Trending @Cognizant; Need advice, it's important 🙏

I was working remotely for a project that was supposed to end on 31st Jan'26, but last week my manager informed me to finish my assigned tasks before my release otherwise it'll be extended. But just yesterday I got released and placed on PDP with 4+ days wfo work model.

At this very moment it's very difficult for me to move back to the office location as I'm in a different state (and with IndiGo fiasco going on). I've discussed this with my senior manager from the project, while he assured me it's ok to join back on the first week of January, but if they say anything about RTO, just send a persuasive mail stating some health issues or something. But my manager he just brushed it off, but did say to just mail him that I'd be joining back on the first week of January and a reason and he'll loop in a HR, which I did.

Right now I'm super stressed out thinking about it, I just want some advice if I can stay just for this month. Please help me out...