The Last Love Song of the Quarantine

The streets of Zibo lay in eerie silence. The city had been sealed off by a mysterious virus that had spread with alarming speed, transforming its inhabitants into a silent, ghostly presence. In the heart of this desolate urban wasteland, a love story unfolded in the shadow of fear.

Lina stood at the edge of her apartment complex, looking out over the now-barren streets. Her eyes were pained with a mix of hope and dread. She had received the news a few days prior: her partner, Alex, had contracted the virus and was being held in isolation at the local hospital. Lina had visited him once, and the sight of him, so weak and vulnerable, had left an indelible mark on her heart.

She had to stay strong for him. The thought of losing him was unimaginable, and yet, she knew she had to face the reality that it could happen at any moment. Her eyes met a small screen on her wrist—a device that was the only link she had to the outside world. It was a lifeline, a way to check on Alex and stay connected to the world beyond her bubble.

Today was the day she had been dreading. She had to break the news to her parents, who had no idea about her situation. The fear of them finding out through the news was too much for her to bear. With trembling hands, she dialed their number.

“Mom? Dad? I need to tell you something important.”

The silence that followed was deafening. Lina's heart raced as she awaited their response. “Lina, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” her mother’s voice cracked through the line.

“I’m... I’m fine, Mom. But Alex...” The words hung in the air, a heavy weight on Lina's tongue.

“Alex? Is he okay? Is he sick? Where is he?” her father demanded, his voice a mix of panic and worry.

“I’m not sure, Dad. They won’t tell me much. But they think he has the virus. I’m worried, I really am.” Lina's voice quivered, and she took a deep breath, steeling herself.

Her parents were quiet for a moment. Lina could hear the pain and disbelief in their silence. Finally, her father spoke, his voice steadier now. “Lina, we love you, and we will support you through this. We just want you to be safe. Do you need us to come over? To bring you food or anything else you might need?”

“No, no, that’s not necessary, Dad. I’ve got everything I need here. But... I just need to know that you’re here for me, okay? I’m not alone in this.”

“I’m always here, Lina. You’re my daughter, and I’ll do anything to protect you. But if there’s anything we can do, anything at all, please let us know.”

“Thank you, Dad. I love you too.”

The call ended, and Lina leaned back against the cold concrete wall, her heart pounding. She had made it. For now, her parents didn’t know the full extent of her situation. She had to keep it that way. She had to protect them from the same pain that was gripping her.

Back inside, Lina turned on the TV. The news was filled with grim statistics and the somber faces of those who had lost loved ones to the virus. It was a stark reminder of the world she was living in, a world that had turned against itself.

Her eyes fell back on the small screen on her wrist. She had to check on Alex. With a deep breath, she swiped through the messages, her fingers trembling. There was one from him, dated hours ago.

“Lina, if you’re reading this, know that I love you more than words can express. I don’t know if I’ll make it through this, but if I do, I want us to start a new life, somewhere safe. Don’t let them take us apart. Stay strong, my love. Until I see you again, remember me with all my love.”

Tears filled her eyes as she read his words. The message ended with a heart emoji. Lina closed her eyes, her heart breaking into a million pieces. She had to keep him in her thoughts, even if it was only through these digital whispers.

As the days passed, Lina's routine became a cycle of love and loss. She spent her days caring for herself, taking the precautions to keep the virus at bay, and staying connected to Alex through her wristband. She cooked for two, even though it was just her. She dressed for two, even though she was alone. She lived for two, even though one was fighting for his life in a hospital that seemed more like a prison.

The quarantine became a crucible for their love, testing its resilience against the harsh reality of the pandemic. Lina knew that if she lost Alex, she would lose a part of herself. And yet, she knew she had to carry on for him, for the love they shared.

One evening, as she was preparing dinner, the screen on her wrist buzzed. It was a video call from Alex. His face appeared on the screen, and Lina's heart leaped. His eyes were weak, but his smile was bright.

“Lina, I made it! I’m alive, and I love you more than anything in the world. I can’t wait to see you again, to hold you in my arms and never let you go.”

Tears streamed down Lina's face as she nodded, unable to speak. Alex’s voice was weak, but it carried the strength of his love. She wanted to scream her love back to him, to tell him how much he meant to her, but the words caught in her throat.

“I love you too, Alex. I miss you so much. Be strong, my love. You can get through this.”

“I will, Lina. You know I will. But if... if it comes down to it, know that I’ve loved every second of our time together. I’m so proud of you, for being so strong. We have so much left to do, and I can’t wait for the day we can start that life we spoke of. I love you, Lina. Always.”

The call ended, and Lina fell to her knees, the tears flowing freely now. She knew that this was their love’s final test, that if they could make it through this, they could face anything.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The virus raged on, but so did Lina and Alex’s love. Through letters, messages, and occasional video calls, they clung to each other, their connection a lifeline in a world that had turned its back on humanity.

One day, the message from Alex was different. It was a simple note, a single sentence:

“I made it. You can come now.”

Lina’s heart raced as she read the words. She knew this was it. She would finally be able to see him, to hold him, to breathe in the scent of him. She was ready to face whatever the world had in store for them, as long as she had Alex by her side.

She packed her bags, dressed in the clothes that would take her back to the world that had once been theirs, and made her way to the hospital. As she walked through the doors, she felt a newfound sense of hope, a sense that she could face anything.

At the end of the corridor, she found Alex. He was lying in a hospital bed, his face pale and thin, but his eyes were bright with love and relief.

“Lina, I knew you would come,” he whispered.

“I had to,” she replied, tears streaming down her face. “I love you, and I can’t live without you.”

They held each other, the world outside their little bubble of love. They knew that their love had survived the greatest challenge of their lives, and they were ready to face whatever the future had in store for them, hand in hand.