The Wait of the World

Dear Survivor,

  It’s been a year and a half away from you. Minutes apart by distance yet still out of reach. Though I see and hear you every day through digital means, the underlying ache after each farewell leaves me wistful for the times before. Even actual physical meetings in public places leaves me wanting. Fleeting touches are discouraged and conversation is stunted by range and obstruction. The worldwide affliction is truly a curse.

  Is being in your presence more important than our well being? In fiction, yes. Hollywood narrative lends to comforting notions of emotion conquering all. But reality hits harder in black and white dripping red as evidenced by statistics. Safety is paramount. The reminders of sterilization are frequent and checks on protective gear are often.

  I feel your concern but, sometimes, during the dark and lonely hours, would that I could feel more. Longing, yes, not distance measured but time seemingly stretched to relative infinity. When will it end? Will it ever?

   A first dose provides a spot of hope. A split second of pain in exchange for a promise of protection. Eagerness for the second and the final, full effect actually makes the days go slower. But no one can stop the sun from rising and setting. The finish line is within sight.

  Then various factors arise. Deadlier variants? Please, no. Let technology and new discoveries find a solution. Trust the science. Trust in us.

   So though I wish it weren’t so, I will wait. We will weather this disaster. We will see this through, you and I. We will survive.

   ( But while I would wish everything would go back to the way things were, to memories of happier moments, there is fear in me. The world, the paradigm has been irrevocably altered. The way we go outside, the way we communicate, the way we relate to one another.

   Nothing will be ever be same as it was before. And I fear the same will be said for the two of us. )

   This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2: Dear Survivor”. The initiative continues to respond to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” Season 2 is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, with Eastern Communications and Jobstreet as co-presenters, with AirAsia and Xiaomi as major sponsors, and with Teleperformance as sponsor.