• Part 31 •

Mayukh POV:

Seeing her at my house today felt so surreal. I had a doubt that her teacher could be Nikita by the way Jhanvi had described her but seeing her at home was just... unbelievable.

Once I dropped her back, I drove home and parked. Once I entered, I overheard Mom and Dad talking.

"She's such a sweet girl." Mom said.

"I know, very down to earth as well." Dad added.

"We should keep asking Nikita to come. I felt so nice having her home today."

"I agree, she's good at her job as well."

"She didn't take anything from me. I offered her a necklace as well, she said no."

"That speaks a lot about her character."

"It does. She's not running after money."

"But give her something. It doesn't look nice that she does this for free."

"I asked her everything - if she wants some help with work, or some extra support in university, or cash or anything. She declined everything saying she wants to earn it herself."

"Wow... do one thing... you know the pooja we are having at home tommorow, invite her. I want to see more of her Shambhavi."

"I do too. She's a good change. A good addition."

"I'll tell Mayukh to pick her up tommorow then."

"Yep, I'll call her right now."

"She might be asleep. Call tomorrow, or we'll tell Mayukh to go tell her. They share classes."

"Okay. We'll do that."

This is adorable.

I walked in and cleared my throat.

"Mayukh! Come. We were just talking about you." Mom said, "Can you invite Nikita to the pooja tomorrow?"

"You guys share come classes, right?" Dad asked.

"Yes. We do."

"Great! Then once class ends, bring her home with you."

"Sure but I don't think she'd be comfortable. You saw her today." I said genuinely.

"Don't worry about that. I'll make sure she's fine." I heard Gautam Dada say as he entered.

"Okay then. I'll bring her after class."

Saying so I left to my room. Tomorrow will be beautiful.

Just when I was about to sleep, I heard a knock and saw Gautam Dada open and enter, and shut the door.

"Dada? What's up?" I asked.

He came and sat on the bed as I settled down leaning against the headrest.

"Nikita... is she your Nikita?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded, "Yep."

"Wow. You got her home?"

"I had no idea that she's Jhanvi's teacher."

"Why is she teaching? Shouldn't she focus on her studies. Final year."

"I was thinking the same. I'm assuming she wants to earn a few bucks for her family, she's a scholarship student."

Dada smiled, "She almost teared up seeing me."

"What?! Why?" I asked in concern.

He chuckled, "Seeing me reminded her of her brother, who she hasn't met in months."

"Oh."

"Pure soul."

"She is."

"I see the whole being scared of you. I saw her face change when you entered."

"I don't know what's up with her."

"Find out."

"I have a brief idea."

"The Riya thing... the blackmail."

I nodded, "I need to put her in her place. It's not just about Nikita, she's done this before I'm sure."

"To who?"

"She bullies everyone Dada."

"Except you and our brothers."

"That's because she thinks I like her, she knows clearly now that I don't, but she won't stop and since I'm not an easy target, she abuses the one who is."

"Nikita." Dada said and I nodded.

"In that case, it's time we have a board intervention." Dada smirked.

"What are you suggesting?"

"You know, sometimes people best understand their place when they're reminded off it."

"Okay..." I asked, confused.

"Riya needs to be reminded of her place."

"How do we do that?"

"Leave that to me. You just focus on Nikita. She's a good girl and I'd rather you be announcing your marriage to her than Riya."

I scoffed, "there's no way I'm doing anything with Riya."

He got up and started walking when he turned back, leaning against the door, "By the way..."

I looked and raised my eyebrows.

"Great choice." He smirked.

I smiled back, "Thank you."

"Ghar leke aa usko, not just tommorow."

[translation; bring her home.]

"I will." I smirked, understanding him.

~•~•~•~

I stood ready in my black cargos and a beige sweatshirt, when I heard Jhanvi's voice.

"Dada! Will you bring Mishti Di home today?"

"I will."

"When?"

"We'll come in the evening, after your Di's classes."

"She's in school right now."

"What?"

"Yes. She's working right now. She doesn't have classes this week."

"What?"

"Yes Dada! She's done with everything."

"So am I but I'm still going?"

"Dada she's working. You're not."

True.

"Okay, so when will she get home?"

"Classes end at 3, so she'll be home by 4."

"Great. I'll pick her then."

"My classes end at 2, pick me also!"

"No. I have class then. Take the driver."

"Okay!"

