Love in the time of corona

It was still a shocker how this virus started. How it took over the world in a split second. How it changed the course of life and time in a minute. It still surprised us all but we had gotten used to it.
During the peak of the virus, a lot of people died; Loved ones, acquaintances, politicians, celebrities.The ones that survived were left with half of their lung function. COVID19 like it was called left scars deeper than we could imagine.
Noone could shake, hug or even come 1m near each other during the outbreak and that was the beginning of a different era in society.
It became a norm gradually then it became a law. You aren’t supposed to shake or hug anyone that wasn’t your family member. The extremists took a win for this one. People fought and rebelled but slowly, the rebellion was tapered and everyone started complying. No country wanted another outbreak, it was too much pain to recover from.

I was 21 when the outbreak began and it ended on the eve of my 23rd birthday. I am 25 now. I graduated immediately it ended and I am currently doing my masters programme in Europe.
Europe had the worst laws and they were enforced with ease.
Looking on the brighter side, these laws somehow allowed for the true essence of relationships to be discovered and for relationships to be tested. But still, Imagine speaking to someone 1m away. Everyone was in a shouting match almost all the time.
Restaurants, churches and everywhere possible had complied with the laws and it was really hard to imagine how 4 years ago, things were far different.

I didn’t have a good night’s rest because I was up late studying for a test so I slept in and now i had just 25 minutes to get to school. I rushed out of the bathroomss quickly as I rushed in and quickly left my apartment to get my regular coffee in the shop down my street before I drove to school.
Coffee was the only thing that could make me less jumpy this morning. It was my drug.
I entered the shop and joined the line. There were boxes to show and demarcate the distance so it was easier to comply to the distance rule. It got to my turn and I made my order. After 3 minutes, I got the coffee. Checking my time to make sure I was still on time, someone hit me and the coffee poured all over.
“Excuse me!” I screamed angrily.
“I’m so sorry. So so sorry” A male voice answered but I was too embarrassed to look up.
I could feel everyone’s eyes on me so I ran immediately to the rest room. After washing my hands with soap but my face too. My makeup was destroyed but that was the least of my problem. I rinsed the coffee off my coat and my bag and dried my hands. I was really annoyed and I had just 10 minutes to make it to class. The normal drive to school was 15 minutes. I rushed out and forgot about getting another coffee. There was no time.
I drove to school as fast as I could and passed a shortcut. After basically running to class, I made it before the lecturer came in but I was still disoriented and annoyed. Not trying to even think about this morning’s situation and trying to catch my breath, I heard a sound beside me.
“Hi” I looked to my right where the sound was coming from.
“Hi” i replied the unknown guy.
“You seem really out of it” the man replied.
I was really confused on who he was but it couldn’t hurt to be polite.
“I have had a stressful morning so far” I sighed.
“Oh, well maybe this could help” He offered a cup.
I looked at it properly and realized it was coffee but I didn’t take it. What kind of stranger offers coffee. Europe is a crazy place.
“You don’t remember me” he continued. I nodded.
” I was the one you bumped into” he announced, I was still wondering then I remembered what initiated my stressful morning and the annoyance came back.
“You bumped into me, I was going the right way” I retorted.
How could he have the effrontery to even think that i bumped into him.
“I was going the right direction, you were the one who bumped into me” he defended again. I didn’t really want to argue with anyone this morning so I stood up and walked to another empty seat. It was too early for this and I didn’t even have the energy.
” You should take the coffee though, it’s getting cold” I heard the voice beside me again. The Seats were all 1m apart. So he had to raise his voice a bit for me to hear him.
I ignored him till he came close and dropped the coffee on my table. “What do you want from me?” I shouted. Everyone in class was looking but I didn’t really care at this point.
“Sorry I bumped into you, please take the coffee” I grabbed it from him.
“Thank you now can you excuse me” I snapped. I didn’t like the attention he was causing at all.
The lecturer came in and the test started. I looked around for the coffee guy but I didn’t find him, I looked at the coffee he dropped and quickly took a sip. It actually tasted really good. Before I knew it, I had finished the whole cup. It didn’t taste like my usual coffee surprisingly.
After the class, I was far less jumpy and not annoyed anymore. The test was awesome and the coffee had worked it’s magic.
As I slipped out, I heard a now familiar voice. Still 1m apart.
” I can see you enjoyed the coffee” he smiled and I could see his face clearly since the whole debacle in the morning. I stayed quiet and just gave a stifled smile.
“I’m Victor though” he said and I made a mental note of his name.
“Where did you get the coffee?” I asked curiously.
“Somewhere downtown” we were walking at this point.
” I know basically all the coffee shops around. Which one?” I asked.
” I can take you there if you want. it’s better experienced” He smiled again and i can admit, he had a really nice smile.
I was quiet still thinking of what to say.
” Okay then” I answered.
” 8am tomorrow?” I nodded as he walked away.
” My name is Tola” I said and we both smiled at each other.