19 DAYS

DAY 1

8:20 AM

The morning sun that blessed day was scorching. Drips of sweat were already present on Osas face. As a petite woman, who was barely 5’4, she felt tired already. Amanda, was her neighbor who struggles to take care of her little boy, works two jobs and still tends to know the latest news happening around, happens to be her favorite part of her morning. They weren’t so close but they were close enough to be called acquaintances. Locking up her front door, Osas called out to her always cherry neighbor. Amanda as always was dressed to impress. With her hair in a tight bun and her black high socks, she was the perfect business woman. Osas looked down at her own outfit and could not just help but laugh. She was spotting a dark blue jean, a polo shirt and her forever loyal vans. She could not honestly not bother about her hair and that is why it is safely hidden inside her beanie. She loved bracelets and rings be it on her hand, legs, face or belly button.

“morning darling. How was your night”

“morning Amanda. I slept well, thank you for asking. How is Christian?

“he is fine. He is actually waiting for the bus. Sometimes I worry for him though. He just seems a little to distance”

“he is one of the smartest little boys I know. Just be there, he will open up. Don’t worry too much”

“thank you. Did you hear about the shooting that happened at Rivers Avenue, that’s barely five blocks away!”

“this is the third one this week. This really becoming a serious problem. These boys are not merciful. They don’t care if you are old and feeble. If you mistakenly find yourself in the middle of their crossfire, then you are gone meat”

“I am really scared. It is only a matter of time before we get attacked also. This is not the environment I want Chris growing up in. I don’t want him to start seeing this as a normal part of life because it is not supposed to! But I don’t have much of an option now, do I?” Amanda laughed bitterly as we crossed the street.

“I just want my baby growing up with reputable character. But I don’t See that happening here. Anytime I think of moving to the city I nearly have a heart attack because of the empty sound of my account. This a relatively cheap place to stay but my life is worth more. I’m actually Going for an interview today. I have had enough of working two jobs and not seeing the fruit of my labour” she continued.

“I’m extremely happy for you. Some of us could only wish for that kind of escape. No TV station will want a fresh out graduate. They are always looking for experience. How is that possible when no one want to employ you? At least it’s better than no job at all” Osas said with a sigh after hugging Amanda.

“everyone is a hypocrites. Although I foresee something big coming your way. You are hardworking and kind there is no way you won’t get your reward” Amanda proclaimed with a grin.

“thank you. I will see you later in the day” Osas said parting ways with her lovely neighbor.

She walked into her favorite diner, “buns and batter”. The sweet-smelling aroma of freshly baked bread hit her in waves. The small restaurant was always warm and smelt like coffee and lemon. An odd combination but it just seemed to work perfectly well here. She took a sit near the window facing the entrance door. Looking through the window, she saw people rushing to work, others not having a single care in the world. Giggling slightly, she saw a dressed dog walked by a very posh looking whose nose seemed to be permanently fixed on the air.

As a 22-year-old, obtaining her master’s degree in the university of arts and culture, she sure has seen a lot of things in her short lifetime. No highly regarded magazine or tv show that dwell on art, fashion and lifestyle wanted to employ her. But she immensely grateful for the job she has in a local radio station. It pays well and she still has time to go to classes. That is more than she could ask for. Her mum still supports her but she wants to independent of her. she still believes she is her little baby.

She quickly eats her breakfast. She had a bus to catch my 7:45 am. After laying down her payment and tip she rushes towards the bus stop. While waiting she saw today’s newspaper on the waiting bench. Wanting to kill time, she picked it up. As usual they talked about the different government policies that are been debated on in the senate. Not a fan of politics she skipped those columns. She saw an article on an art gallery opening down town. She made a mental note to visit it one weekend. On the sixth page of the newspaper. She saw a life turning article. Her heart went out to those in the Asian region suffering from this plague. Hundreds of people were dying. Where has she been? She really needed to start becoming more aware of what was happening around her. The dropped the article starting to feel a damp in her mood. Her emotions could be easily stared and article was just not a good way to go about your morning.

Getting into the bus she started thinking about her family back home. They were probably more informed than she was. She just hoped the local people knew what was happening. If this plague were to strike home it will be awful. She never really had faith in their government. Adding a deadly plague to that mixture will bring about nothing but chaos. All she had to do was hope and pray.

With all that thinking, she did not realize that she was already at her destination. Getting off the bus, it took her nothing but a few minutes to get to campus gate. And just like that the heat intensified. It was believed around campus that the sun is directly facing it because it always seemed hotter than the outside world, and she couldn’t help but agree.

As usually, it was filled with life. Students running around so that they won’t be late to class. She noticed that the. Lawn needed to be trimmed. She felt content. Whenever she walked through this university grounds, she feels this unexplainable calmness within her.

She became startled when she was suddenly hugged from behind. Turning around, she was met with the cute face of her best friend, Thai. He was the only friend she had. Maybe because he was easy to talk to or because of his constant effort to make her smile, he had earned a special spot in her heart.

“morning sunshine”

“morning. What exactly is making you happy this morning. I feel like I just ran all the calories I ate this morning” I said with a playful eye roll.

“not everyone is in a permanent sour mood like your sunshine. Anyway, words got out that Mr. Israel won’t be in class today. Before you get too excited. He sent everyone an exercise through our portals.” Thai said while they walked to the lecture theatre, holding hands.

