Chapter 3

Night time isn't much different from this morning. It's quieter. It's peaceful, but it's out of the norm. The places where it's usually filled with noises now have an atmosphere similar to that of a cemetery. The lights inside the houses are on, most of them. That's good. It's good to see that many are following the rules. Some are outside, taking a nicotine break. That's not as deadly, I guess. Others can be seen looking up the sky, taking a breath of air that's no longer the same, probably wondering the same things that most people are thinking of. What's there to do other than wait and hope.

"What…"

The door opened before she even got a chance to put the keys into the lock. The lights are on inside but this is unexpected. Her wrist is immediately grabbed onto and pulled inside. The hug came in so fast, it's too late to move back but not too late to extend her hands out. "You can't."

"I already told her she won't listen to me she made dinner this is sso good."

"I miss you."

Taking a step back isn't going to help. Extending her hands out to prevent other parts of her body being touched is all she can do. "Let me take a shower first, okay?"

"I'll heat up dinner."

The smell of air isn't different outside but it is here. Seeing Nadia walking away, she can finally breathe freely. It has only been three months. Apparently talking on the phone, meeting up 2 days a week, three months without touching is difficult to do. "Why did you let her in?"

"She threatened me."

Nadia wouldn't do that. Imo, on the other hand, sometimes misunderstood the terminology used in a casual conversation but she should know the meaning of the word threaten. Whatever kind of dessert it is that she's taking a bite of, she's obviously enjoying it. "You mean she bribed you."

"same difference, she could've beaten me up, go take a shower go go go." Imo said, keeping her eyes on the tv.

What's there to do other than do as requested. Standing here with the same clothing on as this morning isn't good for anyone even if the outerwear hasn't been touched by anyone else but her hair and parts of her body have been exposed to things that might be contaminated and places where it's deemed unsafe, and the most dangerous, most likely way to get infected, having contact with patients. So a long shower is absolutely necessary, thoroughly washing her hair too. As much as she doesn't want Nadia here, it's difficult to tell her to leave. I'm so going to regret this.

Dinner is as good as Imo said which isn't surprising since Nadia has been dropping off home cooked meals almost every night. What's surprising is she baked a cake this time. What's today? Valentine's day has passed. Anniversary? "Did I…forget…something?" It wasn't meant to be funny but Nadia is laughing so that's a good sign.

"It's her birthday."

"ohh" No wonder Imo took a few days off. "sorry Imo! Happy Birthday!" Holly called out from the kitchen. An apology is necessary. Everything has just been so crazy lately but it's also because Imo doesn't care for it unlike Nadia who cares way too much because why else would she remember the date when we first met, when we had our first kiss, when we...

"Thanks!" Imo yelled back from the living room.

Huh? Imo is usually quick in responding. Is she still stuffing her face with the strawberry cake? Doesn't matter. What matters is thanking Nadia for being so incredibly thoughtful.

"you're welcome"

"uhh" Holly leans back while extending her hand again. It might be just a kiss but in today's environment, a kiss can be deadly. Thanks to Imo for walking in and interrupting at the right moment.

"Oh, in case you're wondering why your door isn't locked, I think it's broken."

Broken? That's what happens after a long day's work. She didn't notice. She had thought she forgot to lock it. She didn't notice the burnt smell is gone from this morning until Imo explained what Nadia did the whole day.

"Youu…burnt…toast?" Nadia asked, now realizing where the smell came from, also confused as to how anyone could do that especially Holly who might not be an expert in cooking but has enough common sense to know what buttons to press.

"You cleaned my room?" This, she did noticed because the bed is made.

"She took care of your laundry too, sanitized the whole house, no bacillus tuberculosis, escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, salmonella isn't going to survive this."

Thanks Imo but that didn't change Holly's expression. That's not a look of gratitude. "I didn't touch anything except the sheets…and the pillows…and the comforter…and…some things are out of place, so I …moved them, but you shouldn't have trouble finding them." Nadia said, realizing that Imo wasn't exaggerating when she said Holly doesn't like anyone going into her room that is usually locked. Apparently, that includes me.

"I know that we, that you and I are…"

"I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd mind but you're right, I shouldn't have touch your things, I shouldn't have came without letting you know."

"No, you shouldn't have." It's for her own good but that…obviously…got taken the wrong way since Nadia is no longer sitting. What's said can't be taken back. "Nadiaa" Taking hold of Nadia's forearm is necessary to stop her from leaving. This wouldn't be the right moment to explain the reason for social distancing. Besides, she should already know. "I didn't propose so you can do my laundry. I didn't propose so you can cook me dinner, I didn't propose so you can clean my room, vacuum and mop the floor…I did…because I love you…I…love you…okay?" There's the smile. This time, the hug came in so fast, there's no way to prevent it. "mmm" The heck with social distancing. This feels so good. It's not a kiss but neck kissing is ... "Nadia, Imo is still here." That's all it took for Nadia to pull back immediately.

"Just so you know, I offered to help but she said she can handle it."

There's no need to explain but obviously Imo felt the need to. "Don't you have something else to do?"

"but this is so much better than the movie I was watching. Please continue."

Imo! That…is not funny until Nadia made an excuse to leave. That look of embarrassment is plastered all over her face. Going to the bathroom is a good excuse. Going back home would not be wise especially now that she's had contact with two medical professionals. This arrangement is ssso not going to work. What should I do? What can I do? Nothing comes to mind ever after 3 hours. That's what happens after a long day's work. The brain cells don't work that well. Maybe she'll... What's that? There it is again. Now it's obvious. Nadia just came in without knocking. The lock is broken. "What.."

"I don't care. I don't care if I get infected. Nobody knows what's going to happen. I could get hit by a car tomorrow or lightning or...or..a pole or something that, that broke off from something. I could die tomorrow. You don't know what's going to happen. You don't. Nobody does. I don't want to regret it, when I could be with you and I didn't because of this. I just want to be with you. I just…I want…"

It's now obvious something is wrong. Nadia had been this emotional before but never this illogical, this unreasonable, this unstoppable, this direct, this impatient. It's impossible to stop her from getting onto the bed. "Didn't you say you can…wait…wait…uhhmmm…" That was a stupid suggestion. Why did I even suggested it? "Imo can hear us." This time, it didn't work. It's not impossible to resist the kisses but is there a need to at this point? This arrangement is ssso not working out. The heck with the sex ban!

...moments later...

Sex ban is not in effect yet but even if it is, who's going to follow it? Nadia would have if she didn't find out about Max. Death is inevitable especially for someone in the law enforcement field, there is a higher risk. In this case, that's not the cause. It's unfortunate. Accidents happen. No wonder she's like this.

"How is she doing?" Holly asked while gently stroking Nadia's head that's been lying on her bare chest for awhile now. Getting no answer other than a long deep inhale followed by exhale, she understood. How would anyone feel after finding out that their close friend suddenly passed away? Disbelief and shocked. Kristin would want to know how it happened. Kristin would want to be held, to have a shoulder to cry on, to be comforted. But Kristin wouldn't behave like this, this irrational.