ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Part 60 •

Mayukh POV:

"Is everything ready?" I said on call, while I saw Nikita take a few pictures with the animals on the hill station.

After taking  few pictures of her off my own, I went a little behind and got on call with Aisha. If Nikita thinks that I don't know it's her birthday and I'm not going to do anything, then she's highly mistaken.
Highly.

I planned with all our friends and organized a party at my accommodation. I gave them the access to it and asked them to start decorating. Since the hill station wasn't too far from home, I mean like a 1.5 hour drive, it was easily manageable.

"Everything is on track. When are you two leaving?" She said on call.
"We're going to leave soon. We'll be there by around 6:30."
"That's perfect."

I cut the call and walked up to Nikita, who was still just taking pictures with and of the animals.
"How many pictures will you take?" I asked.
"They're just really cute!"
"Why don't you have a pet then?"

She froze, she didn't say anything but I figured I touched a wound I shouldn't have, "I'm sorry. I don't mean it like that. Whatever the reason is, it's not something you—"

She held my hand and stopped me, "You can know. We've not been the best financially so, we don't really like.... Having a pet and all is way out of our means." She chuckled.

"I... I'm sorry." I didn't really realize how to relate to all these things. I couldn't change that I am born into a family without such worries, but I felt bad that I didn't know what to do.

"You don't have to be sorry. You're lucky that you don't have to worry about all this, I'm happy for you." She said, "I'm also happy."

She's a beautiful soul, who doesn't feel upset even though she's in a situation like this. I held her hand, "You're a gem."

"I know." She teased.

We got into the car, and started to drive back. She was sitting and looking around while I was driving, but my eyes kept flickering towards her.
"Did you enjoy?" I asked her.
She turned to me, "is that even a question?"
"I don't think so?" I asked.

"Of course I enjoyed today, I enjoyed it a lot." I was glad to see her smile, "When will we reach?" She asked.

I looked at the GPS, "Around 45 minutes. Why? Is everything okay? Do you need something? Is everything fine?"

She chuckled, "Everything is fine, Mayukh. Don't worry about it. I was just asking you casually. Bohot tension leta hai tu!"

"Kya karu?" I chuckled, "aapne khazane ka khayaal rakhna padhta hai na!"

She blushed.
Oh God, I'd die for that blush.

                                        ~•~

We reached back home at around 6:30 and I got down the car. I noticed her hesitating to get down so I opened the door for her and then knelt on the ground in front of her, "What happened?"

"I wanted to say something to you." She said.
"Tell."

She looked at me, and then looked down and then back at me. Why was she hesitant?
"You can tell me. Don't be scared."
"I just... feel scared by Shruti." She said.

I sighed.
I knew she would. That's exactly why I didn't want Shruti my life. Shruti would ruin everything and I don't want things to be ruined.

"Don't worry." I reassured her, "She won't do anything, I promise you that." I looked at her, hoping that she would understand me.

"Okay!" She giggled, then she got down. I stood up and held her hand. She got her hand in mine and we walked towards the accommodation.

I texted Aisha that we are coming and she replied with an okay. Getting the green light I needed, I smiled and got her hand.

We reached upstairs while she was yapping about the day and I was listening to her quietly, soon to be very surprised by her reaction. I reached my door and quickly knocked on it with my feet to indicate that I am entering.

Then, I opened the door and we walked inside. The lights were off and we walked inside and I closed the door. Once we were in, Nikita looked around and as I turned the light on, everyone yelled, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

I saw her get startled and then look around as she noticed. I looked at her, leaning against the couch, as she had tears in her eyes. Slowly, she hugged Aisha and Krutika and I took my phone out to capture the moments.

She walked to me, "did you know about this?"
I nodded, "liked it?"
"Very much."
"Then come, let's cut cake."

I got her hand and we went towards the dining table where everyone was gathered around to cut the cake. She smiled and cut cake while I leaned on the wall near the cake and looked at her.

I couldn't help but fall for her. I knew it was time to ask her, I was just waiting for the right time. I really wanted her. I spent the whole day with her today and I still couldn't help but want to spend more time with her.

I really like her.

I saw her cut the cake and then scan around, then she turned to me, smiled and walked towards me, "Have."
I smiled and took the cake, then used her own hand and fed her, "You have."

We then had dinner, and then we talked around until everyone eventually left. I bid them a goodbye and Nikita was going to leave as well but I grabbed her hand. Aisha looked at us and then smirked, "Alright you come later."

She left and Nikita turned around, "Mayukh, it's late, I need to go home."
"Your birthday ends in another 50 minutes."
"I know, so?"

"So," I grabbed my hand and pulled her inside, closing the door, "I have something to do."

She looked at the clock and then at me, "it's 11:11!" Her eyes sparkling, "make a wish." 
I chuckled, grabbed her by the waist and cupped her face, "I'm with my wish." I said and closed the distance between us.

I kissed her slowly, she held me tightly and I held her gently and kissed her, and then let go, our foreheads touching, "Happy birthday darling."

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