The sun dipped lower, the warm sky bright with heat, as Vikram sat inside his jeep parked just in a distance from the college gate, half-shaded by a gulmohar tree in full bloom. His sleeves were folded up to the elbows, the soft cotton of his cream colour shirt clinging slightly from the day's heat. His eyes, hidden behind dark sunglasses, stayed trained on the building's entrance, patient and unwavering.
His hands tapped over the steering wheel in a rhythm. He looked over his phone again, seeing the time. It was almost time. He raised his head up to see the entrance.
And then she appeared.
Thabal walked out, unaware of the way time seemed to stall around her. The world, once filled with chattering students and swaying branches, faded into the background. She was dressed in a soft pink salwar suit with delicate thread embroidery along the borders. The fabric flowed like a calm breeze around her ankles. The light dupatta draped gently across her shoulders fluttered just enough to reveal the ruby-studded gold earrings.
Vikram straightened his position without realizing it.
Fuck! She wore it? And God help him. She was looking as pretty as the sky during the sunset. He gulped a little, his hand clutched the steering wheel in a tight grip.
She scanned the area briefly before her eyes landed on him. He didn't move, just lifted a hand slowly and gestured toward the jeep, his head tilting in a familiar way, quiet, inviting, warm.
Thabal turned back to her friends, speaking something to them walking over, her steps slow yet steady. Her cheeks already feeling the creeping heat of his gaze. She didn't know why she felt so nervous. Maybe it was the way he was looking at her like she was the only person walking out of that building. Like he had been waiting not just minutes, but lifetimes.
"Hi" she said softly as she reached him. To which he just nodded in return. He pushed his sunglasses up into his hair and opened the passenger door for her.
Thabal climbed in muttering a small thank you before settling herself comfortable. Vikram started the engine. The soft hum of the jeep accompanied their silence as they pulled out onto the road, merging with the slower rhythm of late afternoon traffic.
For a while, they just sat in silence, both of them oddly comfortable yet incredibly aware of each other's presence.
Vikram was the one to speak first, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
"Y-you look beautiful today" and as soon as he said it, he closed his eyes and cursed himself internally. Why? Why the fuck did he stuttered? Ladki ke samne kyu ijjat kharab karni thi?
Thabal looked at him offguard, then smiled, shyly. She rubbed the back of her neck and muttered a small thank you.
"I mean the earring and dress combo. It really looks good" He added quickly, trying to cover up his earlier stumble.
"Oh yeah, its beautiful. I really like this" Thabal smiled, a beaming one where her eyes disappears due to her small ones.
"Mera matlab tha in kapro pe tum sundar lag rahi ho. Kapre sundar hai nahi bola" he corrected, meeting her eyes, making her freeze in her place. She gulped as she looked at him. Suddenly the jeep came to stop in the busy traffic, making her turn to the traffic.
"Dekh ke chalayiye. Warna gari kahi aur thok denge aap" she said, more like warned him, making him chuckle listening to her.
"Thik hai" was the only thing he said with a smile still tugging over his lips.
The traffic was filled with sounds of people shouting , between honking vehicles, vendors shouting over one another, and the occasional cyclist weaving dangerously through traffic. The late afternoon sun hung low, casting a golden hue that flickered through the windshield every time they passed under the shade of trees or billboards.
Vikram drummed his fingers lightly on the steering wheel, his thumb tapping in sync with the faint beat of a song playing on his head. But his attention wasn't on the music. It kept drifting to the passenger seat, toward her.
She sat quietly, hands clasped in her lap, eyes observing the madness of the street outside. Every now and then, her lips curved slightly upward as if amused by the chaos, but she said nothing.
Vikram turned toward her more fully this time. Extending his hand, he introduced himself with a slight tilt of his head.
"Vikram Sharma"
Thabal blinked in surprise. The gesture was unexpected. But there was something boyish in the way he smiled, earnest, a bit awkward, but sincere. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she reached out and took his hand gently.
"S. Thabal Chanu" she replied, a shy warmth blooming on her face.
