March 2020
The world was engulfed in a haze of uncertainty and nowhere was that more palpable than in the bustling city of Mumbai. Kanishk stood at the threshold of the isolation centre a place that had become both a prison and a sanctuary over the past fourteen days. The sterile scent of antiseptic lingered In his nostrils as he stepped outside blinking against the harsh sunlight that felt foreign after weeks of confinement. "Welcome back to the real world," he muttered to himself feeling the weight of the pandemic pressing down on him. He glanced at his phone the screen lighting up with messages from friends and family. All echoing a similar sentiment: "Are you okay? We've been so worried." His heart sank. It wasn't just the virus that plagued him. It was the sense of isolation that had seeped into his bones. As he made his way to the local train station memories of the isolation centre flooded back. Nurses in full PPE (personal protective equipment), the relentless beeping of machines and the echoes of conversations muffled by masks. He had fought his own battle there but the war raged on outside. Arriving at his old PG Kanishk was greeted by an eerie silence. The once vibrant chatter of his roommates was replaced by a heavy stillness. As he pushed open the door he was met with the sight of empty chairs and unwashed dishes piled high in the sink. His heart sank further. They had been through so much together yet now they were scattered like leaves in the wind. "Kanishk!" A familiar voice broke the silence. Samaira emerged from her room, her eyes wide with relief. "You're back ! How do you feel?" "I'm… alive," he replied forcing a smile. But beneath the surface anxiety bubbled. "Have you heard from Raj and Sameer?" Samaira's face fell. "They left. The landlord kicked us out. Said he didn't want any 'infected' people in his house." Kanishk's stomach twisted. "What do you mean? You guys were fine!"
"He was terrified we'd bring the virus back," she explained. Her voice trembling. "I tried to reason with him but he wouldn't listen. We were all thrown out. Just like that." Kanishk clenched his fists. "This is madness. Healthcare workers are fighting on the front lines and getting treated like pariahs? It's not right." "Tell me about it," Samaira said shaking her head. "The RDA even filed a formal complaint. They're saying that doctors and nurses are being evicted from their homes because landlords think they're a threat. It's like we're living in some dystopian nightmare." "Have they no idea how hard these people are working?" Kanishk's frustration boiled over. "They're risking their lives for us!" Samaira nodded. Her expression serious. "And for what? To be shunned by the very society they're trying to save? It's infuriating." Kanishk took a deep breath trying to quell the rising tide of anger. "We need to do something. We can't let this continue." "What can we do?" Samaira asked. Her voice tinged with despair. "We're just two people. The system is broken." "Maybe we can gather support," Kanishk suggested. His mind racing. "Share our stories, create awareness. If people see the truth maybe they'll change their minds." "Do you really think that will work?" Samaira raised an eyebrow. Scepticism etched on her face. "It has to," Kanishk insisted. Determination igniting within him. "If we don't speak up who will?" As they plotted their next move a sense of purpose began to replace the emptiness that had settled in Kanishk's chest. But lurking in the shadows of the pandemic were darker forces at play. Forces that thrived on fear and division. Little did they know their fight for justice would lead them down a path riddled with danger and intrigue. The world outside may have been filled with chaos but Kanishk was ready to step into the fray. After all an empty brain is the devil's workshop, and he refused to be a pawn in this sinister game.