ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Chapter 3: The Joshi's •

[5:30am. 23rd September. Joshi House, Indore]

"Hurry up with the packing bacha! The flight is in 4 hours!" The deep voice of Alok Joshi roamed the Joshi bungalow.
Alok Joshi, a mature man of 49, announced. He was valued employee at CasheMe Tech, working there for more than 25 years. He was the main bread earner in the family, supported with his wife, Yamini Joshi.

"She's coming. Her stuff is ready. Nikhil is bringing it." Yamini Joshi responded while fixing the ends of her saree.
Yamini Joshi, a mature woman of 45 years. She was an aspiring astrologer and had studied astrology deeply by visiting the local temple and learning. She was now practicing and slowly starting consultations, to support her husband.

"Here Baba!" Nikhil Joshi arrived, with 2 suitcases in his hand. Nikhil Joshi, a 24 year old man, who just completed his graduation from University of Bath. He was now scouting for jobs while assisting his Mom in finding clients and an office space. He was at a height of 6ft and has brownish black hair with jet black eyes. He was sleek and handsome.

"Finally!" Alok said. "Why's her bag so heavy?"
"She is going for the whole year. It's going to be heavy." Yamini replied.
"Where is she, Nikhil?"
"She's coming. Give her two minutes. You two gather your stuff and start locking the rooms."
Yamini nodded and did as her son said.

"Aai!" A sweet voice echoed across the house, "I can't find my charger!"
"It's here beta! Come!" Yamini responded.

Within 2 minutes, a young, elegant girl came into the hall. "I'm ready." Her soft, elegant voice echoed as her family laid their eyes on her, with small tears in their eyes. Nikita Joshi.

The younger sibling of the Joshi household, 21 years of age. She was studying in Indore until she applied for a scholarship to study at the University of Bournbrooke. She knew the hardships her Aai Baba faced to send her brother to study in the UK, and did not want more issues on her name so she worked tirelessly to secure a 70% scholarship at the University of Bournbrooke, so she could study in India and still be studying in an international University. When she got her offer letter a month back, she knew immediately that she's going. While it took her parents some convincing, they finally agreed upon the insistence of her brother. Now, she was going to study where she really wanted to, and she knew she had only chance, and she was determined to make most of it.

Currently, she was dressed in an army green cargo pants, along with a black full sleeves skin-tight top. She had a height of 5'5. Her black hair with chocolate brown highlights was braided and rested in front on one shoulder, which highlighted her beauty. She wore a small loop nose ring and had kajal on her eyes, with her subtle lipstick, completing her look.

"You look beautiful beta!" Alok said and she smiled, "Come on! Let's leave!"
Within 15 minutes, the Joshi family was on their way to the airport.

~~~

[Mumbai, 10:30am]

"Here we are!" Yamini said, sitting in the cab as the driver drove across the hustling city of Mumbai. Nikita was seated on the other end, staring outside at the city she'll be calling her new home. Nikhil sat in front with the driver, while Alok sat next to his wife and daughter, holding his daughter's hand.

Within 30 minutes, the taxi halted in front of the enormous gates of the University of Bournbrooke campus. Alok thanked and paid the taxi driver as Nikhil and Nikita got her suitcases down. Once he left, they looked at the gates.

"This is it." Alok said, holding her daughter's shoulders, "let's go?"
"Yes." Nikita replied softly.

They entered inside and saw many families like themselves, with a bunch of parents escorting their children to the right rooms and parts of campus. She held her brother's arm as he asked around.

"Hi, we're looking for Tulip Towers?" He asked.
"Yes. It's to the left. Who is the student?" A young man in a leather jacket, around 5'9 replied.
"She is." Nikhil said, gesturing to Nikita, who came in front and introduced herself.
"Nikita. Nikita Joshi." She smiled and said.
The man smiled, "Hi Nikita! I'm Ved." He then turned to her brother, "Tulip Towers is straight ahead. When you see the football pitch, take a left, you'll see the accommodation registration there."
"Alright. Thank you!" Nikhil smiled.
"Thank you." Nikita reiterated.
"No worries!" Ved replied, then turned to Nikita, "No problem, see you around!"

The Joshi family made their way in the given direction. Soon, they were in front of Tulip Towers.

"Hi. I need to register?" Nikita asked the lady working the counter.
"I believe you have a room assigned to you via email, which matches your requirements." The lady said and Nikita nodded, "Show me the email." Nikita did as she was told and the lady registered her, "Apartment 203, Room 3."
"Thank you." Nikita said, taking the two keys from her.

Soon, she was standing in front of her apartment. As she entered, she instantly was in awe of the sight. A beautiful, spacious yet cozy living room with 2 couches and a TV. Next to it, an open, medium sized kitchen was placed. Following that, the corridor had 3 doors, which would belong to the three flatmates.
"It's a beautiful house." Yamini said. "Come, let's see your room."

They entered her room.
"Wow!" Nikita said, "I love it."

It was a cozy room, with a small walkway, with a washroom on the right, leading to a bed in the center of the room. The room had a study table on the right of the bed, with a huge window above the table, shining light into the room. A door, which led to the balcony, was placed at the end of the walkway. She opened the balcony door and was mesmerized by the view. A beautiful lake with hills and trees with a small view of the campus grounds and the city.
"It's beautiful." Nikhil said.

The next 2 hours were spent in arranging Nikita's clothes and making the room hers. After they finished, she locked her room and house and they made their way around the campus.

Walking around, they reached the campus cafeteria. "Aai, Baba, do you want something to eat?" Nikita asked.
"Come, we'll grab a bite!" Nikhil completed.

Inside the cafeteria, they saw a bunch of people with their parents and alone. Nikita placed her Aai Baba on a table while she followed her brother to order food. While she followed, as her brother spoke, she couldn't help but look at the table at the other end. It looked crowded, with a swarm of girls giggling.
What was that? She thought.
"Nikku. Take." Nikhil handed her the chai and instructed her to take it to their parents.
She drifted her eyes away and went to her parents.

But she couldn't help but stop thinking about what was going on there.

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