This, Too, Shall Pass — Aastha Bhaik

Aastha Bhaik, Class 11, LCTH; Topic: Pandemic Stories; Category Classes 9-12; Winner: Second

“Phew! I’m finally done with all my online classes for today! I deserve a break now.” I got up from my chair, stretched a little and threw myself on the couch. Usually, I’d take this time to make coffee and read a book or watch Netflix. However, today was different. I felt bored of my own company and decided go out for a game of cricket.

I loved to play cricket, and my neighbors made it even more fun. Ever since I was 7 years old, my favorite part of the day was to get ready, lace up my shoes and make my way to the playground. There, I would meet Sahil and Kriti. Sahil was as old as me and Kriti was one year younger. All of us studied at the same school. Over the years, our bond strengthened and we became very good friends who confided in each other and were there for each other at all times.

I called Sahil first, mainly because he was always available. “Hey Sahil! Are you free right now? It’s been so long since we had a proper cricket match! Come let’s play na. Meet me at the playground in 10 minutes. Oh, and don’t forget to call Kriti.”

I had expected Sahil to jump right in, but all I received was a long pause. “Hey, are you there?” I asked him in surprise. “Yes, I can hear you Shrey. But don’t you know?”

“Know what?” I asked almost reflexively.

“About Kriti, of course!”

About Kriti? What was it about her that I didn’t know?

“No, did something happen?” I asked Sahil.

“Well, yes. I’m afraid I have some bad news. Kriti’s father tested positive for the Coronavirus disease. An ambulance just took him to the hospital.”

I found myself lost for words. I didn’t know how to react. “I-uh-is she alright?”

“I haven’t spoken to her as yet; I came to know only a few minutes ago. Why don’t you know? This is the only thing that everyone in the neighborhood is talking about. Open your curtains and look outside. You’ll see for yourself what’s going on.”

I was baffled for a second, but I did as Sahil had told me to. I drew the curtains, and the sight in front of me was unbelievable. Two people wearing PPE kits were sanitizing Kriti’s house from the outside. A policeman had come to enquire about the case. Kriti’s mother, Mrs. Pooja, was speaking to him.

Mrs. Pooja was the strictest woman I knew. She always had a stern look on her face. All the children in the neighborhood were terrified of her. Whenever our cricket ball used to go flying into her balcony, nobody would even dare to ask for it. She could almost always be seen with her arms crossed in disapproval. Her eyes reflected the strong headedness and firmness she so clearly possessed.

Today, I could see her standing at her front door. Her face was covered by a mask, and her eyes conveyed a different expression. They now represented her inner state of fear and confusion. She looked weak. Her arms were by her side. The revelation had shattered her. She needed time to absorb what was happening around her.

As the policeman asked her questions, she responded inarticulately. She nodded at times and only spoke when she needed to. This went on for another ten minutes. When all the formalities had been completed, she closed the gate and went up the stairs into her house. She shut all the windows and drew all the blinds to shield herself from the remarks and glances of the neighbors. It was as if she was shutting the door to the life she had known up to this moment and preparing herself to enter into a new world of uncertainty.

I texted Kriti many times and even tried to call her, but there was no response. An hour later, my phone rang. I sprinted across the living room as fast as I could and picked it up. Sure enough, it was Kriti. “Hello Kriti? Are you alright? Is everything fine? How’s uncle?”

“Hello, Shrey. Yes, everything’s fine now. Dad is in safe hands and the doctors are saying that he’ll be back with us very soon. Ma and I aren’t allowed to go outside, of course, but we have been assured that all the groceries and essentials will be delivered right at our doorstep. We are taking proper precautions as well. We are wearing our masks and gloves, washing our hands, disinfecting the house and taking care of ourselves. It’s going to be okay.”

“That’s such a relief! Take care, Kriti.”

“Thanks, Shrey. Bye.”

As I put down my phone, I started thinking of how I had been so ungrateful and selfish. I was always cribbing about my online classes and assignments. I would frown at the thought of doing even a simple chore. But the incident that had occurred made me realize that there were problems bigger than my own.

Later that evening, I baked a chocolate cake and topped it with roasted walnuts and put it in a box. I wrapped the box in a packet and attached a note at the top which read, “Take care and stay safe! Remember, hope is a good thing. This, too, shall pass. Love, Shrey.”

I wore my mask, laced up my shoes and hurried to Kriti’s house. I rang the doorbell, placed the packet at the gate and ran back as fast as I could. I watched Mrs. Pooja from my window as she picked it up. As soon as she read the note, she looked up at me. A smile lit up her eyes. Without a word, she went back inside. A few minutes later, my phone lit up with a text from Kriti- “The cake is delicious. Thank you!”

At that moment, I knew that I had been able to make a difference.