Social Distancing (COMPLETED)

Chapter 6

Next morning passed way quickly.

Amulya managed not kill Shannon, even though she came close to it, because of what she did last night.

“Can’t believe you are still mad at me” the hung-over girl grumbled, nursing her coffee.

“Be glad I didn’t kill you. Now drink your coffee and get out already, before I actually kill you” Shannon rolled her eyes, but kept sipping her coffee.

Shannon ended up staying the day. The girls had a quiet day in, watching movies, doing each other’s hair and nails, talking about boys, well, Shannon talking about boys, and putting on face masks.

Amulya felt like a teenager. Growing up she never had the chance to do these things. Her parents were very strict when it came to friends. She never had any long term friends because something seemed to happen and they grew distant.
It felt good to do all these things she missed in her teenage years. It also worked as a distraction from her anxiety. Amulya was nervous about Monday. It was her first job.

The day moved quickly. Before she knew, Amulya had to leave for the hospital.

Have a good day at the hospital today
You will do great

Amulya smiled at the text. She instantly felt somewhat better. A person she barely knew has remembered that she was starting a new job. Were they friends? She knew nothing about him. How much do you have to know about someone for you to become friends?
She replied quick thanks and got down the train. The hospital wasn’t far away from the station. Each minute intensified her nervousness. It was a sweet excitement that Amulya gladly welcomed.

In the reception, she was lead to Dr. Stone’s office. He was her mentor, and he was going to train her for a month before she gets to become a permanent staff of the hospital.

Her day moved fast. All she had to do was accompany Dr. Stone while he attended the patients. She then had the ER duty for a while in the evening as a part of the mandatory training.
It was dark by the time she got down the train and started walking home. She was tired, her legs aching as she had to stand for the most part of the day. But that couldn’t wipe smile off her face.
She was happy.

Alaric spent the day with his niece and nephew. He volunteered to babysit them, allowing his sister and her husband could enjoy a day for themselves. He loved spending time with the kids.
They went to the zoo for the first half of the morning and then the park. Meghan kept whining about ice cream, but Hilary had strictly warned against it.

Tristan was passed out in his baby seat, but Meghan kept talking about random topics.

Alaric pulled into the parking lot of his apartment complex and unbuckled the kids. He carried the sleeping Tristan in his hands and the boy snuggled into his neck.

“Uncle Al!” Meghan exclaimed all of a sudden which startled Alaric. He looked at the girl to see her pointing a finger at something. “She fell”

Alaric looked over to see a woman few feet in front of them, dusting her dress, and picking up her bag and the contents that spilled out of them.

He recognised the lady from the other night.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked her when they neared her.

“Yeah, nothing is broken” she laughed. “A cycler rammed into me. I’m fine” she assured him, trying to ease away the embarrassment.

“You know what makes it better?” the little girl asked from next to Alaric.

Amulya kneeled down to her level, smiling at her to continue.

“Ice cream” the girl smiled.

“No, Meghan. We already had this conversation. Ice cream makes you sick” Alaric said sternly.

But the girl was not listening, her bottom lip pushed out and her widened.

“That’s not going to work with me, Meghan” he sighed. He was trying hard to stay stern. He couldn’t say no to her, yet he didn’t want her getting sick.

Amulya smiled at the exchange before kneeling down towards the little girl.

“Do you want to know what happened at the hospital today?” she asked, causing the little girl to look at her nod.

“Come on, I’ll tell you” she took her hand and they made their way to the lift. “I met a little girl today” She started. “She had pink ribbons in her hair and wore a pink dress, just like you.” She touched the little girl’s pigtails, as if to strengthen her point, “But she had a cold. She couldn’t stop sneezing and coughing”
Meghan’s eyes widened as she listened to the story.

Alaric smiled at his neighbour, how she managed to distract Meghan so fast. She is good with kids.

“Why did she have a cold?” Meghan asked.

“Because, she ate a lot of ice cream and I had to give her an injection, to stop her from coughing” 

“An injection?” Meghan said, now a little scared.

“Yes, that’s what happens when you get sick”

“I should not eat ice cream?” she asked again.

“You can, but not in the evenings, when it is too cold.”

“Uncle Al can we eat ice cream tomorrow?”

“Sure” He smiled at the girl, opening the door to his apartment. She squealed in happiness before running inside.

“Thank you for that. My sister would have killed me if she had gotten sick” He smiled at his neighbour.

“It’s what doctors do” Amulya laughed, shrugging.

Alaric adjusted the sleeping child, and extended his hand for a shake hand.

“I believe we haven’t officially met. I’m Alaric”

She shook his hand with a smile.

“Amulya

~*~
12.04.20