3. Mom's Friend

Mahi's POV:

"Mahi?" Nitya called out my name, that's when I realized that we were standing in front of the canteen and tears were running down my cheeks. I tried to control them but all in vain, my heart was hurting like someone stabbed it countless times.

Nitya pulled me into a hug and I cried until there were no tears left. When she realized that I am not crying anymore, she pulled back and my eyes met hers which were filled with concern but she quickly replaced it with joy.

"I know you are hungry, Let's grab your favorite pizza!" she busted with a wide smile on her face. I know she was trying to uplift my mood and I am glad she is not bringing up what just happened because I really don't want to talk about it now.

She understands me the most in this whole world and I can't thank this universe enough for this beautiful girl who is my best friend.

"Okay." I smiled at her and we walked into the canteen. We ordered our food and received it after a few minutes. I dug in as I was too hungry to think about anything else. I will go meet my grandpa and brother in the evening again.

After having lunch we walked out of the canteen. "So what's next?" Nitya asked.

"How about a movie?" I suggested and looked at her.

"Won't you go back to meet your grandpa?" she asked confusingly.

"Not right now, I will go in the evening." She gave me an understanding smile and nodded. I booked the tickets online and we drove off to watch the movie.

"So we enjoyed the movie?" I asked Nitya, filling my mouth with a spoon full of ice cream.

"Yea we definitely did." she replied with a grin.

After the movie was over we decided to grab some ice cream from our favorite place. Nitya ordered butterscotch while I decided to have mint chocolate chip, my all time favorite!

"So are you going home or back to the hostel?" she asked, wiping her mouth with a tissue.

"Yea I..." I started but stopped when I looked at my phone. There were 38 missed calls from my grandpa, brother and of course my beloved mother note the sarcasm. "Oh my god, they have been calling me since afternoon." I exclaimed and showed the missed calls to Nitya.

"Girl, you kept your phone on silent mode again. When are you planning to say goodbye to that habit of yours? " She mocked, shaking her head at me.

"They called me too but I also kept my phone on silent mode as we were watching movie." She said checking her phone. "Now come on, it's already 7:30. We should go, they must be worried, I will drop you." She stood up and picked up her bag. I nodded and followed her toward the exit.

We both settled in the car and Nitya started the engine. The ride was fun like it always has been, we both were vibing on the songs she played. We reached my home, Yea we do have a house in Mumbai but I choose to stay in the dorm.

I mean how can I live in such a big house ALONE that's scary! I have always been scared of living alone in huge places since I was a little kid. Mom and dad used to be busy but grandpa was always around so I was never alone. When I shifted here, I chose to stay in our university dorm, instead of this house.

"See you tomorrow." I waved my hand at Nitya and got out of the car.

I walked towards the main door and rang the doorbell. Rohan opened the door and his eyes widened "Where have you been this whole day." He asked, almost shouting at me.

"Chill bro! Look, I am still alive." I winked at him and he rolled his eyes. I heard some noises coming from the living room and I looked at Rohan confusingly. Looking at my expression he understood and replied to my unasked question "We have a guest for dinner."

We both walked inside and I saw my grandpa sitting on the couch in the living room with a cup of tea in his hand. He looked at me and frowned, I knew he was mad at me for not picking up his calls so I mouthed "sorry" making those innocent puppy eyes, and he gave me a little smile in return. I knew my secret trick, it always works!

"Mahi?" my mom called my name and I looked over at her. My eyes widened when I looked at the person who was sitting beside her. WHAT?? What is she doing here? I asked myself internally.

"Hello Mahi" Aparna mam greeted me. I was too shocked to meet her here at my house. Is she here to complain about me? Or worse, she revealed my marks, oh god I am doomed! Questions kept on coming into my mind and as always her aura made me nervous.

"Mahi?" Aparna mam again called out my name breaking the chain of my thoughts.

"What are you doing here mam?" was my first question.

"I invited her to have dinner with us tonight." my mom replied to my question and smiled at Aparna mam which she reciprocated.

Why is my professor at my house to have dinner? And why did my mom invited her? I don't think they know each other as they never met before then why? Again I started to make sense of her being here but I was unable to.

Judging by the look on my face mom started "She is my college friend. We have known each other since our college days. Not only mine but she is also a very good friend of your dad."

My mom and dad both went to the same college and that's how they met and fell in love with each other, that's what my mom said, but I never knew that my professor is my mom's friend.

"But you never told me about her?" I could not resist but ask mom. Aparna mam patted the seat beside her for me to sit and I hesitantly sat beside her.

"I told her not to tell you about this." She said and I looked at her with my brows frowned in confusion.

"When I first saw you in my class I felt like I knew you. When you introduced yourself I came to know that you were Jyoti and Jay's daughter. I called Jyoti that day and she was happy that I was your professor but I told her not to tell you, as it might have affected our teacher-student relationship. I assured her that we will tell you once you graduate." she explained and suddenly she hugged me.

I was taken aback by her action but after a few seconds, I hugged her back. "You know I was just like you back in my college days, carefree, problematic, and not-so-good-at-studies." She chuckled and the height of my embarrassment was at its peak.

Studies were never my cup of tea, I chose literature as my major because Nitya wanted to study it and she can help me pass if she is beside me. I am definitely not a good student but she doesn't have to say it out loud in front of my family, even though they already know it. But is she saying she was like me? That's impossible, she is one of the best professors at our university!

"Even though I was not good at studies. I love books and reading just how you like music, so I decided to become a literature professor." she smiled at me and I returned a smile.

They all chatted for a few more minutes and then my mom said "Okay enough with discussing our college days, now let's have dinner."

We all went towards the dining table and made ourselves comfortable. Our maid Shanti tai served us dinner and we all started. Aparna mam kept talking about her college days and her adventurous activities with my mom and dad. I have never seen her speak this much except in her lectures.

She always used to be serious and firm towards her students so watching her like this was a little surprising. Right now she seems to be a different person, warm and approachable. I like her this way more.

"Mahi, from now on call me Aunty okay? You have graduated now so I am no longer your professor." she suddenly spoke and I looked at her confusingly. "I know I have always been cold and strict but that's just my way to keep control. I keep my professional and personal life separated, those are my work ethics but I also have a life after college too." she continued.

Now I understand her different behaviors, I thought she might have split personality disorder for a second. She was looking at me and waited for my answer. "Okay mam. I mean Aunty" I said and she smiled.

After dinner we all sat in the living room and had ice cream. "Okay so it's final, you all are coming for dinner tomorrow at my home." Aparna mam, okay okay Aunty said, putting her ice cream cup down.

"Nobody can win against you. Fine, we will be there for dinner tomorrow." My mom said, giving up the argument.

"It's getting late, I should go now. It felt so good to meet you, Jyoti after so many years. See you all tomorrow" she said, standing up from her position and hugged all of us before leaving.

We all went to see her out and she left with her driver. "I am going to bed. Good night everyone." I said to everyone except my mom.

Hey Guys! This is the next chapter and I hope you all liked it. Please vote and comment as it motivates a lot. Let me know your thoughts!

Don't forget to smile, will meet you next Tuesday Bye!!