The sky was smeared in bright blue colour, white cotton like clouds scattered around it. Students began to spill out of the main building in twos and threes, the girls had their beautiful, floral umbrella on their shoulders, protecting their skin from the sun.
The boys hopped on their scooters and bikes, riding fast. Trying to woo their fellow classmates and juniors.
Among the crowd of students, Thabal along with Meera and Shreya stepped out of the gate. Squinting their eyes at the strong sunlight. Thabal walked out slowly, dressed in a navy blue top and a white pant along with a black umbrella in her hand. On either side of her were Meera and Shreya, talking, laughing among themselves but they paused the moment they caught sight of the familiar black jeep parked just opposite to their college gate.
"There he is" Meera muttered, the corners of her mouth tilting into a mischievous smile.
Thabal's eyes flicked toward the jeep instinctively. There he was, leaning on the door, one foot crossed over the other, trying to look casual. His dark grey collared t shirt was hugging his biceps and his black watch glinted slightly under the bright light. His expression was unreadable from a distance, it was usually the cold yet soft look he always gave her.
Thabal hesitated mid-step. Seeing it Shreya nudged her with a frown.
"Kya huwa? Jaa na. Wapas nahi dena kya?" She asked, gesturing to the umbrella.
"Yaar dar lag raha hai" Thabal bit her lip in nervousness. To which Meera cackled a laugh.
"Kha thodi jayega woh tujhe. Jaa. Itna dar toh NEET dene pe nahi dari hogi" she joked, to which Thabal gave her a glare, with cheeks tinted with embarrassment.
"Chup karo tum dono. NEET ka alag tha. Uspe i was prepared. Yeh toh- yeh. Yeh toh alag hai. Ismein mein prepared nahi hoon, kaise hungi prepared" She whispered the last line, her tone softening. Her lips formed a pout of frustration.
"Ahaa! Kal raat ko adhe ghante tak kon sishe ke samne 'hi sir' 'hello sir' 'here is your umbrella' kar raha tha" Shreya fired to which Thabal let out a groan.
"Yaar tum dono kyu mera tang khich rahe ho. Idhar jaan nikli pari hai meri" she scowled at them in frustration. Both the girls laugh at their friend's situation.
"Yaar kitni cute lag rahi hai tu. Pura tamatar jaisa hogaya hai tera shakal. I doubt if Mr Officer will resist back biting your cheeks" Meera smirked teasingly, to which Thabal reddened more if possible.
"Aare chor chor. Jyada tang mat kar" Shreya laughed and slapped Meera's shoulder.
"Ja, jake deke aaja" she nudged to which Thabal hesitated.
"Tum dono bhi aawo na. Akele dar lagta hai" she uttered softly to which Shreya slapped her forehead.
"Bhai principal se thodi milne ja rahi hai. Chill out" She kept her hand on Thabal's shoulder and gave her a squeeze of assurance.
"Also yeh tum dono ka 'niji mamla hai' hum kyu interfere kare" Meera winked at Thabal as she completed her sentence. A playful smile on her lips.
Thabal just shook her head and glanced at Vikram to see him already looking at her. She quickly adverted her gaze in nervousness.
"Usko dekhke lagta nahi usko baat karni hai. Shakal dekha hai? Muh banake rakha hai" She let out a sigh, clutching the umbrella in her hand tighter.
"Aare pagal. Banda terepe fidaa hai. Ekdam pagalo wala fidaa. Warna itna busy insaan roj apna adha ghanta ek ladki ke liye kyu barbaad karega?" Shreya rolled her eyes and groaned in irritation. Thabal didn't said anything, she just kept quiet, as if thinking about it.
"Abhi sochne samajke ka time nahi hai. Ja jake deke aa. Aur jyada extra baat mat karna samjhi. Despo nahi lagna hai uske samne. Usko tumhare piche bhagawo. We aren't sure banda kaisa insaan hai. So filhal ke liye just let him roam around you. Tum khud se jyada initiate mat karna" Meera advised, making sure it entered the latter's mind.
"Yeh despo lage na lage. Officer sahab jarur lag rahe hai. Asa lagta hai kuch aur der Thabal ne isse baat karliya toh banda toh behos hi hojayega" Shreya snickered, slapping her knees. Letting out a loud laugh at her own words.
Meera sighed and shook her head looking at her friend.
"Tu chor isse. Kabhi kabhi satak jata hai iska. Ja" she nudged.
Thabal stole another glance before quickly looking away. She exhaled slowly, trying to control the fluttering feeling in her chest. The mix of nervousness and perhaps excitement?
