Social Distancing (COMPLETED)

Chapter 10

It took a while to convince the kids to go back to their house that day. They loved how their uncle let them stay past bed time, eat sweets and take them out during the day. But Hilary wouldn't do it.

So after so many requests and a promise to take them to the amusement park that weekend did the trick. But there were a few clauses. The kids shouldn't ask for extra dessert, stay past bed time all week. They easily agreed, but Alaric is yet to see them maintain their side of the deal. He knew he would take them to the amusement park, no matter what they did. He loved spending time with the kids.

That evening, he was glad he managed to write a few more chapters of his book, even though he was guilty he used the death of a little girl, he convinced himself, that way, Rose lives on.

It was a cold night, the wind was strong, maybe it'll rain, but there is no saying. Alaric seated himself in his balcony looking over the city. Something about watching the city while it's sleeping calms him down. It was quiet, there was no rush to go to work, or carry on with their days. It's like hitting a pause button.

Suddenly from the corner of his eye, he caught a moment. It was the girl from the other night, Amulya. She was standing in the balcony adjacent to his, wrapped up in a blanket, as she looked over the city, and sighed to herself, deep in thought.

Amulya couldn't sleep. It probably was the thoughts of what happened in the hospital earlier that day. She was in a restless sleep. Tossing and turning in bed, until she decided to give up on trying.

She wrapped herself in a blanket, and walked out into the balcony. The cold calmed her down. A sigh of relief escaped her when she came out and watched the city. It was so quiet and dark. She didn't notice the man in the adjacent balcony, until he spoke.

"Rough day?" Alaric asked, startling her, making her jump. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you"

"It's okay. I just had a bad day at the hospital." She said not wanting to get into the details. "We happen to have a lot of those" she laughed to herself as she joked.

"Yeah I know." Alaric told her thinking about his call with Amy that evening.

It was quiet for a while after that. Amulya stared at the sky, trying to find starts. And Alaric stared at the girl next door, unable to take his eyes off for some reason. She was beautiful. Her pale skin glowed under the dim moonlight; her hair was long, slightly messy, but still beautifully fitting her. He couldn't stop staring at her.

After a long silence, Alaric broke the ice.

"I know what can fix the bad day" He said, Amulya turned to him in curiosity. "Ice cream"

She raised both her eye brows and looked at him. "Did you look at the time? You will get sick. Do i have to tell you the story too?" She smiled with amusement, thinking about the other day.

"Nah! I won't get sick, but even if I do, I'm sure you'll take care of me, Doctor" He said making her laugh.

"But prevention is better than cure, don't you agree?"

"I do, but I strongly believe, ice cream is worth getting sick"

"You keep up a strong argument, you should be a lawyer" She said, and realised she didn't know what he did for a living. "Are you a lawyer?" She asked him.

"I studied law, yes. But I haven't practiced since a year. Now I try to write books, if it works out, I'll get into that, if it doesn't, back to the court" he shrugged.

"Wow" she said not knowing what to say. Alaric stood up suddenly, making her frown towards him.

"I'll be back" he said, walking inside the house.

Amulya stood there confused at what happened for a second, before her door bell rang.

"I come bearing gifts" Alaric announced lifting up the tub of vanilla ice cream he was holding "Hope vanilla isn't too plain for you"

"But mama said, not to let strangers in" Amulya said, tried to keep her face innocent, but a smile broke through.

"I'm hurt you treat me as a stranger, Miss Amulya. I just got you ice cream" she laughed at him, the amused smile still on her face.

"What if the ice cream was just to lure me in?"

Suddenly, Alaric moved backwards, almost a meter.

"I swear I'll stay this far from you" He said making her smile widen "Is this social distance enough for you?"

~*~
Sorry for the short chapters, bear with me for a few more days!

Hope you guys are staying at home, safe. Please don't forget to maintain social distance of almost 6 feet, if you go out.

Love,

Vinu

P.s. don't forget to hit the star, if you like the story. Don't be a silent reader!

16. 04.20