Yes, I know what my readers should be anticipating after reading the title of this blog, but right now, during this infernal pandemic, it’s a sin to be positive. It’s a perfect example of situational irony. Unfortunately, I received a harsh dose of this recently☹.

That Thursday evening, I had a splitting headache (Although this is slightly over-exaggerated, you get the picture!), and an annoying sore throat. Thinking that this was an after-effect of looting and eating some ice-creams, I dismissed the discomfort and got dressed to go downstairs, eager to meet my friends. However, the pain increased, and I felt feeble, so I had to undertake an ART test.

My biggest fear had always been testing positive, although I had read that COVID wasn’t that severe anymore for vaccinated individuals. However, this was the worst time to contract the virus as the new school session had just commenced, we had received our new books, we were getting introduced to our new mentors and the syllabus seemed tricky☹. Exams were only 2 months away and thus, we had instantly started on the syllabus.

Ok, so my mom was a pro in performing the ART test (I do not remember how many times she had performed the test on me and Em). So, once again, she inserted the swab stick into my nostrils, twirled it, and placed the swab in the extraction buffer tube. As she proceeded, butterflies started fluttering vigorously in my stomach. She placed the sample in the test cartridge, and I waved goodbye to my freedom as I observed red lines appearing at the ‘T’ and ‘C’ positions. My mum stared at me for a split second before jumping into action. Within minutes, I was isolated in the bedroom with nothing to keep me company except electronics, my art supplies, and my piano.

My initial reaction was anger. I simply COULD NOT understand how on earth, had I, who was always so careful, BEEN AFFECTED BY THE VIRUS? That anger metamorphosed into frustration and sadness, and I began bawling my eyes out. My father reassured me that I should be virus-free in 5, at the max, 7 days. At that point, I had absolutely NO IDEA what I would do. I couldn’t even step a foot out of that room, and I was basically cut off from any interaction with anyone else. My whole world was now confined to just four walls ☹

When I saw my parents decked in gloves, masks, and with a bottle of sanitizer, I smiled in concern, as it made it seem like they were dealing with an epidemic in the house. None of my family members had tested positive yet. A billion rules pasted all over my mind, I had already begun disliking the excruciating silence except the buzz of my phone, my friends pouring out their well wishes and cheering me up, which I was thankful for and my parents regular visits to my room to monitor my temperature😊.

The next day, I felt even weaker, and I slept more than I usually did. My sore throat had reduced, and I was sneezing a bit. Thankfully, there were no severe symptoms. My mom was constantly disinfecting the room, providing warm water, healthy soup, bland food at regular intervals. My life had become monotonous as I COULDN’T GO ANYWHERE! I utilized all that time to work on my hobbies, completing painting after painting(I do not remember when was the last time I had painted so much)and learning 3 new songs on piano. I realized that typically, on a normal school day, I wouldn’t have the time to do all this. I was receiving regular updates on my schoolwork, had stacks and piles of pending work to finish, and I was terrified looking at the worksheets itself.

On my 2^nd day in isolation, Em tested positive too, so she was isolated too. The room was divided into two separate spaces, and we could not intermingle but at least I had company. I never wished that she should contract the virus but honestly, right at that time, I was a little relieved that she was beside me. She had absolutely no symptoms, so she badgered and galled me to the max and I enjoyed having her company as I was no longer alone. My screen time shattered all limits, reaching up to 7 hours per day. I was reprimanded quite a number of times☹. I decided that I wouldn’t touch a screen for the next few days(It didn’t work. I had to. At least the time reduced!) Covid was completely like the flu, sporting the same symptoms, and it wasn’t severe at all. My mom must have thanked the miraculous scientists who rescued humanity by inventing the Covid-19 vaccines, I assume.

Eventually, after 5 HORRIBLE, GRUELLING DAYS OF ISOLATION(I had to eat all the vegetables that I disliked, and do y’all remember cabbage? YES, I DID HAVE TO EAT THAT.), I was virus-free. I was ecstatic, but Em was in deep melancholy as she had to be in her room for one more day, so I promised to stay with her until she exited. My grandparents had also arrived, and as soon as Em recovered, we had the time of our lives, going out nearly every day. I was exhilarated and satisfied as weeks of enjoyment were laid out for us, and I was looking forward to it.

Being infected with the virus was a completely different experience, as I had never been in pure isolation before. Although it was maddening, it gave me the time I needed to pick up activities I hadn’t been able to do in a long, long time. I also realized  that it is important to be careful about our own safety and the safety of others as well. More importantly, please get vaccinated:)

Signing off…