The bell rings-
Wait, no.
The Zoom meeting ends.
Huh?
Jumping over desks to rush outside the class-
Nah, nah.
Switching off the laptop and breathing out a sigh of relief.
Phew
Why is it so quiet?
Push the curtains aside.
The roads are empty
Sink down against the wall
This is too unusual
Is it?
Push the curtains aside again.
The shops are closed.
Where is everybody?
Rush back to the laptop
Open up Google Meets
Join
Breathe a sigh of relief
Phew
I’m not alone
Right?
Homework. Online.
Weird huh?
No worries, shut the laptop.
Creep outside the room
A laugh. Fake
Mother’s faking her smiles in the online conference
It’s all a big hoax.
Creep to dad’s room
He’s engrossed in his work. Oblivious
Is that all?
Where is everybody?
No worries.
Rush back to the laptop.
Tech issues
Blank screens
Why isn’t anyone talking?
It’s too quiet.
I want to go outside
Basketball?
It’s been two years
Another sigh
The silence continues
Ma’am seems frustrated
The screens remain blank
The air remains silent
I feel so alone.
