Ok, I'll shoot (hope you return the favor)..
How would you describe your lockdown?
Its been mercurial with a fair share of ups and downs. Overall it has been a different experience and I've enjoyed it.
Have you kept yourself physically active during lockdown? If so, how?
I've been playing Cricket, Badminton, and walking down the stairs as physical activities. My diet has also improved a lot so it has been beneficial as well. I was never fat or overweight but I could feel that my health was deteriorating before the lockdown due to being unserious with my diet.
What surprising thing have you been stocking up on (that isn’t toilet paper, masks, gloves, sanitizers)?
I guess memes do count. Trolling my friends and posting memes in TCPL has been a hobby for me these days.
What are some things you have realized that you don’t really need during this pandemic?
I don't really need non-homecooked food. This is what I've learned.
What habit have you started, or broken, during the quarantine?
Started a habit of evaluating and assessing myself before sleep every night. Surprisingly, the time I spend on video games has decreased dramatically during the lockdown.
Have you done something during the lockdown that you wouldn't normally associate yourself with?
A 7 month earlier version of me wouldn't have associated himself to cooking, singing, being conscious of diet and water intake.
Which specific place are you most looking forward to visiting once this is all over?
School, Emporium mall (a famous mall in Lahore), Rawalpindi (where I was born and my extended family lives there as well). Also, hopefully, I am able to visit Quetta, Sialkot, Abbottabad, Bahawalpur ( the cities that I have previously lived in).
What skills have you gained, improved, or worked on during the quarantine?
Singing, cooking, a little bit of editing, Cricket skills, fitness are a few that I can remember right now.
What’s something you own that feels useful?
Knowing languages doesn't count as 'owning' but I can speak at least 4 languages fluently. I'm working on the 5th and 6th language right now and hopefully, the effort isn't wasted. Knowing many languages opens up a new world and is really really helpful. Just like Rumi said, " If you want to see a new world learn a new language".
What is your Covid-19 nickname/alter-ego/if any?
I am referred to as 'Asti' by my mum sometimes.
What part of your shelter-in-place/residence have you come to appreciate the most during quarantine?
Bed and sofa. Porch as well but to a smaller extent as we only play Cricket there.
What’s a story – from a book, a movie, an article, a conversation – that you’ve been gripped by recently? Why did it capture you?
A story of a Pakistani Christian boy named Iqbal Masih, who was sold to a carpet factory owner at the age of 4. At 10, he ran away, got basic education in 2 years. He helped at least 3,000 Pakistani kids escape slavery. He was recognized by many international and national education institutes. He was later killed at the age of 12 on the eve of Easter. Carpet factory mafias were accused of his killing but no concrete evidence was found. Even a 2 year old can understand that he was killed by the carpet mafia but Pakistan's government and judiciary couldn't.
What problem—either yours, or something more global —do you wish you could solve?
I'm not a very deep kind of person but I really wish that I could eradicate extremism, poverty, child labor/slavery, and social injustice. Seeing girls and boys that are even younger than me working tirelessly for hours and having no respect in society just breaks my heart. Extremism is also rampant in Pakistan but thankfully its decreasing rapidly.
What’s the easiest part about the quarantine?
Having to avoid waking up early.
What’s something that you miss most from the pre-COVID days? And what do you miss the least?
I really miss meeting my friends and the fun we would have in school. I am least bothered about waking up early though. I want schools to open tomorrow even but the school's timings should be 11 AM-4 PM
What’s the most generous act you’ve seen recently?
A street vendor giving money to a YouTuber who was pretending that he was poor and didn't eat anything for days.
What has changed the most about you during quarantine?
The fear of poor health when I am 30+ due to my poor diet has had a really big impact on me. I am now drinking more water and having a conscious diet.
Lastly, what do you hope we all learn or take away from this experience?
I hope that we learn to be content at all times (something that I need to learn myself as well
). Also, we should realize that humans were made to evolve and we can adapt to all circumstances.
I tried my best to answer your questions. Hopefully, these answers are worth reading
), it's really superb.
