ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Chapter 10: Mixed Feelings •

[University, Monday]

It had been 2 days since the Freshers evening. Half the students were hungover on Sunday, and most of them were too tired. Now, the week had begun and Nikita was heading off to her 10am class.

She was sitting in class attending her lecture. She knew she got too distracted this weekend and didn't wish to go down that road anymore. She quickly texted Aisha, since Aisha slept in, she was late for class.
Nikita: Where are you Aish?
Aisha: I'm leaving now. I'll be there in 15.
Nikita: Okay, see you!

She went back to taking notes and focusing on her lecture. Soon, Aisha walked in and settled down next to her friend as they focused on their lectures together.
"Alright guys. See you tommorow!" The professor declared after class ended.
"Thank you Sir." Everyone said unevenly and started walking out.
Nikita and Aisha packed their stuff and were about to head out when the professor stopped Nikita, "Nikita. Can you stay back for a second?"
Nikita nodded, "Aisha, I'll call you."
Aisha smiled and nodded and left the room.

Nikita walked to the professor's desk, "Yes Sir?"
"Nikita, I have been looking into your profile.." She panicked. She felt scared if he was going to say anything that would hurt or ruin her scholarship. She held her handbag tightly as he continued, "... I have to say I'm very impressed!"
Nikita sighed in relief.
"You have a good academic background considering you've been studying in Indore recently. You are aware that you're here on a 70% scholarship, right?"
"Y..Yes, Sir."
"We don't easily give scholarships. You are fortunate and gifted and I would recommend that you take the most out of Bournbooke as you have the chance and the talent for it."
"I don't understand, Sir. Is there something wrong with my assignment? The draft?"
"Quite the opposite! Your draft, which you managed to submit within a week of getting the assignment, despite being a transfer student, is immaculate. I loved reading it. It's going to achieve a high grade but nonetheless, I've sent you some feedback you can work on."
"Thank you, Sir."
"What I mean is, University of Bournbrooke provides electives. We have an American and British form of education. American curriculum offers the chance to take major and minor subjects. You're obviously majoring in Computer Science with AI and Data Science, but I recommend you take a minor. It'll boost your profile and I very much believe you're capable for the workload."
"I see... Umm... what options are there?"
"Well, I'm not the best person for that. I'll tell you what...." He said, scouting through his laptop and typing something, "I'm booking you a meeting with Mr Kumar, our curriculum manager. He'll give you the details of each minor subject, what you'll study and the timings, and you can make your decision then."
"Okay."
"And be rest assured, this is completely your call. You don't need to do it, I just think that it'll be good for a mind like yours. Take your time and decide okay!"
"Sure. Thank you so much!" She said, smiling.
"I've booked your appointment at 12:30pm. It's in 15 minutes. You'll find the room right down the hallway. Think about it, okay?"
"I will, thank you!"

Nikita greeted the professor and made her way outside to the hallway, to find the room. On the way to the room, she smiled lightly, feeling proud of herself as she was able to be offered a chance to take electives. She texted Aisha that she has to attend a meeting with someone and she'd be late so carry on her own. When Aisha confirmed, Nikita entered the room.

"Hello. I'm Nikita, Nikita Joshi. Mr Singhania booked an appointment right now?"
"Yes! Come in!"
Nikita sat down on the chair in front of him, on the other end of the table. "Thank you!"
"So, I have been told that Sir wants you to consider electives."
"Yes Sir."
"Okay so, do you know what electives are?"
"I have a brief idea."
"Okay, so we offer majors and minors, so you can get a certified degree in more than one field, which can come in handy later. In your case, you're already doing the toughest CS course here: a specialization in AI and Data Science, so I'd recommend that you don't do a minor in CS, because you'd be wasting it. There's nothing you'd do in your minor which you haven't already done. You should explore another subject."
"What can I explore?"
"Well, we offer minors in: Psychology, CS, Economics, History, Geography, English, Maths, Chemistry, Physics, Arts, like: Dance, Music, Sound Engineering, Graphic Design, Sports Science and Business. We have quite a few options in Business as well."
"I see. What's the best one you'd recommend?"
"What are your career plans?"
"I wish to work in the cooperate world, I'd mostly do an MBA after this and then get involved in, hopefully, the FAANG companies."
"Excellent idea. In that case, you should peruse a minor in Business. In Business, you can study: Business specialization in Marketing, HR, Finance, Operations and Psychology. You can also take multiples, like: Marketing snd HR, or HR and Finance."
"I see. What are the timetables?"
"They won't clash with yours at all. You'll attend the classes with the majoring students, and they don't clash with yours. One of them is back to back for you though, but only once a week."
"That's not an issue! When can I let you know?"
"Today is a Monday. If you tell me by Thursday, we can use the weekend to get you sorted in the classes and give you the schedule and lectures to catch up. Does that work?"
"Yes Sir. I can do that." She was still doubtful about one more thing.
"S...Sir... I have a doubt."
"Yes. Feel free to ask."
"I would love to take an elective but, I'm a scholarship student so, I... I don't think an increase in the fees would be affordable for me." She felt embarrassed asking him this.
"Don't worry Nikita. I'm aware of your circumstance and I can confirm that your electives will not affect your fees or scholarship. You'll not have to pay additionally."
"Oh. Thank you!!" She said, smiling, "In that case, I will let you know which elective I'm taking by Thursday."
"Perfect. You can walk in anytime after 12pm or you can send me an email and we can book an appointment."
"Okay, thank you!"

