Our Love Among Corona

Welcoming Lockdown

We gathered in the living room and watched the news on TV. Never seen the world so gripping because of a pandemic. For the first time in life and witness the history of the Covid-19 Virus. The world is sophisticated now. Even when the world is sophisticated even like this, it cannot protect the citizens of the earth whose number is thousands died today.

In order to prevent the spread of the Corona virus, the government imposed the PSBB, namely Large-Scale Social Restrictions. We saw each other.

"Lockdown, soon!" I said to them.

"Would we shop like people?" ask Mauli.

"You mean hunt down food and stockpile as much as possible?" askaku.

"No need" said Livi.

"Loh why? what if we don't have enough food during lockdown?" ask Mauli Panik.

"Your Behaviour is called Panic Buying. It's unhealthy behavior. Because if every community, especially in panic buying cities, prices will soar. It won't benefit us as a society" as usual Livi was wise.

"What are we good for?" Mauli is waiting for Livi's answer.

Livi plays her curly hair while smiling. I know he enjoys Mauli's often frantic behavior. Livi, the intelligent Papuan girl of my idol always knows how to play her wise role among us.

"Buy what we need right now. Buy enough food and keep it in the refrigerator for a short time. There are a lot of small traders around here. We can always buy at any time" Livi replied, eventually accompanied by a nod Mauli.

"Yes right" Mauli got up and then put on her veil.

"Where are you going?" I'm the one who's still on the couch.

"Well, you want to go shopping" replied Mauli, who looked at the two of us.

Livi who was still standing by the stove saw me and I saw her. We then laughed together.

"Yes, I'm getting ready too" I got out of the couch.

"Kok y'all laughing, what's so funny?" ask Mauli to Livi.

"And we're not saying we want to shop now. We laughed at your spontaneous behavior, without any signs. Speaking of cake, if you want to go shopping now" Livi also rushed.

We locked the apartment and went down the elevator from the 17th floor to LG. Then walk past the other two towers to get to the Mall. Only a few hundred meters, a really close distance. The advantages of living in this area, indeed everything is centralized in one location. Restaurants and cafes are in the tens, maybe hundreds, there are malls in the basement, there are karauke places, cinemas and various other shops.

We rushed to the only supermarket in the mall. The price of goods here is indeed more expensive than ordinary supermarkets. But because it is more complete and for many purposes, we usually shop here. Each of us chose one type of fruit that we wanted to buy and eat for the next few days. Then to the vegetable shelf, choose a little that is usually to be cooked directly, just a few to be stored.

Cheese, milk, eggs, flour and not to forget nuggets and other frozen foods. By the time I arrived yesterday, the fridge was empty. Now it's time to fill up and start cooking every day. It's a safe and cheap way at the moment with lockdown conditions. Shopping together with my swashbuckling gang was like a little vacation for us. Fun and full of laughter. Change Trolli thrust, argue each other about the product. Then linger in the cosmetic area. Getting married, but still excited about the story. For a moment, forget the difficult conditions and anxiety because of this Corona virus.

We went back to the apartment, took a shower and took a break. The following days that happened were full of routines that almost killed us. Gym facilities in our apartment were closed during PSBB. The swimming pool at Ground Floor is also closed. Not only that, the Gazebo-Gazebo where we usually picnic in the park near the pool was also installed police line which means it is forbidden to sit or gather. People are scared and shut themselves up in their rooms or homes.

Another exciting thing missing is the weekly Zumba and Gymnastics activities in the field near the pool. Usually mothers, fathers and young children sway together. Pandemics have changed all these habits. He was present, gripping, full of anxiety. Life as in the war. For me who have experienced times of conflict, this condition is similar even though it is not as severe as conflict.

The government also issued regulations related to Work from Home. For the first time this term appeared to the public and became the conversation of many people. Only 50 percent in the office, the rest of the employees must be free to work from home. The three of us just went back and forth between the room, kitchen, toilet and living room to watch the news and movies together. The days we lived and died in that movement. Working day and night, endless meetings. Everyone is looking for ways to get rid of boredom by these constraints.

On the plus side, there is a lot of work done. The books that are read. Sports are new, so learn Yoga, Zumba and other dances. In a small room in the living room, we danced. There was a lot of laughter, but crying also in the lockdown days, especially when we got the news that Livi's father was in the hospital.

"Father got a struck. He is currently in critical condition in the ICU. How am I supposed to do?" Livi was crying and we were crying with her.

We are in Lockdown condition, already struggling in such a way not to get out of the house. This experiment came in completely inappropriate conditions.

"Maybe it's time for you to go home, visit them?" I was careful about giving advice.

"I think so too" Livi agreed with my suggestion.

We hugged back in and the next day, we helped Livi pack. Sad to be with her departure at this time. We pray that Covid does not attack Livi at this time. He is needed by his family in Papua. Livi is such a nice girl. He has placed so much attention on his family. Financing the needs of his mother and father. Financed his sister's school and he saved in such a way in the region to support the needs of his family.

Our lives are both similar, which divides the role of a dependable child in the family. Make money, save and support family needs. After Livi left, we were alone with Mauli. The days are getting quiet despite the many activities we do inside the house. However, the next unpleasant news came from the Mauli family.

"My grandmother died in the village. We and our family should return to Purbalingga soon. You don't want me to be left alone?" ask Mauli grudgingly.

"It's okay. I'll be fine here. Go, see your family, see grandma one last time" I replied.

It was a tough day taking off Mauli. After the two of them left, I could only look at the empty room, as empty as my heart at this moment. There's just a tightness in there. Fear of being alone among the Corona that gripped Jakarta.