Lizada: 2 plus 2

IT TOOK me two months and two weeks before I finally broke my quarantine. I had to do something important and reluctantly, I had to leave the safety of my bed. I would have done it earlier but because I left my vehicle for a whole month, the battery drained and I had to buy a new one. (For the record, two years na the battery) And so I changed into long pants which felt weird, put on a t-shirt, socks, and stepped out of the room where I was greeted with applause. I also had a picture taken for posterity.

One of my sons Gabo told me to be careful driving because it seemed the quarantine affected the driving skills of a lot of people. With that in mind, I took my keys and entered the vehicle, sat down, and turned the key. Thank God the engine came to life because if it had not, there would hell to pay. Actually it was pleasant to hear the engine. I backed out, turned on the music, and headed for the unknown.

The first thing I noticed was the traffic. So many vehicles but I had to remind myself that is was GCQ and not ECQ. My mind was still one month back.

The second thing I noticed was everyone was wearing masks. All I could see where eyes, eyebrows, ears, forehead.... You know what I mean.

Then the PUJs all had plastic sheets and passengers were at least a seat apart. I saw a taxi driver who had himself cocooned with plastic in his seat. There were no people begging for money. I guess that would be a nightmare nowadays when someone taps on your windows.

Aside from those, things looked normal. Vendors selling stuff. Water, fruits, and yes masks.

I understood what my son meant about driving. There was something off. It seemed rough. And of course, there were a lot of motorcycle drivers zipping away with food boxes. ( That was another thing, so many of them) My wife and I usually talk while I drive but this time I was silent because I wanted to focus and besides this was freaking me out.

We did our errands and because we were out we decided to buy food from one restaurant. The drive home was uneventful.

When we got home I told her she could bathe first because she was the one who was doing the errands. I actually was just in the car waiting and ordering food. My wife is brave in that way and I am an absolute coward. She did not take long bathing while I spent an eternity washing, kneading, washing, kneading, wiping, and washing again.

Two things. I did not miss going out. And I can stay at home.

I had a great lunch because I was the one who drove.

But I do not miss the traffic and noise.