• Part 27 •

Mayukh POV:

"Nikita?" Who's that?" Gautam Dada's voice echoed. He shut the door and entered my room.

"Dada, it's just this girl he has a thing for."

"You have a thing for her?"

"Dada... I think so."

He looked at me happily.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked.

"I didn't think you'd fall.... After her." He said sadly.

"Can we not go there? Please." I said sternly.

She is a past of mine which I want to bury. A horrible past, which scarred me, angered me and has still left a mark.

"Anyway, when do I get to meet her? You all have met her," Dada said, asking Ved and the rest, "how is she?"

"She's beautiful." Ved said, I glared at him and he chuckled, "Relax bro, I'm not stealing your girl, but I can't lie! Can I?"

Everyone laughed.

"Tell me more." Dada said.

"She's a very quiet person. Doesn't mingle much, very small friend group." I added, "Very friendly and very very smart. She's doing electives, which is so rare in our university."

"Oh wow. Good catch Mayukh."

I smirked, "Oh she is a good catch... but."

"But?"

"She's very afraid of me. Of all of us."

"I noticed it too when she asked me for directions to a place. She was normal until I turned and she realized it's me, then she started stammering." Ved added.

"Why's she afraid?"

"I don't know."

"Come on, Mayukh, you know the answer. Just tell him." Ved said.

I sighed and turned to Dada, "Riya."

"Riya? As in Riya Gupta?"

"Yep."

"What did she do?"

"Nikita is a scholarship student. She worked really hard to get here and now is working even harder. Riya knows about this and she's using it to blackmail Nikita into keeping her distance from me."

"Oh damn."

"Yep."

"Don't listen to her. She does realize that she's just the chancellors's daughter right? The board is still with Kaka Kaki."

"She knows that but she still acts too much."

"Mom wants you to marry her?! Seriously?"

"I'm not agreeing to that. Besides, there's a lot of time before marriage. It's your turn first."

"Yep Dada!" Arup added, "Get married! What are you waiting for?"

"Well Arup, I'm waiting for my girlfriend to land so I can propose!"

"Wait? She's coming here?"

"Yep! It's a surprise for Mom Dad, she resigned from her work last month and yesterday was her last day, so she's coming back here now."

"Didn't you guys call her? Didn't you get caught?"

"Nope, she managed to keep it hidden properly by standing in front of something."

"What about her job?"

"She got a transfer to her company here and has about a month to let them know. Her choice."

"When will she land, Dada?" I asked.

"At 12pm. I'll go pick her and bring her home."

"What about Mom Dad and the Gupta's?"

"Well, they'll leave by morning. Mom and Dad are at home today, they'll see her."

"Excellent."

"What about you? Where will you be?"

"I'll stay at home Dada. I want to meet Shreya."

"Bhabhi hai teri! Call her Didi at least!" He teased, "Anyway, sleep now! All of you. Jhanvi has tuitions tommorow, so you need to drop her, Mayukh."

"Tuitions on a Sunday?"

"Yep. Final year."

"Why is Mom pushing her so much?"

"Mom isn't. Jhanvi is. She wants to meet that tutor of hers." He chuckled.

"Damn. Guess I'll meet her tomorrow too!"

"Anyway, I'm gonna sleep. You all sleep too!"

Dada left the room and we all soon dozed off.

~•~•~•~

Nikita POV:

I woke up with a jolt.

Ugh, 10am, I'm gonna be so late!

I got up, took my stuff and quickly went into the washroom, did my bathroom business and took a shower and came outside instantly.

I put on my stockings, with a black and white checkered shirt with a full sleeves white U-neck top and braided my hair. I quickly did my minimal everyday makeup and got my stuff and got ready to go.

To help Mom and Dad out, I managed to partner with a few schools and start tutoring. I had opted to tutor them online so commuting wasn't an issue, but they insisted I came to the school for the first week. I quickly caught a rickshaw and reached the school.

It seemed like a very fancy school. I had come here yesterday and fell in love with it.

"Good Morning. I'm Nikita. I was here yesterday as part of the tutors. I'm so sorry I'm late."

"Not to worry! It's only been 20 minutes! Come. Your class is 13C."

"Thank you."

I walked over to my class and met with the teachers, who introduced me to the class again and provided me with the materials needed to teach. Since it was Sunday, not a lot of teachers were present, but the students had a study lesson, being in their final year of school, I took over and assisted them in their assignments, questions and exam prep. I was checking a student's book when a sweet girl came up to me.

"Hi!" She chirped. I looked at her. She was beautiful and looked very royal and elegant.

I smiled at her and said, "Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good. I just wanted to say, I'm so happy you're here, you made me understand something I've been struggling with for months, within a day!"

"That's wonderful! I'm here now, and we'll definitely make sure you understand everything and anything!"

"Thank you Ms...."

"No no. No Ms for me. I'm a student, like you."

"Student?"

"Yes. I study in university."

"Wow, how old are you?"

"I'm turning 22 in 3 months."

"Wow. My brother is 22, and my cousins are around that age. All my brothers."

"All brothers? Wow! No sisters?"

"Nope. I'm the only sister in a lot of boys!"

"Well, then, you now have a sister."

"Who?"

