The Covid-19 virus pandemic seemed to have struck at every level of our lives. Not only did it claim the lives of innumerable individuals, it also changed the way of life for most people. The ‘Lockdown’ which was the direct result of this Covid-19 situation, caused a lot of problems in the day to day life of most individuals.

Everyone was badly affected - children could not go out to play, adults could not attend office or other regular outdoor chores; even students like us could not attend school or play outdoor games. As a result of the restrictions of going out of the house, the mobile phones started to preoccupy us most of the time.

At one point of time, it became like an addiction and I felt a constant need to look into it. I would explore all sorts of things with the phone. I felt connected to the outside world because of it. I could study with its help. In fact, I learnt a lot of new things from being online on my phone. From cooking to playing an instrument, to gardening or setting up an organic farm in my courtyard; I learnt all of this from the internet through the phone. I found it a very handy and helpful gadget; but unfortunately, this was my perspective.

From where my parents were judging, all they could see was their child being glued to the mobile phone. Initially, there was no problem, because the time for my mobile phone viewing was limited, just like during the pre-lockdown phase. But as days passed, I started to lose track of time and ended up skipping my daily chores. I had to be repeatedly reminded to carry out my basic responsibilities. This is when things started taking a bad turn. And finally one day all hell broke loose.

My bad habit of watching the phone till late at night caused me to wake up late in the morning. Every morning my mother would come to wake me up, after a lot of coaxing I would finally leave the bed. But that day, when I opened my eyes, I saw the clock showed twelve noon. I began my day with a jump start. I knew I was at a major fault and slowly sneaked into the washroom. I hurried with my morning rituals and then tiptoed outside my room. Everything was eerily quiet. No one was talking. I saw my little brother playing quietly with his toys on the couch. I was scared.

I proceeded towards the dining table with a fast beating heart to have my breakfast. My breakfast was kept covered on the table. I uncovered it and took my first bite when my parents stood right in front of me, fuming in rage yet absolutely calm. I was familiar with that look; I knew it was the beginning of a bad day. I could barely swallow my food, when my mother began talking. The first thing she asked me was the time. After I uttered the time in the faintest possible voice, my father picked up pace.

Both of them pulled out two chairs, sat there and started listing to me the ill effects of prolonged use of mobile screen. Towards the beginning I was quiet but slowly, I began to respond to everything they said. The argument grew and finally reached the point where I went hysterical. I was crying and yelling at the same time. When they kept scolding me and telling me that I was setting a bad example for my little brother, I became more furious. I was completely out of reasoning and behaved immaturely.

Finally, I could not bear it any longer and made the announcement that I was not going to eat anything. My parents decided to stop telling me anything, and left me to decide for myself. I ran into my room, locked up the door and kept crying. I could not accept what they had told me. When my anger and frustration calmed down, I suddenly caught sight of my old photograph peeking out of a book. I got up from my bed and went and got not just those photos, but also the three albums that were on my shelf. I started browsing through those photographs of my childhood, and then the birth of my brother and the special moments we shared together. Remembering those old days, I suddenly realized that I was such a happy person then. I did not need the phone to be happy. I could do so many other things that would give me more happiness than this gadget.

I realized my mistake and gradually understood that my parents chastised me for my own good only. I went through all the snaps and at last had a smile on my face. I then went and hugged my mother and father. I apologised and they were very happy to see me change my mind. I promised them that I would limit the use of mobile phone; they were content. Then we all got together and sat down to have our family lunch.

© Arked