• Part 29 •

Nikita POV:

Monday. Last week of this semester. Finally. I had gotten my assignment wrapped up and submitted on time, so I had nothing to do this week, so I quickly logged into the school system and asked to host classes. However, I realized it's better I go, since I have time.

I quickly got ready and made my way outside. Aisha had already left for university, since she had some projects left, and so had Krutika.

It had been 2 days since that encounter in the gym with him, and I still feel goosebumps when I think about it. He has driven me to another level of nervous and intimated.

I gathered my stuff after eating breakfast and went to my professor to let him know that I've submitted everything and have a job to get to so I won't be able to attend. He, being aware of me, marked my attendence sneakily and let me go! I smiled and walked away, heading to the school.

Once I reached, I got into the class and waited for everyone to arrive. It was their break period so everyone was out, but I soon heard a voice.

"Mishti Di!"

I turned to see Jhanvi.

"Hi! How are you?"

"I'm good!"

"Where is your class?" I asked her.

"There." She pointed at her class, "are you coming?"

"I need to meet with your teacher and then I'll join."

After finishing everything, I attended Jhanvi's class and soon it was their lunch break and I was told I could go home. I bid a goodbye to Jhanvi but she stopped me.

"Wait. Mamma wanted your number."

"My number? Why?"

"I showed her my marks and she wants you to help me externally."

"Oh. Sure." I said, unsure.

I gave her my number anyway and soon made my way outside.

~•~•~•~•

At around 9pm, I got a call from an unknown number. I picked it up and spoke, "Hello?"

"Hi. Is this Nikita?" A very feminine, elegant voice spoke.

"Yes. It is. How may I help you?"

"Hi beta, I'm Shambhavi, Jhanvi's mother."

"Oh, Hi Ma'am ! Jhanvi mentioned you! How can I help you?"

"Arre Beta, don't call me Ma'am. I was asking if you mind coming home to teach Jhanvi. She has her boards in 3 months and we'd really like if you can help her?"

"Aunty, I don't mind, but I have classes and I'm actually leaving Mumbai for holidays for a month now."

"I understand beta. You can come once this week and then we ourselves our leaving Mumbai, after that you can come from January?"

"I can. That's not an issue."

"About your payment..."

"No Aunty, please don't mention that, it's okay."

"No bete, you're working hard, I'm not going to let you just work for free, how much can I give you?"

"Aunty... how can I..."

"Okay beta, don't worry. We'll figure it out."

"Aunty I really Jhanvi. I don't need cash, it's okay."

"Then why have you taken up such a job?"

"Aunty vo... I wanted to support my parents."

"You're so sweet. God bless you."

"Thank you. What time should I come tomorrow?"

"When are your classes?"

"I'm free Aunty."

"Okay, come around 5pm?"

"Okay. I'll be there."

"Great. You're living in the university, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay, Suresh will come pick you."

"Okay Aunty!"

~•~•~•~

The next day, I got dressed, ready for the evening. I had gone to school for teaching and now I was by the university gate, waiting for Uncle to pick me up. I looked at myself one more time. Cream cargos, a brown U-neck full sleeve top. My hair braided and kept to my side. Basic kajal and subtle lipstick and that beautiful necklace given to me by I don't know who.

I saw the car from yesterday and I smiled.

"Hi uncle!" I said.

"Hello! Come sit."

I sat down and soon he started driving, while I continued to talk.

Soon, we were outside a huge mansion. My jaw dropped at it. This was insane.

"Here beta, just go straight from here."

"Oh.. thank you.."

I got down and went as per the directions given. The road seemed to never end. Finally I reached the entrance and went inside.

It. Was. Mind blowing. A huge center sofa square with stairs on both ends and a hall going upstairs going I don't know even know where. The kitchen was behind the wall, which held a huge portrait of Durga Maa, which overlooked the seating area. This was amazing.

"Yes? What do you need?" Some lady asked.

"Oh... I'm Nikita... I was called for Jhanvi."

"Let her in Juma!" The feminine voice echoed. We turned to see the source of the noise and found a beautiful lady in her late 40s, adorned with a beautiful beige saree, walking down the stairs. She looked royal, like a queen.

She walked to me and I felt myself getting nervous.

"H...Hi Ma'am." I said, trying to be confident.

"Hi beta. I'm Shambhavi, and, no Ma'am pls."

