ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Chapter 13: Late Night •

[University Grounds]

"Trust me." He said, looking at her deeply.
She gulped and allowed him to take her hand and followed him quietly across an empty area.

She didn't know where she was going. It was so quiet, "Where are we going?" She asked again.
"For a drink." He said.
"What? I don't... I don't drink." She hesitated.
"Who said anything about alcohol?"

Within 5 minutes, she was in a beautiful garden on the outskirts of campus. She didn't know why she was here but she definitely didn't want to be anywhere near him, but the view was beautiful. It was a beautiful garden with butterflies and flowers and fountain with water flowing slowly. She felt in awe at the sight and didn't even know something like this was on university grounds.

"Do you like it?" He asked.
She nodded and looked back at the view.
"It's new to the campus. We added it last week. No one's come here yet."
"Why am I here?"
He stepped closer to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, "Why do you think?"
She hesitated and gulped, "I.. I..."
He chuckled and let go and guided her to the seat, "Come."
He pulled out two soft drinks from the side and gave her one. She sat down next to him.
"I... I shouldn't be here."
"Who decides that?" He smirked.
"I... I can't be seen with you like this."
"Why not?"
"You... you don't get it."
"Hmm." He said, turning himself entire to her, "Tell me, how's the University?"

She watched him look at her in awe. She felt weird seeing his eyes and his way his eyes held varying emotions in them.

"It... it's good." She said, unable to look at him.
"I know you worked hard for it."
She froze. Would he do something about that? She didn't want him to know her weakest point. What should she do now?
"I... yeah..."
She couldn't take this anymore. She was scared and thankfully, is if God heard her prayers, her phone rang,
"NIKI KIDHAR HAI?!" Aisha yelled.
Nikita got up, "I'm... I'm coming. I.. I met a professor, sorry."
"Come fast. You told us to wait! We're waiting."
"No. You guys start. I'm coming."
"Okay fast!" She said and hung up.

Nikita looked at him, who had stood up and thrown the drinks away, learning against the garden wall, looking at her.
"I—"
"I know. Let's go." He said, and gestured her to lead the way out of the garden.

It was a silent walk to the outside of Tulip Towers. Once she reached, she wanted to leave but Mayukh was still gazing at her intently.
"I... I need to go." She whispered.
He came closer and put a hand on her waist as he came next to her ears and whispered, "I'll see you soon, love."
She could feel herself blushing but hid it as she was almost wrapped in him. Her head just inches away from resting on his chest. He then let go and gestured her to go inside. She nodded and slowly went inside the building and gave him one glance before entering the lift.

Mayukh smiled softly feeling her scent next to him. He was in awe of this girl but he had no idea how to win her. He knew it won't be easy. He knew she isn't someone to just walk into his arms, and he liked that. He liked a challenge, and Nikita Joshi was indeed a challenge.

~~~

Mayukh sat at the Roy mansion, with his head drowned in his books. He was extremely smart and was always a studious person. Top of his assignments, he had to make sure he topped, as always. He had taken an elective in Computer Science with his Major in Business with Marketing and was now cramping his head to finish his CS assignment. Despite asking Ved, they were unable to finish it off.

"Mayukh. Relax and work." Shambhavi Roy entered his room seeing her son stressed.
"I'm relaxed. Need to finish this." He replied.
"I know you do, but I'd want you to take it easy."
"I am taking it easy Mom. Don't worry."
"Will you be hosting the semester ball again this year?" She asked.
"Of course. It's my thing."
"So, what's the theme this year?"
"Hmmm. I don't know yet. I'm thinking aurora."
"Interesting. What colours would that be?"
"Anything from the northern lights: blue, green, white."
"That's lovely." She said, "But why do you look so lost in thought?"
"Me?"
"Yes."
"No I don't."
"You very much do. Is there something, or someone, on your mind?" She teased.
"No Mom, kuch bhi!"
"Hey! As long as it's not Riya, I don't mind."
"Riya." His blood boiled hearing her name, "Don't take that girl's name in front of me, ever."
"What happened?"
"She slut shamed a girl, a very hardworking girl, yesterday."
"What?!"
"Yes. Anyway, leave that. I'll head back to University now."
"It's 1am, Mayukh. Go tomorrow."
"Okay fine. Let me sleep then." He said, giving his Mom a side hug.
"Okay! Goodnight!"

His Mom left and he changed and got to bed, with a certain someone clouding his mind.

~~~

Nikita stood in front of her mirror in her room. She was still dazed by the thought of whatever went down tonight. She didn't want to get even more attracted to him, she already knew there's a sky's difference between them. She couldn't get more involved with him.
She was ready to select her electives tomorrow and excited to get started in more studies. Getting into University of Bournbrooke isn't easy, and once you're in, it's stupid not to make most of it.

[Next Day, Mr Kumar's Office, 9am]

Nikita sat in front of Mr Kumar's office, ready with her selection.
"Good Morning. How are you?"
"I'm good, thank you Sir."
"So you're ready with your choices! What have you chosen?"
"I'd like to go for Business with Marketing and HR."
"Excellent choice. Now, give me a bit while I enter your details."
"Sure."
"Also, you need to catch up, since they are 2 weeks ahead. Do you think you can?"
"Yes. I'll be fine."
"I'm sure you are! I have given you a number of someone who is excellent, he can help you out."
"Sure sir."
"One minute, I'll ask him to come here if he can. Let me message him."

Mr Kumar proceeded to message him. She sat quietly while he did so and soon she was told that he'd be joining them shortly. Till then, Mr Kumar explained the process of registering and she did so with him. He then updated her timetable so she'd be able to see her classes and start from tomorrow.
"So, you have classes on Monday Wednesday and Thursday. You'll luckily have your Tuesday free!"
"Yes!"

"Sir, May I come in?" An oddly familiar voice rang through Nikita's ears as her eyes shot up. She turned around drastically, only to see Mayukh Roy entering the room.

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