സെന്റ് മേരീസ് എച്ച്.എസ്.എസ്. പട്ടം/അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം/An empty recess…..

An empty recess….. My exams were almost over, I was packing my dresses and play items to a bag and kept ready on the table. Yes, Friday we are planning to leave to “GOA” for a five days trip. Me, my mom and Dad were planned two months back itself and I was sleeping between them and was dreaming how I will enjoy, what things should be bought etc. I was fully exited with my toys and my puppy and don’t know when I slept. What is the sound……? I woke up to the noise of utensils from the kitchen. The clock shows 8’o clock. Oh… I’m late. Mom and Dad might have to left to the office. “Who is in the kitchen now? I ran to the kitchen. Oh…. Dad is cooking…!!. Surprisingly I asked “Dad, don’t you have office?” Where is Mom, I was searching mom. Dad replied, “Lockdown” started Kitchu, I was thinking, what is lockdown and I did my daily routine and went near to dad and was listening what he says. He pampered me and gave a morning kiss and gave a cup of tea along with my favorite biscuits. I’m proud of my dad, he has taken all duties of my mom, like cooking, cleaning and looking after me well, and telling stories and teaching me too. When I looked through the window, oh.. Streets are empty. No people on the road rarely one or two bikes on the road. I called my friend loudly through the window, but he said I can’t come for playing “Kitchu” it’s lockdown. I was gloomy and went to kitchen with my Dad and asked “what is it’s for lockdown?” Dad replied “Do you know about virus?” “Yes” I answered. “Do you heard about Covid 19 virus?” “No” I replied. What is that Dad? It is an epidemic disease which spreads though touching an affected person of corona or by his saliva. It severely affects our respiratory system and the person’s condition goes worse and the person dies. There is no vaccination? I asked. Then Dad replied “there is no vaccine developed till today”. What are the precaution should be taken? Dad said “Wash your hands properly with soap frequently, Social distancing at least one meter apart, Wear mask when you go out, Stay Home Stay Safe” that is the only solution. Then I asked, why did Mom go to the hospital so early? Dad replied “all essential services are behind this”. I took my bath and prayed God, that the epidemic disease may go from the earth and save all of us, Let my Mom should come back soon to us”. I switched on the television, every channels are showing the critical situation facing various country with Covid 19. I was sad meanwhile Dad finished his work and we both took lunch. I was so gloomy, since I lost my trip. I forced Dad to take me out, to see my Mom. He denied first and unwillingly he took the scooter. I jumped back to him and hugged and said a big thanks and gave him a kiss. I asked why we can’t take our car. He said due to restrictions “Kitchu” and he made a written letter and kept with his pocket. When we reached the junction a police officer come across our vehicle and roughly asked “Is it urgent, don’t you know it is lockdown?”. Dad requested and showed the letter, then the officer gave him a pass, and gave a warning “Don’t roam, come back home soon”. It was a gloomy atmosphere when we reached the hospital. We told the security officer to meet my Mom. He took us through the long corridors to the glass door and he asked us to wait there. He phoned up, my Mom came on other side of the glass door with an astronaut’s type dress. I wondered! I could see only her eyes. So sad. I called “Mom….. Mom….”. But she couldn’t come or talk. She just waved her hands to me and dad sadly. I started crying. We saw the tears through her eyes falling down… Dad consoled me “it’s your Mom’s duty as a doctor. Desperately we also waved back to her and came back home with loneliness. I couldn’t see anything on the way as my eyes were filled with tears….. നവനീത് കൃഷ്ണൻ എസ് 5 I സെന്റ് മേരീസ് ഹയർ സെക്കന്ററി സ്കൂൾ, പട്ടം തിരുവനന്തപുരം നോർത്ത് ഉപജില്ല തിരുവനന്തപുരം അക്ഷരവൃക്ഷം പദ്ധതി, 2020 കഥ