He held her hand for a second longer than necessary, as if trying to memorize the moment, the feeling of her soft, gentle hands.
"Manipur?" he asked, though knowing the answer. She nodded enthusiastically.
"Imphal" she added, her voice now carrying more confidence.
"Nice" Vikram said, then smiled a little more.
"I am from Meerut" Thabal raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Nice place" she said politely, her tone carrying the acknowledgement of his birthplace.
There was a short pause as they both turned their eyes forward again. The traffic hadn't moved an inch.
"So...." Vikram began, shifting slightly in his seat.
"you always wanted to be a doctor?" She nodded again, but her eyes flicked downward toward their hands, then back up at him. With a playful smile tugging at her lips, she said.
"Aap haath chorenge toh ache se bol paaungi" Vikram glanced down and noticed, with a jolt, that their hands were still touching. Embarrassed, he immediately pulled his hand back and laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
"Y- yeah. Woh. Sorry" His words stumbled out in a rush, but her soft giggle cut through the awkwardness like a warm breeze.
"It's okay," she said, her voice gentle, reassuring. Her smile lingered, and for a moment, despite the clamor outside, everything felt calm.
"Bachpan pe meri jo bobok- I mean dadi-"
"Hey, sorry for interrupting you in between but you can just go on with your language phrases. I mean it will make you more comfortable" Vikram said, trying to make this better and more comfortable. Thabal smiled at it, a warm smile. A kind of smile which was sure she felt things inside her heart. The small gesture was just enough to swoon her.
She nodded and cleared her throat, continuing her story.
"So in manipuri we say bobok to dadi. Pupu to dadu and chiche to didi. Toh bachpan pe meri bobok, bohot bimar par gayi thi. I mostly bond with her, pupu and chiche. I am more closer to them than my parents. Toh ek din bobok ki tabiyat bohot jyada kharab hogayi. And suddenly unko breathing pe problem aane lagi. Uss din bohot tej baarish ho rahi thi. Roads pe water level bohot jyada rise hogaya tha. It was impossible to take out bobok at that time. Meri family pe sab law ke students hai, toh ghar pe koi equipments bhi nahi the. No one could do anything at that time and bobok just died infront of me" she let out a sigh as she finished narrating. Her lips flipped tight for a moment as if saddened by remembering the incident.
"Tabse meine decide karliya ki mein doctor hi banungi. How can I just let my family die over me" She looked at him with a smile. And that made his heart skip a bit. Family. Oh how lucky that bastard would be, who would be her husband. He clenched his fist at the thought.
"Aur? Aapko hamesha se hi officer banna tha?" She asked, tilting her head a little curiously. Vikram smiled a little and sighed.
"Yeah asa hi kuch. I never wanted to be suppressed by anyone. Mein chahata tha koi mujhpe ungli na utha sake. Agar uthaye bhi toh dobara himat na ho" he uttered, looking infront of the traffic.
Thabal watched him quietly, her chest stirring at the depth in his voice. He wasn't just a uniform or a brooding guy leaning against a jeep , he was someone mysterious for her.
"You're doing it well" she said quietly. He looked over at her, and in that brief glance, something unspoken passed between them. Gratitude. Admiration. Maybe even the first glimmer of something warmer.
"You are handling everything so perfectly" she added and this time with a smile. Vikram smiled back, not the small usual smile. But a genuine smile that reached his eyes. She looked away immediately, biting her lip, her fingers gently touching the edge of one earring. Her heart fluttered somewhere in her chest, confused and full at the same time.
The traffic started clearing. The jeep turned a quiet corner, the sun shining bright, the brightness reflecting on the mirror of the jeep. And somewhere in that silence, something soft bloomed between them.
After a moment or two Thabal glanced at him, a small smile sticking on her face.
"Waise, yeh aap hamesha karte hai?" Vikram turned to her with a raised brow. Thabal suppressed a giggle before she completed her question.
"Medical student ko ase college se pickup karna aur stalk karna" Vikram chuckled hearing her teasing question.
