MUSCAT: 14-year-old Zainab Fatima along with her two sisters and mother in Pakistan was excited to come to Muscat to be with her father Mansoor Ali who works at Muscat Lighting, but little did she realise that coronavirus pandemic will keep her away from the family reunion.

With airports closed and flights cancelled, thousands of people are staying away from their dear ones. To all those people, Zainab send a letter along with a picture she drew which was shared recently on popular Facebook community What’s Happening Oman?(WHO). “The letter and the picture touched a lot of people in the group,” said Jo Al Eisri, the administrator of WHO.

On seeing the appreciation from community members for her painting and letter, an elated Zainab send another letter thanking Jo and the Group. “I was surprised when I saw so many likes and comments on the picture you posted on the group. Truth be told I was not expecting it. This picture was drawn with limited resources and I had to connect four papers with tape and used limited pencil colours and markers. I tried my best in order for anyone to see what I am going through being away from my father,” Zainab said.

The Arabian Stories is posting the original letter which Zainab send to WHO.

I have been informed by my mother that our flight has suddenly been cancelled, and my 2 sisters and I, shall remain away from our father, because of something called COVID-19. I am dying to meet my father, as life has turned out to be extremely difficult without him.

My father and I, never remained away for more than a few days ………… I do not understand that how my father is breathing these days without me, being in front of him. BABA, I MISS YOU! & I know that you are also counting each and every second to meet all of us.

I have sketched this picture for you to express the blood dropping from my heart, hoping that this wall of separation will be demolished very soon, and Oman Air’s plane shall be taking us from Karachi to Muscat, without further delay.

Dedicated to all stranded families, away from their most loved ones, due to closure of airports, while desperately waiting for Governments to allow these loved ones to join again, and start their lives from where they got disconnected….”