Quarantime, by Anogh Acharya, Manipal

Born and raised in Kolkata, West Bengal, and currently living in Manipal, Karnataka, Anogh is a storyteller, an observer, and a wannabe agent of change who is interested in research, writing, and filmmaking.

200 Rooms

1 Shimmering light

Constant calls on Zoom

Yet, loneliness did strike, every night,

At the exact hour of midnight.

People’s curfew: a prequel

Began the saga of lockdowns

In this apocalyptic student town. 

That night, I had slept with the privileged thought of life being bliss;

I woke up to discover the ignorant pile of my unperformed duties–

No Stores, No Mills,

No Mentors, No Skills…

‘Til Days,

My stomach remained unfilled.

Depression consumed the heart,

Darkness consumed the soul;

In my 30x40 piece of art, 

There was now a point three meter radius hole.

Three failed attempts to return back home,

The evening 'talk' was the only ray of hope;

My mother’s voice on the other side of the phone.

A week later, as the nation was busy lighting lamps and candles,

The ringing sound of the banging utensils echoed into my consciousness;

I was not alone in this war–

Real comrades, with real problems

Are struggling; not so far.

Built Contacts, Managed Resources,

Woke up before Sun, Focused on inner forces.

Green coriander on cauliflower steaks

To carnival squash with butternut lattice;

Taught myself how to cook

PS: hunger makes the food, always, taste good 

(or PS: the food is always good, jab pet mein ho bhook).

The sun gradually rose on this land,

A saffron tint on the silhouette of my hand;

Mornings started smelling like fresh mint

The white rolled newspapers on my balcony now have stories about a COVID vaccine.

_________________________

(This story was prepared for an “Imagine Another World” online storytelling workshop held December 12, 2020.)

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19: wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, practice physical distancing from other people, and avoid settings that are crowded, indoors, or involve close contact. More information about how to stay healthy.