“I was this close to jumping for joy, tee!” said a whining Osas. “and what crazy exercise has he given us this time?” she exclaims with a sigh “do you really want to know” Thai says with an amused grin. Osas nods her head for him to continue. He dramatically clears his throat and says,” write a 4,000-word essay on medieval culture and how it has contributed to our current life style”. Osas just looked at his face in bewilderment. what kind of exercise was that! She was really trying to make sense of the topic. She knew sleeping early won’t be possible for the next few days.

“are you done with your mental breakdown sunshine?”

“let me guess you already know what to write about” she said as they took their seat. Thai was a smart one. With a constant CGPA of 4.2, he passed his courses with a breeze.

They got settled and started researching on chivalry, which seemed to be the only thing that connected the two far away generations. She soon realized that, we have evolved a lot as a people. Years ago, she won’t be able to stand where she was. She probably would have been married at 16, to a general and popping out babies whenever her husband pleases. It sounded totally absurd, but it was their culture then and was a normality.

Minutes after, there was a new message from our school’s newsletter on our portal.

COVID 19- BE INFORMED AND TAKE PRECAUTION!

There has been a global unrest with the break out of the new life-threatening virus. Hundreds have died and if preventive measures are not taken, hundreds more will die. With that been said, do not panic! With the necessary step it can be preventive. We are grateful to the fact that it is not in our country yet and we are sure that are government are taking the needed step to stop this deadly virus from reaching us.

But before we go into what needs to be done, keep in mind that this is a serious matter. Many will throw a deaf ear to warnings sounded out but remember life is not a joke! Now is not the time to be nonchalant about things like our health and hygiene. This not a scam, neither is it a prank. People are dying. And if you won’t do it for yourself, do it for the lives of others.

It is such a sick irony that a man slaughtering diseases can be prevented by something as little as washing your hands. The virus can live longer on hard surfaces such as metal and glass so make sure to clean surfaces regularly. If you are in a place where you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. When washing your hands do so for nothing less than 20 seconds.

Now to the most difficult of all tips; do not touch your face. I know some if are reading this with your hands placed on your cheeks right now. The virus passes through the opens of our body such as the mouth, nostrils and eye. That is why it is very important you keep this as a reminder to you. Be self-conscious of it.

If you feel sick, stay at home! But if you must go out, it is advised that you wear a face mask to prevent transfer fluids that could make closest person to you sick. Try to contact your doctor as soon as soon as possible; he will give you the needed directions on what to do.

Try to reduce travelling to a minimum. Avoid crowded places also to the best of your abilities.

Those with underlining health challenges could be easily infected by the virus. In stay in good health as much as possible. Remember, the government have our best wishes at heart. So, do well to follow whatever instruction they pass out.

Now we have to be extremely careful about the information pass out. Misinformation kills faster than lack of knowledge. Make sure you get whatever you are sharing from a reputable source. Whatever you are not sure of, do not spread. A life is saved when your tongue is shaped.

It is not the end of the world. Be happy. Laugh, jump, dance and smile. Just do it all within the boundary of the rules. We will pass through this and one day look back and smile. Stay safe and stay positive

Management

“that means my Trip back home is cancelled” Thai said with a sigh. A dense atmosphere followed. I knew how much that trip meant to him. Just like me, he hasn’t seen his family since he started his study. He was planning to use this semester break to surprise them, but I guess life decided to surprise him instead.

No words were spoken between us. No effort was even made to continue our research. Osas felt bad. They went about their classes but not making any effort to actually pay attention. He wasn’t even in the mood to talk after class. Osas had to quickly Head to work. Thai usually drove her there but he obviously was not in the mood to be a chauffeur.

The bus she entered was smelly. It was midday already. The smell of sweat was present and it was overly crowded with construction workers who came from god knows where. She could hear a baby crying at the back of the bus. She felt completely uncomfortable. This is not how she visioned her afternoon turning out to be. It reminded her of the buses back home. They always made a stop at all the markets. She smiled of the memory of being squashed between a fat market woman and her sac of fresh tomatoes

She made a stop a few blocks than intended, she could not stand the smell anymore. Walking down to the building of urban radio, she had time to reflect. She hoped her best friend was okay. She was tempted to call him and see how he was doing. But she knew if she did, she will just be mounting unnecessary pressure on him. He needed time. When he was ready, he will talk to her.

Urban radio was one of the best radio stations in the dry state area. This was because it wasn’t one of those boring radios that talk about things that are long done. It was interactive and fun and had the voice of the younger generation in mind.

It got painted two weeks ago and so, it stood out proudly with its huge sign board on its roof. It was a 2-story building. The offices where down stairs, while the main broadcasting station was upstairs. She had a tradition to always go her boss office. She could proudly say that she found favors in the eyes of her boss

“Good afternoon sir”

“Afternoon. How many times do I have to tell you to call me by my name? Anyway, you are on in 15”

“Sorry sir- Adams” Osas said smiling sheepishly. I wasn’t in her culture to call someone older than her by their first name. It was totally disrespectful and could earn her an ass whooping back home.

Jogging quickly up the stairs, she entered the studio. Putting on the headphones, she felt in charge. This was her domain, were she felt the most alive. Grabbing the mic, she spoke with so much enthusiasm,

“Good afternoon beautiful people! You are on to the craziest, freakiest, ands coolest radio station in town. It’s your girl, OJ and this is the midday oasis! And today we are talking about trends that must go down the drain. They just have to go. We will be back after this commercial break. Don’t touch that dial!” and just like that, she was whole again.

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life and be without flavor”-anonymous