I dropped her off and wanted to stay to meet Nikita but I decided against it. She's working and I don't want to disturb her. Instead I went to university and attended my classes, successfully avoiding Riya the entire day.

At around 3:45, I left to go pick Nikita up. I reached the school and stood in the main entrance expecting her to come anytime since it was past 4, and soon enough, she was there in 5 minutes. She saw me and her eyes widened.

I walked up to her and smiled, "Hello."

She looked around then greeted me back, "Hi?"

"I'm here to pick you."

"What? Why?"

"Because... you're coming with me."

"W...what?"

"Sit in the car love, I'll explain everything." I said and took her bag and made her sit in the car.

I started driving, when she spoke, "Tell me?"

"So, Mom wants you to come to the pooja we have at home today."

Her face got alert and confused, "What? Why?"

"She likes you. A lot." I looked her and then continued, "she's not the only Roy who likes you a lot."

Her eyes widened and she looked down and I internally chuckled, "Dad likes you too!"

She looked up.

"I... I can't come like this."

"You won't. We're going to your house, change and then we'll go."

"Oh."

"Here, we've reached." I parked and got down and she did as well.

I noticed her look around and then look at me. I was about to leave when she stopped me.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be around, you change and call me."

"What?"

"What what mishbo?" I said, coming closer.

"Where will you go? Why don't you change?"

"My clothes are at home. I'll change there. I'm here so you can get changed."

"Oh..."

"Chal, go fast. I'll be here."

But she didn't move.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, holding her hand.

"You... come.. with me." She said, slowly.

"What? Where?"

"Don't just stand here, come up."

I smirked, "are you sure?"

"Y...yes." She said, looking down.

She is starting to trust, be comfortable with me.

"Okay. Let's go."

I followed her upstairs and we entered. It was quiet.

"Where is everyone?" I asked her.

"Aisha left to her family this morning. Krutika is out for the day, with her classmates."

"I see." I said, looking around.

"Do you want anything?"

"No. Don't worry. Go change."

"There's chai if you want." She said and went inside and I got settled on the couch using my phone when she suddenly walked out within 5 minutes.

"What happened?"

"What do I wear?"

I chuckled, "What? I don't know."

"Mayukh."

My name from her mouth is seductive as heck.

Stop it, Mayukh.

"Yes darling, tell."

"I don't know what to wear. Can... you call aunty and ask?"

"Okay fine."

I called Mom and she replied saying give the phone to Nikita and so I did, and they spoke and I watched in awe. She then gave me the phone and went inside.

I roamed around the house and got some chai which was kept in the kettle and drank it. She makes heavenly chai. I then kept the cup back and was about to sit down when I noticed her walking towards me.

My heart stopped.

She looked magnificent.

Her hair was straight and curled at the ends, resting gently at her back, open. Her cream colored anarkali was highlighting her beauty even more. She had minimal makeup and partially heavy earrings with one simple necklace with her duppata resting on her right shoulder.

Wow.

"I'm ready." She said, looking at me. My eyes roamed her top to bottom while she stood there.

"Mayukh?" She repeated.

I pulled out of my trance and spoke, "yeah?"

"I'm ready."

"Yeah... let's go." I said.

She nodded and quickly grabbed something from the cupboard, put it in her bag and then signaled me to come. I followed her, not being able to take my eyes off her.

Before we locked the door, I pulled her close and she gasped in fear. My arms went around her waist and hers came on my chest.

"Ma...Mayukh?" She whispered.

"Mishbo... you look like a dream come true."

I inched closer to her, unable to control myself, as she stood caged between the door and me.

"We... should go..." she whispered.

"Hmmm." I said while kissing the crook of her neck. "Let's go."

We made our way home and, we were there.

"Come." I said, holding the door for her.

We entered to find the whole house lit and filled with decorations. She looked widely fascinated and in awe.

"Like it?" I asked her.

She nodded, not looking at me.

"Hello! There you two are!" Mom spoke, grabbing our attention, "We were waiting!"

"Hi Aunty," Nikita said, touching her feet.

Mom smiled and hugged her, "You look wow!"

"Thank you." She said softly.

Mom looked at me, "Mayukh, go change fast!"

"Yep." I said and left.

Nikita POV:

The house was majestic. As he left, I felt tingles.

"Come beta, sit with us." Aunty said, leading me. I followed her and went to the hall were I saw a face I didn't want to - Riya.

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