Nikita greeted and left her room with a huge smile on her face. She was elated to be involved more. She texted Aisha about her whereabouts and she mentioned that she has stepped out with a friend to get a few things for her room and would be back later. She sighed. She knew Krutika was in class and now even Aisha was busy, so she had no idea what to do. She finally decided to go to her room and tell her family about the call, whoever was free.

She walked towards the cafeteria to grab a drink when she noticed the Roy brothers and their friend group sitting on their signature corner table, dominating the entire room with their noise. She felt intimated by them, always. Ever since the fresher's party, she felt more nervous and scared.

She quickly got in line and hoped to be unseen until she suddenly got called by Riya.
"Hey! You?" She said, calling Nikita.
Nikita looked up to the source and found Riya glaring at her, "Me?"
"Yes, you! Come here." She gestured to her.
She gulped and slowly took steps forward to her and her whole group. Her heart rate was rising. She didn't want this.
"Y...Yes?" She whispered, noticing the several eyes on her.
The entire Roy brothers except Mayukh and Ved were present there, Riya and her group were also there and they all were staring at Nikita.
"So you're the new transfer girl." Riya glared.
"Y..Yes."
"Where did you come from?"
"Indore..." she whispered.
"I can't hear you?!"
"Indore." She repeated louder.
"Where on earth is that?" Riya scoffed and laughed, "which village is this?"
Nikita didn't answer. She felt tears in her eyes but she managed to push them away without letting them fall.
"So, you're the lucky girl who got to dance with Mayukh huh." Riya glared.
"W..What?"
"Oh don't act innocent. We saw how you all latched onto him. Bloody slut!" Riya said harshly.
"Woah, Riya. Calm down." Arup said.
"Arup. This girl went and danced with the one boy who doesn't dance with anyone. God knows when she spread her legs for him."
"Riya. That's enough. Too much." Kashik said, "Don't cross the limit."
"What limit? I'm just putting this village girl in her place." Riya said.

She then turned to Nikita and pulled her aside, "listen here, the man you think you can have, he's taken. That's my boyfriend you're talking about. Think before your every move."
"I... I'm not making any moves."
"You better not. That little dance you got, think of it as a favor for your poor self, since you clearly had no male interaction from the village you come from!" She scoffed and walked away.

Nikita stayed rooted in the corner of the cafeteria, too embarrassed to walk anywhere. She collected herself and ran out when she saw Riya join the group and laugh staring at her, while the Roy men looked at her as well. She ran outside and finally reached a distance where she was away from everyone. She had controlled her tears until now but she was unable to hide them anymore. Her tears pushed through her control and broke free, staining her entire face.

She continued running looking down so no one sees her tears until she bumped into someone. She looked up and found him. The reason for her tears.
"I'm sor— what the heck? Why are you crying?"he asked, his eyes filling with concern.
She glanced at him, Riya's words filling her mind,
'God knows when she spread her legs for him, the man you think you can have, he's taken. That's my boyfriend you're talking about. Think before your every move.'
She looked at him in rage and fear before running off as fast as she can, ignoring him calling her name out loud.

Once she reached her room, she locked herself. How did her day go from so good to so bad? Why did she have so many mixed feelings in just one day?

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