We fought well, we fought together, we fought for every single life. We tried safeguarding the potential victims, my team, day in and out, stood against the pandemic COVID 19. The visuals of eyes filled with tears, lost hope for breathing anymore, were soul-stirring. We did make proper accommodation, everything was so fast, without pre-planning, just an action, followed by remedial action, and improvisation, all we had to do; was to make the situation controllable. While delivering our duties we remained extra careful and extended our hands to people in need.
The blurry images shaking my confidence of regaining my complete consciousness, all I could hear was a loud siren sound, my close allies in panic, all I could make out, I was in some kind of vehicle, which was running at full throttle. People near me were furiously making calls, I wasn’t able to make out what was wrong and why was everyone so nervous. I closed my eyes, the face of my three-year-old daughter made me smile, her sweet voice, her innocent pouting face, and the word “PAPA”, could make me relieve all the stress. She is the only diamond I have in my life and off course, every action of mine is in accordance to her bright future.
It was just like another mundane day, we got the schedule for the entire week, my friends shared a cup of tea and we all moved to our destination. The day was quite hectic, Corona virus made every individual so scared that it is was far more difficult to explain social distancing to most of the people. At the beginning of lockdown people considered it as a vacation and started roaming around. We used to laugh at such mentality. My duty was to be at a barricade and check on the passing vehicles, met a lot of people and listened to awkward excuses to roam around freely on vacant roads. Although our department did the best to keep the officers under tents and equipped with cold water but the scorching heat kept us sweating. Every day I started my day with a prayer to my lord for saving me against Corona virus, as I was the only breadwinner, the only hope for my family. My beloved wife always kept me aware about the increase in cases of COVID 19 and took precautions to avoid the infection.
A sudden halt of the vehicle shook me and I tried gaining consciousness, this time I could make out the exchange of words between my colleagues. I have never seen them hopeless but this time it was astonishing;
First screaming voice: “how the hell they can deny the admission, he is critical”.
Other voice tried to pacify “Let’s not lose hope, we still have some options left, let’s call them up and certainly we can get him admitted to another hospital”
Third voice:” We do not have much time left; he seems …………” the sound of a vehicle passing by did not let me hear rest of the discussion.
I still remember the other day I was coughing, I thought, maybe due to the cold water I took after returning home, the next morning I felt a bit feverish so after informing my senior officer, I went to see the doctor, who conducted some test and mentioned I turned out to be COVID 19 positive, and we laughed out loud, at least something is ‘positive’. Internally I was aware of the fatal consequences, I was aware final countdown for my life might have started and I might end up inhaling my last breath , but I was sure as directed by the doctor to quarantine myself for a few days and the situation would be good. I reached home, informed my wife and locked myself in a room, I knew my single mistake could land my entire family in jeopardy. The next morning, I felt body ache and mild fever, so I called my friends and informed the same.
Everything is going to be fine I assured myself, I have dealt with many issues, this is just another one, I am surrounded by such intelligent people, they know how to tackle the problem. Somewhere inside me I could feel that the words of assurance were not enough to rebuild the confidence, but I kept the fear aside and smiled with all the efforts. I avoided eye contacts with everyone, just wanted to make sure that my family does not reads the emotions in my eyes. I heard an ambulance stopped at my home, I knew it was time to go………..
The ambulance was accelerating and the phone calls were answered, the situation seemed to worsen every moment, the chance of next breath seemed impossible, the doctor in the van kept complete attention to make sure, I was breathing, I was alive, I was given a push to be normal, everyone around me was curious, emotional, stressed but full of life and adopted never give up attitude. So, did I, with all my strength tried promising myself; “Everything would be fine”, but Another Little Thing, the soul within, said “seems like time is up.”
First voice: “We got the confirmation, everything is fine, we have the availability of a bed and the doctors have been informed.”
Second voice:” Just hurry up Guys.”
Third voice:” We are not far from that hospital, just going to reach in a few minutes.”
I started getting illusions of my deceased relatives, willing to offer a nice place to visit. I wasn’t sure if it was just an imagination or seriously, they were around me. I felt a huge pain in my chest, it seemed like my heart was giving up. Took a deep breath, tried to control the outflow, all I could see was my three-year-old daughter scared, hiding behind her mother, holding her tight and crying. Few tears came out of my right eye and the doctor tried pumping my chest to help me breathe more but that was ‘the end of it’.
I wish I had a few more days to spend with my family, at least, I could have handed over my responsibility of my family, my wife she is so innocent, doesn’t even know how to shop for groceries. My daughter, all the dreams i had for her, just shattered.
Oh lord, I wish I was alive for a few more ……
I don’t know if it’s biological warfare, or just a virus spread from wild, whatever it is, understanding of human behavior is still the most complex aspect and the human life seems to have no value. Businesses, profit and loss, is what drives the entire world. My name may not be remembered like other unsung heroes who laid down their lives to serve the nation. The purpose of our lives would be served if we could inspire people to respect and value a “Life”.