Without another word, she stepped forward, leaving her friends behind. Each step felt louder in her own ears. Her heart thudded hard against her chest in nervousness.
Vikram saw her approaching and instantly straightened. His eyes widened for the briefest moment before he caught himself and tilted his head just slightly, trying to play it cool. He quickly looked away, jaw tightening, pretending to study the passing traffic. But his fingers tapped rhythmically against the jeep door, nervous. His other hand ran through his damp hair once, then again, though it barely helped.
His eyes betrayed him. It continuously went to her approaching figure. Her eyes, her hands, her lips- damn it!
Sweat started trickling at the side of his head. Which he wiped off hastily. Fuck it! Act calm. Act calm. Don't panic. Don't smile. Nothing! He told himself.
And then she was there, just a few feet away. Neither of them said a word at first.
Thabal looked at him, Vikram looked at her. Both felt the moment frozen as they made an eye contact this close. Just then few dry leaves fell on Thabal making her glanced up at the sky briefly, then turned her attention back to him.
Taking a deep breathe she forwarded the umbrella to him.
"W-woh aapka umbrella. Uss din jo diya tha" she uttered softly, her voice almost breaking in between. Vikram gulped then looked at the umbrella. He clenched his first, trying to tame his racing heartbeat.
"Tum rakhlo" he uttered, his voice sounded too soft, which he ever didn't heard himself speak.
Thabal felt her eyes widened at it. She immediately shook her head.
"Mein kaise. Aap ka haina. Aap rakh lijiye. Uss din ke liye thank you" she spoke, her cheeks warming more than before. She looked down, trying to hide her blushing face.
"Thabal" and that immediately made her head snapped at him. Her eyes were looking at him in awe, she felt frozen at the moment.
"Rakh lo tum hi. Please" he whispered the last line, making her gulp in return. That please was making her knees weak. She just timidly nodded. Not having the courage to even open her mouth to speak anything.
She feared she might stuttered badly if she even utter a word. Turning her back to him, she quickly marched towards her friends. Crossing the road, leaving a slightly smiling Vikram back.
🦋🦋🦋------------------
The soft hum of crickets filled the night air as a gentle breeze slipped through the window grills, rustling the curtain ever so slightly. The sky outside was a blanket of stars, half hidden behind passing clouds. The wall clock on the hostel wall strucked sharp 11:30pm.
Thabal sat perched on the edge of the window, one knee up, the other dangling freely. Her textbook rested against her thigh, pages marked with highlighter streaks. The dull glow of her study lamp behind her cast a soft halo around her, while moonlight kissed her profile.
Inside the hostel room, the atmosphere was lazy. Meera lay sprawled across her bed, earphones plugged in, her phone lighting up her face. Shreya, on the other bunk, scrolled aimlessly through reels, occasionally letting out a snort or an amused giggle.
"Oii, Meera. Tereko kuch bhej rahi hoon. Yeh dekh" Shreya snickered, laughing out loud the other moment.
"Fuck!! Shit" Meera laughed out the next, she saw the video sent by Shreya.
"Funny na? Bhai log kya kya karte hai views ke liye" Shreya chuckled and shook her head, continuing scrolling again.
"Oi Thabal! Kab tak paregi. Rakhde, aankhein kharab hojayega teri itna parte parte" Meera swayed her hand playfully at her.
Thabal didn’t answer immediately. She scribbled a quick note in her margin before murmuring.
"Haan haan. Hogaya. Bas notes complete kar rahi thi" with that she closed her book and exhaled a deep sigh, stretching out her hands.
Meera took out her earphones and sat, leaning her back against the wall.
"Finally the book is shut" she mocked throwing a pillow at Thabal, who caught it mid air and grinned.
"Kitna padh leti hai tu yaar"Shreya said, swinging her legs off the top bunk.
"Kal toh sirf attendance ke liye hi jaana hai. Class mein kaun sunta hai?" She scoffed with an eye roll. Thabal chuckled at it.
"Sunna padta hai, warna baad pe jo fail hoga uska kya? Tum dono toh recordings bhi nahi sunte ho baad mein." she shook her head as she said it.
"Uff! yeh guilt trip mat de. Waise bhi woh Joshi sir ka lecture!! mere brain cells commit suicide listening to him" Meera groaned in frustration.
"Same!" Shreya exclaimed, half jumping in enthusiasm.
"Half the time he's talking to the projector, not the class. Mujhe lagta hai woh humein bhool jaate hain kabhi kabhi." They all burst into laughter hearing it.
