Social Distancing (COMPLETED)

Chapter 21

As soon as she locked the door, Amulya slid down against it and wrapped her hands around her knees. She wasn't sad, she wasn't jealous. She was just embarrassed and tired. She was exhausted.

She was feeling things she never felt before. Life was easy, she used to wake up, go to the hospital, and come back home and sleep. But now it's all changed. She is angry at some girl who doesn't deserve to be mad at, she liked a guy and she doesn't know what to make of it. She was jealous. She was exhausted.

She sat there for almost half an hour before getting up and heading towards the kitchen, where she had made dinner, some rice and chicken. Nothing fancy, but not something she would make for herself every day.

She packed the food and put them in the fridge, leaving a small amount of it on her plate. Even though she was far from being hungry, she had to eat to stay healthy. After dinner, she went to bed, sleep didn't come easily, but it helped that she was not tired.

Next morning she woke up, turned off her alarm and headed into the bathroom, to start her day. It was almost robotic; she was back being her old self.

On the way out to work she bumped into Alaric who was locking his door and Reagan who was holding the elevator for him. She smiled excitedly when she saw Amulya.

"I'm looking at the apartments, today" She told the woman. "If it all works out, I'll be out of your hair by the end of next week"

Amulya gaped at the straightforward comment made by the blonde.

"What?" she said, disbelief laced in her voice.

"I'm pretty excited that I could get my own place. Now you don't have to worry about me and Alaric anymore"

"What are you talking about?" Amulya decided to play dumb.

"Oh come on, don't play dumb. I know how you are feeling. I and Alaric would never happen. If it was supposed to happen, it would have happened months ago when we first met. He would never be interested in me; he likes you too much for that"

Amulya was shocked. She didn't know what to say. Reagan said Alaric liked her, but did he? That guy was gorgeous, he could get any girl he wanted, and would he choose her?

Before they could exchange any more words Alaric entered the lift. "Sorry I had to go in again and grab my wallet" he said pressing the button to go down.

He likes you too much for that.

He likes you,

HE LIKES YOU!

Amulya's head was working million miles per second, by the time they reached the cellar.

Alaric liked her, that's what Reagan said. But Amulya couldn't wrap her head around it.

She wasn't sure if she could concentrate on her work that day.

Alaric and Reagan looked around three apartments before they found the one she liked and could afford. She even sent in her resume for a few jobs around there that would help get her life back on track.

"What's got you in low spirits?" She asked Alaric, noting that he wasn't his usual self.

"Nothing" he brushed her off not want to think about why he was that way. It wasn't a surprise it was because of Amy. He felt like she has been avoiding him for the past two days. She was a lot colder than she was before. She was not replying to his texts, he wanted to believe it was the work stress but somehow he couldn't believe it. He blamed himself.

"It's the neighbour" Reagan stated as they entered the apartment complex. Alaric acted like he didn't hear her.

"Alaric, talk to me, what's going on?" She pressed. He didn't utter a word until they were back in their flat.

"I think she is avoiding me" he told Reagan. He didn't need to say who. "I don't know what I did, but I feel it's my fault, somehow"

"It's not your fault. Did you notice how many hours she works a day? She is just busy, Alaric. Every time she doesn't text you back, don't think she is avoiding you. Why do you care so much anyway? Do you like her?" She wriggled her eyebrows, teasing him.

"I think I do." Reagan's mouth dropped. She wasn't expecting him to agree with her. That was a surprise.

"You do? Have you told her?"

"Does it look like I told her?" He snapped making her laugh.

"What are you waiting for, someone else to sweep her off her feet?"

"It's more complicated than that" He told, thinking about what she previously told about arranged marriage. He definitely was not going to wait till her parents marry her off to someone else.

"Alaric, ask her out. Trust me, I have a feeling she is going to say yes" She gave him a knowing smile.

"What do you know?" he asked narrowing his eyes.

"Nothing" he knew the innocent look on her face was not at all real.

"Reagan..." he warned his eyes still narrow, making her straight face break into a grin.

"I might have talked to her" With that Reagan walked into her room and shut the door, leaving Alaric alone with his thoughts.

Asking her on a date? Sure he can do that.

He really hoped she didn't say no.

~*~

27.04.20