L : Love in Lockdown #AtoZChallenge2020

Love in Lockdown - A Short Fictional Story

On the evening of 24th March 2020, the Prime Minister made an unprecedented announcement. The lockdown was announced for 21 days with effect from 25th March 2020. Like all midnight diktats, this one also came with a lot of pain. Lokesh was definitely not prepared for this. His hostel was being closed and he was asked to evacuate immediately. The trains to his hometown, 300 miles away, were cancelled. He was new to the city and didn't have any friends. As he was contemplating his next move, nervously moving about his office corridor, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around and was surprised to see Lata.

They had interacted only once before this and that too during a meeting. He had made a presentation on marketing plans for the year, few months back, and she had sought a clarification. Lata his colleague, from engineering department, had a very delightful countenance. The moment he saw that face, his troubles melted away instantaneously. She also seemed to understand his problem, without him saying anything. She said, "I have a spare room in my apartment, as my room-mate left for her hometown last week. It is a private space and no one will disturb you. And we can share the rent too."

Lokesh agreed and moved to the apartment immediately. Lata had maintained the house very well - spick and span. She had also stocked groceries for a week or so. Lokesh was looking at her with admiration. Unlike him, she was so well organized. But he was still little awkward. Sharing a home with a woman, was a first for him. They divided the household chores that night itself, post dinner. For next few days they both were largely confined to their respective rooms and only used to eat together in the dining hall. On the 6th night, Lata heard him singing. He was humming some old Bollywood song while ironing his clothes. Lata went towards his room and stood near the door without being noticed. It was her favorite song. At that precise moment, something changed. Her heart fluttered. She came back to her room, and couldn't sleep that night. 

Lokesh completely unaware of what happened the previous night, offered to go out to buy groceries for the week. He didn't return for almost an hour. The grocery store was allowing only 4 people inside at a time. Lata got anxious and called him thrice to check on him. He took a shower after his return and completely sanitized everything. She wanted to hug him. But she wasn't sure.

As the 21 days of the lockdown were coming to an end, Lata was jittery. She couldn't imagine her life without him. Lokesh was a good companion, great to talk with and had a great taste in music. He even made her laugh several times during this dreadful lockdown. But Lokesh didn't seem to notice her at all. Yes, he was nice to her. But he didn't seem to reciprocate her feelings. She felt engineering is easier to understand than the matters of the heart. 

Today morning, on the 21st day of the lockdown, they both were watching TV at 10 am. The Prime Minister was to make a key announcement. Almost 10 minutes into his speech the PM announced that the lockdown will get extended till 3rd of May. 19 more days! Lata and Lokesh moaned in delight exactly at the same moment! Now both of them knew what they have been feeling for each other for weeks. Lata switched off the TV immediately. They didn't listen to the complete speech. 

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My theme for this year's #AtoZchallenge is Lock-down Blues. I intend to write and talk about how I deal with it, what it inspires me to read or watch or any aspect of it which fascinates me. You can read the theme reveal post here. 

Previous Challenges : Letter L

2017: Lucknow

2018: Left Behind

2019: Lost & Found Formula in Hindi Films / Bollywood