Day Two; "This is where I want to stay!"
We as a family love
rain. Partly for living in KSA where rain is rare and mainly being from
Pakistan where rain is heralded with excitement and celebrated with special
snacks. It always reminds me of a lovely rainy day in Hyderabad. It was a
friend’s wedding and we drove all the way from Daharki to Hyderabad to attend.
It was our first time to the city, so we thought to spend a day in exploring
and doing little shopping. On the day of wedding, we were awoken by the sound
of drizzling. Wherever we went shops were either closed or with half down
shutters. We asked a guy that is there a local holiday? He replied, “It’s Hyderabad and it’s raining. Customers come every day, but rain doesn’t, so we don’t want
to waste the moment.”
Shopping was out of the options, so we decided to vibe with the tribe and enjoy
the rain! Markets were closed, people were out, streets were crowded, after
almost two decades I can still recall the cheerfulness of that day to bits!
So, day begins with gray clouds sailing through the dimly lit sky where raindrops
are playing hide and seek. First PCR is scheduled at eight in the morning. Alarm
rings but we cannot muster the courage to get off the beds. We barely slept for
last two days and fatigue is not over yet. But there is no delaying this, so get ready and walk towards the clinic!
Clinic
is a small and clean facility. Doctor on duty is Indian who explains the entire
process. To my shock he reveals that he will be taking samples both from nose
and throat!!! Well!!! I am exasperated to the point that I don’t feel like
saying anything. He patiently endures my acting out
and does the test so aptly that I am not dreading the next PCR which is due after seventy-two
hours.
On the other hand, kids are pretty chill about
it. Once done, they unanimously declare it equal to nothing!
Regardless
of what results would be, I am hugely relieved that a part of it is over!
With
eager eyes and rumbling stomachs, we are heading towards the breakfast place
which is next to swimming pool. The sight of chlorine infused clean, blue pool
water was so lucrative to kids that they want to jump into it then and there. Sadly,
we are not allowed to swimming pools beside many other places till we get results
of our second PCR as well.
Indoor seating is prohibited and so is buffet!
Staff is so cordial and accommodating that we are not letting the uneasy
feeling of biased treatment dwell deep! I can’t help thinking that these stipulations
regarding COVID, instead of being buried in tens of emails carrying hundreds
other details, should have been sent separately, covering the bullet points
related to protocol specified for South Asians!
World
is classifying India and Pakistan in same category regarding COVID. However, in
reality there is stark contrast between the situation as well as how it’s being
handled by both countries. While India is facing hundreds of thousands of cases
daily, Pakistan merely have couple of hundreds.
Well,
regardless of the frustrating facts looming over us, being in Maldives is our
silver lining and we want to cherish every moment of it!
People are heartily eating their breakfast. No one is wearing masks except hotel staff. Apparently, no one cared whether we are not declared immune yet!
The only spot empty at this time is behind the
bar, I don’t want to sit there but kids love the high table and chairs and not
finding other replacement I agree.
Mr.
Siwa is person in charge who warmly greets us with a smile evident behind the mask as well. He is from
Hyderabad, India and speaks excellent Urdu. He brings fresh juices, waffles and
pancakes. Golden, crusty hash browns and Omelet cooked to perfection are the best
we ate anywhere so far!
He suggests
a South Indian delicacy ‘Dosa’, and I agree to venture. It’s slightly crisp crepe made of rice flour, served with mildly tart lentil gravy and coconut chutney. It is finger licking
good and I am eagerly looking forward to getting another tomorrow morning
inshaAllah.
Our lattes` are not yet finished and a heavy downpour has started. Kids are relentlessly restless to go the beach, we wait for the rain to stop, which stops for that much a while in which kids can change and barely reach the beach, a heavy downpour starts all over again! Little frustrated we run back to our rooms when in midway a realization occurs, we are bound to get wet any way, then why not in the sea?
Next
couple of hours were precious ones, we swam, played, splashed, laughed in
emerald waters of Kandooma beach where raindrops were soaking our faces and
blurring our vision. It was a memorable experience!
It is Asar time, and we are heading towards our rooms. After being homebound so long, we are more used to lethargy than to rigor and activity. All of us are super tired so we decide to have an early supper. Though kids are insistent to order room service, but we manage to convince them to go to the restaurant. Now is not the time to try something new as we are done for the day trying new, so we order pizzas. When food is served, we realize that we made a great choice. These rustic, hot from oven pizzas, smelling of fresh basil and homemade tomato sauce, take us back to Rome!
After
relishing every bite, we are motivated enough to take a short round of the
resort. However, we choose not to exert ourselves since we have to wake up for the Fajr prayer and our early morning snorkeling lessons!
Day
one is ending, you can hear the wind rustling through the leaves and water
gushing towards the shores. Kids are sleeping, I am sitting outside scribbling on
my journal in the dim patio light, tea is hot, and air is pleasantly warm, and
I am happy to be here, alhamdulillah!
Till night falls, Moon is bright, this is where I want to stay
Palm trees sway, Night and Day, this is where I want to stay
(An extract from Maldivian folk song)
A day to come and a day to go ! A memoir of fourteen days quarantine in Maldives!
Out of the water into the PCRs
Day One; "This is where I want to stay!"
Day Three; Sea, Sun and Snorkeling
