Sneha Chatki and Chetna Doodi, both second year MBBS students at China's Hebei Medical University, had not interacted much during their time in college but the last two weeks have made them inseparable.
The two women were among the 406 individuals who were evacuated from China amidst the coronavirus scare and were being quarantined at the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) facility at Chhawla in Delhi since February 1.
After being tested negative for the virus, the first batch of occupants of the camp were discharged on Monday.
The five-storey quarantine centre, however, was far from the conventional image of a health camp.
Bustling with cheerful youngsters, it was not a place they were locked in for two weeks, but a space where they forged new friendships.
While most of the inmates were relieved that they were safe, they were also sad that their time together had come to an end.
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"When we were evacuated from China, we were very sceptical about how we would be kept in India, but the last two weeks have been a lot of fun. Now that we know we are safe, I wish we could spend some more time together," said Chatki (20), who will be flying out to Mumbai on Wednesday.
On a usual day, following the daily medical examination to check body temperature, pulse and blood pressure in the morning, the occupants were free for the rest of the day.
While some watched movies together, others played tennis, chess and carom. Video calls with family members was another daily activity for most, but 20-year-old Nowsheen Nabi from Kashmir's Budgam district is yet to see her parents due to the internet shutdown in the valley, but that did not stop her from having fun here.
"This was awesome. We were here with people from different communities, and I made some new friends," said Nabi, a third year MBBS student at China's Hebei university.
Nabi was among 34 Kashmiris at the quarantine camp. She will be flying back home on Wednesday.
Looking forward to meeting her family is also