Sundays were usually spent lounging in bed longer. Riki came into consciousness when she heard birds chirping loudly outside her bedroom. Although it was generally darker in her room because of her window shades, sunlight still managed to peep through the sides. Riki stretched and silently said her prayers. She turned to her bedside table and her clock read 9:26am.
Thinking of how she would spend the day, Riki adjusted herself on the bed so that she was now leaning against the headboard. She reached for her tablet and scrolled through her social media accounts. A notice came that there was going to be Sunday mass streamed live in half an hour. Riki got up and used the toilet and changed and prepared to "hear" mass via livestream.
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Niko returned from his morning jog on the roofdeck. After his jog, he wiped off his sweat and rubbed alcohol all over his body. When he got to his apartment, he went straight to the wash area and stripped so that he could run the washing machine. Naked, Niko walked casually across the living room to the bathroom to shower. He glanced at the window as he walked past and noticed that the girl's curtains were still drawn. He took a shower and wore a t-shirt and shorts since it was a Sunday and he had not scheduled any work for that day. He sat at his desk and checked for the schedule of the Sunday mass. He still had about 15 minutes before the mass began so he checked on his pantry if he needed restocking.
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After mass, Riki made herself brunch. She left her pantry door open so that she could see if she needed to restock on certain items. She made a list while recalling what items they sorted at the relief facility the day before. Ina had recruited her to volunteer and Riki said she'd return and do the same on another day.
In the afternoon, Riki watched several dance videos and thought of what dance she would use for her daily exercise. She had been contemplating on making an online video of herself as instructor but shyness overcame her so she just made a list of dances and looked for songs to dance to.
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After his 'experience' of 'dancing with' the girl from the window, Niko recalled how he loved to move and dance especially with his little cousins. In fact, he was a preschool teacher before he decided to have an online career. He always looked forward to Fridays where he was assigned to lead the schools' morning circle time. So, with the 'rediscovery' and 'reawakening' for his love for movement, Niko decided to share his talent in an online movement class for preschoolers.
When the mass ended, Niko browsed the internet for ideas and updated his notes to start his online 'class' within the following week. He made himself lunch and chatted with his friends in the afternoon to promote his plan. "...next week. I'll start on Wednesday and do it every day at 10:00am" he told his friends.
"Yes! At least may magd-distract na kay Chloe for at least an hour! You're heaven sent!" Pia, one of Niko's friends, said. She had 2 kids and one was just a toddler.
"Please! Pwede bang buong araw? I can't get any work done with Iggy and Mai-mai!" Julia, another friend, replied.
Niko recalled how Gary, Julia's husband and Niko's friend, who was also at the relief facility, mentioned how crazy their lives have become since the lockdown. He and Julia tried to set a schedule to try to get some work done with one parent entertaining/educating the kids for at least two hours while the other worked. They were slightly successful although they were still struggling. "...now I know the importance of having a yaya!" Gary said. He and Julia decided not to get a helper. Iggy was 5 and Mai-mai was only two! During 'normal' days, the kids were at school. Iggy was in kindergarten while Mai-mai was at play school and their Lola, Julia's mom, would take care of the kids in the afternoon. Gary would bring Iggy to school while Julia took Mai-mai to play school; Lola Mary would pick up the kids and bring them to her home. Gary would then pick them up before he went home in the late afternoon.
"Pwede bang tomorrow na agad?" Ryan asked. He had three kids and the youngest was a preschooler.
"Inaayos ko pa yung curriculum ko pero kung matapos ko later, baka pwede..." Niko replied.
"Text us!" the friends replied.
Niko smiled and chuckled. He was aware about how people were struggling and coping with their quarantined lives but didn't fully understand how difficult it could be for some. He had been working from home for a few years now so he was more used to this 'lifestyle'. Niko realised that a lot of his friends were not used to being surrounded by little kids for more than a few hours in a day.
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The rest of the afternoon was relatively quiet for both Riki and Niko. After doing their research, they cleaned their apartments and lounged around until it was dark.
Niko regularly glanced at the window across but the curtains had not been opened. He wondered if the girl living there was okay.
"Bakit ka concerned? Di mo naman kilala" Niko thought to himself though he continued to wait and watch if the curtains would be opened.