"Nahi. Bas tumhe karta hoon" he answered straightforward, without any hesitation. Thabal looked away, a shy blush crept over her cheeks. She wanted to ask 'why?' why does he follow her. But refrain herself from asking. Because in the corner of her heart, she knew, she wasn't ready to hear his answer.
The jeep felt silent again, it cruised down the quieter side streets now, away from the chaos of the main road. The sun cast golden ribbons across the dashboard, catching in the strands of Thabal's hair as she looked out the window. The silence wasn't awkward anymore, it had melted into something soft, thoughtful, almost soothing.
"So" Vikram started, flicking the indicator as he turned onto a shaded lane lined with blooming champa trees.
"How old are you? If you don't mind me asking" Thabal turned to him, with a teasing smile.
"Aapko pata haina ladkiyo se unka age nahi puchte? Quite brave of you" she raised her brows playfully. He smirked in return, casting a glance at her.
"I live dangerously" he shrugged casually. She shook her head with a soft laugh.
"Twenty two. Just turned in April" she answered the previous question. Vikram nodded, the number settling into his mind.
"Aur aap?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"thirty" he responded, earning a widened eyes from her.
"Thirty? Aap toh mujhse 8 saal bare hai" She said, calculating the age gap in her mind already. To which he just chuckled and continued driving.
"Bhuddhe hogaye yeh toh" she whispered slowly to herself which he happened to hear very clearly with his cat like hearing. A smirk played over his lips. And just at the next moment, he stopped the jeep.
And the next thing Thabal didn't expected was Vikram leaning closer to her, very dangerously. He almost hovered over her, his breathe fanning over her cheeks in a rhythm, making her eyes widened at the suddenness.
Vikram didn't said anything for a moment, just kept admiring her, he slowly inched his hand towards her face and tuck away a strand of her hair.
"Toh mein tumhe buddha lagta hoon?" He asked her in a deep husky voice, almost in a slow whisper. Thabal immediately lowered her eyes, her small eyelashes fluttering nervously.
Her pale white cheeks reddened immediately. She gently shook her head to his question, making him smirk. After a moment of pause, he leaned more closer to her, almost closing the distance between them. Thabal clenched her fist hard at his closeness. Her mind was jumping up and down in nervousness, excitement and what not.
Is he going to kiss? Why is he leaning more closer? What should she do? What?? Isn't this too fast? B-but she couldn't even stop him. The more she denied, her heart wants him close.
She closed her eyes shut, squeezing it tight in nervousness but instead of feeling his lips, he whispered near her ear.
"Your destination has arrived madam. Aankhein kholo" Thabal opened her eyes in a haste, looking at him in confusion, only to see him leaned back a bit with a playful smile.
"Kya?" He raised a brow at her, with a smirk curved over his lips. Thabal looked back to see her side of door closed. She looked up to see her hostel building infront. Then it clicked her, he was opening her door. He was just teasing her all this time.
Her cheeks burned more in embarrassment and shyness. She couldn't even lift up her gaze to meet his eyes.
"I was just being a gentleman. Opening the door for you. What did you thought?" He asked, playfulness clearly found in his tone. With a furious blush she clutched her bag and ran out of the jeep, towards her hostel without looking back.
Vikram let out a small laugh seeing her running away. He placed a hand over his lips to suppressed the chuckle but couldn't. How damn cute!
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The soft clinking of cutlery echoed faintly in the quiet dining room. A single ceiling fan whirred above, lazily stirring the warm evening air. The light pooled over the square wooden dining table, casting long shadows of the serving bowls and the lone figure seated at its edge.
Vikram sat quietly, rolling a piece of chapati between his fingers, eyes absentmindedly staring at his plate. He picked it and pushed it inside his lips. Chewing on it slowly. The food smelled rich, masoor dal, aloo gobi, rice, and his favorite paneer tikka masala. All were displayed infront of him, yet his mind was wandering somewhere.
"Vikram? Aur roti doon beta?" came a soft voice from behind him.
Kavita, his housekeeper for the past five years, stood at the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on the edge of her dupatta. Her slightly grey hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her eyes, always warm, held the kind of care only time can build. She walked over, adjusted the bowl of dal, and scooped a little more onto his plate without asking.
