ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏʟʟᴇɢᴇ ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ [ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇᴅ]

• Part 32 •

I was about to talk when I heard someone's voice from behind. I quickly left his hold and ran away into the crowd again.

"Beta. What happened?" Aunty said.
"Oh. Nothing. I was just talking to my mom."
"Okay. Come take prasad."
I followed her and entered the hall again. I could sense Riya coming towards me and I quickly started talking to Gautam Dada.
"Hi... ummm Sir... I... what work do you do?" I said, I don't even know what I was saying. I was just blabbering.
He looked at me in concern, "What?"
She kept coming closer to me so I quickly tried to talk to Dada, "you... you're done... with uni right, what do... you do now?" I quickly said.
"I'm working in the company Nikita." He said, looking very confused at my actions.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Huh. Ye...yes. I'm fine. Why?" I said, ignoring my heart rate when she was standing next to us.
"Hey Riya, Nikita and I were just in the middle of a conversation. Please excuse me, I'll get to you shortly." Dada then looked at me, "Follow me Nikita, I'll show you what you were talking about."
I quickly followed him, ignoring her glares.

We walked to the other side,  away from the rest. "Okay now, what happened?" He asked.
"What?" I asked.
"What happened Nikita? Why are you stuttering and so uncomfortable?"
"N...Nothing Sir..."
"You're a student right?"
"Yes."
"You don't work for or with me, right?"
"No." I said, confused.
"Then why are you calling me Sir?"
"Oh... I... I don't know. Sorry."
"Look, I don't think you're okay. Please let me help you."
"I'm fine Dada... thanks."
I don't want to give him my problem burden.
"I'll... leave now..."

I quickly said and walked to Aunty.
"Aunty, thank you for the pooja today. It was beautiful. I'll leave now."
"Tune humesha nikalne ki jaldi kyu hai bete?" Aunty laughed.
(Translation: why are you always in a hurry to leave dear?")
Ouch. That made me sad.
"No... I... I'm sorry... vo.. I have to work tomorrow so..." I tried to justify.
"Relax beta. I understand. I'll ask Mayukh or Gautam to drop you home, don't worry."
"N...No! I'll go."
"Arre it's okay beta."
"No Aunty. It's your house function. You all should stay there."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Aunty..." I smiled.
I needed to get out of here.
"Oh Aunty..." I pulled out a small gift I had gotten from my bag, "here you go."
"What's this for? Come on. Don't be formal."
"Aunty it's the first time I'm coming to your house. I can't come empty handed. Please... I know it's not much, but..."
"Beta, something given from the heart is worth way more than its size and cost." She smiled.
Aunty is a God's send.
"Thank you." She said and took my gift.
"I'll leave now. Please let Uncle also know. He's busy so I couldn't talk to him before he left."
"No worries. I'll let him know. Text me when you get home, okay?"
I nodded and touched her feet and headed out.

Finally. Thankfully, no one saw me leave. I felt so out of place there plus Riya's constant stares were making me uncomfortable and really really awkward. She hates me. I didn't do anything.

I quickly called a cab and got into it and went towards my accommodation.

Luckily, it was only 7pm, when I reached home, so I was able to cook food and have dinner. I changed into my nightwear and quickly made maggi and started eating. I texted Aunty as well, letting her know that I'm home.

Krutika arrived at around 8pm, after her day.
"Hi Kru. How was your day?"
"Good. How was yours? How was pooja at your sasural?
"Hey!" I smacked her arm, "don't say that."
She settled next to me, "but really, how was it?"
I sighed, "Riya wouldn't stop belittling me. She really hates me Kru. I keep my distance from him but he keeps approaching me and she won't see that. She just blames me. What should I do?"
"Be honest with Mayukh."
"What?"
"Niki, he really likes you. It's been a whole term he's been perusing you, you think this is just a 'spur of the moment' thing? He likes you."
"Kru, he flirts with everyone. Everyone told me that."
"Well, the 'everyone' you spoke to have been here since day 1, you've been here for only a term. He might have been flirting with everyone but since you've come, I'm sure there's no one else he's looking at."
"I don't think so, and I won't want to fall for it."
"Why?"
"Look at him, look at me. There's no level."
"I don't think love sees levels, right?"
"It's not that easy. It needs family support."
"You'll get that."
"I won't. They have a circle. A rich one."
"Yeah but, I don't know."
"Nikita.... Learn to trust."

Trust. That's the one thing I can't do. After what happened 2 years back... there's no such thing as trust in my life anymore.

"Anyway, let's call Aisha." I changed the topic.
She chuckled and called Aisha.
"Hey babes!" Aisha said through the screen.
"How are you?" I asked.
"We're just discussing Nikita and her in-laws."
"What?" I asked, looking at Kru.
"Oooh! Tell me more!" Aisha said.
"She went to his house today. For a pooja."
"Are they together yet?"
"No. She isn't ready to see his love for her."
"Niki..." Aisha said to me, "why?"
"Because he's with Riya."
"Bro, he hates her." Aisha said and Kru agreed. "He hates her so much. You need to relax."
"No." I said.
"She's afraid to trust him." Kru said.
"Guys, can we talk about something else?" I asked irritated, "please?"
"Okay okay, don't worry! When are you two traveling?" Aisha asked.
"I'm leaving on Sunday morning but I'm asking Dada to book me on an earlier flight is possible."
"I'm also leaving on Saturday, right after the semester ball."
"I'll miss the ball man!" Aisha said.
"I know! I'm just gonna be sitting bored at home." Kru said.
"Guys..." I said, an idea popping into my head, any chance you're free next Monday to Thursday?
"I am, Why?" Aisha said.
"My family is going to a wedding in Udaipur, some colleage's son. You two wanna come?"
"Oooh! I don't mind. I'll ask Dad." Aisha said.
"Kru?" I asked Krutika.
"I think I can, but I'll have to ask."
"Let's confirm by tomorrow?" Aisha asked.
"Done!"
"We can have a parents zoom call!"
"Yes! If needed we can."
"By the way, Udaipur is fine, but you're coming to Indore and staying with me for a bit too!"
"Gotta see about that Niki!" Kru said.
"Chalo guys I gotta go!" Aisha said.
"Same! We're gonna sleep early." Kru said.

We cut the call and headed to our rooms to go to sleep.
Before going, Kru held my hand, "think about what I said. Give him a chance." She hugged me and then went to her room.

I entered my room and closed the door.
I can't give anyone a chance Kru. Not after him.

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