Chapter 3: Helping Erica

Finally, the rain has stopped, As Jay promised Erica to assist her with searching for missing documents, He took his bike and told Erica to meet him at the exit of the park. It was April in Tared, and it's rare to see clouds rumbling over this early in months, Iba city had many parks Jay and Erica were at the public park, this park was famous for its enormous 300-year-old Oaktree. People from different parts of the town used to come to gape at this immense beauty. In the past, there was a myth about this oak tree, some people used to believe it as a royal oak tree, as it was the protector of Tared kingdom throughout the countless wars, this tree served as a watchtower for Tared's soldiers. In fact, King of Tared was used to wear a crown made from the leaves of this oak tree, As a symbol of god this oak tree was named as Grace after the last king of Tared.

After countless years of battle, bloodshed, and change of regime this tree lost its significance. And now it's just a typical oak tree in this modern age of technology, it is also believed that this tree can fulfill your sincere wishes as it is considered as a cosmic storehouse of wisdom. At the exit of a park, Jay was eagerly waiting for Erica on his bike.

Erica was approaching Jay; She was wearing black matee wedge sandals because of water on the footpath, she was taking every step carefully, she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of everyone by slipping over it. Erica worked as a neurologist in the municipal hospital of Iba. This afternoon she had a meeting with other doctors where she was supposed to present a monthly report on past surgeries, As it was going to rain, she hurriedly locked her apartment and grabbed her umbrella. She got out for work before rain started, But luck was not on her side.

Jay saw Erica approaching him with a sad face, so he asked her, "you okay? " Erica replied by saying, "yea, I'm okay, and thanks for helping me out." Erica remembered that she might have forget her documents in her apartment, So Jay agreed to give her a ride on his bike.

After 10 minutes of the ride, Erica reached to her apartment, it was a 15 story building Jay was waiting outside her apartment. Before entering the building, Erica told Jay that she could manage it on her own from here. But Jay wanted to know the mystery behind that blank gaze which he got at the park, that's the only reason Jay was insisting her to take his help.

Erica found her documents, she was confident that she left it beside her study table, which she forgot to put in her purse. Erica thought Jay would be gone by now as she didn't tell him to wait; Also, she didn't get any chance to thank him properly for his help. But to her surprise, Jay was still waiting outside her apartment; Erica got near him and said, "I thought you would leave a long time ago" Jay replied, "No, I had to drop you to hospital as I promised." Erica replied, "It's okay, you didn't have to trouble yourself for me. I could manage on my own from here." As Iba hospital was 15 minutes away from her apartment. She saw the kind intention in Jay's eyes and couldn't disappoint him; So without escalating the discussion she sat on his bike, and within 5 minutes; Erica reached her destination. This time she thanked Jay for his help and gave him her Email so that she could make it even and help him if he ever needed it. As Erica was a lady with a strong will, she always believed in repaying her debt.

Erica was in her late 20's she had coral black hair which plunged over her shoulders and matched her distinctive personality. She had sweet melon lips; They were blossom soft, She had decanter shaped waist with a saffron tint to her complexion she also had a soothing voice, which would make anyone impossible to neglect her commands. Despite all this, Erica never really cared about flaunting her beauty, Erica took med school after graduating from high school and completed her masters from Eins university. Despite that, they didn't know each other since, Jay too completed his graduation from the Eins university in Tared. Erica was always interested in studying the human brain; So she decided to become a doctor. Erica completed her master degree in neurology and landed a job in Iba Municipal hospital, Erica never dated any men. Predominantly, she was a nerd who stuffed her face with a book throughout her teenage and adult life. Erica was never interested in dating or being in a relationship with anyone. In addition to her work, she was focused on her research on human minds and the way they work.

Next day,

After spending hours in the operation room on a long surgery, Erica got ravenous; and she desperately needed something to gobble up. While walking towards the hospital cafeteria, Erica suddenly saw Jay at the reception of Iba hospital; Initially she thought that Jay came to meet her. Erica was confused and murmured to herself, "Why would he come here to meet me?" with no plausible answers in her mind, she decided to take a stride and ask him about it. As soon as she advanced towards him, with a jovial tone, Jay spoke, "Hey Erica, Wow! What a surprise meeting you here." Erica replied, "I think you forgot, but I work here, as you dropped me yesterday." Jay responded by saying, "Sorry, I thought you wanted to visit someone, I didn't know you were a doctor." Erica realized that she never told him of her being a doctor at Iba public Hospital; Erica apologized to Jay for her discourteous behavior. To get out herself from this discomfit situation, Erica came up with an idea and said to Jay, "Would you mind joining me for lunch? As I would like to thank you for yesterday," Jay replied, "Yea, sure, I would be happy to do that" But Jay already had lunch, Also he didn't want to deny her kind offer. Both of them took an elevator for the cafeteria as it was on the 10th floor; Now situation was more awkward between them they didn't speak a single word until they reached the cafeteria. Upon entering, Erica said, "It's my treat, so no need to hesitate to order up anything you want to eat." Jay was in a big dilemma, as he already had lunch and now he didn't have much place left inside him for another round, Jay didn't want himself to look like an hungry ape in front of Erica by ordering main course, Jay was taking his time.

On the other hand, Erica ordered Ravioli and a Bourbon milk punch for herself as she skipped her breakfast for undertaking early morning surgery. Jay finally decided on his order, and he told Erica that he will have pure Cranberry juice. Upon hearing this, Erica replied to Jay, "Look, don't be shy, I won't judge you or anything." Jay politely responded by saying, "Ohh, no, it's okay; I'm not shy; it's just that I'm not so much of a hungry right now." As soon as their order arrived, Erica plunged into her Ravioli like she hadn't eaten any food for ages. It was getting awkward, Erica thought it was because of her guzzle, so she said: "I'm sorry I didn't mean to chomp everything like a greedy pig, But I haven't eaten anything since this morning, and I was busy in surgery." To break the ice, Jay replied, "Oh, It's Okay. BTW, I should call you Dr.Erica, right?" with a beam on her face Erica replied, "No, you don't have to do that you can simply call me Erica." Jay finally got his grip over the situation, and he replied, "I think Dr.Erica sound's more mature."

Listening to this, Erica replied, "I don't think I'm that old to be mature yet." Jay thought he messed up, Because just a moment ago he broke the awkwardness; Seeing his anxious expression, Erica said: "Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean it, rudely." Finally, Jay got his soul punched back into his body, and he replied, "Thanks! for the delicious Cranberry juice Erica." Erica responded, "Ohh, so you choose Erica over Dr.Erica hehe…." With a fumble voice, Jay replied: "Yes, I guess it's cute, " Jay took her by surprise, Erica didn't know what to answer as she never got such compliments before.

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