Engaging the weekend - "QUARANTINED"!!

Few months back, the word "quarantine" became a frequently used word in the Global vocabulary.. I swear, my entire time in school, and the exorbitant fees; but never was I taught this humongous word!! The usage of this word these days reminded me of a story my grandma once told me..

There was a lady in my grandma’s neighbourhood; she loved to hear people speak in English and would often try to use new words whenever she got a chance.. Sometimes the usage wasn’t very apt, and sometimes they were fatal errors!! Once she heard two people talking about an alligator with such awe that she assumed the word ‘alligator’ may be a word of much importance.. So the coming week when she visited my grandma she said, ‘You know my son is in the Gulf, he’s an alligator!!’.. Oh the whole house burst out laughing, but the women was unaware of the blunder she had made.. Well, Quarantine has become one such word.. We heard it, and now we want to use it..

I was fortunate enough to be able to use this word with first-hand experience.. Being quarantined myself for a few days now, I now realise, it’s not as fun as it sounds.. The first two days went ok, but as the third day closed to an end, I was counting every second of my time in captivity in my own house, and in my own room.. Surrounded by the same four walls every day, the same curtains, the same colours dancing in front of my eyes; I could draw the exact map of my room for any architect in the world right now.. One week had passed and another 7 days were left.. I couldn’t wait to get out.. I had already started making a list of places I would go to after my quarantine, food I would eat, people I would meet.. Even though I was connected to the world digitally, the need for physical experience was disturbing.. This time I spent in self-reflection made me realise how short life is, and how I haven’t done justice in savouring it.. If 7 days could have this affect, then in another 7 days I was going to graduate as a life coach!!

Depression kicks in very fast during isolation; but there is nothing you can do when you live in a country where depression is not considered as a real condition.. Indians are programmed to assume that depression is a rich people disease.. People below that status of society cannot afford to even consider it.. So as an Indian that comes from such a place, I have always treated my depression with ice cream, chips, thumps up and chicken ghee roast instead of a psychiatrist and prescriptions!!

Yes, I’m a little below 100 kilos now!! But my weight is directly proportional to my amount of mental depression.. Then again, being overweight in my family is a sign of prosperity!! So everyone thinks I’m happy, rich and successful!!
Oh!! The irony!!

Well, now I’m counting down my last few days to get out; can’t wait to meet my friends who didn’t even bother to call me or text me to ask if I’m ok.. Just a couple bothered.. But I need them because I’m too old to make new friends and I simply do not have the energy.. Sometimes, you just got to make the most of what you have..

What’s your quarantine story??