Week 28

The official count is 55L infections. We had been so terrified when we were about to touch 500! The country was in lockdown and all those who could, stayed at home.

We took on as a challenge. Asked the maids to stay away. We told ourselves we could do this for our safety, for our family, for the nation. We cooked like never before and competed on social media to prove it. Those who couldn't, posted about the bottles they painted, the flowers they grew, the books they read and every Netflix series they binged on. That flood of posts has dwindled to a trickle now. Everyone is tired now.

Nobody thought this would last so long. Three weeks was fine as a challenge and then maybe a couple more. But six months on and now we are resigned to months or maybe a couple of years. Most people have called back their maids while many are making do with ready-to-eat stuff or dal-chawal. How long can you keep your MasterChef cape on? Especially when you have to focus on keeping the mask handy, and the face shield and the sanitizer too.

I am tired too. Very tired. Of waiting for some good news (stopped myself from using the word positive that's the scariest word now). Tired of food-talk, cooking, cleaning and well- of not knowing.

I am anxious too. About the whole uncertainty of when this will be over. What happens if we need to travel for work again? What's going to happen to the school term? To college admissions? When would be able to travel safely again? To meet friends and family with the scare of exchanging viruses? To go out for a movie or a meal without feeling apprehensive? To get the house help back-safely?

Of course, I am grateful too. Of the fact that the family could get together before the travel restrictions. That we are together for so long after so many years. That we are learning so much together. And that we have been able to stay safe.

This is after 6 months of staying at home. Wonder what would I be writing after another 6 months?