Freedom in a Cage

By Prerna Dhulekar, Pune, India

Bags packed.

Food prepared for the journey.

First aid and extra water bottles are kept in the car.

As I was going through the checklist, I was also recalling all the important stuff so nothing would be left behind. Because it was not possible that time to travel back or get back the stuff.

And finally, the day had come when we were out on the streets after a long time. We had mixed feelings for that journey. We were happy to go, but we were a bit scared and anxious also. That journey was like a battle for us.

What, battle?

Yes, battle. And the worst part is that we couldn’t see our rival, but he could see us.

It was May 2020 when we were finally allowed to go to our home. It was the time when the whole world was in terror over an unseen enemy that was taking millions of lives daily. India and many other parts of the world were under strict lockdown. Yes, this was the time when COVID-19 had already ruined many lives, many families, and was still doing it.

The whole world was struggling, and every day, thousands of people were dying or at death’s door. The pandemic was showing its ugliest phase. This pandemic had various stories; some were good, and some were worse than a nightmare.

But I am grateful that during that period, I was with my family. We all were together away from home, stuck at someone’s place, but were together.

Early morning at 5 am, we left for our destination. It was an eight hour journey by road. We didn’t sleep the previous night. You can say because of the excitement and happiness of going home, or due to the worry of traveling at such a time.

Empty streets, empty towns, empty malls, empty platforms were enough to be afraid of. We had barely seen humans on our way. And those we saw were front-line warriors at an exit and entrance of any town. There was no honking; only police and ambulance sirens could be heard, and those, too, after long intervals.

Those empty towns, empty streets were really horrible. But on our journey, we saw some people traveling on foot. Some were sitting at the roadside with small children in such hot weather.

We generally complain, like, I can’t breathe properly because of the mask. I can’t walk out to take some fresh air. I can’t have outside food and blah blah … But it all seemed worthless when I saw how people were struggling even for their basic needs. Small children were carrying heavy pieces of baggage and were going by foot. They had food and water scarcity, but still, they were just moving. Their courage and determination to reach their homes was bigger than their fear.

Sitting in an air-conditioned room, having home-cooked food, and saying, the lockdown period was very hard for us. Before saying this, think about those who were stuck between nowhere. Think about those who survived only on biscuits and water. Think about those who lost their loved ones.

I am not suggesting this period wasn’t tough for you. It was for everyone. But before complaining about your life, think of those who actually saw the worst face of the pandemic, be they our frontline warriors or a common man.

Well, my journey ended peacefully. We reached our home safely. But this traveling made me realize how grateful I am for my life. And I am also grateful that I survived this crisis to write about it.