March 18, 2020 (7:45 am)
It was an unusual morning for the Mehra family as Mrs. and Mr. Mehra had taken the day off. Mr. Mehra was reading the newspaper but appeared restless, frequently looking at the clock and waving his leg impatiently. Mrs. Mehra was in the kitchen, preparing something special while their daughter, Tara, worked on a college assignment on her laptop. The atmosphere at home suggested that someone special was about to arrive. The couple's son, Samar, was returning home after almost four and a half months. Mr. Mehra was becoming increasingly anxious as Samar informed him that he would arrive around 8:15 am. Mrs. Mehra was busy preparing some of Samar's favourite dishes, and Tara was eagerly waiting to see her brother.
8:15 am
The clock on the wall suggested that Samar should be arriving at any moment. Mr. Mehra, out of impatience, started to call Samar repeatedly, but his phone was switched off. He rushed to the balcony and looked down at the street, but he couldn't see any auto-rickshaw or cab coming. His concern turned into worry. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Mr. Mehra hurried towards the door, followed by Mrs. Mehra and Tara. Samar was at the other side of the door. As soon as Mr. Mehra opened the door, Samar started to explain that his phone was dead, and he couldn't find any other means to recharge it. All of Mr. Mehra's anger melted away as Samar hugged him, and he apologized for not informing them about the situation before his phone died. He then hugged his sister tightly.
While Tara took Samar's luggage to his room, his mom asked him to shower. After a while, Samar joined his family for breakfast.
10:15 am
After breakfast, Mr. Mehra was comfortably sitting on the sofa, watching the news on the television. Samar joined him but was busy with his phone. Mr. Mehra noticed this and interrupted him, saying, "You have come back home after almost five months, and even now, you are busy with this silly phone." Samar immediately put his phone aside. Mr. Mehra continued to watch the news and read the newspaper, which was about the rising cases of coronavirus in the country. He asked Samar how many days he had got off this time. Samar replied that his college management had confirmed his leave till the 31st of the month due to the coronavirus scare.
Suddenly, a news flash appeared on the TV channel: "Prime Minister Modi to address the nation tomorrow at 8 pm." Samar took the remote and increased the volume. Tara and Mrs. Mehra also gathered in the hall. The atmosphere of joy turned into one of scepticism, speculation, and fear of something unknown, possibly a lockdown...
Episode 2 is to be out soon...
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