Yasomie Peiris
I ran hysterically and had no idea what was happening!
The village was haunted and dark; only the stars gave me courage. Ghostly silence of humanity, and only a bat flapped its wings, and an owl hooted far away in the rusty woods.
I wore a protective mask. It was just a piece of cloth looped around my nose and mouth. I had a habit of creeping along the wild bushes to have a glimpse of the television news real from the neighbouring house. It was an advice warning! A Corona cluster, protect yourself from the deadly disease. No space in hospitals, lack of facilities because of an unexpected emergency. Daily, the number of patients, irrespective of age, caste or creed, increased here as well as in the world! The scariest news that saddened me was the death of loved ones.
I remembered every detail very specifically, and I was able to relate every word by memory. I need to run fast…..to reach the base hospital. Yes, I am running a marathon. Not for an award but to save my old grandfather who was suffering, unable to breathe, gasping for breath at home, lying on the uncomfortable rattan bed.
My mind spoke to me. Run…Run fast he needs hospitalization.
He protected me with his meagre earnings, which he earned by selling packets of salt on the wayside seated in the hot scorching sun.
‘I want my Seeya. Please don’t die,’ I screamed on my way. The virus cannot perish him into a bag. Please no……. help….save him…cure him, I thought in anguish. Only the fireflies heard me, and the wind soothed the draining beads of sweat from my body.
My mind swirled, and I was panting. My legs didn’t move any more, but I had to trudge on bear foot some more miles to save him. An ambulance siren shrieked……. I waved my arms in desperation. I cried…. Screamed……I felt dizzy.
I woke up in the hospital. Blue curtains flapped around me. White-capped nursing staff walked like robots pushing tall cylinders. What were they, I wondered?
I sat on the bed and sobbed loudly. A nurse appeared immediately.
‘Why am I in hospital?’ I asked her. She gave an explanation that I was found fallen and fainted on the roadside early hours of the morning. ‘You are not supposed to be out during this pandemic time. It’s dangerous,’ she said sincerely. I burst out crying. ‘I pleaded. My grandfather has contacted Corona. He is suffering at home. I have only him. Please…….’ I sobbed.
She was kind and compassionate. I was already wearing a more protective signature mask. The nurse wrote down all the details. ‘You are a brave child to have the courage to walk to save your Seeya.’ she said. ‘I ran for miles.’ I said. I pleaded, clasping my hands in a humble gesture.
‘Soon’, she said and disappeared.
One last bed, they said….In the ICU! A very common word I have heard during the past dreadful weeks. I panicked indistinctly hearing the word ICU. ‘No, it’s to cure him soon.’ They assured. Panic-stricken, I hung on to the plastic garb of the nurse who took me along long corridors and showed me a section where Seeya was receiving treatment.
‘You cannot go in. Your Seeya is in the safe hands of the doctors.’ She assured me.
‘Can I please sit in the corridor until my Seeya is cured’ I questioned her. ‘That is not possible. It will take few days or a week for him to recover, my child. You need to go home.’ She said in a muffled voice.
I cried. ‘Miss, my parents had died when I was two years old. They had gone to bath in the nearby river and had drowned. This is what my Seeya said to me.’ I said. I cried……. I couldn’t see her expression. She was fully masked from head to foot. ‘I am scared to stay in our wattle hut alone by myself.’ I said.
She spoke to more people in the staff wearing covered garbs. I felt their eyes on me. This ward did not have Corona patients.
I stayed the day through falling asleep, waking up and inquiring about my Seeya. I prayed alone, wishing my grandfather a speedy recovery. The kind nurse took me to her home and gave me clothes, food and a bed to sleep. She made me very comfortable, and it was a lifestyle I had never experienced. I stayed with her children and her parents. My thoughts were with my grandfather.
I cried alone each time there was a void. I needed him, his advice and his kindness to move on in life. He was my mentor. My mind was full of questions. Why? Why? Why?
I was informed that his condition was improving. I was happy, and my face lit up with smiles. My heart was stabbed with sorrow very soon. My Seeya couldn’t live to see me grow up.
Now, I don’t have anyone to relate stories of the ancient Kings and Queens and to teach me the sounds of the birds…… He cooked a simple meal for me with much love. We enjoyed ourselves together. I will cherish the happy times I had with him. Pandemic, why did you take him away…..?
O! My Seeya bid me a silent goodbye. I cried……. and I still cannot forget the dark grey smoke that rose bellowing from the tall tower at the cemetery. People unknown to me watched me cry, crouched on the ground. Seeya, you were my last link in this cruel world. The pandemic only took you away from me, but not the wholehearted affection and love we shared.
I stood near the wattle hut with my school bag on my shoulders until the social service came to pick me up. I had one photo of my parents carrying me with my Seeya standing close to us. This is all I owned in this gigantic world.
Will a kind heart adopt me with love? I am a good child.
