My girlfriend Zoey and I met a few years back during our third year in college. We were both relatively new to relationships then, and neither of us was remarkably experienced, sexually speaking. We took things very slowly and fostered our relationship over time.
The first time we had sex was about six months into the relationship, and neither of us really knew what we were doing. Over time, we became accustomed to and in tune with each other's needs and have had relatively good intimacy from then on.
After graduating, we both went on to work in the same city. Still, we lived separately because we were both from conservative families. This arrangement worked out great because we could have "date nights" at each other's places a couple of nights per week but live somewhat independently until we were ready to tie the knot. Zoey and I were like two peas in a pod.
My roommate Omar and I, however, are polar opposites. We were roommates during our first year in college and never entirely kept in touch; we had different friend groups and notions of having fun. Omar also ended up working in the city after graduation. We decided to live together as we had been roommates in the past, and our cleanliness and hygiene habits were more or less at the same level.
We don't really "hang out" like some roommates do; most of the time, it could be days or weeks before we even talk to one another. Nonetheless, we respect each other's spaces and belongings, and he gets an A+ in the roommate department.
My idea of fun involves gaming during the weekends or spending a night with Zoey watching a movie or playing Switch. Omar tends to go out on the weekends with his single guy friends and almost always brings a lady home for the night. Luckily, our walls are well-insulated and soundproof, so this is not an issue. However, I have had awkward encounters with his lady friends the following day from time to time in the kitchen or living room.
2020
As the daily hustling and grinding continued, we were all content with our lives and career paths. Zoey and I were doing great; we were moving up in our careers, and I was planning a proposal. Then, the pandemic hit.
Our jobs went fully remote, and our city was completely locked down. Zoey's lease was set to end at the end of March, so she decided to move in with me after we got approval from Omar and decided on a new finance structure to split rent, utilities, etc.
Lockdown was easy for Zoey and me, as it wasn't a gigantic shock to our everyday routines. Yea, it sucked that we couldn't go out for dinner or catch a movie, but we made it work. Zoey would work remotely in the bedroom while I moved my desk into the living room. Our routine revolved around working from early morning to afternoon and spending our evenings trying new recipes, watching movies, and playing video games.
Omar, unfortunately, did not take the pandemic very well. He went from a charismatic socialite to an introverted recluse, hardly ever leaving his room. Zoey and I have tried to invite him to play a round of Mario Kart or watch a movie, but he would decline nine times out of 10.
I understood. I mean, here was a guy who would rage with his buddies, go to the gym daily, and fuck multiple women on the weekend, and now all of that was put to a halt. He was now forced to use our shitty gym in the building and remain celibate indefinitely until the lockdown was lifted. Omar was also very respectful; we all followed strict protocols during the lockdown. I.E., no visitors, no meeting up with people, etc.
A part of me felt guilty whenever Zoey and I had our vanilla sex while Omar was left next door, silently struggling. However, I figured this was temporary, and once the pandemic is lifted, Omar will return to his old self in no time.
One night, we were making cocktails, and I invited Omar to come out to the living room to join us, fully expecting him to decline. To my surprise, he accepted. Zoey and I were both excited, as we were concerned for his mental health for quite some time as we saw the lockdown's impact on him.
As we were chilling in the living room, we were shooting the shit when Zoey asked him how he was doing regarding his social life. He said he regularly talks with co-workers on Zoom and texts/calls his buddies and family regularly, but being unable to go out on the weekends was really causing him dismay.
We were all a little bold from the alcohol, and Zoey blurted out, "How long has it been since you've had sex"? I gave Zoey a concerned look, but Omar chuckled as if it was a typical question.
"About three weeks," said Omar.
"Oh my God, you poor thing!" said Zoey, somewhat sarcastically, or so I thought.
"Porn definitely helps, but it's nowhere near the same," chuckled Omar.
We all laughed it off and continued drinking and playing different games on the Switch before Omar called it a night and headed to bed.
---
Later that night, in bed, Zoey expressed her concern for Omar.
"I feel so bad; he hasn't gotten any in three weeks," said Zoey.
"Seriously? It's only three weeks," I chuckled. "Remember, we went like six months before doing anything. And it's not like we are doing it that often either."
"I know, but he is so used to having regular sex. It must be so hard on him," said Zoey as she drifted off to sleep.
I thought about what she said but could not empathize, as Zoey and I would go several weeks without having sex from time to time. Neither of us has an exceptionally high libido; we usually prefer cuddling on the couch or in bed anyway.
---
The next afternoon, Zoey was making lunch in the kitchen when Omar came in from the gym downstairs.
"Got a Tinder date or something later tonight?" Zoey teased.
"I wish! Nah, just keeping up my routine, but the gym here sucks," said Omar.
"Don't worry, you'll be bringing the ladies back here really soon, I'm sure," said Zoey in a slightly flirtatious tone.
They both smiled as Omar headed back to his room to shower. I gave her a "WTF was that?" look, and she just shrugged and laughed it off.
Later that night, I was making us dinner, and Omar came out, and I offered him a plate. He graciously accepted, and the three of us had dinner together. I noticed something was off about Zoey, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. After dinner, we all watched a movie and chatted intermittently.
Zoey pesters Omar about his sex life, the types of women he would bring home, and how he was holding up.
"How is the Porn Hub?" Zoey teased.
Omar awkwardly chuckled as he felt uncomfortable talking about sex and porn with Zoey while I was there. Still, I teased him to make him more comfortable, as Zoey's curiosity often gets the best of her.
"It's okay, I guess. I've really been trying to focus on work and moving up. Surprisingly, I am getting much more done without the constant distractions, but I also can't wait for it to end. I feel like I have done enough personal development, haha," chimed Omar.
After chatting about random things for another hour, we headed to bed. Later that night, Zoey still had that off look on her face, so I asked her, what's up?
"I'm just worried about him, that's all. It can't be healthy to be so isolated," she said.
"We both are here 24/7," I said. "It's not like he lives alone with no one to talk to."
"I know, but it's the sex thing. You would always tell me how he fucks every weekend, and now? Zilch. I can't imagine what the poor guy is going through," she said.
"Zoey, it's barely been a month. Probably will be another few weeks. It's not the end of the world. He will pick up exactly where he left off," I said.