The world is being ravaged by a virus.
But we didn’t even stop, not a bated breath; all went on rushing with their lives, not even pausing to look back after bumping shoulders with it.
Have you ever felt that angry?
When in a busy street, a stranger bumps to you. Hard. Suddenly, you staggered, almost falling, disturbing you from the equilibrium that you had, and sometimes even causing you to lose direction. But the stranger doesn’t even stop nor turn to look back, as if you are nothing worth noting of. The stranger just go on with his life, vanishing in a blur as you stare at its back, expecting a reaction.
The virus got angry.
Just like you, it wanted to be noticed.
To be given the time.
To be recognized.
To be feared.
But…
Even with all the deaths it has caused, our nation was not shaken.
No, not because of bravery nor resiliency.
–
Ignorance.
Pride.
Arrogance.
Selfishness.
We think we are above all others. Especially to those who suffered from the wrath of the virus.
Bat soup? How disgusting they are, we said. How could they eat such abomination?
We forget the basic answer: survival.
They eat to survive. They eat because that’s what they have eaten to survive and has grown accustomed to surviving in such a way. Like all humans do.
Are we any better?
As they die, we watched them. Most, even with relish, mocking as they fall. One by one.
And we mocked them even more when we went on with our lives, unperturbed of the virus.
Why? Because we’re clean? Because we’re decent than them? More humane?
Are we really?
The body count rises, our mocking escalates. Some feigned compassion, but slips out a blame or two, comparing lifestyles as they do.
The virus dominates.
Those who had fallen and struggled behind its path, cried, screamed, warned but to no avail. The large nations refused to adhere, to listen.
We will not fall. We are not weak. We are not dirty. We are unlike you, they said. This virus will die at my fist.
But it didn’t.
These nations are now falling to its knees, begging, bargaining, and hiding even from the mere mention of the virus.
And yet, why am I still outside?
Why do we still put up a strong front?
It hasn’t showed up here yet, he said. No one in my domicile has fallen victim to it yet. Why should I raise the white flag?
Go on with your lives. I daresay, you all are weaklings, he said.
They asked him, are we to wait? Are we to wait for someone to fall before we act?
Peace is a luxury. Health is a luxury. And soon, freedom to walk and breath freely will be a luxury.
But he squanders them, serving them all on a silver platter to the unknown, merely to puff his chest to his “weak” peers.
To survive an impending doom,
do we need chaos?
flayful thoughts 