~ Lock Down ~

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Based on True life event...

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Sequel of "Be safe My love"

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23rd March

Morning 7:25 a.m.

Kolkata...

Khushi was walking hurriedly looking at the lonely street. From Today 4 p.m. onwards Kolkata is going to be Locked down till 27th March, along with the other states.. She is going towards her office. Being attached with health fraternity, Khushi has to go to the Hospital today..

But there was no vehicle available to her locality. Few public transport was available but that was too crowded that Khushi decided to walk..walk from her home to her official place.. Walk for 7 k.m.

That's why, she has started early today. Her office time is 9 a.m. but she has to cover up distance by walking. For last few weeks, work pressure, surroundings and the global issues everything made her in extreme stressed. She is not feeling very good, she has decided that tomorrow she will definitely take a off.

Khushi looked at her surrounding, early morning but the busy road is almost empty. Few vendors are here and there, few people are doing the shopping for the future days... Khushi sigh, she did not able to get sufficient time to stock food and other necessary items.. She was on toes till yesterday and now the news of lock down. Though Khushi by heart supports the decision but for some reason she is feeling very helpless.. she has to take care of her daughter and her parents, their foods and medicines, at least...

But where is the time ??

Khushi's trance was broken when an auto rickshaw stops besides her.

" Didi, where are you going?" Asim, the auto driver, the boy of Khushi's locality asked her.

" Ohh.. I am going to office. You know, emergency, no leave." Khushi said smiling.

" By walking? Are you crazy didi? Come , sit , I will drop you to your office." Asim said.

" But...you were going somewhere, I mean market..you will be late.." Khushi said looking at the few vacant grocery packet..

" I will manage. But let me drop you. You and Arnav bhai did so much for our family when my father was ill. At least let me drop you didi." Asim said genuinely.

Khushi did not argue more, may be because Asim's request was genuine but more because she is exhausted. It's not even one third of the diatace she has walked till now and she is feeling like giving up..

Half an hour later..

Khushi entered in her hospital before time, all thanks to Asim, the selfless auto driver who droped her without caring his own work. Not only that, he also insisted Khushi that he will pick her up before 4 p.m., before the time of lock down.

Khushi looked at the hospital premises. The always overcrowded area now like mourning, very few people are visible. Before entering from the main gate there is security thermal screening.

" Is OPD closed?" Khushi could not help but asked the security chief Mr Ali.

" No mam, but only restricted cases are getting entry. No schedule check up will be entitled. Only genuine sick cases will be attended." Mr Ali informed.

" Okay, thanks." Khushi was about to step forward but stops hearing Mr Ali's question,

" Why you came today madam? You college has been closed ..All students had been send off to home yesterday, right? Then?" Mr Ali was surely surprised.

" Last minute work pending. I have to look after the hostel and about the interns.." Khushi replied with smile and then entered in the premises.

Khushi hurriedly walk towards the hospital pharmacy and before entering observed the notice.

" Please enter one by one, we are here for you but please co operate".

"Good Morning Dada." Khushi wished the senior Pharmacist Mr Roy and asked surprised. " Were not you on leave?"

" Yes, I was. My son's Higher Secondary ( board exam) examination was going on but now the exam is stop. So, I came back and join. In this crisis moment My hospital needs my presence. After all I am the senior pharmacist here." Mr Roy replied while collecting the few medicines which Khushi has ordered.

"seriously, Roy da.. you are such a dedicated person." Khushi could not help but replied genuinely. The senior pharmacist had a option to seat back home but he refused and came here to give his contribution to his hospital in this crisis period.

" How you all will come from tomorrow?" Khushi asked again.

" Hospital has arranged for our shelter and food. From every department few selected staffs will do the duty and stay residential." Mr Roy said.

" That's a very wise decision. We also have a meeting today.. let's see what decision is taken for our department." Khushi said taking the medicines after paying the bill.

" By the way, How is Dr Sarkar?" Mr Roy asked.

" He is fine. Now is in Medinipore district, in his posting place and for 3 weeks he is there, on duty.." Khushi said while the sadness in her eyes was not overlooked by Mr Roy..

