Social Distancing (COMPLETED)

Chapter 20

Amulya had to stay on call that night. She barely got an hour sleep before she was rushing to her next patient. She was glad for the distraction though. She could just go home and sleep it all off. She didn't want to think of Alaric or Reagan or why it is affecting her that they are staying together.

It shouldn't affect her. She shouldn't think of it much. It was just temporary arrangement, or they were not together too. What was happening to her? She needed to talk to someone.

As soon as she reached home, ignoring how tired she was, she took out her phone and dialled someone who she knew would help her.

"So you still remember me" She heard Shannon say on the other side of the call.

"I work twenty four hours a day, Shannon" Amulya told her friend.

"No you don't" The girl said with disbelief.

"Not every day, but I do" Amulya chuckled at her friend's voice.

"Thank god I did not study medicine" The girl said.

"You are lucky" Amulya repeated "I miss living with you"

"You just miss my advice" She chuckled. When Amulya moved to London, she was rooming with Shannon for a whole year before she moved into the penthouse and Amulya moved into the current apartment.

"Actually I do" Amulya said and before the other girl could make a cocky comment she continued "I think I like someone"

The line was quiet for some time, except for a few sounds like someone was chocking.

"Are you serious? Girl why wasn't it when we were living together? Who is it? Was it the Rick guy from tinder?" She started firing questions.

"Yes, except he also happens to be my neighbour"

"Are you serious? This is epic" Shannon was bouncing with excitement. "I really want to come over"

"No, it's not safe. Just stay at home" Shannon rolled her eyes before grumbling a yes.

"Now give me the details. How did this happen?" So Amulya told her everything from the beginning.

"So you are jealous of Reagan because he asked her to stay with him?"

"I know it's so stupid. I guess I am just insecure that they might hit it off and he would just... forget about me"

"Shut up, you are gorgeous. It's his loss if he doesn't like you back." Amulya just rolled her eyes.

"What should I do Nonie? I'm not supposed to like him. My parents will kill me, no second thoughts."

"Calm down. Make sure you actually have romantic feelings for them"

"How will I know if I like him?"

"You just will. Now what you need to do is to come to terms that Reagan is living with him for the next few weeks until she finds a place to live. And don't over think about him liking her. If that happens, he isn't the one for you."

Amulya liked how honest Shannon was being. She decided to do what she said first. The next day off, she was going to invite them over dinner and make friends. Or at least try to; she was sure her insecurities aren't going to help her do that, but she was going to try.

The next morning, Alaric helped Reagan search for available apartments. She for some reason is insisting on living on her own. Alaric hesitated knowing it must be hard living with a broken hand but it was her decision.

They found a few in the neighborhood, and decided to check them out the next day. It was a bit hard to find a place to live when the whole city is on strict lock-down.

Reagan stayed locked inside her room, other than eating and looking for the apartments that morning, she hasn't come out much. She didn't even talk. Alaric was worried about her. He didn't know how an abusive relationship can change a person. He made dinner and knocked on Reagan's door.

"Dinner's ready" he told her.

"Isn't it a little early for dinner?" Reagan asked coming out of the room.

"Yes, but I have planned a movie night and we are eating a lot of junk food, hence the early dinner" Reagan just smiled at him and sat down to eat dinner. It was delicious as usual.

It was around eight that night, Alaric and Reagan were in the middle of their second movie, when there was a knock on the door. Alaric opened to find Amy.

"Hey" He greeted her, noticing the bags under her eyes and how tired she actually was. He was surprised to find her at the door. Last time they talked, se kind of blew him off about hanging out.

"Hi, I came here to check on Reagan" She said, suddenly nervous. Alaric moved to the side to see Reagan was wrapped in a blanket on the couch, eating popcorn. The same couch they were on, a few days back.

Don't think too much.

"I'm feeling great" Reagan smiled at Amulya. "No headaches, my wrist doesn't hurt much. Ribs take time to heal, and I haven't been putting pressure on them" She answered knowing what Amulya was going to ask.

Amulya chuckled before nodding at the blonde.

"I was wondering, if you guys want to join me for dinner." She asked hesitantly.

Alaric looked at Reagan, who was looking at Amulya with an apologetic look.

"We had an early dinner tonight" She told her. "We are having a movie night right now"

Amulya frowned. She felt like she has been slapped. She knew she was overreacting. They had an early dinner, it's not wrong. She and Shannon always had movie nights. It's not wrong.

"Right" Amulya said, taking a step back "Some other time then?" She turned, not waiting for an answer.

"You are welcome to join us, tonight" It was Alaric. He was looking at Amulya with hopeful eyes. But she was too much of a coward to look him in the eye.

"No it's fine. I don't want to intrude." Before Alaric could argue she added "I need to sleep"

And there was that line. The same one she told Alaric the previous morning. She needs to sleep, as if she hasn't been sleeping much lately. As if she was losing sleep because of him.

"Amy" Alaric called her walking into the hallway, when she suddenly turned around and started walking into her apartment. She didn't turn until she reached her door.

"Goodnight Alaric" she smiled at him, just like she did at the hospital, "See you tomorrow"

At least she said she was going to see him tomorrow.

"Goodnight Amy" he replied, but she has already closed her door.

~*~

Sorry for being late

26.04.20