"Ji..."

"Come. Let me introduce you to everyone." She was so soft, and so nice. She felt so safe.

I followed her inside and saw someone around the same age as Nikhil Dada. He came to us.

"Mom, who's this?"

"Jhanvi's new love: her teacher!" She chuckled.

"Oh! You're the love of her life! Hi..." he looked at me and got his hand out. I felt tears in my eyes as it's been months since I met Nikhil Dada, and seeing him really made me miss my Dada.

"Hey... are you okay?" He asked.

"Beta, are you fine?" Aunty also asked.

"I... I'm sorry..." I wiped my tears, "I'm sorry this is very unprofessional of me."

"Absolutely not, you're allowed to be emotional bete, what happened?" Aunty asked.

"Aunty vo... seeing him," I said pointing to the man, "reminded me of my brother. He's the same age. I haven't seen him in months."

They both smiled and Aunty put her arm around me, "It's okay beta. One week more.

"Yes and when you're here, I'm your brother!" He said, "I'm Gautam."

"Nikita...."

Gautam POV:

Nikita? Is she the same Nikita who Mayukh likes? She's a student in Mayukh's college. Is she the same Nikita?

I saw her and sense of a brotherly feeling rose. She was a beautiful lady, a beautiful person, and Jhanvi has a good sense of character judgement, so I'm sure that she is a good person. Her crying when she saw me because she missed her brother pulled a small chord of my heart, it was so cute.

I felt like I want to protect her, and be with her.

Nikita POV:

"Come. I'll take you to Jhanvi." Aunty said and we walked upstairs into her room.

"Jhanvi! Your teacher is here!" Aunty said.

"Mishti di!" Jhanvi said and hugged me. I hugged her back and Aunty watched.

"Well, I'll leave you two to it." She said and went.

After 2 hours of studying, we were able to cover up a lot of the module. I felt proud that she learned so fast and she was able to grasp everything and be good at her work. She didn't get distracted at all. I had gotten my laptop so I also got work done till the time she was working.

We heard a knock on the door, "Jhanvi?" The door opened and it was Aunty, "Are you done?"

"Yes Mamma, we're finished."

"Yes Aunty. It's done."

"All good Jhanvi?" Aunty asked.

"Yes Mamma. I got a lot of work done. See."

I watch her show her the work and assignments and I was praying she liked it.

After a long three minutes, Aunty spoke, "Wow, this is very very good Nikita. Wow!" She looked at me, "You have a God's gift with teaching!"

"Thank you!"

"Come now, let's go downstairs."

We all headed downstairs and I gathered my stuff and started heading towards Aunty to say goodbye.

"Aunty..." I called her.

"Yes bete?" She said, coming closer.

"Thank you for giving me a chance."

"We're honored beta."

"No... like.. you could have gotten anyone but you chose me... I don't even have a degree."

"Beta. Talent is way above money, degree. You have a talent!" She smiled and held my hand.

I smiled back, "Thank you."

She let go off me and I spoke, "I'll leave now."

"What?"

"It's almost 8pm. I'll get back to my room."

"Nonsense. You're not going anywhere. It's 8 beta, and you're not used to this city. Someone will drop you."

"No no aunty. I'll go."

"Bete, come have dinner with us and then we will drop you back." Uncle added.

"Yes beta. How will you go home and then cook food also? It's too tiring. Eat with us. Come."

Aunty left me no choice. She took my hand and made me sit on the table. I smiled softly and sat down.

"Umm... can you... pass me that?" I said to Gautam Roy. I didn't know how to refer to him.

"This?" He said, pointing to the rice. I nodded.

He smiled and passed it, "By the way, you don't need to refer to me as 'Umm', you can call me Dada!" He smiled.

I felt myself tearing up yet again. I really need my brother.

"Sure... dada..." I said softly.

"So Nikita.... Tell us, what are you studying?"

"CS with Data Science and AI, and minor in HR business."

"Wow. That's a lot!" Uncle said.

"How do you manage?" Gautam Dada asked.

I chuckled, "I got used to it."

"Ah there he is." Aunty said, grabbing my attention, "That's my other son. The one in your university, Nikita!"

I heard footsteps coming towards us and I quickly put down my spoon and was about to turn around when I heard his voice.

"Hi Mom.... I'm home..."

No.

No way.

I turned around in shock, and his eyes met mine.

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