ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Chapter 15: Dinner •

[Cafeteria, 8:30pm]

Nikita was startled by the people in front of her. Not only did she not want to be around any of these people except her two friends, she was quite surprised at how this group even formed, considering that Mayukh had yelled at Riya yesterday to stay away from him.

"Come sit." Aisha said, and removed her back to save her a seat in the corner.
Nikita cursed her bad luck. She had to sit right next to Mayukh, who was sitting on the center single seat between two opposite people, with Riya on the opposite single seat. She was glad that she doesn't need to sit there. She sighed and sat next to Aisha, with Mayukh to her left... close to her. 
"So, Nikita meet Mayukh, Ved, Arup, Arnab and Kashik...." Krutika introduced.
Nikita looked at them, she clearly knew them since they had helped her with Riya, but she still nodded and gave a small smile, "Hi."
"... and this is Riya and her friends: Siya and Sonam." Krutika finished.

Shit. What would I do now? She thought.
She had no interest in introducing herself to someone who hurt her so badly.

"Hi Nikita." Sonam's low, forced voice emerged as Nikita looked at the 3 of them. They were shooting her glares with their eyes which somehow only she could see. Nikita didn't reply, she just gave a small smile and prayed that this is the end of it.

"So, Nikita here has taken an elective. She'll be joining your class soon." Aisha said, trying to start conversation.
"Yes I know." Mayukh's husky voice declared, pulling everyone on the table's attention.
"How do you know?" Krutika asked.
"Because I was called by Mr Kumar today to help her catch up before her assignment."
"Oh! And let me guess, she didn't take your help!" Aisha giggled.
"How did you know that?" Mayukh said.
"She's Nikita. She doesn't take anyone's help. She's the 'I'll do it on my own.' type." Aisha said.
"Aisha!" Nikita whispered and slapped her arm lightly so only she could hear, "Shush."
"Those were her exact words." Mayukh said, now glancing at Nikita.
"See, told you." Aisha smirked.

Everyone had a small laugh at the table, except Riya, who was shooting daggers at Nikita for coming and stealing her attention yet again. She noticed how Mayukh was close to her and also knew that Nikita wasn't yet attracted to him. She knew that Nikita felt like she had a lot at stake here and wouldn't want to get involved with these guys. That's exactly what she hoped to take advantage off. She wouldn't let Mayukh win her.
"Girls. We need to keep them away." Riya texted her friend, sitting on the table with her.
"What do we do Ri?"
"I have a plan. Will discuss later."
"Cool!"

"Finally!" Aisha exclaimed as the food serviced, "Niki dig in."
Nikita wasted no time and started to quietly eat her pasta, too scared and intimated to take part in any of the conversations going on around her.

She noticed Krutika talking about Psychology to the Roy brothers, she noticed Riya in a small chat with her own friends. She gulped at that because every now and then, daggers were being shot to her direction. She couldn't help but get a gut feeling like those conversations were about her. She then noticed Aisha, who was in a conversation with Ved and the entire group. She ate her food quietly, unaware that a pair of eyes was watching her in awe.

Mayukh looked at Nikita. Her silent nature. He could sense she's scared to be here and is entirely confused as to how this group got formed. She took no part in any of the conversations that were taking place next to her and just ate her food quietly.
She looked adorable while eating, he thought.
He took his foot and slightly brushed it on Nikita's ankle. He saw Nikita's face get alert and she looked up immediately with wide eyes. Mayukh smirked and continued looking at her. Nikita tried to not draw attention and ignored him, letting him do what he wants.

"Give me a bite, you bhukkad!" Aisha said, grabbing the plate from Nikita.
Nikita sat there quietly, not knowing what to do. She felt Mayukh's gaze on her but she didn't once glance at him. Ignoring him was the best solution to all their issues.

After 45 painful minutes, according to Nikita, the dinner was finally over. They all walked outside and bid their goodbyes.
"Great chat guys. See you!" Krutika said.
"Yep! We should do this more often." Ved said.
"We definitely will!" Krutika said.

Everyone got in conversation again and headed towards their rooms while Nikita stayed rooted on the ground, Aisha turned and asked her friend, "What happened? aren't you coming?"
"I packed some food for myself. I'm pulling a late night today." She replied.
"Acha okay. See you at the room." Aisha said and soon everyone was out of sight.

Nikita thought she was alone when a hand secured around her waist. She gasped and turned around to see Mayukh coming closer to her.
"Nikita." He whispered huskily.
"Y...yes." She whispered, struggling in his hold.
"Stop struggling. No use." He said causally.
"I'll..."
"Nikita." His eyes gazing into her eyes, "I hate being ignored."
She gulped, trying to look away.
"I..." She whispered.
"Class is at 2pm tommorow." He whispered.
"I..I know."

He looked at her. She looked beautiful. His hand slowly went up to her face and gently tucked one strand of her hair behind her ear. She looked at him. She was getting in awe but she felt wrong. It felt wrong to get close to someone.

Shit. No. She thought.
Her eyes widened in realization of everything and she instantly let go. "I... I need to go."

He watched her instantly let go and run away. Why is she so scared of him? He groaned in frustration but calmed down, thinking about her.
"Sir. She left her food here."
"What?" Mayukh turned to see the cafeteria worker come out with a bag of food.
"The one you were having dinner with. She left her food she ordered and payment isn't done yet."
"Oh." He said calmly and walked towards the person, taking the bag, "I'll give it to her, and for the payment..." He took out his wallet and gave him the cash, "here you go."

He took the food and went ahead to her apartment.

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