Due to the increase in the number of people with the disease the government declares community quarantine to control contamination. No school, no work, no public transportation. All citizens are required to stay at home. Food and water will be supplied by local government and curfew would be implemented.
I switched the TV to a different station.
Same news. Community quarantine. Lockdown. No in or out of this town until after the lockdown.
30days from now..
I looked at my tiny room, my tiny kitchen, and what little provision I have - 3 cup noodles, a can of coffee, three Oreos and a pack of Marlboro. Ok, I'm gonna die.
My phone started ringing and my mother's name flashed on the screen.
"Ma, whasup?"
"Whasup? What are you talking about?" I could picture her with her eyebrows raised, hands on her hips. "How are you? Do you have enough food? Should be I send you money?"
I frowned. "Ma, I have food. Don't bother with money, I won't be able to go out anyway."
"You sure?"
No, not really. "Yes ma, I love you.."
"Just call me ok? Love you, bye."
I lie in my bed, stared at the ceiling and my phone started ringing again.
It's Alex.
"Hey." I greeted.
"Wanna stay at my place during the lockdown?"
"Hmm ." I'd rather not, but..
"I have food- a lot. And beer and cigarettes."
"Ok you got me. " I said and I heard him chuckle in the other line as I get up from bed. "I'll just pack a few clothes."
"Ok. You have an hour before curfew. See you."
Fifteen minutes later, I was standing in front of Alex's door. I knocked lightly but was surprised when Anna opened the door.
"Hi?" I said, eyebrows raised.
"Oh, hi ex." She gave a peck on the cheek. "Goodbye guys"
I watched her as she entered the third apartment door.
"She moved in today." He said, taking my bag from my hand and ushered me inside. "She paid her rent and begged for a few bars of chocolate."
I nodded and sat at the couch. I have been in his house a few times I no longer feel shy or uncomfortable unless…
Alex sat beside me and turned the TV on. The news was on and we watched as chaos spread due to confusion and panic caused by the pandemic. I closed my eyes to drown the sound.
I jolted awake when I heard a rapping on the door. Alex was already asleep beside me in the couch. I tried to shake him awake but he waved me away. I stood up and opened the front door. Josh jumped in and closed the door behind him.
"Curfew." He smiled nervously "the police are already on patrol"
I looked at the clock hanging above the TV. 8:45 PM.
Curfew's from 8PM to 5AM. This guy's stupid.
"Did you crash in here too, because of the curfew?" Josh asked as he made his way to the kitchen.
"No, not really." I answered, returning to my spot at the couch beside the sleeping Alex.
I tried to wake him up again, this time I was successful after mentioning Josh's name.
"Go away." He greeted his friend who was busy going over the contents of the fridge.
Josh sat at the floor, by Alex's feet, with a beer can and a bag of chips.
"Who says you can stay here, drink my beer and eat my chips?" Alex said, pushing Josh's back with his foot.
"Why can't I? Cause you have Jason? Why not me? He your bitch?"
"Yes." Alex put an arm around me. "He's my bitch."
I raised a brow at him and he laughed. "So cute, little bish"
I shrugged.
"He's your bitch alright." Josh said while draining the can. He laid down and stretched on the floor. "Can I sleep on the couch? The floor's cold."
Alex looked at me then at Josh. "Fine." He stood up and dragged me along towards the bedroom.
"Me your bestest friend in the living room and the newbie gets to sleep in your room." Josh said, standing up and moving to the couch.
Alex wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chest pressed lightly in my back. "of course. And don't come in."
"Yah, I'll pretend not to hear while you guys have wild loud sex."
I turned to face Alex after he gently closed the door. "what's wrong with you?" I said, lacking anger.
He patted my cheeks lightly and smiled but he didn't say anything. I stood by the door for a full minute watching him fix his bed. He, then stripped down to his boxers and jumped in bed, rolled on the far left leaving a space for me to squeeze in. I sighed and turned the lights off and claimed the space reserved for me.