Look and watch out. Aliens are here. They’ve landed.

The week started off like any other for Mark – going to work, putting in a great effort there while doing so, doing life and getting through each trying day one foot at a time. But on that Friday, some thing was just not alright. He could feel that all is not well. Mark got to work earlier than usual so that he could leave earlier to tend to the many errands he had on his list. But it is on the afternoon when he left for work that he felt deep down that there was something that just was not alright.

Mark got home and as soon as he arrived, he started having body chills that made him quickly go get a warm fuzzy blanket to get his body feeling warm again. Also tried to nap. ‘Damn, what’s happening to me? There goes my plans of having a quiet and chilled weekend indoors…’ Mark recalled.

The rest of the weekend did not go down any better as things started going from bad to worse quickly as he had hoped that things would be better come Monday morning. He held on, hoping for a miracle – a miracle that did not come. He said he’d go to see a nurse or doctor, get some form of medical assistance as soon as the sun on Monday came up, just to go check if all is well. Monday morning, he did just that. He just could not take it anymore.

He was reassured that everything was alright and that the medication he had been issued with was enough to get him back to his feet. He felt assured and was hopeful for the best. Tuesday came and he was still not feeling any better. In fact, Mark woke up feeling far worse than before. ‘Something surely must be up’ – Mark thought to himself. He then decided to go visit another doctor for a different perspective and to this day, he’s glad that he did so. The considerate doctor managed to thoroughly inspect Mark to try to get to a proper diagnosis and to help him out. The doctor then referred him to further tests on the day. Doctor also gave him some extra days off to recuperate while awaiting for results from the lab that he had been referred.

The day of the result outcome came like any other at first, but ended somber. He got an SMS on his phone to click a link as a portal towards accessing the result outcome. Life as Mark knew it was about to change. So surreal the feeling, he had to countlessly revert to the link just to double check so as to pinch himself in disbelief. He had become better, though with mild symptoms still persistent and was looking forward to resuming his work duties. Reality now had to sink in.

Deep cleaning services had to be employed, beddings changed – a complete overhaul in how normal life was as he knew it. An alien had invaded. It was a mammoth task to get the courage for him to speak out, but he knew that he had to do so in order to give people close to him that necessary closure and update. It was tough, but it had to be done. Now that other people knew, the fear somehow dissipated and his focus now centered around him isolating himself from everyone and getting better over time. ‘When that one thing I thought scared me the most, became a reality, I knew then that I was a conqueror.’ he said.

The dreaded fourteen days of isolation began and it was a one step and day at a time approach. Thankfully, he was in a position to properly isolate himself from the entire household that was affected, where a bed and isolated bathroom could be exclusively used. It was tough but, once again, a new norm that now had to be accepted. A TV set was also available, luckily those blues could easily be blown away by a comedy series or two. Oh and those dreaded repeat shows! Every single one of them. Or even game shows – Mark loved watching those of late and that helped to take his mind off from the isolated period he had now found himself immersed into.

A routine had to be established, just so that he did not lose it, which included, setting aside breakfast time and other meals of the day and regular intervals where medication had to be taken. What also affected Mark was the fact that surfaces he touched had to be regularly disinfected, he had to wear gloves whenever he attended to common areas around where he isolated, further making him more and more like an alien. Where TV shows were concerned, Mark spent most of his time while recovering to recap on DVDs and some regular game shows on TV which included the likes of BBC Britain’s Pointless and Deal and no deal, just to mention a few.

“I tried to stay away from news on TV as a distraction because everywhere you tuned into from local 24/7 networks to the internationally acclaimed CNN, it was the same old news story about how Armageddon was slowly approaching with the many aliens that have seemingly not only invaded his world but have done so to the universe.”, Mark would be heard, recollecting. Mark got better and has since resumed his normal duties and is reminded of that period whenever he’s triggered. He was skeptical about the hope of reintegrating back to the so-called normal. He fears ever going back to that place but admits to coming out of the process, a better and more refined person overall.

At times, life has a funny way of reminding you to slow things down. Mark was slowly overworking himself to the bone, so much so that his body almost gave in. The isolation period, as a result of the aliens, served as a life-line. Taking necessary precautions prior to the alien invasion, may have somewhat contributed to the healing process not being prolonged or the damaged thereof not being severe. This is what Mark is heard always saying as he shares free advice.

It was a chance to look back, introspect and be one with himself; map out his way forward on life and prepare for its many obstacles lying ahead. It was also a chance for him to take note of who was actually there for him in his time of dire need when at times, he felt all alone. He was never really alone. So much stood beside him to help him get his armour and strength. I believe life comes with so many different types of aliens; those that pop up when one needs to take a risk, when change occurs or when the worst happens to off-set you from the mark. There are also those that change you for the better, that go for the compete overhaul in how you see and view things – eye-opening aliens that renew perspective in general. Aliens force us to think beyond ourselves and our current world, to envision a world we never thought existed. A world where normal is abnormal. A world where the new normal is not only necessary but its so uncomfortable. Imagine not being able to give someone a kiss or a hug? Not being permitted to visit friends or family… “Family, that’s who I miss most.” said Mark. He sighed and continued, “That unconditional kind of love that says, come as you are. Even if you don’t have anything, we’d still give you a warm embrace and and accept you.” I got moved by this while statement when conversing with Mark over his encounter with these unique aliens that have gripped our world and I remembered how important it is not ‘to treat family as aliens.’

Herd immunity or not, I guess millions across the globe have a story to share that is familiar to Mark’s with regards to their interaction with the alien that is Covid-19. Whether it’s a loss of a loved one, colleague, friend or famous personality, we all have had our fair share share of interaction with these UFOs. Scientists have since confirmed that it’s also airborne, and that pun, is intended. As the third wave continues to wreck havoc in the world as we speak, I urge you to look after yourselves, beef up your immune system and to take some time out to stay home where possible. We all don’t know when our lives will return to normal, if at all but until then, we need to embrace this spaceship that is now not too distant for many of us, which has landed and may be here to stay. We all need to at least try to co-exist, healthily so with it. We’ve got no other choice really.

Aliens are now everywhere, be careful. It’s better to sway away by covering up and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly as a start.