Love in the Time of Corona

In the Kingdom of …

Brooklyn. That’s where Jeremy Cohen lives. This 28-year old, along with other New Yorkers, were advised to observe the home quarantine in response to the COVID-19. The only form of entertainment he had was just like anyone’s – the vast expanse of the sky from his apartment window.

It’s bleak and beautiful, with a few rays of hope piercing the heavy clouds in the city. Waking up to this day in and out can be a bore, especially when there’s no one to talk to…no countdown to the days when you’re home free. Can a blossoming love story begin here? We believe so.

Catching His Eye

On one sunny day, he had chanced upon a small figure aggressively dancing on a rooftop. He asks “perhaps to a TikTok song?”. He continues to watch in eager fascination at this girl’s enthusiasm, and a smile spreads across his face.

Wouldn’t you want to join in on the dance too? Jeremy felt like he had to say hi to her. So he waited for her to settle down as she tired from the dance. Now that’s a true gentleman! Wait for her to finish bumping to a song and then approach her. Classy.

A Friendly Wave

She had sat down by the ledges, and he thought to wave at her. Even from afar, her smile radiated. Her curly hair billowed in the wind, and she openly waved back.

When you’re all cooped up in your apartment, a simple acknowledgement of presence can brighten your day. And this lady had not only welcomed his friendly gesture, but had stayed behind for some fresh air. Little did she know what he was up to.

Flirting 101

It’s not like he had thought of anything sinister. But Jeremy admits to that flirting is normally daunting for me. Since a week’s quarantine, he had been craving for some social interaction.

He hurriedly goes inside, writes his number on a sheet of paper, rips it off and tapes it unto a drone. He clutches the controller and expertly manoeuvres it to glide the distance between them. Such a creative love this is! Millennials are getting creative during these times!

Flurried Tidings

What does the messenger drone bring? At first she had been concerned about the whizzing device. But upon it landing and her slow approach towards it, she noticed the strip of paper. She removes it and retreats to her home…

leaving all of us in anticipation. Do you think she would message him? How long do you think that took? There had been no longer hour in Jeremy’s week of quarantine. And his heart began to pound in anticipation of a simple phone text.

Roof Girl AKA Tori

Jeremy saw this shining bright light, his happiness in a dark time, and now she had been speaking to him. She’s a 28-year-old Florida State University graduate who had moved to New York. She has been working as a manager at an open workspace. If you were a guy, wouldn’t you want to take your chances and ask someone who interests you on a date?

Damn right, Jeremy. Take your chances! In this day and age, those three dots give us a beam of hope! She finally responded with Hi!! Yes, but where and how? We’re quarantined lol. And that got Jeremy thinking. He would need reinforcement!

Message Notification Alert!

It had taken her an hour to decide. And it was worth the heart-pounding wait! Hi, it’s the girl from the roof.

We could hear you shrieking with excitement! So did we. And as the exchange of messages grew longer and more frequently, Jeremy began to discover more about this eager, uninhibited dancer on the rooftop. Her name is Tori. Tori Cignarella!Who knew there could be an upside to this quarantine?

Roomie to the Rescue

Jeremy had thought about a surprise date! He didn’t want to tell Tori just yet, so he had thought about enlisting the help of her roommate. He scoured through her social media accounts and found her roommate soon enough.

He asked Tori’s roommate if she could set up a mini-table with flowers and dinner for them. Just a little act of kindness from a neighborly cherub! And being one who’s as eager as we are, she agreed!

Two to Date

Well it took two of them to prepare the date – an organic TV dinner, a simple white tablecloth hung over a table for one, food and a bottle of wine! Jeremy had been doing the same on his part. He had showered, shaved and pumped up iron. He expectantly looked out his window to await Tori’s arrival. Would she come?

She did! And the whole idea had been a success! She came out at around 5:00 pm and Tori had been taken aback by the effort Jeremy and her roommate had done. It makes for a tangier taste of liquor!

Hopeful Takeaways

Jeremy had always wanted to tell a story. Born to a mom who was a motivational speaker, Jeremy had hoped to evoke and weave stories using light and images. And through these brief fragments, we are able to see with hope and clarity that love survives regardless of the circumstances we’re confronted with.

When it comes down to the core, we’re all just social beings who live through the experiences of others. Each act we undertake echoes for infinity. How do you want to leave your mark on the world? This guy surely took this question seriously and gave the world everything he had! Or rather, he gave this lovely lady everything he could (while still following the rules of being under lockdown and self-quarantining.)

Details, Details, Details

Jeremy waved down at her and she waved back. She looked beautiful, and he had unabashedly told her. They ate on Facetime together, taking their time to enjoy each other’s company although buildings apart.

Microwaved single dinners together! It can’t get any tastier than this. Jeremy briefly excused himself from his date. Everyone, just like us, were tuned into the intricacies of the date. He messaged his friends to tell him how it was going. And we’d be one with them by saying Attaboy! Jeremy unhesitatingly asked Tori for a second date, but this one was a notch better.

Unprecedented Fame

People wasted no time sharing their story on the web. Some were posting the pictures to elicit information while others were curiously awaiting the full story. They had become a viral sensation in a matter of two dates!

His Instagram posts befuddled and amazed everyone. It gained the attention of news channels. The local cops even requested a selfie with Jeremy.

Bubbly Date

Ever watched Gyllenhaal on Bubbleboy? Jeremy did just that. He snuck himself inside one and he sealed himself in. He even brought Tori flowers for the date but he couldn’t exactly hand it to her in person.

Now if you saw a pair, wouldn’t you be intrigued at what was going on? From the confines of your house, you would want to bask in the undeniable attraction between the two. Who wouldn’t lit aglow with hope? This gesture of love is lacking in our society. We give this guy props for being a sweetheart where times of texting are the norm.

High High Hopes

Who wouldn’t want a blissful ever after? Especially when love arose in exceptional circumstances. Do you think this relationship would have blossomed between the two had it not been for an awry happenstance? Several people had been quick to put it as is. And if the universe has conspired to hand you the odds, best use it to your advantage.

Several netizens have branded him a “true legend”. One had commented that she hopes to see them married with kids. They seem keen on each other. And if they could find love in these unusual circumstances, shouldn’t it survive it too?

What’s Next?

So the question that’s on everyone’s mind is what’s next for the two love birds? How long will they keep at it? And Jeremy had responded by saying She’s just a very kind person and cute. So we’ll see where it goes. If this doesn’t work out, which also is a possibility. I’m sure we will be close in some way,

just because she’s so cool and chill, and we’ve had this crazy experience together. But we seriously stan that their relationship blossom further. Tori had the same sentiments in mind, and that she would open to further hangouts after the quarantine.