Love in the Time of Corona

18

"Take care!" Mom seemed very pleasant as she accompany Georgia on her way out. I wonder why. 

I laid on the sofa and sighed deeply. How do people deal with emptiness? I'm starting to feel like I'm neglecting my responsibilities to myself just because I never really acknowledge this blank feeling. It's as if  things start to withdraw from my sight until all that's left is darkness, but not the depressing type of darkness, as anyone would assume. It almost feels and looks like I got sucked in some black hole.

 

 

"Cluster of Pneumonia Cases reportedly identified as Novel Corona Virus..." When I heard the morning news, it got me out of my bubble. I immediately turned up the volume of our telly. 

"What's up?" Kio sat beside me, rubbing his eyeballs. I shushed him as I was trying to comprehend the news. Sounds rude, I know, but I can't help but feel frightened about things like these, specifically emerging bacteria and viruses.

"At this time, there are no confirmed cases of the said disease. However, it is highly recommended and advised to practice respiratory etiquette, as the virus spreads through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes." Not to be morbid, but somehow, I get the feeling that this virus might become very rampant. I hope not, it's too hard to be sick.

"Good morning kiddos. Coffee?" Dad literally struggled to walk across the kitchen as he balanced a cup in his hands.

"Nahhh. I'm good." Kio responded. I seconded. I'm not the coffee type anymore. I used to like it, though. I don't know or probably,  I intend to not know why.

"What's taking your Mom so long, Krystal?" Dad asked directly. 

  

"I don't know either. I'll go check on her." I stood up and fixed my wrinkly shirt and because I really love wearing baggy shirts, it covered my entire shorts, making me look like I'm only wearing a shirt. I love that kind of look. I kinda feel cute.

When I opened the wooden door, I tried to peek through the screen door, I saw my mom talking to some tall, teen aged-looking, tanned guy, who's very much unrecognizable due to my poor eye sight. I wore my slippers and went outside.

  

   

  

  

I almost wanted to go back inside but when he locked eyes with me, I had really had no choice but to engage in the conversation.

"Hey Mom. Dad's looking for ya'." I tried to sound casual. I looked at him and tried to smile, but f*ck, I just can't.

"Oh, I was just talking to Caden. I saw him passing by and I wanted to say hi. You do remember him, don't you?" She's her in her usual chill and smiling aura and here I am, close to peeing my pants.

"Very much." I looked down as I feel my cheeks flushed red. I heard hi chuckle.

"You guys should hang out sometime." Mom said all of a sudden. I fell silent. I just can't deal with this, I'm so not prepared!

"I guess we should." I heard him. At this point, I just want this to be over.

"Great! Why don't you give him your number, Sienne?"

"Mom!" I tried to object. I feel like I'm being sold, even if I know I'm just feeling so embarrassed.

 

 

"What? Might as well communicate through electronics, right Cade?" Mom's very joking and somehow, I'm grateful that he's going with the flow.

"Right." He chuckled lightly. I honestly don't know how to read this guy. Not that I intend to avoid him for the rest of my life after what happened but I just didn't thought that we'll meet again with my Mom setting me up with him.

He pulled out his phone from his sweatpants and biting his lips, handed it to me. I took it and the slightest contact I made with his fingers made me drop his phone.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry." I picked it up and tried to clean it up with the loose clothing of my shirt.

"All good." HE LOOKED SO RELAXED AND I'M FREAKING OUT.

I immediately added my number and handed it back to him. I awkwardly smiled and he did too. Mom clapped her hands and said, "We better go inside. It was so nice seeing you Caden. Tell you Mom I said hello, alright?"

"Yes, I definitely will." He said, still blankly looking into my troubled eyes. Eventually, he looked down and started walking towards their home.

Finally. That was terrible. And amazing. Wait, what? Jeez. How is that amazing? It was embarrassing, rather... but it felt good to see his face.

 When we got inside, Kio looked at me teasingly. He then said, "I spy with my little eye a tomato in ample clothing, walking with Dana." Dad just whistled some random tune.

"Brule en l'enfer, salope." I rolled my eyes.

 "What?" Kio raised his hands.

 "Why is this such a big deal?" Mom teased.

 "It's not, Mom. Definitely not." I know I'll only be interrogated so I ran up to my room and locked up.