Social Distancing (COMPLETED)

Chapter 27

So soon the time passed. It was almost two months since Amulya and Alaric started dating. The second week after they got together, Amy got so busy that she had to stay at the hospital for two days straight. She had to cover more than forty eight hour shifts to meet the needs at the hospital.

Hundreds of people were dying daily which put her in a very bad mood. But she was helpless. She tried her best, but in the end, they always died.

For the past few weeks situation has been under control. The number of people being affected by the disease is decreasing, so is the number of deaths. Amulya was back to a single day shift every day since the hospitals weren't as crowded as before.

Things between Alaric and Amulya have been amazing. He cooked for her almost every day. They spent the weekends watching movies or just talking.

"Hey" Alaric greeted Amulya as he wrapped his hands around her from behind. It was a Saturday and Amulya insisted that she cook. She rarely cooked but this was her turn.

"I'm almost done" She told him closing the lid on the pasta and turning around in his arms.

"I'm starving" he slightly kissed her on the nose making her giggle.

They stayed like that just staring at each other. His blue eyes were dark, with slight golden flecks that danced inside of them. She loved his eyes.

"How was work?" his voice made her snap out of his thoughts.

"It was good. I'm just glad to have the weekend off" and she really was. It was the first time she got a two day weekend. She could now relax and spend a lot of time with him.

After lunch, they both were curled up on the couch watching a movie. But Amulya couldn't concentrate on the film. All her thoughts were on the man sitting next to her. His arm was tightly wrapped around her waist, holding her to him.

She looked up at him. He was immersed in the movie. His dark hair was a mess. His eyes were wide as he watched the film.

He thought about where they started almost half a year back; one drunken night. That's all it took for her to meet him. She didn't regret it. She thought about the time they talked on phone, about the time they went to the amusement park, the time they spent eating ice cream. It all seemed long back.

She liked how he cared for her. After she got home, he would make sure she ate before going to bed. He was always patient with her.

She smiled up at him and lifted her hand to run it through his hair.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked her turning his attention towards her from the television.

"You" she told him. "You need a haircut" she observed.

He chuckled running his hand in his hair. It was longer than before, but he liked it.

"What about me?" He questioned her, bringing her close and kissing her cheek.

"Alaric" she started. He heard the seriousness in her voice and straightened. "I... I think I'm in love with you"

He froze. He never expected her to say it. She was always closed up when it came to showing emotions. He looked at her. She was staring back, her honey eyes wide and her lips parted and her breathing came out in slight pants.

"Say something" She whispered when he didn't say anything for a long time. She didn't want to freak him out.

"I love you too, Amy" he said finally. "So, so much."

She gave him a teary smile. "Say it again" she whispered

"I love you. I can say that a million more times if you want me to"

They just stayed that way for a while until Amulya's phone rang. It was as if the universe is playing a sick joke on her.

It was her mother.

"Amulya, you won't believe what just happened" her mother didn't even bother to say hello. Amulya knew it was pure business now.

"Hello to you too, mum" She said sarcastically.

"Not the time for that, Amulya. This is serious"

"What is it ma?"

"I found a perfect match for you" She said. Amulya's heart dropped.

Not now ma She thought.

"I thought we decided I was not going to get married, ma" she snapped at her mother.

She looked over at Alaric when she realised her voice was louder than she intended to. He was already staring at her, colour draining from his face.

"This guy is really perfect Amulya. His name is Rahul. He is a doctor. He works in the same hospital as you do" As soon as her mother said that, a face appeared in Amulya's head.

She knew Rahul. She talked to him a few times at the hospital. He was good looking. No wonder her mother liked him.

"I know him. But I don't want to get married mum" She snapped.

Amulya was still looking at Alaric. He stood up and walked towards her.

"I am not listening to your silly reasons, Amulya. You are meeting him. That's final. Don't argue with me"

Amulya knew it was useless to argue with her mother.

"Fine" She snapped before cutting the call. She was sure her mother had nothing else to talk about.

"It was my mother" She told him, even though he knew.

"What did she want?"

"For me to get married; his name is Rahul. He works at the hospital. She wants me to meet him."

"And you agreed?" he said, a bit of anger leaking into his voice.

"I had to. She won't leave me alone if I don't. I'll just meet him tomorrow and tell him I can't get married to him"

"Why don't you tell your mother about us?"

"It's not easy Alaric."

"Why is it not easy? I told you Amy. I love you, and I'll marry you. Why can't you just tell you parents about us?"

"You don't understand"

"Help me understand, then" his voice was still smooth. She knew it wasn't fair for him to keep hiding this.

"I'll tell her as soon as I can. Please understand" She whispered. This wasn't the talk she was very much willing to have with her parents. But it was inevitable.

"I love you" He said pulling her into a hug.

"I love you too"

~*~

Three more chapters!!

03.05.20