"Tumne kuch dhang se khaya bhi nahi. Tabiyat thik hai?" She asked, settling into the chair infront of him.
Vikram didn't respond immediately. He chewed slowly, nodded a little, and spoke.
"Thik hoon mausi. Mujhe kuch nahi huwa" But she wasn't buying it. She watched him for a few moments longer, arms folded, a tiny smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Hmm. Tabhi toh 4 5 din se tum bina wajah smile kar rahe ho" Vikram froze for a half-second, his half torn roti half air.
"Mein? Smile? Aapko galat lag raha hai." He quickly cleared his throat and maintain a stoic face.
"Galat?" she repeated with a raised brow. The smirk still settling over her lips.
"Toh woh kal subah ka kya tha? Kon chai pee raha tha aur window ke bahar dekhte huwe muskara raha tha?" As soon as she uttered those. He tried to suppress a smile but his lips betrayed him slightly.
Kavita leaned forward, eyes narrowing playfully.
"5 saal se tumhare saath hoon beta. Tumhare rakt rakt se waqif hoon. Jo insaan majak ke wakt bhi nahi hasta. Kuch bolta bhi nahi hai. Agar ase hi ek din khirki ke bahar dekhke muskurane lage aur khud se baat shuru karne lage. Matlab sochne wali baat toh hai" she hummed to herself, acting as if thinking something.
"Sach sach batao, Vikram. Pyaar hogaya hai?" She lowered her voice, asking him gently.
Vikram looked down at his plate, poking a piece of gobi with his spoon. For once, he didn't have a sharp retort ready. He could still feel the echo of Thabal's laugh in his ears, still see the way she had blushed before running off into her hostel.
Kavita tilted her head, waiting. He smiled a little and exhaled a sigh.
"Shayad se" Kavita widened her eyes hearing him, a smile sitting on her lips.
"Shayad se? Kya matlab shayad se? Tum apne feelings ko leke pakke bhi nahi ho?" She asked to which he looked up, meeting her eyes.
"Pata nahi mausi. Pyaar ka toh nahi malum. Lekin bohot aachi lagti hai mujhe. Uska sab kuch. Baatein, hasi. Sab. Asa lagta hai kisi dusre duniya se hai" Kavita smiled softly hearing him.
"Jyada din nahi lagega tumhe apne ehsaason ko pehechanne mein" she said with a knowing smile. Vikram didn't said anything, just looked down at his plate with a slight smile, as if thinking about what she said.
"Waise bahu ki aane ki tayari kab karu?" She suddenly asked, leaning forward, eyes shining with excitement. Making Vikram cackled a laugh.
"Kya mausi aap bhi" he shook his head, eyes squinting due to laughing. Kavita joined in his laughter, the sound light and familiar, echoing gently off the hall walls.
"Arre toh kya? Mujhe bhi toh tayyari karni hai. Naye bedsheet, naye bartan... aur sabse pehle toh ek thali, uske naam ki" Vikram shook his head, wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin.
"Aapka dimaag hamesha shaadi tak kyu chala jata hai?" Kavita shrugged, her eyes dancing with amusement.
"Kyu nahi sochu mein. 30 ke hogaye ho tum. Kya kami hai tum mein. Paisa hai. Itne bade officer ho. Shakal surat mere krishna ji se kam hai kya? Itna rishta bola meine tumhare liye, ek bhi mane tum? Sab tumne mana kardiya. Abhi bhagwan ji ki kripa se akhir mein tumhari kismat pe ek fhool jaisi koi aayi hai, toh uske liye tayari bhi na karu mein?" She narrowed her eyes playfully at him.
Vikram leaned back in his chair, exhaling through a small smile. His eyes softened, distant again, thinking about her words.
He didn't know what this feeling was yet, maybe it wasn't love, not quite. But it was something that made the world feel a little lighter, his days a little warmer, and his solitude a little less sharp.
And maybe, just maybe, it was the beginning of something worth discovering.
__________☁️___________
Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties 😁✨
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