Against All Odds

“One million doses of China’s Sinovac Biotech vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are expected to arrive in the country this month, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday, April 19.” -(People's Bulletin)

Kaivalya (read as ‘kai-val-ya’) sighed after reading the news on her phone.

It's been a year since the pandemic started. The country was still in lockdown due to the soaring cases of COVID-19. People were obliged to stay at home and follow health restrictions to avoid getting infected by the said virus.

Right now, all that Kaivalya can do is wait and wait till everyone has been vaccinated and that the pandemic is over. But is waiting worthy? She thought.

Throughout the pandemic, Kaivalya was solitarily staying in her small but cozy apartment, making herself isolated from society.

To make herself busy and have an income, she uses her talent in writing novels, poems, and short stories. Every dawn, exactly at 4 o'clock, she sat on her working table, face the laptop, and started typing everything that's on her mind until it builds into a story. But, to her luck, they don't sell vastly.

That day, she received a phone call from the publishing company, informing her that hundreds of copies of her books didn't sell much. Only 50 copies were sold. Kaivalya felt unhappy throughout that day because of that bad news.

On the next day, Kaivalya decided to go to the market to fill up her empty fridge. Before leaving her apartment, she makes sure that she has her face mask, face shield, air purifier, gloves, and alcohol to protect herself from the spread of the virus. This routine was called a ‘new normal’ to her. Not just her but everyone in this world.

While Kaivalya was on her way to the market, she received a phone call from an unknown number. At first, she hesitates to answer the call but then, she decided to answer it. She stops walking and answer the call that was ringing repeatedly. Perhaps it might be something important.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Is this Kaivalya?” the other line asked.

“Yes, I am. May I know who's speaking?”

“This is Maria, your neighbor in Colorado.”

“Oh, hello there, Maria. How are you? By the way, why did you call me?”

“I’m fine, Kaivalya. The reason why I called you is that I just want to let you know that yesterday, your Mom was tested positive for coronavirus disease. I know that your Mom didn't tell you about her condition right now. I’m so sorry Kaivalya for bringing you such bad news.” Maria replied sadly.

Kaivalya froze on where she stood after hearing what Maria said on the other line. She couldn't move her feet though it was like being glued on the road. Her hands were trembling, couldn't even utter a single word. How would she answer Maria if her mind was in a void? She thought.

“Hello, Kaivalya? Are you still there? Hello?” Maria asked repeatedly.

Kaivalya came back to her senses after Maria broke her silence. She didn't even realize the tears that keeps flowing down her cheeks. She immediately wipes her tears away and answered Maria.

“Oh, I'm so sorry for that Maria. I just couldn't believe it. But how?” she said while wiping her eyes.

“I don't know either Kaivalya. I just knew it yesterday. I suspect that possibly your Mom interacted with a person with such disease.” Maria retorted.

“Is that so? Well, thanks for informing me, Maria.” Kaivalya said.

“Your welcome, Kaivalya. Bye!”