ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Part 38 •

Nikita POV:

I was shaking.
Why is he with my family?

I slowly made my way to them, unaware of what talks might be going on there. I was scared.
"This is my daughter, Nikita." Aai said.
"We know her Yamini Ji." Shambhavi aunty replied, "We have met her before at home."
"Oh yes. Through Jhanvi, right?" Baba asked.
"Yes."
"Gautam mentioned it."
"These are my kids - Mayukh Jhanvi and Gautam." Aunty said.

I didn't make eye contact once. I don't know if he was looking at me, or what he was doing, but I'm not looking.

"Jhanvi, where are you planning to study?" Aai asked her.
"Mostly in Bournebooke." She replied.
"She is very happy because none of her brothers will be there!" Uncle said.
"How so?" Aai asked.
"Mayukh and everyone will graduate this year. Only Kashik will be there, but Kashik and Jhanvi have teamed up since childhood!"
"That's wonderful!" Baba said.
"Lucky her." Dada said, entering the convo.
"Oh, this is my son Nikhil."
Dada shook his hand and politely greeted all the people.
"Ah so you're Nikhil!" Shambhavi aunty said.
"Yes?" Dada asked.
"Nikita saw Gautam and almost teared up since she missed you." Aunty said.
"Awww!" Aai said, "Nikku..."
"They're very close." Baba said, "when he left to UK to study, Nikita was distorted for a whole month."
"You're blessed to have such smart children."
"Thank you."

They continued talking as I stood there, lost. Deep down I could feel eyes on me, but I won't look. I might even be wrong. I had Riya's words playing in my mind constantly.
'I can take away whatever I give you.'
I needed this opportunity.
It's the only way to get at a good place and be able to give back to Aai Baba and help us. I saw them all be lost in conversation so I backed away, not wanting to be there.

I came back to Raunak and everyone.
"How was the talk?" Aisha asked.
"I didn't talk. They're talking to the Roy's."
"The Roy's?" Krutika asked.
I nodded and sighed, "I'll talk later."
We sat down and got in conversation. These guys really did know how to make my mind get diverted from all my issues.

~•~•~•~

The wedding had ended. It was Wednesday afternoon when the last function had also ended. It was time to head back.
I got my stuff and entered the cab, when I forgot to fill my bottle before the flight. I got down and walked towards the reception when I saw Mayukh and Riya sitting. They weren't talking.
Oh no.
I didn't want to go there, but I had to.
I slowly walked to towards them when they both saw me. I hadn't looked at them, but I knew they're looking at me. I watched them scoot closer and Riya start mumbling something in Mayukh's ear. His arm around her waist.

I felt numb again.
Did I fall for him this much?

I felt tears coming so I quickly got my water and walked away, without looking back. Without looking at them.

~•~•~•~

[Indore]

"That was a beautiful wedding." Aai said as she served chai and sat down.

We had finally reached home. Aisha and Krutika had decided to stay with me for a few days before going back to their homes. They were currently taking a nap in my room. I was sitting with my family - ready to break the news.

"Aai... baba... dada..." I slowly said, "I wanted to say something."
They looked at me, "Yeah, tell."
Here we go.
"I... I might not be going back to university next semester." I said.
"What?!" Baba asked, "What do you mean?"
"Baba...I..." I said, "I got an internship at CSDS."
"CSDS? The huge FAANG partner?" Dada asked.
I nodded.
"Wow! That's huge!" He hugged me.
"Thank you."
"What does that mean?" Aai asked.
I showed her the email, "here you go."
Aai Baba read everything, "This is really good."
"Yeah."
"How did you get this?"
Oh, I just stayed away from the man I had feelings for, no biggie.
"I... applied." I lied.
"This is a good thing Baba. She should go."
"It's so far. Isn't there anything in India?" Aai asked, "London, New York it's so far."
"London would be the best place for you to go. It's not too fair, compared to New York."
"It's too far Nikhil." Aai argued.
"Aai, it's far but this opportunity isn't something that comes everyday, to everyone. You don't realise how big this is. She'll earn in pounds and won't even have to pay a little from her own pocket."
"I know, but..."
"Yamini, she should go." Baba said.
"Arre, but..."
"She won't get this chance again if she lets it go and this opens her door to a lot. A good job."
"Aai, Baba is right. She should go."
Aai sighed, "Okay. If you all think so."
"Beta, what are the details? Living and all."
"They will provide me an accommodation. I just need to pick it because it's linked to a campus and the companies. They have given a bunch of options, I need to choose it."
"The cost?"
"It's paid for Baba." Nikhil said.
"Wonderful."
"When will you leave then?" Aai asked.
"I'm thinking I'll leave on 1st with Raunak."
"Good idea. Raunak will help her around too. He lives in London too, right?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'll ask him to come home tomorrow, we'll sort everything out." Baba said, "Nikku, you email them saying you're going."
"Wait, what about her college?" Aai asked.
"Aai, it'll be an approved absence so attendance is fine, and as for my studies, they will allow me extensions on my assignments so I can catch up."
"What about your studying?"
"I will manage it Aai. I always do."
"Yamini, I'm sure she'll manage." Baba said.
"What about the tickets and all baba?" I asked.
"We will manage it. Don't worry."
"It's like £460 for a visa." I said, embarrassed.
"Beta...." Baba said, hugging me, "We can do this much for you. Come on."

I went upstairs and emailed them a yes.
I won't see him for a month.
He doesn't care, Nikita.
I sighed and emailed them my confirmation.

London, here I come.

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