Pandemic Sufferings

On the 7th of October in 2020, I got through this article in Hindustan Times and it turned me down into tears. It was kind of one of those sad articles I have read. And today I would like to share that with you. I want you all to know that the pandemic impacted some people's life way too badly than we think what we got through. Rather, we all should be thankful that we went through the pandemic without any major losses. Because those who were affected got affected way too sadly.

Hours before Amreen Zaidi, 35, a resident of Bareilly, succumbed to complications caused by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on September 26, she spoke to her 13-year-old daughter Afreen. “Beta hamesha khush rehna. Apne bhai ka khayal rakhna aur padhai mat chodna (Always stay happy, child. Take care of your brother and don’t leave your studies)....” Zaidi said, and hinted to her to expect the worst. “Mujhe lagta nahi ki main tum se fir mil paungi (I don’t think I will be able to meet you again).”

Twelve hours later, the family was informed by the hospital where Zaidi was admitted that she had died. Her family, which had been placed under quarantine in its home on the outskirts of Bareilly, could not attend Zaidi’s last rites.

Besides Afreen, Zaidi had a nine- year-old son Murtaza. Her husband, Irshad (40) works as a truck driver. Every day, Zaidi got up at 6am, prepared tea and woke Afreen up to get some hours of study. By the time Murtaza woke up, breakfast would be ready. Zaidi accompanied her children to school, carrying their school bags. She would also pick them up and help them with homework in the evening.

Around 12 years ago, Zaidi fainted while preparing lunch. It turned out that she had diabetes and her doctor advised her to take care of her health. But Zaidi paid little heed. A few years ago, the doctor prescribed insulin to manage her irregular sugar levels. Diabetes is one of the co-morbidities that increases the vulnerability of Covid-19 infected persons.

“Don’t buy new things for me. We need the money to admit Afreen to a good college,” she told me when I bought her a new dress for Eid two years ago,” Irshad said. The couple had already saved up a tidy sum for Afreen’s higher education but their plan went off the rails after Zaidi got Covid-19. She was admitted to a private hospital in September when she complained of breathlessness. A week later, she tested positive for the coronavirus infection and moved to a Covid-19 hospital where she passed away.

Irshad locked himself in his room and cried for hours, when he was told about the death. Murtaza, too young to understand the implications, became quiet. But Afreen remembered her mother’s wish and braced herself for her new responsibility. At night, she studies for two hours before sleeping near her father’s cellphone. With her mother gone, the phone alarm now wakes her up

Amreen Zaidi (left), with her teenage daughter Afreen.(Photo by HT)

Like this, people suffered a lot. Be faithful that we are all fine.

Have a great day!

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