"Waise bhi" Meera continued, flopping back on her bed.
"Poora din classes, phir assignments, phir lab, kabhi kabhi lagta hai medical hi galti thi"
"Haan lekin ab toh shaadi jaisa hai. Kiya hai, toh nibhana padega." Thabal sighed, resting her chin on her palm.
"Haan yaar" Shreya groaned. Slapping her forehead dramatically.
"Life is so damn unfair" she continued whining.
"I know right. Life ho toh Thabal jaisi. Topper, teacher's favourite. Aur ahem ahem, ladko ki bhi" Meera smirked mischievously, making Thabal immediately frown.
"Oi! Yeh ladka kaha se aagaya bich pe" she narrowed her eyes and threw the pillow to Meera, who laughed out loud.
"Kya? Jhuth bol rahi hoon kya? Nahi parte tere piche ladke? Woh officer ko hi lelo. Fhir Aman, Ransh" Meera raised her brow playfully to which Thabal sighed and shook her head in defeat.
"Gadhi! Unhone bas assignment pe help manga tha. Tu kyu delusional ho rahi hai" she muttered clutching her forehead.
"Oh madam! Tumne clearly dekha nahi woh dono tumke kaise pyaar bhari najron se dekh rahe the. If possible they would marry you straight in the classroom" Meera snickered putting a hand behind her head.
"As if tumhare piche ladke pagal nahi hai" Thabal gave her a bored look to which Meera just sighed dramatically.
"Kya kare. Un ladko ka piche parne ka kya hi fhaida jab tumhara pasandida mard hi tumko bhaw na de" she shook her head with a pity filled expression.
"Abey dobi daffor! Tu jake bolegi usko tab hi toh woh bhaw dega tujhe. Woh koi antaryami hai jo teri maan ki baat janega?" Shreya shouted from her bunk.
"Also he isn't modiji" Thabal grinned to which Meera made a face.
"Not funny" she grimaced, Thabal let out a giggle at it.
"I-" she was about to continue when her phone rang, making her pause. The smile earlier dropped knowing who it must be.
With a pause, she picked up her phone from the nearby table and sighed looking at the name.
Mama.
She slide the green light and kept her phone against her ear, leaning on the grill of the window, watching the beautiful sky.
"Umm mama" she spoke slowly and in return came an elderly voice.
"Lyrik tawba loiraba?" Thabal sighed at it. No how are you. No how have you been doing. Just this. Everytime.
(Have you finished studying?)
With a moment of pause, she hummed at the phone.
"Hmm, ngahak oire" she muttered.
(Hmm, it's been a while)
"Keigino dugjam yangna loishallido. Ng handak marak lyrik ka amta padraba?" Thabal could literally see her scowling at the other side of her phone.
(Why did you finish up this fast? Have you not been studying these days?)
"Pai mama. Ngashi ta ni khra nganna loishallise" Thabal sighed looking at her nails subconsciously.
(I am studying mama. It's just today i finished it early)
"Chak charabo-"
(Have you eaten-)
"Se, nache ga wari sanaw" her mother cut her off before she could continue any further.
(Now, talk to your elder sister)
Thabal didn't said anything, just looked outside faintly. And just a second later came a shrill, excited voice.
"Thoi!!!! Kamai tawrige ng" Thabal just smiled faintly hearing the voice of her elder sister.
(Thoi!!! How are you?)
"Nungairi che, ngdi nungairibo?" She asked.
(I am good sister, are you fine?)
"Eie keidawdorige. I am always fit and fine" came the ever happy voice from the other side.
(What will happen to me)
"By the way thoi, ng karam matam da lakani?" Thabal sighed listening it, truth to be told she never wanted to go back home. If she ever goes, it's just for her sister.
(When are you coming back?)
"Khangde che. Yenge, maybe after a month akhoi vacation fhangani" she responded, her voice lowering a bit.
(I don't know sister. Let's see, maybe after a month we will get our vacation)
"Hoi hoi. Yengu ko fhajana leiu. If kaim problem oiradi hairaku" her sister said, concern lace in her voice.
(Okay okay. Take care of yourself okay, stay safely. If any problem arise, tell me)
"Umm. Fhare eie thamage che" Thabal said, not wanting to continue more. Her mood already ruining.
(Okay sister i will keep)
"Fhare fhare ng rest tawro. Waramani ng. Good night thoi. Love you" her sister wished warmly.
