I am Natasha, a 17-year old belonging to district Mardan, Pakistan. In my city, there is silence and an atmosphere of emptiness this Eid, because around 80% of my city's population is Covid positive and this ratio is increasing day by day now. It is like in every house in my city, there are active Covid patients. The situation is very threatening for all of us. I feel sad especially for those who cannot even afford the treatment and who have lost their beloved ones. Eid's celebrations are not possible for many families this time. They miss their beloved ones. As far as my story is concerned, this time the Eid celebration had been entirely different for me.
My entire family is Covid positive. One of my Uncles had died just 2 days before Eid. My mother is in deep trauma since she was very close to her brother. I did not know the severity of this virus until it had struck my family. One of my sisters is badly affected due to covid. The virus had reached her lungs. She had been given steroids for 10 days. I have been taking care of my family without rest for many days now. They appreciate my courage since I too am Covid positive but I am keeping a balance regarding my family's health and medications along with my own. This time there were no fireworks for the eid. No waves of laughter of children in the streets. I wonder what people are going through who have lost their family members over to this virus. How do they manage to muster up the strength to live life like it used to be? Unlike past years, where we used to celebrate eid by visiting relatives, sharing gifts, hugging little children, receiving eidi; we have just kept our Eid in the simplest way possible. We wished our relatives and dear ones on video calls. I feel sad by looking at many of my peers turning so weak after going through the phase of sickness. We could not even sit together and have some quality family time since we have to stay part in isolation until we are tested negative. Anyways, I am still thankful that we are alive. I pray for the deliverance of my city and nation from this Covid so we can enjoy a normal healthy living again.
The story is produced by Sana Nelson, one of the contributors to the SOL Community.
