Home alone: How bachelors are surviving the lockdown

On March 26, when the government declared the first round of general holiday, businessman Tanvir Hossain Akanto decided not to move to his home in the capital's Jatrabari where his family lives.

"Here, I live with friends and am interacting with many people for business purposes. Moreover, I would not know whether I am coronavirus positive or not until 14 days have passed.  

"I did not want to be the reason to put my loved ones in a vulnerable situation. So, I chose to stay here in Bashundhara residential area," Tanvir told The Business Standard.

There are a few bachelors who opted to stay in their bachelor pads for work purposes. Some stayed as they were driven by conscience – to maintain self-isolation and avoid the long journey to home during this pandemic – even though they do not have any business to take care of.

The decision to stay has put them in trouble as well. Usually, their maids would cook for them. Now, considering the situation, most of them had to discontinue the maid service for the sake of safety.

In very few cases, maids are allowed if they are working at a single place only.

Also, a huge number of bachelors were largely dependent on restaurants and eateries for lunch and dinner. As most of the restaurants are closed, they are now facing problems.

Seeking anonymity, one said he once ordered from a restaurant that was still open. The subsequent gastro-intestinal experience has made him believe that none of the restaurants that were still open or food delivery apps are reliable in terms of quality or safety.

So, he is now cooking at home, and there are also others who are doing the same.

"I used to think that cooking was not my cup of tea. Just to pass my time I tried cooking, but now it seems interesting," said Golam Mostafa, a resident of Malibagh Rail Gate and a master's student at Stamford University.

This newbie cook is now claiming himself an expert after learning how to cook beef curry and noodles.

Not only cooking, there are many other activities that bachelors are practicing during quarantine and simultaneously developing skills in different areas.

Green Road resident Nurjahan Akter Airin, teacher of Street Children Rehabilitation School in Mohammadpur, is utilising her time by reciting poems on camera and uploading those on social media to conquer performance anxiety.

The result is visible in the comments section – she is being flooded with love and appreciation.

Apart from doing different activities at home, bachelors have also taken precautionary measures against coronavirus.

They have stocked some common medicines. They are maintaining cleanliness, drinking plenty of water and also trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Interestingly, some have also stopped buying cigarettes to stay away from human touch and proximity.

"My uncle died yesterday but I did not go to see him for the last time in Chattogram. My family is there and I am worried here. I am constantly keeping in touch and asking them to stay safe," said Tashdid Rahman, head of human resource and admin at First Apparel Studio Limited.

Loneliness has also hit bachelors hard as they are finding it very hard to spend their time alone at home. They miss friends, partying and get-togethers.

Those who have romantic partners are staying in touch through video conferencing, although it is nowhere near the feeling of spending time together.

Out of frustration, one said, "We are both living in the same city, but it feels like a long-distance relationship already."

A few bachelors have also changed their residence and shifted to their relatives' place. Rather than dealing with loneliness and food problems, moving to a relative's place was an obvious choice for them. Nonetheless, everyone does not have a relative in this city.

Moreover, there are few bachelors who were to move to a new place but are now stuck due to the lockdown. As they already confirmed their stay in the new place, they are now paying rents for both places.

Ummee Habiba, teacher at Shahid Babul Academy, is one of them. She said, "I am paying for two places at the same time. I do not know how long I will have to pay like this. Does this lockdown have any time limit?"

As there is no telling when it will be all over, engaging in activities to divert the mind is the only solution for now.

Some single bachelors are also using dating apps and planning to go on dates, practicing old hobbies, painting, reading books, watching movies or TV series, listening to music, playing indoor and online games, flying kites on roof and many more.

Lockdown and quarantine have equalised the daily life of every bachelor – whether one lives in Gulshan or Jatrabari. They are stuck at home, cannot go to any fancy place for enjoyment, spending time by engaging in a range of activities, and waiting to get back to the hustle and bustle of their old city life.