(Okay okay you get your rest. You must be tired)
"Love you more che" with that Thabal ended the call and kept her phone aside. She just leaned her face on the window, getting lost outside.
Whereas Meera and Shreya just watched her dampened mood. Meera extended her head out and looked at Shreya, they both shared an eye contact knowingly.
This was a daily routine. Every night they would be happily chating after their studies and as soon as Thabal finishes talking to her mother, her mood immediately changes. Both the girls knew there was something wrong with the mother daughter duo. But never asked about it. They respected Thabal's privacy hence waited for her to opened up on her own.
Just then Shreya grinned and mouthed 'i know what to do' to Meera. The latter just looked at her weirdly but nevertheless waited for her move.
And a minute later, a ting of notification was heard from Thabal's phone. But she ignored it, still lost in watching the night sky, or more like lost in her own bundle of thoughts.
"Oi Thabal" Shreya called to which she earned a hum.
"Dekh na mera message" she urged to which Thabal let out a sigh.
"Yaar tere saath hi toh hoon, bolde muh se" she muttered tiredly.
"Aare video hai gadhi. Dekh" Shreya said, masking her excited, or more like mischievous expression. Thabal lazily grabbed her phone and went to her chat to see a reel.
She looked at Shreya with a frown.
"Yeh kya hai"
"Reel hai of course" Sherya said with a 'duh' tone. Shaking her head, Thabal tapped the short video. And in the meantime she forgot that her volume was high.
"Jo mein bolta hoon, woh mein karta hoon. Jisne socha mein dar gaya, samjho woh mar gaya. Rathore. Vikram Rathore-" Thabal quickly backed out of the video. With a frown she turned to the girls to see them snickering looking at her.
"Kya hai" she furrowed her brows at them.
"Aare kuch nahi. Tu blush mar koi baat nahi humse mat sharma" Meera smirked at her teasingly.
"Kon bola mein blush mar rahi hoon" Thabal scoffed rolling her eyes at them.
"Aare baby. Saath rahe 5 mahine hogaye. Itna toh tujhe jaante hi hai" Shreya laughed. Thabal said nothing, just turned her head towards the window.
"Sojawo" she muttered, earning another laugh from the two.
"Haan haan. Good night" Meera replied with a chuckle.
Thabal looked out, a gust of wind slapping on her face. She closed her eyes at the cold feeling, enjoying the gentle wind. A small smile tugged on her lips. She shook her head with a quiet chuckle.
Taking her phone back, she decreased the volume and played the video again. When the Vikram Rathore part came, she back off and kept her phone back.
"Vikram Sharma" she muttered to herself. She couldn't help but let out a soft grin. Today, the way he called her. For the first time. It made her insides do a dance in excitement. She don't know why was she feeling it. Perhaps she has started to feel something for him?
But isn't it too fast? She wondered.
With a sigh, she closed the window and flopped on her bed. She took an extra pillow near her and hugged it tight, squeezing it. Her cheeks warming up a little at the thought of him.
"Meera" Shreya called earning a hum from the latter.
"Koi bol raha tha blush nahi mar rahi. Dekho toh abhi lal kon hai" She smirked. Earning a laugh from Meera. Thabal looked up and glared at them with red tinted ears.
"Mujhe toh pyaar ki khusboo aa rahi hai Shreya" Meera sighed dramatically, with a big smile.
"Kya tum log. Mein nahi pari koi pyaar wyaar pe" Thabal snapped, her cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
"Kya? Tumhara naam liya kya. Mein toh ase hi bol rahi thi" Meera shrugged her shoulder with a smirk.
"Ahgh! Tum dono" Thabal groaned and pushed her face in her pillow, hiding her already heated face.
"Waise bhi, itni jaldi kisko pyaar hota hai" she mumbled, her voice muffled due to the pillow.
"Konse duniya mein hai re tu. Idhar logo ko 3 4 din pe pyaar hojata hai. Tera toh waise bhi ek mahina hogaya hai. Woh tere liye wait karte huwe aur tu usko chup chup ke dekhte huwe" Shreya teased with a mischievous grin.
"Chup karo! Mein nahi dekhti usko" Thabal glared at her. To which both the girls laughed and said a 'haan haan' in unison.
She turned her face to the wall and smiled, cheeks full and warm. She bit her lower lip to control the smile. After few seconds she turned to the other side, only to be face by the black umbrella, leaning near her study table.
With a last smile before she fall asleep, she muttered a soft 'good night' to it and closed her eyes. Waiting for the next day to begin.
___________☁️____________
Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties🌷💗
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