Chapter 170 - Long Distance Dating.

Thursday. 

After Nora and Oliver's call, three days have passed and worried Oliver tried many times to talk to his sister but in vain. 

She didn't tell him why she abruptly wished that he should find his own happiness. Oliver was happy that his sister started to let go of her hopeless dream to see Jennifer and him together but he is more worried about her downcasted, despondent she sounded that night.

His sister sounded as if she was going to leave him soon and wished him happiness in her absence. 

Although he is worried he didn't probe any further and took his girlfriend's advice to give some space to Nora so she could figure things out herself. 

On the other hand, Anthony left for Australia the very next day after his confession to Jennifer. Although he said he would return, he didn't give any assurance which left Jennifer disappointed and anxious. 

Three days ago, when Jennifer woke up, she found herself lying on the sofa in her home with a terrible hangover. It was Nora who told her that Anthony was the one who came to drop her off that night. 

When Jennifer tried to recall what she did in her drunken state, everything came back to her mind and it left her embarrassed and equally elated at the same time. 

Anthony, her secret crush, confessed that he had a liking towards her and it was not entirely one sided from her side. 

He said that he didn't regret crossing the line with her a few months back in Australia. 

Although it was a mistake they made in their drunken states, he said he doesn't feel remorse but guilty for taking her first. 

A smile made its way to Jennifer's lips when she remembered what happened the next day after his confession. 

—-----------

Two days ago. Tuesday. 

Anthony came to meet her in the morning. He brought a hangover soup and later they had breakfast together. Both of them finished their breakfast acting as if nothing changed between them and their pretense remained that way till they stopped at the hospital. 

It was Jennifer's stop and if she leaves now, she won't be able to see him again for god knows till when! 

He will be leaving for Australia in the afternoon. 

They sat in the car and he didn't ask her to alight his car. He looked hesitant and reluctant and it was obvious from his actions that he had something to tell her . 

Seconds become minutes and the silence etched in the car. Neither of them spoke and all they could do is look at each other and give a half smile

At last, Jennifer mustered up her courage. She had already told him last night that she had a crush on him. Even if she gets rejected, nothing is going to change. Her little secret is out anyway. 

"For what happened that night, a few months ago." she spoke, her voice faint yet audible. 

Anthony's heart skipped a beat as he fixed his eyes on her and waited for her to finish her words. 

"I…I want you to take responsibility. Anthony, let's date. Let's see if we can be a couple." Nora blurted out quickly. Her words are rushed and even before Anthiny could register what Jennifer said, she has already alighted the car and disappeared. She literally ran away, afraid that he would say no. 

Dazed, Anthony made his way to the hotel and checked out. On his way to the airport, all he could think about was Jennifer. Their time in Australia started to play in his mind as he recalled their happy memories and the all heart touching gestures she did for him. 

He has realized that his moments with Jennifer are so far the next happy moments he has besides his time with his family. He actually used to look forward to talking to her, spend time with her. It is just that he never realized how much he got habituated to her presence in his daily life. 

As he never experienced these types of things in his life, he didn't realize that emptiness in his heart is because of the absence of her in his life after she left. Now, thinking of it, he started to realize everything. 

As his time to board his flight started to approach, he started feeling more and more restless. A bad feeling started to invade his heart. He felt that he would lose his opportunity to understand his true feelings for her if he left now. 

When it started to intensify, he couldn't take it anymore and immediately took a trip to Jennifer's hospital. When he went to meet her, she was about to go into the surgery room. 

"Hurry up. I need to go inside.", he heard her say as she shifted her attention from the door to his sweating face. He should have used the stairs and ran all the way here that he is panting. 

"I… I" he stumbled on his words. 

Jennifer looked at him with a mixture of expectation and anxiety taking over her. 

"I agree. Let's date, Jen. Let's give it a try." he told her. 

Jennifer was in shock when she heard his words. She dreamt of this many times but never thought she would listen to these words in real life. 

However, before she could say anything the nurse rushed towards her and urged her to hurry up. The doctors and nurses are waiting for her inside. 

Jennifer had no option. She looked at Anthony apologingly. "Call. I will call later." she said and ran towards the operation team.

Then, they got busy and could only talk after one whole day had passed. 

Now, they are officially dating. Long distance dating, however. 

—-------

"Back to Earth, Jen." Kyra's words brought Jennifer back from her dream world. 

"You are going into daze more often these days." Kyra said to her friend Jennifer as she packed her last bag. 

They are leaving for their mandatory field trip to provide medical services in rural places. It lasts for four days and everyone must go. 

'Fortunately' they are placed in the same group and so was Oliver. Both Jennifer and Kyra know that Oliver pulled some strings to have both of them in the group he is leading. 

Kyra has stayed in Oliver's house the last two days that she didn't pack her luggage. She rushed this morning to pack. As Nora stayed in Jennifer's home, the couple got a chance to stay together. 

They had a lot of work to do at the hospital that they had to work at different times. Sometimes, Oliver used to come back at midnight and sometimes Kyra had to stay at the hospital all night. But they cherished their time together, though they got less time to spend together. 

"Missing my brother, already?" Kyra teased when she noticed that Jennifer is texting Anthony. 

"Can't I?" Jennifer asked, making Kyra say aww. 

"He didn't call me last night. Did he call you?" Kyra asked as she and Jennifer descended the stairs. 

"He actually did. I forgot. He asked me to wish you a happy journey." Jennifer said. 

Kyra pouted and wrapped her arms around Oliver who was waiting for her at the stairs to take her luggage. 

"My brother changed a lot. Now, he prefers to speak to his girlfriend more than his sister." she said. 

"Don't worry, Ky. You can talk to me anytime you want and I will be there with you forever." Oliver said as he kissed Kyra's forehead. 

"Ahh! So sweet!! I can't take this PDA anymore. Guys, please understand that I am in a long distance relationship now." Jennifer said. 

"And, that you never had a chance to kiss your boyfriend." Kyra said, rubbing salt on Jennifer's wound as she kissed Oliver who happily returned the kiss. 

Jennifer's mood became more sour. 

"You… you guys!" saying so, she marched out, feigning her anger. 

Oliver and Kyra chuckled and followed their friend out. Past two days, the trio had fun like this even in the hospital. 

Oliver is the happiest one here. These two ladies got each other's back. In this competitive, tough life of surgeons, it is really a blessing to have a true friend as a colleague. He used to have one as well. Raymond. Not anymore though. 

Oliver left in his own car after he helped Kyra in loading her luggage in her car. 

Jennifer and Kyra got into Kyra's car and Jennifer looked at a friend who is looking at the neighborhood house. 

"Is it not Daniel's house? Where is he? It's been a few months since he answered my call." Jennifer said. He disappeared at the exact time Kyra and Oliver got into a relationship and ever since then there is no trace of him. 

"I asked my second brother. It looks like Daniel didn't go back to London. He went somewhere else." Kyra answered her friend's question. 

"Where is he, then? Even Oliver doesn't know. But, he doesn't look worried about Daniel." Jennifer said. 

"Oliver said that Daniel told him not to worry. Though Daniel didn't tell Oliver where he is going, it looks like Daniel knows what he is doing. Don't worry. According to Daniel's sister, Chloe, this is not the first time. He disappears for months and returns later."

"I am not sure but according to what I heard from his family, he often goes to help his friend who does research in the Amazon who has the same expertise as Daniel. Maybe it is where he went.." Kyra added.