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I Miss the Normal

 


For someone who profoundly loves peace, silence and the quiet where I can just be; it’s funny that I’m starting to miss the chaos, the jittering, the humming and people just being. On the last day before lockdown has been implemented for the third time in the Kathmandu Valley, I wondered to myself how I’m going to miss all this.

It’s weird being taken away the right to go out wherever you want and do whatever you want to do without having to explain to authorities. Granted this is all for our own safety and caution and for the safety of others. I miss my freedom but I also miss the freedom of everyone else. Because, now I realize, that there is something beautiful amidst all that busi-ness. And it just makes me question whether this is going to be the new normal. I definitely miss the normal.

I miss people hustling and bustling about daily life. I miss seeing children smile out on the streets as they walk hand in hand with their guardian. I miss seeing a group of friends laughing over that random memory as they share tea. I miss seeing wise, old people stroll around the durbar squares. I miss seeing a group of girls eating panipuri on the streets. I miss seeing couples going by as if they don’t have a care for the world. I miss students looking up their notes on their way to school. I miss that I could go out and have whatever I am craving for at my favorite restaurant. I miss everything. But most of all, I miss the liberty of embracing someone without a doubt in mind if it is risky.

I await the day the world will be free of this virus. And I believe the day will come soon and this will not be the new normal.

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