LOVE IN QUARANTINE

It was just a few minutes past 3 am in the morning and Trisha was trying to catch some sleep. She had stayed up all night on the phone with Charles who initially didn't want them to stop talking. Left for him, he'd want to keep hearing her voice every single time even at odd hours of the day.

"Hey, you called back again?" Trisha said as she sheepishly picked up her phone to receive his call. "You should know why my love" Charles replied. His voice still very much awake and shrill yet sweet and soft. "I just wanted to hear your voice again, you know it removes the virus from Corona". Besides this lockdown, Only God knows when  I am going to see you again.

Trisha at this time had started giggling, " Charles now, you know my day was busy with me having my online classes".  "I know my love and I am sorry for keeping you up this late. Okay now, get some sleep. Would you want me to wake you up before 7 am for the next session of the online classes?"  "Oh, that would be awesome," replied Trisha. "Thank you."

As she laid down to sleep, a subtle kind of joy filled the chambers of her heart and somewhere in the midst of her drifting into sleep, she knew it was a good feeling.

Charles had to stay awake to finish up the designs for his Uncles Company which was to launch a sophisticated clothing brand. He wasn't sure if His uncle was going with the usual plan especially with the total lockdown in Lagos, but the deadline was today and he had to keep his promise of delivering. As he paused, taking a sip of his coffee, looking into thin air and smiling, he reminisced on how he met Trisha.

Charles had met Trisha barely 6months ago back at the school's cafeteria. She had forgotten her debit card after she paid for her meal on the counter. Charles, who was behind her noticed it and after paying for his, went to where she was seated, gave her back her card and struck off a conversation. They became friends from that moment. And good friends as they got to know each other properly over a couple of months.

Charles had seen how Trisha loved their friendship. To her, he was more like her a best friend who always wanted the best for her. She was also free with him. They were nothing she couldn't confide in him with. She loved his humor, his generosity, his hustle drive and also, his affection towards the things of God and towards people.

The news of the Coronavirus had gotten worse all over the world and the Lagos government had just recorded the first death in the country. With that, the government asked that all schools, universities, and higher institutions be closed with immediate effect. Just before the lockdown started two weeks earlier, Charles had expressed his love for Trisha. He knew the friendship relationship they shared, was to be taken to the next level. He had no doubts he wanted Trisha to be part of his life, forever. After all, they both were in their finals and had just a semester to go. So it was perfect timing.


The effect of the COVID-19 has completely changed the course of the whole world in almost something we can relate to as a twinkle of an eye. Who would ever think that such historical change could ever happen to every tribe and people of the surface of the earth at the same time? What else could? Only a pandemic, in a world filled with no barrier in communication and information.

It's the effect on relationships has also caused a mutation. People who loved date nights can no longer be seen at their favorite spots together. The married men who chased young ladies can no longer meet at their usual hotels. The sugar mummies who can't help but see their lover boys every night are all stuck. Everyone in their homes or houses( whichever they made it before now) and with his or her family, wives, husbands. If there's any joy in that, for me it's the fact that some level of infidelity has been checked.

For some, the love they claim they share is been tested daily if they really meant what they profess. Some men who sought succor away from their wives at their offices, jobs or lounges have no choice but to either make things with them, pretend they have or keep living in denial. So also are women, who are busybodies. They just can't get their acts under one roof.

At these times, the only major factor that is left to our disposal in making our relationships work is obviously effective communication. It can help to build relationships and at the same time, make some die a natural death. For many couples all over the world who have been under one roof, their level of communication would have helped them to get to know how the partners are doing currently in every area of their lives and areas where they need to step in to help them blossom. While on the other hand, those who allowed feelings and sensual love moved them to decide to stay with each other, have communication to test the strength of their relationship. The better we know someone, the more we can love them.


And for those in the singles category; the bachelors and spinsters like Charles and Trisha, If you can not connect with the opposite sex through open and honest communication at this time, don't be deceived, nothing else will. As this pandemic has proven, you do not have to be intimate with someone before you can tell if what you both share will stand the test of time. Long-distance relationships are still good types of relationships, at least now you understand why.


Thankfully, our world is filled with all manner of gadgets and techy innovations, which has removed any barrier over communication. It's up to you to make the most of it. And as we continue to stay safe and stay home, choose to be a comfort to as many people as you can be with your words of affection and encouragement, bridge any broken gaps, repair any faulty relationship that's worth it, be a beacon of hope, be a conduit of love even in the midst of a quarantined world.


Your Love Coach,
TheLoveJunkie.