywhere for a holiday without my parents.
© Arked