Lockdown -

The walls of her 600-square-foot apartment began to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a cage. Her routine became a lifeline against the rising tide of anxiety. Wake up at 7:00 AM. Make coffee. Sit at the small wooden desk. Stare at the screen. Walk five paces to the kitchen. Walk five paces back.

There was a long silence, and then the buzzer clicked to let her in. Lockdown

When the lockdown measures finally began to ease months later, Elena felt a strange sense of hesitation. The world outside was loud, fast, and suddenly overwhelming again. The walls of her 600-square-foot apartment began to

Suddenly, a dull roar began to echo from the street. Elena stood up and walked to the window. People were out on their balconies and leaning out of windows. They were cheering, clapping, and banging metal pots and pans with wooden spoons. It was the daily tribute to the frontline healthcare workers. Elena grabbed a stainless steel ladle and a frying pan and joined in. Looking across the way, she saw the elderly man vigorously clapping his hands, a wide smile on his face. Make coffee

But as the weeks stretched into months, the novelty dissolved into a thick, monotonous fog.