" And probably, Dr Sarkar will stay there till the situation got controlled. I know him better. He is such a dedicated Doctor. You know, Mrs Sarkar, When Dr Sarkar first joined in this hospital, I was also a newly joined here. Though our age differences was huge, but we became friend." Mr Roy said smilingly remembering the old time. " I don't know when we will meet again, but tell Dr Sarkar to be safe.. to take care of himself .. is his diabetes in control now?"

" Yes.. it's in control.. I will tell him. And after the situation got settled down, please one day you should come over to our place.. It will be our pleasure. and be safe" Khushi said before leaving..

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Crossing the hospital premises, Khushi finally entered in her workplace, her college. The always rushing, busy college which was full of student's voices is now deadly silent. Khushi entered in her cabin after wishing the clerical staff.

Next few hours were really busy.....Finishing few last minute essential works, Khushi and her other colleagues finally attend the meeting with their management and administrative persons. They are going to get WFH.. But if situation occurred they have to come immediately to attend Hospital emergency. Finally wounding up everything, closing her cabin Khushi finally left her college premises and the Hospital.

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3: 50 p.m.

Khushi was totally exhausted when she was walking back in her walkway towards her home. But she halted in her place seeing that there is a gathering nearby her locality.. few local people, around 10 in numbers, are playing cards. Khushi initially thought to ignore and went inside her house but later changed her mind.

" Listen, bhaiyaa, why are you all gathered here? Please, It's lock out period. Stay at your home. This is not the time to gossip and cheat chat." Khushi said politely.

" Aree... look what the madam is telling.. But madam why are not you at home? Why are you roaming around?" one boy among the group said sarcastically.

" Look I am coming back from my workplace.. I.." Khushi was unable to complete her words..

" We are also in work.. look we are playing... refreshing our mind..." another person remarks with a sly smile.

" Look bhaiyaa.. Don't you know that our whole world is suffering a very crucial issue, did not you heard about the virus Corona? Our local TV channels, national channels everywhere it is there.. It is spread that we have to control our behaviour, otherwise the upcoming days will unimaginable. Please, understand, local gathering should be stop." Khushi said while her inside was erupting with uncontrollable rage.

" Look madam..In TV it was showing that alcohol soap can kill the virus.. Any type of alcohol can harm the virus.. and you know madam, we drink alcohol everyday.. so, the virus will never harm us. He will dare to harm us." One boy said mockingly and the other started to laugh.

Khushi felt the arch to slap them right and left, then and there.

These are the common people for whom the medical team is risking their life day and night? For these people? They could not even cooperate a little by staying at home? Instead they are taunting the effort all of those persons who are fighting against the deadly virus and saving lives in risking their own?

How sick...

"What is going on here?"A heavy voiced boomed from behind. Khushi looked behind only to face a well build man sitting in his bike.

" Sir, actually..." Khushi was interrupted by the man, " Not you madam..hello boys, I am asking you all.. what you are doing here?" The man said in his iron like voice.

" We were just passing our time. What to do, in this lock down period, no work... so, thought to time pas.." one of the boy said casually.

" really, you are not getting idea to killing your time? Okay , I have a better idea. I will now send you a place, where you can spend your days enjoying." With that the person pick up his phone and called someone.." Bakshi, come at XXX road, with our special van.. there are few people who needs special treatment."

" Who.. who...are you sir?" One boy finally asked stammering.

"You will learn soon." before the person could finish a police van came there and seeing the van the faces of the boys got pale..

" So, what now.. Do you still feel that you need some time pass?" the man asked with authority.

" No.. No.. sir, we are going home and will not come outside." The boys informed hurriedly and tried to flawed away but they were stopped.

"Extend your hands.." one of the police officer said to the boys..

" Why sir.. we are going.. we don't.." they were brutally stopped by the voice of the former man..

" Shut up and extend your hand." With trembling condition the boys extends their hands and police game a stamp on their hands one by one..

" This is the first warning, if second time you people are found roaming here and there, you will be send to jail for 6 months.. now go.." the moment police officer finished, the boys run with there life..

" Madam, you also go home.. and please don't indulge yourself in argument with those people.." The former police man said.

