Reunited We Stand, by Divya Kashiv, Noida
Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, raised in New Delhi, and currently residing in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Divya is a happy and a positive person.
We ushered in 2020 with much fervor, and in mid-January, my husband left for Spain, to fulfill his professional commitments. We didn’t imagine in our wildest dreams that a one-month trip would turn into a tale of survival over many months.
Owing to the surprise onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain went into lockdown just a few days prior to the day when my husband was to fly back to India. Like millions of other Indian nationals in the country, he was stranded there.
Just as I began to comprehend the situation in full, India followed suit and went into lockdown. Everything shut down until further notice. The uncertainty of the situation combined with the fact that it was also unprecedented, made it worse for me. What followed were anxiety pangs and sleepless nights.
Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and for me, it was the genuine support and care of my family and friends. As we were working from home, it was heartening to see my professional colleagues check on me every single day, keep me motivated, go out of the way to ensure I remained calm and happy. I formed close and personal bonds with my peers, who despite going through their own troubles, stepped up to take care of me.
In another part of the globe, my husband also found immense support from his colleagues, some previously unknown friends in Spain, and staff at the Indian Consulate in Madrid, who helped him navigate through the trying time. Within his financial crunch, help poured in from unexpected quarters– clothes were couriered to him by family. There is the story of the Airbnb host, who let go of a few days rent, helped my husband get himself tested for COVID, hosted a farewell for his Indian guest, and even dropped him at the airport without charging a penny.
However ugly the pandemic has been for the world and me, it has also given beautiful experiences. On one hand, there is a tale of separation and being stranded; on the other hand, the pandemic showcased the beauty of humanity, overwhelming personal experiences of selfless care, and the goodness of the world.
At the end of September, thanks to some amazing organizations and people, and their incessant love and support, my husband was able to fly back to India. Finally, we were reunited after eight and a half months.
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(This story was prepared for an “Imagine Another World” online storytelling workshop held October 14, 2020.)
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