Light to negotiate the lockdown

This picture has been used for representational purpose

As Sir PM began to walk towards Lady Flora at their usual meeting point inside Horniman Circle Garden, he noticed that she had a spring in her stride and was sporting a grin. He was glad but also, confused. After all, Dr Viegas had just informed him that a night curfew had been announced across the state with a complete lockdown on weekends. Surely, something big must be keeping his friend in a good mood; ‘maybe, it's because of Easter,' he told himself.

"Happy Easter, Lady Flora. I see you're in quite the mood. I hope you were able to rekindle some of the festivities despite the wretched time that we find ourselves in," Sir PM enquired, at his usual polite best. "A blessed Easter to you and the missus. It was solemn and peaceful, just as I had imagined," she smiled, quickly adding, "I decided to head to Holy Name Cathedral for the Easter Vigil service. I usually attend the service at St Thomas Cathedral, but since the Captain was visiting cousins in Poona, I thought it might be a good idea to head here." Sir PM's eyes rolled as soon as she said this but she chose to ignore his reaction, and continued. "It's quite a spectacular place of worship, architecture-wise, too. And, it turned out to be such a wonderful service led by His Eminence Archbishop Oswald Cardinal Gracias who was the main celebrant," she said.

"But what about the restrictions on crowds? And was the service a muted affair?" asked Sir PM. Ever since the lockdown, he was always curious to know how his church-going Christian friends managed to follow their faith. "Oh, these new gadgets ensure we can sit at home and safely view mass. It's the best option but not the same deal, Pheroze..." Dr Viegas would sigh each time the topic came up.

"So, as I was saying, I was impressed by the orderly fashion in which everyone in the congregation maintained physical distancing. Numbers were under 50 due to the guidelines for religious gatherings, yet it felt like the church was packed. The choir was brilliant, and seamlessly brought the entire session together. Of course, certain rituals like the sprinkling of holy water on the gathering did not take place, nor was communion given during the mass," she carried on, "but what I liked was His Eminence's message during the sermon - that the light of Easter can and must be used to help mankind negotiate through the darkness caused by this troublesome pandemic. He ended offering hope to conquer the odds, and said ‘this too shall pass.' That was just the positive message I needed, Pheroze." Sir PM joined the dots. It was this experience that worked wonders on his friend. But timing was hardly his forte. And so in his gusto to ‘break news' he blurted out, "But have you heard? - We are going into night curfew - which means more caution and cops on their rounds when we step out, and yes a weekend lockdown. What a downer, no?"

Lady Flora was expectedly miffed. "Well, Pheroze, couldn't you have at least waited till I soak in that beautiful service a bit more! In any case, law-abiding people like us who practise rules to the T should not be worried. It is those junglees, zipping up and down our roads on their two-wheelers or four-wheelers after midnight, and those obsessive shoppers and street-food hoppers, the ones who crowd our roads and markets, who should be worried," she thundered. Sir PM's news had clearly put her in a different funk, and he had to pay the price by silently hearing her out.

"Look, most of the junta around us let their guard down, and now conscientious people like us have to pay the price in the grips of this second, more unforgiving wave. There are also those who've dropped guard completely after taking their first shot, assuming they are immortal. How irresponsible! My cousin in Sheffield said that the idiocy was no different in London where behavioural fatigue led to riots," she said.

Sir PM interjected, half-smilingly, hoping to change the subject after his verbal misfire, "I suggest it's a good time to speak to Viegas about our second vaccine shot, since he had kindly offered to help after the chaos we had caused following our daring episode the first time around. We must be wary as this new wave takes over our lives all over again." Lady Flora nodded.

She was back to her old self, thankfully, "Oh yes, we must not lose sight of the big picture. I've been telling my friends around here, all of similar vintage, of the importance to get their shots. It's the only thing that can bring down these numbers. And yes, we must not let hope turn into despair, because the light will eventually, lead us through this tunnel," she smiled, gently putting her arm around her friend's shoulder.

mid-day's Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the city's sights, sounds, smells and stones...wherever the ink and the inclination takes her. She tweets @bombayana
Send your feedback to mailbag@mid-day.com