ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Part 28 •

Mayukh POV:

It was 9:30am when I was sitting ready waiting for Jhanvi. She insisted on going to school today despite it being a Sunday. I also want to meet this teacher of hers she's so fascinated by.

I sat my light blue jeans and grey casual top with Nike shoes with my car keys in my hand as I waited.
"Jhanvi! Let's go! Class starts at 10!"
"I'm coming!" She yelled as she came down.
"I've never seen someone this happy to go to school on a Sunday. You're really lame."
"My teacher is so nice and beautiful, and she's so good at her job, if you see her even you'd come to school on a Sunday to meet her."
I have my nice and beautiful person, Jhans.
"Let's go!" I sat in the car with her, "By the way, I want you home after class, okay. We have guests."
I didn't tell her Shreya is coming. Let it be a surprise for her as well.
"Okay don't worry Dada. I'll come straight."
"I won't be able to pick you. Ask Suresh uncle to do it. Okay?"
"Okay."

We reached her school and I walked inside with her, wanting to see this new teacher. She went to her class and I met her teachers and soon learned that the new teacher hadn't arrived yet.

I walked away after a while, remembering to get the house ready for Shreya.
On the way back, I thought to go to university once. I missed her. I wanted to see her.
I was driving to the university when I realised: It's a Sunday. She might be at out with friends.
Wouldn't it be weird to go to her house?
Ugh. I'll just see her tomorrow.

I drove back home and parked and entered to finding Mom and Dad sitting. I got into my room and finished off my assignments for the next hour when I got a message from Dada saying that he's picked her up and he's on the way back. I got her room ready and changed into a white shirt, rolled my sleeves up and then went downstairs and sat with Mom Dad.

"When do we leave for that wedding?" I asked.
"As soon as your winter break starts. When is your end of semester ball?"
"This Saturday."
"Class end this week as well, right?"
"Yep. This Saturday is the ball."
"Okay, so we'll book the tickets for Sunday. The wedding is on Tuesday Wednesday."
"Why are we going so early then?"
"Because the functions start on Sunday. There's a few poojas, a few parties and then it's the wedding on Tuesday."
"Man!" I whined.
"You have your brothers and sister, Mayukh!"
"I know, but still."
There's one person I want, Mom.
Suddenly, the bell rang. I knew who's at the door.
"Go get the door." Mom asked me.
"Mom, I'm getting an important call, you go."
Mom jokingly rolled her eyes and went to the door and opened it. I quickly walked behind her and observed her reaction.
"Oh my God! Shreya!" She exclaimed loudly, getting Dad's attention as he ran towards the door.
"Hi Aunty, Hi Uncle!" Shreya touched Mom and Dad's feet and then smiled at me, "Hi Mayukh!"
I smiled and waved.
Mom continued, "Weren't you coming later?"
"She was already on her way, we just kept it hidden from you two!" Gautam Dada added.
"You two!" Mom chuckled, "Come beta!"
We guided Shreya in and we all sat down. 
"So, how's everything?" I asked her.
"All good. I left my job. I'm here for good."
"Good job! Welcome home bro!" I bro-fisted her.
Shreya is very chill. She's 24 years old as well, like Dada, and has been a friend more than a sister-in-law. I watched her and Dada talk to Mom and Dad. I felt in awe by her and lowkey wished the same scene with me and Nikita one day.
Dude, you're whipped.
I am.
"Arre! Where's Jhanvi?" Shreya's voice got me back from my thoughts.
"She went to school." I said.
"On a Sunday?"
"She has study lessons and she has some new teacher she's obsessed with."
"When does she come home?"
"She should be home soon, classes end by 3, so another hour or so."
"Mayukh, will you go pick her?" Mom asked.
"No. I asked Suresh Uncle to do it."
"Okay. No worries." Mom said then turned to Shreya, "Beta, you freshen up. Your stuff will be kept in your room."
"Oh no, Aunty!" She protested, making everyone look.
"What happened?" Dad asked.
"Uncle, I'm going home after a while. I have to meet Mom Dad!"
"They're here?"
"Oh. I forgot to tell you, they moved back to Mumbai." Gautam Dada said.
"Gautam!" Mom said, hitting his arm, "Why didn't you tell us? We didn't even message them. It looks so rude!"
"It's okay Aunty! I know he forgot. I told them that he must have forgotten and that they'll get a message once I land! She chuckled.
"Acha, have lunch and go! In fact better yet, we'll ask them to come home as well." Mom said.
"No Aunty, they're busy in their own world right now. It's okay. I'll have lunch and go, but I'll be staying there only!" She replied.
"No worries beta. Come, let's eat."

We had a nice lunch and, while eating, Jhanvi barged in, "Mom! I'm home."
"Jhanvi, come and eat first. We have a surprise!"
"Surprise? Coming!" Her footsteps were loud.
She reached and saw Shreya and yelled and ran to hug her, "Shreya Di!"
"Hi Jhanu!" Shreya hugged her, "where were you?"
"I was in school. I have this new amazing teacher who's so nice. She teaches so nicely." She ranted about her teacher and I looked at Shreya with an 'I told you' look and she chuckled.
"Sit down and eat first Jhanvi." Mom said.
Jhanvi sat down and continued talking, "I met her today. She is also a student Mamma. She studied in the same university as Dada!"
What?
"What?"
"Yeah Dada. I dropped her to your university."
"Now?"
"Yes, before coming home. She spoke to Suresh Uncle also."
"How old is she?"
"21."
"What's her name beta?" Mom asked.
"She told me... I forgot... I gave her my own name, a nickname."
"Which is?"
"Mishti Di!"
I stopped eating as I suddenly remembered my own nickname for Nikita. Mishbo. These are so similar.
"Do you have a photo of her Jhanvi?" I asked.
I felt Gautam Dada's eyes on mine, and soon I got his text message.

G: you think it's Nikita?
I picked up my phone and replied, 'I don't know, but no harm in checking.'

"Hello! Leave your phones!" Mom said then turned to me, "How will she have a photo of her teacher?"
"Sorry."
"Mamma, she taught me something in 15 mins, what I wasn't able to learn for months!"
"Really? She must be really good."
"Look at my today's test marks." She showed her the marks and Mom smiled, amazed.
"This much improvement in one day?"
"Yes! I even asked her to come home to teach me, but she said she can't because she has class."
"That's right beta, but if she's actually really good, we can make it work. Give me her number, I'll talk to her. If she can even teach you for 2 hours more, it'll be a good way for her to earn as well." Mom said, "I'm quite fond of people who get side jobs, shows their commitment."
"I'll get her number from my school tomorrow."
"Good."

After a good lunch and lots of talking, Gautam Dada went to drop Shreya to her house and Jhanvi went upstairs. My curiosity was killing me so I went to her and tried to find out who this student was.
"Jhanvi, do you remember anything about the teacher?"
"She was like 5'3, shorter than you, she had long hair till under her chest, oh they were chocolate brown highlighted and...."
This... is so much like Nikita...
"And what Jhanvi?"
"I don't remember. You'll see her soon Dada."
I nodded and left.

Could her new teacher be Nikita?

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