Lazaretto

My name is Luciana and I’m currently quarantined for being positive in Covid-19.

Everything started on March 3, 2020.

I just came back from China together with my family. We visited my abuela in Hubei to check if she’s doing fine. After a couple of weeks we decided to return home and traveled back to Spain through a cruise ship. As the distance to the port decreases, we received a notice stating that we’ll be quarantined for fourteen days before docking the ship. Some of the passengers are worried, some are angry, and some are panicking. Ten doctors came to test our temperatures to see if any of us are showing the symptoms.

The truth is my mom caught a cold when we’re still in China. When the doctors found out that my mom has a fever of over thirty-nine degree celsius, they decided to put our whole family under observation. They gathered all the information that they needed in monitoring us.

A boat came to transfer us to the hospital.

Even though my mom is the only one that has symptoms, we’re still going to be quarantined because from now on we’re part of the people under monitoring.

Upon entering the hospital, I saw many doctors, nurses, and patients — all looking stressed out and depressed.

“Everyone, give way.” said the doctor that is leading our family in the hospital. “We got una persona under investigation right here. Forty-nine year old female from Angelica cruise ship that just came back from China. We also have her familia. Her fifty year old esposo, and twenty-one year old daughter. We need a room immediately.”

A nurse came towards us. She separated my mom from us. “Lo siento Señora Torres, but you’ll be put in a different room from your family.”

We can’t do anything about what is happening. All we can do now is follow the doctors and nurses.

“Mi familia..” said my mom. “Stay safe okay? And be strong. Take care of your papa, okay mija?”

“Sí.” I said as tears flowed down my cheeks. I watched as my sick mother walked away from us.

A different nurse then led me and my papa to a different location. As we arrived, the nurse said that we’ll be put in different rooms to prevent the virus from spreading.

My papa waved his hand as he entered a different room. I want to hug him before we get separated but the nurse forbids us from doing so.

“Señorita Torres, if you need anything please press the bell near your bed.” said the nurse.

“Um, is it okay to request some books to pass the time?” I asked.

“Sure mija. What book?”

I opened the small pocket in my bag to get a piece of paper. Listed on the paper are the books that I have yet to read.

“Here.” I passed the paper to the nurse. “Gracias.”

“No problem. I will get going now. If you need anything—”

“Just press the bell near my bed. Got it. Gracias.” I said cutting her off.

I entered the room and closed the door. The room has a bed with white sheets and white pillows, a white dresser beside it, two windows, a door with a glass to look from the inside, white floor, white walls, and a white ceiling. In short, this room is all in white like most hospital rooms.

The room reminded me of a terrible memory from my childhood. I was a very sick girl when I was young. My mom gave birth to me prematurely. I was only eight months old when my mom gave birth to me, leading to me having a weak immune system. I spent most of my childhood in the hospital, watching other kids play outside. I always dreamed of experiencing a normal lifestyle — a life away from the hospital, and in fact, I did experience it in my teens. Now, I’m back in the hospital again. I guess that’s not surprising at all.

As I was waiting for the nurse to come back, I looked outside of my room through the glass on my door. I saw a guy about my age pass by together with a nurse. As they pass by, our eyes meet by accident. I did not expect him to look in my direction so I unconsciously looked away. When I looked outside again, they were already about a room away.

I laid on my bed looking at the ceiling. “I guess that was a bit rude to suddenly look away.” I said to myself and then heard a knock on the door.

“Señorita Torres? I got the books that you requested.” said the nurse.

“Coming!” I said as I walked towards the door. I opened it and got the books that the nurse was carrying.

“I will get going then.” said the nurse.

“Wait!” I said. “Is there a boy about my age that was recently admitted?” I asked the nurse.

“Sorry mija but we can’t give away information about other patients.”

“Um, wait.. will you please pass a letter to him?” I asked.

“Okay but just this once.”

“Gracias.” I picked up my bag, searched for a paper to write on and a pen. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience ma’am, I will make it short.”

“No, it’s fine. Take your time mija.”

“Gracias”

I then focused on writing.

Dear Mr. Stranger,

Allow me to introduce myself first, I’m Luciana. I am the girl in room 303. You might not remember me but I think that it was a bit rude of me to look away when our eyes met earlier. It was just so sudden that’s why I unconsciously looked away. Anyways, that’s all I wanna say. Again, I’m sorry about earlier.

Luciana Torres, the girl in room 303 :)

I folded the paper and handed it to the nurse.

“Gracias.”

“De nada mija.”

I shut the door and laid back on my bed to start reading my books.