" Actually sir, it was unbearable to see that how they are making the whole nation in danger." Khushi said

" I understand.. How much we police, other emergency staffs, you medical and nursing fraternity are trying our best to fight against the virus and control the situation but these are the scenario Mrs Sarkar." The man informed.

" You know me? I mean I don't remember.." Khushi said surprised as well embarrassed..

" You are Arshi's mother, right? My daughter is a newly admitted student in your daughter's class.. I had a chat with Dr Sarkar in last PTM.. I am Mr Koushik Debnath, father of Kiran.." the man said smiling.

" Ohh.. Yes... Arshi always says about Kiron.. they have become very good friend..and thank you Mr Debnath" Khushi said genuinely.

" It's our duty.. Take care.." with that Mr Debnath along with other police officers left the place.

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Khushi finally reached in her house where her parents and her Arshi was waiting for her. Before entering the main door one thing caught her attention.

A poster made on A4 size paper to spread awareness on Corona virus...

Khushi smiled watching the poster in content.. Her little daughter seems not little any more.

After freshening up Khushi sit besides her little daughter who was emerged in drawing.

" Arshi, You made the poster on main door? Who told you to made this?" Khushi asked.

" None mama... I made it so that everyone in this apartment at least get aware. I had place a poster in our community board." Khushi looked proudly towards Arshi and placed a warm kiss on her forehead.

*******

It was late at night.. Khushi was waiting for a call, a certain someone.. Finally her phone rang making her sigh in relief. It's a video call.

"Hi..." both Arnav and Khushi uttered at same time and then laughed.

"How was your day?" Again unison..

"First you tell me.." this is the third time and they both burst out in laughing.

"Well, I am fine Doctor sahib.. You tell.." Khushi said..

"I am great, because I am talking to you." Arnav smiled widely looking at Khushi's flushed face.

" Before you start, I have taken my medicine on time, took proper precautions during patient handling. " Arnav said.

" Do you think the disease will be controlled?" Khushi asked.

" It depends upon us only. If we just maintain a few days restrictions, then we will surely can see the ray of hope. But... people here.." Arnav sigh while nodding his head. " In this crucial moment they are gathering in Hospital out patient department just for general check up..It's so..."

" Not only that people are not taking the lock down seriously.. its so disheartening that majority of people are taking this crucial time as holidays.." Khushi said..

" True.. but wait, if people do not listen carefully, the Lock down period will be extended.. I think .. and it should be.. if we want to control the spread of virus then social gathering should be stopped. And if by request its not happening , then rules should be there..let's see what Govt has thought of.." Arnav said while finishing his coffee..

" Khushi, I have to go now..one round is left and then, if possible I will get some sleep.. It feels like, its been months, I had a proper sleep." Arnav said while throwing a flying kiss towards his beloved wife..

"Take care Arnav.. be safe, my love.." Khushi said controlling her tears.. How long the wait will be there? How long they have to live in fear, she don't know.. In fact nobody knows...

" Hei.. Khushi.. please don't cry.. don't... you know why I am able to do my duty freely? Because of you... You are my strength Khushi... It's a critical condition my love... please..." Arnav said while a plethora of emotion played on his face..

It's been weeks he is away from home, from his love, from his princess.. But.. Its Nation call and he have to be there..

" I am sorry Arnav, for being so weak.. But I am scared.. I just.." Khushi said while a lone tear again escape from her eyes..

" You are not weak.. you are the bravest girl I have seen my love.. I know how strongly you have handled every situation in this 9 years, majority alone... so, keep faith on your GOD... everything will be okay soon.. we will fight this ... TOGETHER... Love you bye.." Arnav abruptly cut the call before a proper bye because someone had again called him...

Khushi closed her eyes to savor the moment and praying her almighty to give her strength to fight the situation...

*******

Author Note....

From 25th March is going to be lock down...More than curfew for all over the India... This is for our safety, for our Nation's safety, for Global safety... let's work together... support this movement to save the world against the deathly virus..

don't be ignorant...

it's an earnest request... people who are fighting for us against this virus just help them, support them only by being at home...

STAY HOME...PLEASE...

Be safe...keep everybody safe...

Pray for all...

Our unity can help us to overcome the situation...

Take care and stay safe..

Love and regards...

Your story teller

Mamree

25.03.2020