ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Chapter 20: New friend •

Nikita POV:

"Oh God!" I whined as I got out of bed.
After waking up with a high temperature this morning, I had taken a pill and gone back to bed. Now, it's 10am and I'm panicking because I'm late for class.

I can still go! It'll only be 30-40 minutes late, compared to the whole 3 hours.

I got up, went to the washroom, did my business, took a nice warm shower and came out. I got ready and wore simple skin tight cargo like jeans, with a baby pink U-neck full sleeves skin tight top. I braided my hair and applied basic mascara and kajal. I was about to get my phone from my bed side table when I noticed a box with a letter on it.
I picked it up:
N, wear this, it'll look beautiful on you!

Who is this from? Why have I ever seen this? N? Who calls me that? Oh! Maybe it's Kru, she mentioned she'd get me something from her outing. Dada also mentioned he'd send me a gift since Raksha Bandhan was coming. It could be anyone!

I opened the box and found a beautiful simple necklace with a very simple butterfly pendant. It was adorable. Well, whoever it's from, I love it!

I put it on and then I got my bag and went outside. I grabbed some chai which Aisha had kept for me and I made my way to class.

~~~

I entered class almost 40 minutes late and it felt so awkward. I could feel the eyes on me. I quickly ignored it and sat next to Aisha, as the professor gave me a small smile.
"I'm sorry. I had a fever, so I woke up late."
"No worries Nikita! I hope you're feeling better now!" The professor said with a small smile.

I smiled and nodded and he went back to the lecture. Once we got our break, Aisha spoke, "Are you fine now?"
"Yeah, much better."
"What's this on your neck? It's pretty!" Aisha said.
"I don't actually know who gave it. I think Dada or maybe Krutika, maybe you did!"
"I do remember you brought something like that and left it in my purse, could be that."
"Maybe! Anyway, what did I miss?"

Aisha caught me up on the notes and we sat and spoke and laughed around, then class started again and once it ended, we made our way to the activity pod.

"I have business now, till 2." I said.
"Do you have to go?" Aisha whined, holding me.
I chuckled, "I wish I could skip, but no!"
"Okay, finish it fast. Also, what about Riya?"
I stiffened. I forgot that I'd see her there. I have to say something to her. "What about her?"
"I'll agree with her. Her offer. End of story."
"Are you sure?"
"Aisha, he doesn't like me anyway. He's just doing this to show his power. Every new kid faces this maybe. Plus, I have a lot at stake."
"Hmm. I agree. Anyway, let's see!"
"Why are you behaving differently? What happened?" I asked. Her behavior seems odd.
"What happened to me?"
"You'd be ready to fight! Today you're silent?"
"No no! I'm just listening. I'm supporting you."
"Love you!" I hugged her.
"Love you too babe! See you after class!"

I ran to my class and stood outside and gathered myself. The class didn't start. Luckily, I managed to get a 10 minute break since my previous class ended early, so no one had entered.
I heard noises of Riya and her gang, and the Roy's walking towards me, slowly the other students walked as well.
Here we go again.
I stood on the side, by the door, looking at the wall decorations and awards.
"Boring, aren't they?" A voice said behind me.
I turned to find a guy, around 5'8 in height, in a sweatshirt and jeans with dark black hair.
I smiled, "No no! They're interesting!"
"Oh come on! Don't have to lie." He chuckled.
"Well, I don't understand any of it!" I admitted, looking at him and then down.
"It's just our previous batches. We used to have a bunch of awards and competitions but they got cancelled."
"Oh. Why?"
"It was causing too much competition, it was becoming unhealthy and we were exceeding the budgets."
"Oh! How do you know?"
"Because, I'm the son of the HoF here."
"HoF?"
"Head of Finance."
"Oh!"
Is everyone in this class some high person's kid?
"I didn't know. I'm sorry."
"How would you? It's okay!"
I smiled, "Thanks."
"I'm Ayush. Ayush Kapoor." He said, bringing his hand forward.
"Nikita, Nikita Joshi." I smiled and reciprocated.
"A pleasure to meet you, Nikita!"
"Likewise! Truly!"
"Alright! You can come in!" The professor yelled.

Everyone started walking inside while I waited. I noticed Riya, her eyes glued on me but a smirk and nod on her face. I guess she understood. I gave a small nod back and she smirked and walked in. I walked inside and heard Mayukh entering behind me. I gulped. I don't want to see him. I turned to find my seat but ended up coming in front of him instead.
"Hi." He said, coming close.
"Umm Hi."
"Do you plan on standing and attending the lecture?"
"What?"
I saw him look at me intensely, with a strong gaze, "come and sit." His deep voice said.
I can't sit with him.
I noticed Ayush and I sighed and walked past Mayukh, leaving his eyes following mine.

"Hi. Is it okay if I sit here?" I asked Ayush.
"Thought you'd never ask!" He said smiling.
I sat down, "Thank you!"
"So, you studying business?"
"I'm minoring in it. I study Computer Science."
"Damn, smarty!" He said and I chuckled.

I felt weird, as if I had an intense gaze on me. I looked around and saw Mayukh sitting on the row above me. His eyes, looking straight at me. I turned away instantly and continued listening.

"Alright guys!" The professor said, "Your next assignment is a 50/50 assignment. 50% of this will be a class presentation and 50% will be a written report. It's worth a lot! Lastly, it's a pair work, so partner up! Submit your partners to me within 3 days, so you can start working on it." He said and walked out.

Why partner work?! Why? I hate it!
I sighed and started gathering my stuff. I don't know who to ask, but luckily God heard me.
"Would you like to work together?" Ayush asked.
"Oh! I... I'd love to." I replied.
"You don't seem sure?" He asked.
"No! No! I didn't mean it like that. I just... I don't know how to ask others for stuff like this."
"In that case, you're welcome?"
I chuckled, "Yeah, thank you!"
"Okay then! I'll see you tomorrow, we can get started?"
"Okay!"
"Done! You can come to the library, we can start there."
"Okay! See you!"

He walked out and I waited till everyone to leave so I can leave quietly. I stayed there, scrolling through ideas to get started on the presentation. It was soon silent until I saw my laptop being shut and put to the side, and someone sitting in its place, on the table.
I looked up.
Him.