Susan lazily wakes up at 11.30a.m and goes to the kitchen while still in her pyjamas. She drags her flip flops to the dining table. “Good Morning” she greets her Mum who looks at her in disgust. “Good Morning Madam Health CAS, so which hospitals are you visiting today? What time should we expect your press briefing? 3p.m. or 3.30?” Her mother replies sarcastically. Susan is undisturbed by the comments. She looks away and partakes of her breakfast.
45 minutes later, Susan’s twin brother Andy emerges from his room. He goes to the bathroom and washes his face. Clad in a white vest, blue short, multicoloured socks and crocks he goes to the kitchen and serves breakfast. He also proceeds to the dining table. “Niaje Mum?” He says. His mother sarcastically stands up, salutes and bows down. “Good Morning Mr. Health CS. Bwana Mheshimiwa, how have you slept? Between you and your CAS there (pointing at his sister), who will be addressing the nation?” Andy laughs and tells his Mum to stop being dramatic. A hot unexpected slap lands on him. Susan giggles before their mother gives her a piercing look. Instinctively, she shuts up and clears the table. Andy continues munching his breakfast.
Their mother leaves but not before issuing sarcastic instructions. “Do not do the dishes, they will wash themselves. For the clothes on the hanging line, leave them there if it rains then you can wear me tomorrow. Do not cook, in the evening, you can have your father for supper. Lastly, don’t bother showering, I will come and lick you clean the way a cow licks her calf.” Andy and Susan are left laughing and trying to imitate their mother.
The twins now get their phones and each one checks up on their online updates. Andy then switches on the T.V and they watch a movie. Later on, they switch to a music station as they engage in chit chat. Andy even gets a duvet for each one of them.
To their surprise, it’s 6:30 p.m. Damn it! 30 minutes to curfew time. Their mother will be home at exactly 7p.m. They are still in their pyjamas. None of them has left the house. They lost track of time. They did not even have lunch. They now rush to do the house chores that their Mum left. They quickly change from their pyjamas and Andy quickly rushes to the shop at 6:50p.m. to get airtime for Susan and himself . He needs data bundles for his daily dose of #ClubCovid live on Instagram. Susan also needs data bundles to watch vlogs on make up.
7:01 p.m, they hear their mother open the gate. 2 minutes later, their father arrives. Fortunately, they are done with all their chores. Only supper is not ready. They welcome their parents home. Their mother first checks whether they have done all their chores.
8p.m and they all take supper. Their parents watch the highlights of the 9p.m. news before going to sleep at 9.30 p.m. Susan and Andy are left in the living room watching T.v. They stay up until 11:30 p.m before going to their rooms and get to their phones. Susan sleeps at around 2a.m. Andy gets to sleep 2 hours later after #ClubCovid ends.
This is their new routine during this quarantine period when schools are closed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. What is still uncertain is until when.
Dear Reader, kindly find The New Quarantine Normal Part 2 here. Also find The New Quarantine Normal Part 3 here. Thankyou.
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