The College Romance

• Chapter 6: The First Conversation •

[Activity Pod, 9:00pm]

"You?" Mayukh asked, facing Nikita.
"Have you guys met before?" A girl asked.
"We bumped into each other a few hours back."
"I see." Aisha said.

Mayukh glanced as Nikita as Ved joined the conversation and started talking to the other girls. He noticed Nikita had her hand clutched tightly around Aisha's arm and she was looking at whoever Aisha was talking to. He noticed she hadn't changed, but she had gotten ready again. Why was she so frightened?

"So. What courses are you guys doing?" Mayukh asked, bringing everyone's eyes, including Nikita's, on him.
"Business!" Krutika announced.
"Ah, welcome to the gang!" Ved said.
"I'm doing Computer Science." Aisha said.
"Nice!" Mayukh replied, and then turned to Nikita, whose eyes were looking at him with nervousness, "What about you?"
"Same as Aisha." She said, instantly and looked back down.
"I see." Mayukh replied, his eyes glued to her.
He saw Nikita nudge Aisha's arm and Aisha turned and took her to a corner.

"What happened?" Aisha asked.
"Listen, I'm going to go. I'm sleepy." Nikita said.
"Why? All okay?"
"Yes, don't worry. Sorry just not the socializing type."
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon as well."
"Okay text me when you and Kru get back!"
"I will, see you!"
The girls hugged and Aisha made her way inside while Nikita started to head outside.

Mayukh had noticed this and his urge to talk to Nikita had increased even more. He had been fascinated by her since he saw her. He made his way outside to find her walking quietly, with her eyes glued on her phone. He approached her slowly.

Nikita POV:

"Careful! You'll fall again!" A deep voice said from behind me as I was walking to my room. I turned around to see him. Mayukh.
What's he doing here?
Why did he look so good?
He wore a white shirt and rolled up sleeves with black formal pants, while I looked like I'm going camping. I should have dressed well.
"I... I'm able to see where... I'm going." I said and headed forward.
"I know that." He said and came closer to me, as we walked ahead, "So, first year?"
I shook my head.
"Then?"
"Third."
"What? How old are you?"
"21."
"How have I never seen you before?"
"I... I transferred."
I didn't want to tell him about my scholarship. It's too precious to talk about, too risky to lose.
"I see."
"Yeah. I... I'll go. Goodnight" I said hurriedly. I was about to make my way away but he grabbed my hand and pulled me closer.
"We'll see each other more often then. Goodnight." He said in a husky voice, with his thumb caressing my wrist as he held my arm.
I gulped as I looked into his eyes, while he looked into mine and I immediately looked away and freed my arm and walked away, fast.

What was that?

Mayukh POV:

I expected her to be 18. To be someone new. When she said she was 21, I instantly felt my heart lighten. I didn't even know hearts do that. I don't know why I felt like a huge weight off my chest was lifted. She transferred? From where?

I walked to the admissions office and met the lady working there, "Hey Clara."
"How are you Sir?"
"No Sir, just Mayukh." 
"Umm..."
"I need your help."
"Anything."
"Can you please pull up the records on Nikita?"
"Sure, last name?"
"Umm...." I forgot to get her last name, "I'm not sure, but, she's in CS third year."
"Okay, I'll check."

She scouted through the files until it landed on hers. "Here it is."
I opened it and went through it.

Oh. Nikita Joshi. She's coming from Indore. Scholarship holder. Damn. She's 3 months younger than me.

"Thank you so much. Please keep this between us!"
"Sure."

I stepped outside and reached for my phone.
"Hello Dad. I want to stay in uni."

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