I took out my hand for a shake, "Hi, meet your sister, Nikita."

She smiled and took it, "Thank you N..."

"Hey, you can call me by my name, and if not, then pick a nickname and use that."

"Hmm. I'll call you Mishti Di!"

Mish.. why did my mind to go what he calls me?

"Great... now go and finish your work."

She smiled and went back and I smiled on making a new friend, earning a new nickname!

After 2 hours of teaching, I finished my work and headed to the office.

"Nikita, come in!" Sapna Ma'am said. She was the head of the school. "How was your day?"

"It was good Ma'am. I enjoyed it."

"Wonderful. Now, I'm aware of your request and don't worry it's all in place. A new week begins tomorrow, so it'll be all online for you, however we require you to visit the school once a week, as per protocol.

"Sure ma'am, when?"

"Well, teachers are working Monday to Friday. You can drop in anytime then from 8-5pm, depending on your classes. You might not get the students alone, but even if you show your face, we can sign you off as present, so just come once a week at least, anytime!"

"Sure, Thank you so much, but my classes end this week so I'll be going home for a month before I come back. What can be done?"

"That's not an issue. We are on holiday for a month as well. Schools open again on 4th Jan, so we will only be able to get you in after that. We can still pay you for your online sessions if you host them through our server. Other than that, we'll email you when we are hosting the study sessions at least 24 hours before the session so you're aware and you can let us know if you're available. Payment has been decided on a per day basis. You'll be earning Rs 5000 per session, am I right?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Wonderful. Here you go." She transferred me the money and I smiled.

My first salary!

"Thank you so much!"

"No worries. We're happy to have you on board."

"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow hopefully!"

I walked out of the office and headed to the entrance to find a cab. I was going to order one when I heard a voice.

"Mishti Di!" I turned to find the same girl in my class.

"Hi! School ended?"

"Di, there's no school today! We just have study lessons."

"When are your exams?"

"They start in March, and they'll end in April."

"Oh wow! You got about 3-4 months more."

"Yep! I'm scared!"

"Don't be. If you need help, you have me."

"Thank you Di."

"By the way, what's your name?"

"Jhanvi."

"That's a beautiful name!"

"Like you!!"

"You're adorable!"

"Do you have siblings?"

"I do. I have an older brother!"

"I have 2!"

"Wow, do they spoil you?" I teased, "Mine does!"

"Mine also do, but Gautam Dada is always busy with work. My other Dada, May—"

A loud horn interrupted her talking. We watched a car arrive and I stared in shock. A BMW?!

"Is this yours?" I asked her.

"It's our family car."

"Who's picking you, Jhanvi?"

"No one, everyone's busy. The driver will drop me."

"You sure that's safe, right?"

"Yes yes Di, don't worry. Infact, where are you staying? How are you going?"

"I stay at my university accommodation, just waiting for my cab and I'll also leave now!"

"No need. I'll drop you there."

"Arre, no Jhanvi, you go home and rest. Enjoy your weekend!"

"I want to enjoy it! With you! You're so cool! Please come, I'll drop you! Plus I think it'll get very crowded soon, it'll be so expensive and chaotic for you!"

"I don't know Jhanvi.... Seems odd, plus it'll be more work for uncle as well."

The uncle rolled down his window, "No beti, Jhanvi is right, we'll drop you. It's not a problem for me. It's getting into traffic hours as well."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now come!" Jhanvi said.

"Okay!" I replied and entered the car.

Why do I feel like I've sat in this car before? Or a similar car? I don't know.

There's many BMWs, Nikita!

Within 5 minutes of entering, Jhanvi fell asleep.  I saw her leaning against the window and it was hurting her head so I took her head and let her lean on my shoulder.

"Sorry beti. She has an habit of sleeping."

"No worries, uncle! She must be tired. She is going for classes on Sunday's as well."

"Actually she wanted to meet you!" Uncle said.

"What?"

"She mentioned it the whole ride, that she wants to meet her new teacher because she loves you."

"Awww!" I smiled to the girl leaning on me. I felt a maternal instinct to take care of her.

"Waise, where do I drop you? I never asked!"

"University of Bournbrooke, Uncle!"

"Oh wow! Really! Jhanvi's brothers study there."

"Really! That's nice. I don't talk much to anyone, so I don't know."

"Socialize kiya karo, it's your age right now!"

"I get shy, uncle!"

After multiple conversations with him, I reached my university gate. I slowly placed Jhanvi's head on the seat and then got down.

"Thank you, uncle! You're both lifesavers!"

"No worries beta!"

"Please tell Jhanvi also I said thank you!"

"I will!"

I smiled and started walking ahead when I was called many Jhanvi, "Di!"

I turned, "Yes Jhanvi!"

"Can you come to my house tomorrow?"

"What?"

"Please Di, can you tutor me at home tomorrow?"

"Jhanvi, I have classes, na! I don't think I can."

"Oh no worries! It's okay."

"If you really really require it, we'll make something work, but only if you need it. Don't let your fun mix with studies, okay? Focus for 3 months, then have as much fun as you want."

"I will Di! Thank you!"

She ran and gave me a hug and then went back to the car. I waved as they were out of sight and then smiled to myself.

This was adorable!

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