ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Part 35 •

Nikita POV:

What are they doing here?
How are they are?
No.
Why did this happen?
Why did this happen to me?

I saw Mr and Mrs Roy - his parents - enter the stage.
Was he here too?
Please no.

I quickly scouted for Aisha and Krutika, who I found on the side, walking to me. I ran to them.
"Guys. No." I said, almost stammering, "I can't do this, please... no... what are we gonna do?"
"Relax. Just breathe. We don't know if he's here babe and if he is, we aren't gonna talk to him, okay?"
"I can't see him. Not yet. Please."
"Guys... guess we're too late for that." Kru said and we followed her eyes to see the stage.
Oh no.

He stood there with his brothers, all 5 of them, and his sister.
No. Why? Please no.
"I'm going to go in my room. If anyone asks, just say I wasn't well." I said and tried to run.
"Nikita... I'm sorry." Krutika said.
"What happened?"
She turned me around and I saw her walking towards him. Riya.
"I... I don't want to see this." I said, my voice breaking, "please..."
"Krutika. I'm taking her to her room." Aisha said, "you want to come?"
"Yeah. I'll tell her parents and come." She said.
Aisha nodded and we started to walk to my room.

However, as we went ahead, we were stopped by a familiar voice.
"Hey!" A manly voice said.
Aisha and I turned around and a small smile lit on my face, "Oh my God! Raunak?"
I gave him a small hug and he reciprocated.
"Raunak, this is my friend and my roommate Aisha." I introduced, "and Aisha, this is Raunak, he is my childhood friend."
"Hi! Nice to meet you!" Aisha shook his hand.
"So, where are you guys heading off to running so fast?" Raunak asked.
How do we tell him?
"Umm, no I wasn't in the mood to stay, so..." I tried to reason.
"Well, you have a reason now. Come on! Aisha, you too!" He said and took my shoulders and guided me ahead, pulling Aisha with us.

I followed him unwillingly and we all sat at a table. Krutika joined us and Raunak and her met as well.
"So, you three are in the same flat?" He asked.
"Yep." I said, "I got so lucky with them!"
"Awww cutie!" Aisha said.
"Bournbrooke is owned by the Roy's,right?"
"Yeah." Aisha replied, seeing my silence.
"Have you guys met the Roy's?"
Please stop, Raunak.
"We... yeah. We did." I replied.
"Are they stuck up rich kids?"
"They're fine." I said, "never mind them, what brings you here?"
"I think you forgot that our dad's work in the same company, just a different branch."
"Right... uncle aunty are here?" I asked.
"Yep, they're with your parents."
"I'll go meet them then." I said, getting up.
"Ruk jaa! They'll come to you in a bit."
"No no that's rude. Let me go."
I got up and started walking to them, making sure I stay miles away from the center stage, where the Roy's and Gupta's were still hosting and talking.

"Hi aunty, hi uncle!" I said softly.
They turned around and smiled and hugged me, "Oh my God! Nikki? You've grown so much!"
"She really has!" Aai said.
"Did you meet Raunak?" They asked me.
"Yes yes he's sitting with my friends at the table. I came to say Hi before I go back." I replied.
"You're looking beautiful." Aunty said.
"Thank you!"
"So, 21... almost 22? You're growing up fast Nikita!" Uncle said, "what's next? masters?"
"Yes. I'm planning to."
"Have you applied?"
"My applications are due in March."
"Wonderful. Go to the US, where Gautam Roy went. He can help you... wait let me call him."
Call him?! No!
"No no uncle—-"
But my voice was cut in half when I heard Uncle call him and his eyes met mine, and softened.
I saw him approaching us, my mind filled with dread and worry.
Why God, why?
"Hi everyone." Gautam Dada said. He then looked at me, "Hi Nikita, nice seeing you here."
"You know her?" Uncle asked.
"Yes Uncle! She's Jhanvi's favorite teacher."
"Teacher?"
No. Shit. Dada will tell everyone that I work in schools for extra cash. Ugh great.
"She interned at a school, Jhanvi met her there."
I looked at Dada and breathe a sigh of relief.
"Ye...yeah." I said quickly.
"Wonderful. We were just telling her to follow your footsteps in her masters."
"Masters?" He asked me.
I nodded quickly, looking down.
"That's amazing. I'll surely help you out."
"Mr Gautam, if you can help her applications, it'll be really a lot for us." Dad said.
I felt small.
"Sir, there's no Mr Gautam to you. It's Gautam, and surely I'll help her out, once we get back to Mumbai, is that okay Nikita?"
"Yes."
He patted my shoulder, "excuse me."
We nodded and he left.

He saved me from embarrassment. I need to thank him.

I walked back to my friends, who had now gelled well with Raunak, and sat down.

"I met Gautam Dada." I whispered to Aisha.
"How did it go?"
"He saved me from being embarrassed. I'm gonna thank him when he's alone."
"That's wonderful. You should."
We got back to the conversation.
"So, I think we all should definitely take a tour of Udaipur tommorow!" Raunak suggested.
"Ooo! Fun! Let's do it!" Krutika said and looked at me, I nodded.
I don't wanna ruin her fun.
"You guys should definitely go." I said.
"You guys?" Raunak said, "unless you're getting married, or you're helping them get married, you have no excuse Niki, you're coming."
"Raunak, I don't feel like it yaar."
"Not an answer. Come quietly."
I knew there's no point arguing with him, so I nodded and smiled.
"Excellent! We leave tomorrow at 7!"

"Where are we leaving tomorrow?" A deep voice said from behind me.

I turned around and my breath stopped.
Mayukh.
With Riya.

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