ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Part 41 •

Nikita POV:

Cold. Wind. Rain.

That's the only thing I've been exposed to since I landed here. It had now been a week since we reached. Baba and Dada had come to drop me.

My accommodation was really cute. A small studio, with a bed nicely hidden from the entrance through the barriers and curtains, a nice semi open kitchen overlooking the London skyline and a comfort seating area next to the fireplace. It wasn't that small, it was cozy. 

They had dropped me off, helped me arrange my room and then taken the flight the next week. I had arranged my room and my groceries and gotten used to staying here in a week. I travelled 4/5 days after telling Baba about it. I got my confirmation instantly after emailing and had applied to my visa quickly. Bring CSDS, I was able to use the university name to speed my visa process and I had my visa within 3 days. I travelled a day after. It was expensive, but dad suggested to do it.

Now, I sat in my room, just gotten up. 6am.
It's pitch black at 6am. You don't even realize what time it is due to the darkness. I got up and quickly showered and did my daily pooja. Today was my first day of work.

I got dressed in a simple knee length formal dress with stockings with an overcoat on it.
I need to get used to this cold.
My accommodation was right next to the CSDS places - the main offices and training centers, so I didn't have to worry about commuting. I made some chai for myself and quickly called Aai.
We spoke for about 15 minutes before we finally cut the call and I got my stuff, ready to go.

Elegant exteriors, very chic and classy people, hustle and bustle - CSDS was filled with grace.
I was so excited. I quickly made my way to the main office, unaware of what to do.
"Hi. Nikita Joshi." I introduced.
"Yes! Internship, right? Follow me." A lady in her mid 40s said. I followed her into a huge building, almost 20 floors. Everything screamed classy, elegance and grace.

I met with Ms Lucy. She was my boss. She got me familiar to my work and my daily timings.
They were amazing! 2 days of working from home, if I want, amongst the 5 working days, 9-3:30/4 everyday. It was amazing!
I quickly got my work set and was given a basic resources to start my research.
"You can take today to just get through this reading material, tomorow we will allocate you to your interns group."
"Interns group?" I asked.
"Yes, so since you are an intern, you'll be with a few other interns, and each group will have one mentor. You'll report your work to your mentor weekly and a review with me weekly as well. I'm more of a guiding hand for you!" She said.
"Thank you!"
"Alright so, if you want, you can stay here and study the reading material, or you can go home. One other thing, your payment will be in 2 parts, so it's a total of £20,000, including your living, daily allowance and the stipend. It'll be credited to you in 2 parts: £10,000 after 2 weeks and the reminder after the internship ends. We have your bank details so don't worry about that- it'll come on its own."
"Thank you."
"Also, you can earn a bit more as commission, if you help us land a deal, or you have made inputs which have impressed your mentors, it'll all be evaluated and you will be informed if you have gotten a commission and how much you'll get."
"Wow, that's nice!"
"Up! Over to you now!"
"Thank you!"

I greeted her and made my way outside her office. Within 15 minutes, I had the reading material emailed to me and I decided to stay in the office premises and work - why work alone! I found a cozy spot in the building, which overlooked the garden and had a cafe and a small lazy area with books and bean bags. I got my laptop out and started to go through the reading materials.

Time Skip.

It was 7pm when I came back home. I had emailed my reading findings to Lucy and my mentor Mark, and had gotten great feedback! I witnessed a beautiful sunset at the gardens and then walked in the dusk hours back to my room. The house was a 5 minute walk from the office and was surrounded by greenery and office areas so it was always secured and safe.
Finally, at home.

My first day was eventful. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss university, my friends and... him. But, I'm in a great place here.
I changed and called Aai and told her everything about my day. She seemed happy.
I then called Aisha. Today was the first day of second semester as well, but when I spoke to her, she seemed off. She seemed like she was hiding something. I kept asking her what happened but she didn't give me a reply and said that she's just worried about her exams.
Like I believe that!
But it's her call, no worries.

Should I ask about him?
No.
Do I really want to know? When he's cut me off?
I don't.

I cut the call and made dinner. Then slept.

This is my life for the next month: Working, exploring and studying.

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