It was the Lunar New Year period in China, 2020. Jeremiah had heard about some outbreak in Wuhan City, but he didn't think much of it. He was going to Shanghai—to meet his soon-to-be bride, Susan. It was hundreds of miles away. Who cares?
Jeremiah landed in Pudong International Airport, a familiar sight for him, having visited his fiancée several times in the past few years. The airport was decked out in red, an auspicious color as per Chinese tradition. People were all smiles. Likewise for Jeremiah.
Jeremiah made his way to Susan's place. Susan wasn't home when he arrived—she was at work. Hoping to surprise Susan, Jeremiah cleaned up the place and waited urgently for her to return. Exhausted from cleaning the place, Jeremiah chuckles, having inadvertently completed a tradition of the Spring Festival. "Spring Cleaning."
In the evening, the door creaks open as Susan drags her exhausted body into her apartment. The first thing that she sees after turning on the lights is a tidied apartment. Then, she saw a silly grin on the face of the man she loved standing to the side in a half-hidden manner. She beamed, her dimples showing.
"I love it so much when I see you smile."
"Same for me."
The next few days before the Spring Festival was a period filled with bliss. The young couple spent time together, watching dramas that they hadn't managed to watch due to their hectic schedules. They simply loved being together with each other. They chatted about their future, wondering what lay in wait for them.
Alas, something was brewing elsewhere.
On 23 Jan 2020, two days before the Chinese New Year, the Chinese government suddenly announced the lockdown of Wuhan. It sent reverberations through the country. It was unprecedented, especially when the Spring Festival travel season was about to be in full force—about 2.9 billion passenger journeys were predicted in 2016.
Jeremiah and Susan exchanged looks when they saw the news. They saw the fear and confusion in each other's eyes, unsure what the future held.
The lunar new year was ushered in despite the muted environment.
"Happy New Year! I wish you good health!"
"Happy New Year! I hope you can reach greater heights!"
Jeremiah replied to Susan's wishes as he gestured with his hand at her height. It was a double entendre—wishing her greater heights in her career and also in her physical height. Susan glared daggers at him. She was 5' 4"! She was no dwarf!
It took him a home-made hotpot dinner to appease her.
Over the next few days, the news went on and on about the medical emergency the country was in. Medical personnel and goods surged towards Wuhan as the daily cases of infection kept rising. Everyone wasn't allowed to leave their residences other than for purchasing groceries. Only one person per household was permitted to do so, and they had to get a 'travel pass' from their estate's management. Not extremely familiar with the area, Jeremiah had no choice but to let Susan do the grocery shopping. His heart raced every time she had to leave.
Jeremiah could only smile when he saw her gasp for air after taking off her face mask upon returning. She's just so cute, thought Jeremiah.
As the days went by, Jeremiah didn't have long to legally stay in China. His VISA only gave him 30 days. About 3 weeks into his stay, he went to the immigration office to appeal to have his VISA extended. The officer told him that it might be safer to return to his home country instead of staying in China, but Jeremiah insisted on staying, giving the excuse that he was afraid of being infected while on the plane. His appeal was approved.
Glad that he could stay a little longer, he cherished the days he had left with Susan while they worked from home. Unfortunately for him, but good news for all, China started to have the outbreak under control. Susan had to go back to work—reducing the time he could spend with her.
The day finally came when Jeremiah had to return to his home country. He decked himself up with plastic sheets to protect himself, making himself look rather silly. Susan laughed and took pictures of him, but her laughter masked her sorrow from their inevitable separation.
Before Jeremiah embarked on his journey to the airport, his heart on tenterhooks, he said to Susan, "Susan, I love you. I'll come back once all of this over. Wait for me."