The 9th grade was almost coming to an end, and our annual exams had started. Unfortunately, I was assigned the first seat in the examination hall, and so was Ishan, even though our roll numbers were consecutive. During the exams, Ishan would often whisper to show me his answers, and I would tilt my answer sheet towards him, sharing mine in return.
Finally, the day of my last exam arrived. It was March 19th, and the subject was science. I got ready and left my home for the bus stop. My bus usually came at 8:15, but by 8:40, it still hadn't arrived. I thought I must have missed it. I headed back home, feeling confused and a bit anxious.
Papa asked, "What happened?"
"The bus didn't come," I replied, still trying to make sense of the situation.
"How is that possible? You must have missed it," he said, skepticism evident in his voice.
"No, I was on time," I insisted, but his expression showed he didn't believe me.
Papa called the school office to find out what was going on. After a brief conversation, he hung up and looked at me, bewildered. "The exam has been canceled, and holidays have been given."
"What?! This has never happened in my entire life!" I exclaimed.
I rushed outside to talk to my friends in the gully, and they were equally shocked. We couldn't believe it. I was thrilled that the science exam got canceled because I hadn't prepared well for the physics section. Then, we got the news that COVID-19 had spread across the nation, and a 21-day lockdown had been imposed. Everyone had to wear masks, and no cars or vehicles were allowed on the roads. We had to use hand sanitizers frequently.
Life changed drastically. I remember washing my hands every two to three hours with soap. Even while playing badminton outside, I wore a mask and maintained social distancing. I was quite unique in my cautious approach, I must admit.
The lockdown brought a new way of living. With my 10th grade starting in online mode, adjusting to this new normal was challenging. Our school set up online classes, and I had to learn to navigate through virtual learning.
One day, during an online class, Amaira messaged me. "Can you believe this is how we're starting our 10th grade?"
"No, it's so weird," I replied. "I miss being in school with everyone."
"Me too," she responded. "But at least we don't have to wear uniforms!"
We both laughed, trying to find the silver lining in the situation.
Online classes were an entirely new experience. Teachers tried their best to engage us through screens, but it wasn't the same as being in a classroom. I missed the spontaneous interactions with friends, the laughter, and even the mischief.
Advik and I would often chat after classes, sharing our thoughts on this new way of learning. "How are you coping with all this?" he asked one afternoon.
"It's strange, but I guess we have no choice," I said. "What about you?"
"I'm okay, just miss the old times," he replied.
Days turned into weeks, and we slowly adapted to the new routine. Virtual classes, assignments submitted online, and video calls with friends became the norm. Despite the distance, our bond as friends grew stronger. We supported each other through this challenging time, sharing study tips, helping with assignments, and just being there for one another.
As the lockdown continued, we found new ways to entertain ourselves. With my gully friends, we had online movie nights, where we would all watch the same movie at the same time and chat about it. We played online games and even held virtual birthday parties.
One day, Nandini, my tuition mate, suggested, "Why don't we start a virtual study group?"
"That's a great idea!" I agreed. "We can help each other with difficult topics."
And so, our study group began. We would meet online after classes, discuss our doubts, and study together. It made learning a bit more fun and less isolating.
The pandemic taught us resilience and adaptability. It showed us the importance of staying connected, even when physically apart. As we navigated through this unprecedented time, we learned to appreciate the little things and found joy in simple moments.
Though the 10th grade started in a way none of us could have imagined, we made the best of it. We supported each other, laughed together, and learned together. And through it all, we realized that no matter what challenges we faced, we could overcome them with unity and friendship.