Life changed for us on 25th March 2021 following a government announcement that due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in Viti Levu, areas will be zoned into separate containment areas. On that evening, I packed my bags and travelled into Suva’s CBD. The Company had arranged my accommodation for an indefinite period at a comfortable hotel near the Office until such time that the borders opened up again.
And just like that, I spent 3 weeks with my evenings spent alone in a hotel room. One thing that helped me was that we were quite busy during this period compiling proposals and conducting work assignments thus, the time spent in the Office passed by quite quickly. My birthday cake was the highlight of this ‘gloomy’ time.
After 3 weeks of a complete lockdown, the Government opened the boarders to allow people to cross the containment zones and return home. During this period, my sister and work companion Manisha had joined me. Life became a bit more bearable!
The only regret I have is that I missed my son’s birthday. Life goes on. I prayed that God would give us the strength to go through this tough time and together, we come out victorious.
Author: Raj Nandan
June 2021 Edition