ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Chapter 14: Her determination •

[Mr Kumar's Office]

"Sir, May I come in?" Mayukh called out loud.

He was chilling in the activity pod with his gang when he got an email from Mr Kumar asking him to meet him there immediately. He went to his room and freshened up by wearing a good sweatshirt and black cargos, and made his way downstairs to the office.

Upon entering, he was shocked to see Nikita sitting there, her eyes filled with fear.
"Mayukh! Yes! Come, sit next to her." Prof said.
Mayukh placed himself on the chair next to Nikita.
"So, in case you haven't met her, meet Nikita Joshi, our new transfer student." Mr Kumar said and Mayukh gave Nikita a small smirk, while she hung her head down, "We had offered her to take an elective subject because we believe she has the potential for it. She has chosen to do it in Business with Marketing and HR"

Mayukh was amazed. All this while he was finding a way to get close to her and today he finds out that she's doing the same course as him.

"...so, I asked you here to help her catch up, maybe share your notes or sit with her and just let her know." Mr Kumar added.
"Nikita," he said, turning to Nikita, "These guys have already had an assignment started, it's due on Friday. I understand that this might be a bit too tight for you, so we're ready to extend the deadline. Today is 2nd October. We're giving you until 16th October, which would be 2 weeks from today to complete it. You should get the same time as everyone."
She nodded.
"Mayukh will explain the assignment to you, you would need to catch up on notes so it would be a tedious two weeks, but it'll be fine, okay!"
She nodded again, "Yes."
"I'm sure you'll manage it. If you need help, Mayukh is always available and so is your professor."
"Yeah. Thank you."
"Okay. You guys may go!"
"Thank you Sir." Nikita and Mayukh said in unison. Nikita's eyes widened and she looked at him and immediately looked down.
"Looks like you two work in unison already!" Mr Kumar chuckled, "Alright! See you guys!"

Nikita and Mayukh left the room. She was about to walk away when he stopped her in the middle of her tracks, "Where are you going?"
"To study?" She said, unsure.
"Alone?" He said, coming closer to her.
"Y...Yeah..."
"Don't you need help to catch up?"
"I'll do it on my own. Thanks." She gave a small smile and walked away, leaving Mayukh in awe.

He walked back to his group, where his brothers were waiting.
"Yo, what happened?" Arnab asked.
"Looks like destiny wants to bring us together." Mayukh said, still smiling.
"Who is we?" Kashik asked.
"Him and Nikita, idiot!" Ved teased his brother.
"What happened, Mayukh?" Arup asked.
"She's taking our course as an elective. Mr Kumar wanted me to help her catch up."
"So? Why aren't you with her?" Ved questioned. 
"Because she said she'll do it on her own." Mayukh chuckled, "Classic, and attractive."
"Why are you chuckling at this?" Arnab asked.
"Because it just proves to me why I want her."
"Why?" Ved asked.
"She isn't chasing me like everyone else!"
"How is that a good thing? She's saying you're not attractive to her?" Arup teased.
"Abey! I don't like women who chase. She's different, she doesn't chase. She keeps herself away from me, I don't know why, but the more she keeps herself away, the more close I want to get. She's a drug." Mayukh explained.

His brothers knew that Nikita was now indirectly his. He doesn't let go of what is his and he doesn't fall for women that often and when he does, he falls hard. His brothers knew about Shruti, his ex, who had crushed him badly and so his faith in love had gone, therefore seeing his brother fall slowly for someone was a rare but a good sight. 

Mayukh was hurt by what Shruti did and had convinced himself to not date again. He didn't want to look at girls again but couldn't help but flirt around whenever he felt like it, but he never got close to anyone. Seeing Nikita that day bloomed some attraction he didn't even know existed, he didn't even feel it for Shruti. He felt attracted to her deeply. Her soft voice, her timid nature... everything was pulling him closer to
her, while she was trying to run away from him.

~~~

[8pm, Library]

Nikita sat within the piles of her books. She had to cover up two weeks of content within a day or two so she could start her assignment. She was stressed and she did need some help but she'd not ask Mayukh for it, since she wants to be away from him. Unfortunately, most of the business students were from the Roy's or other such rich families who were friends with the Roy's.

She sighed as she finally finished the two weeks, after a straining 6-7 hours in the library. She had made notes and managed everything and now she was tired. She called Aisha.
"Where are you? I'm hungry. I'm finally done."
"Hey babe! In the cafeteria with Krutika and a few others. Come, we're ordering dinner."
"Oh perfect. I'm coming."
"What should I order for you?"
"Umm... what are the options?"
"Indian, Italian, Chinese, American... etc"
"Okay, just order me a white sauce pasta."
"Okay done!" She mumbled through the phone and Nikita figured that she is ordering for her, "I've ordered it, come fast!"
"On my way."

Nikita cut the call and gathered her books and fixed herself. Her hair was a mess along with her clothes. She untied her hair and tied it up in a clip again, she fixed her thin sweatshirt and her ankle length jeans. Then, she made her way outside to the cafeteria.

Within 5 minutes, she had reached the cafeteria. There, she scouted around until she found Aisha walking towards her, she smiled.
"Hello nerd! All caught up?" She teased.
Nikita rolled her eyes smiling but nodded, "Yep, all caught up. I'm so hungry."
"You're right on time. Food's about to arrive, till then have some of mine. Come." Aisha said and grabbed Nikita's arm, leading her to the table.

As the girls came to the table in conversation, she was shocked to see the people sitting on the table with her: Krutika, Aisha, Riya, her friend Soman and Siya... and the Roy brothers. 

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