It was early February; Amulya was getting busier by day, dealing with the out patients and the in patients. Dr. Stone watched as she was talking with one of the patients in the ward.

"She is good, Dr. Stone" Pierce said, smiling at the girl.

"I noticed. She reminds me of myself" He chuckled. "I want to give her the job, you know? Make it permanent if she takes. What do you say?"

"You are the boss. You decide who stays and who goes" She smiled before carrying on to the next patient.

The hospital was getting busier these days. The number of people coming in sick with the flu was abnormal. It wasn't even winter. The cold days were not as cold as before, and by the middle of February, it should lessen the cases of people getting sick.

Amulya was checking in on her last patient, when Dr. Stone called her to his office.

"Good evening Doctor" She greeted him.

"I have news" Dr. Stone said, a little darkly. It wasn't how he planned to break the news to her.

"Good or bad?"

"Both. The bad news is, I was in the conference with the board this afternoon" Amulya knew who the board were. They were the group of doctors that worked for the state. They decided how things happen in the hospitals around. They give out information about, well almost about everything. They even have a say in who gets to continue the practice and hold the licence. "They told us about a possible... Pandemic"

Amulya's heart sank; a pandemic? It was not something simple, something to be taken lightly. When was the last time they got a serious disease that was labelled a pandemic?

Was it the Spanish flu? It lasted for two years. How many lives did it take? How many are going to die this time?

"Don't worry; it's all under control so far. Maintaining a bit of social distance with other people and personal hygiene can prevent it from spreading. "

"How bad is it going to be?" She asked him with a stiff voice, adjusting in her chair.

"We don't know. We are hoping not so serious. Hopefully there will be a lower death rate."

"What is the other news?"

"I decided this morning, after discussing with a few doctors" Amulya's heart skipped. She knew she was going to have a talk about this with Dr. Stone, But she didn't expect it to be this soon. How long has it been; three weeks?

"Welcome to the team, Dr. Natraj" Stone smiled at her, watching the young girl's face light up. He never selected someone this fast. She barely worked here for a month. But he knew passion when he saw one. He knew she was going places with her hard work and determination. He knew he wasn't going to regret giving her the job.

"Oh my god" She whispered, still not hitting her that she got the permanent job; her dream job. "Thank you, sir. Thank you very much" She said over and over again, not knowing how it's enough to thank him.

"You no longer have to work under my supervision, but that doesn't mean you can do as you please. I am still the head doctor here, and my opinion matters the most."

Amulya nodded thanking him again before clocking off and heading home.

Alaric spent the whole day doing nothing. He needed to find a hobby, or he was not going to be able to write another chapter, let alone the whole book.

But what should he do? Maybe he can bake? But was it a good idea? He learnt to bake a few basic desserts from his mum when he was in school. But could he try again? What would hurt, right?

He collected the ingredients to make biscuits, but before he could start making them the doorbell rang. He put the bowl down before opening the door. It was Amulya.

"I brought dinner. You didn't eat already, right?" She asked sheepishly. She should have called first.

"No, I did not. What is the occasion?" he asked letting her in.

She looked around the apartment. His laptop and a few books were laid out on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Other than that, his apartment was clean. Not at all messy as she expected a guy's flat would be.

"I got the job" She said excitedly, almost bouncing on her feet. Her excitement was contagious, he started smiling too.

"That is so amazing, Amy" he said grinning widely "We should celebrate. I would open a wine, but I don't drink"

"Nope, no alcohol; I'm working tomorrow." She said setting down the food on the kitchen table, looking around the room.

"I see you have been busy. What are you making?" She asked scanning the contents laid out on the counter. "Cookies?"

"Yeah, just something that helps me write" he said, scratching the back of his neck. "Want to help? We can eat dinner first if you are hungry"

Amulya didn't even hear till the end of his question. She was already pulling her sleeves up and washing her hands.

"Let's do this Mr. Walter" She smiled at him "Let's bake the darn cookies"

~*~

20.04.20

I like today's date 😂