The fan whirred lazily overhead as sunlight filtered through dusty blinds, streaking the wooden floor with lines of gold. Papers lay scattered across the desk , files on unsolved cases, half-drunk tea, a pen cap thrown at the edge.
Vikram flipped through case files with mechanical precision, his phone wedged between shoulder and ear. He mumbled against the phone, his eyes on the files.
"Yes, send the report before noon. And make sure the forensic team revisits the site" He hung up and scribbled something on a notepad. His focus was razor-sharp, until the door creaked open.
A constable stepped in, a little hesitant.
"Sir, there is a woman outside with his son. She says she knows you and wants to meet you" Vikram didn't look up, eyes still scanning the paper.
"Haan toh meine kab mana kiya hai. Bhejo under" the constable muttered a yes.
The constable left. A few moments passed, silent stretched, before the cabin door opened again.
"Haan ji kaki. Boliye kya taklif hai" he said and then looked up. Only to be surprised by seeing a familiar face after a long time.
A small warm smile sat on his lips. He stood up and approached them. It was Gagan and his mother.
"Betho kaki. Kuch kam tha aapko?" He asked them to which the woman just shook her head and smile at him warmly.
"Nahi beta woh aapse milne aayi thi. Aap jyada vyast toh nahi hai? Hai toh fhir kabhi aayenge-" the woman rambled but was cut off by Vikram.
"Aare nahi kaki. Utna bhi busy nahi hoon. Aap boliye. Halchal thik hai aapka?" He asked to which she smiled widely.
"Beta bohot badiya hai. Aapki kripa se. Mera beta ka police pe selection hogaya hai. Abhi bas kuch kagazat len den karna baki hai" she laughed softly, eyes brimming with happy tears.
"Aap ne uss din mere bete ko bachaya nahi hota toh mujhe yeh din dekhlo ko milta bhi nahi. Uss pal ke liye aap bhagwan se kam nahi the-" her voice broke as she spoke, feeling emotional in between the speech.
"Kaki asa mat kahiye. Mera farz tha woh" Vikram tried to console him. Although knowing he is worst in such things.
"Meine yeh baat kisiko nahi bataya aabtak. Sabse pehle aapko hi yeh khushkhabri deni thi" she expressed, handling him a box of sweets. Vikram nodded with a smile and took it. He turned to Gagan and patted his shoulder.
"Congrats. Aage jake aur bhi mehnat karo. And mind you rishwat ke piche kabhi nahi bhagna. Le dubegi tumhe" he joked making Gagan chuckled but nevertheless he nodded.
"You are my idol sir. Mujhe aapki tarah hi banna hai. Respected and fear at the same time" he said, his voice filled with confidence and determination. Vikram smirked hearing him.
"Mere jaisa nahi. Mujhse bhi bara banna hai" Gagan couldn't help but smile hearing him.
"Baatein hi karta rahega kya pagal. Ja sir ke per chu" His mother scolded him, Gagan nodded immediately, leaning down to touch his feet when Vikram clutched his shoulders, stopping him from touching.
"Rehne dijiye kaki. Itna bhi bara nahi hogaya hoon ki koi mera per chuwe" he smiled to the woman then turned to Gagan.
"Aur sir nahi. Bhaiya bolo. Uniform jab pehenoge tab sir bolna" Gagan smiled, a proud one. More determined and motivated then ever.
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The late afternoon sun filtered through the thick branches of the gulmohar tree, scattering flickers of light across the dusty pavement near the college gate. The day was winding down, but the air still held the warmth of the summer.
Students came out from MUHS, scattering around in groups. Talking and chatting among with themselves. The trio of girls came out too. As they reached the gate, Thabal peeked to her right expecting to see the usual, handsome face with sunglasses on.
But instead the space was empty. She immediately frowned at it. She looked again to her left and then at a distance. To see if he parked somewhere else. But his jeep was found no where. Neither him.
"Officer sahab aaj aaye nahi kya?" Meera asked, raising her brow in a teasing manner.
"Pata nahi. Dikh toh nahi rahe" Thabal muttered slowly, her eyes still searching for his jeep. Suddenly the girls hooted.
"Ohooo. Dekho toh. Itni becheni ho rahi hai uski ek nazar ke liye" Shreya sighed dramatically, clutching her heart. Thabal didn't give a heed to them.
"Late hogaye hai ki aaye hi nahi" she muttered to herself. Thinking deeply. Then turned to her friends.
"Tum log jawo. Mein thoda dekhti hoon aate hi ki nahi. Jyada der tak nahi aaye toh aajawungi" and as soon as she said it, she earned a smack from Shreya.
"Oww!" Thabal muttered, frowning at her while rubbing the back of her head.
"Pagal hai kya. Tujhe idhar akela chor denge? Hum bhi wait karenge. Agar jyada der tak nahi aaye toh chalenge" she shrugged casually.
"Aur kya" Meera added with a duh face. Thabal sighed and nodded. She went to the waiting shed and sat along with her friends. Waiting for him.
She sat with her arms folded loosely, her bag slung over one shoulder, her eyes flicking to her right every few seconds. The crowd of students had thinned. The guards have begun to shoo out lingering groups from the gate area.
Only the three were left now. Still, no sign of Vikram's jeep. Thabal glanced at her watch. He was late. Very! And not just by a minute or two. By Vikram standards, who usually arrived earlier than her exit, this was highly suspicious.
She frowned, shifting her weight from one foot to another, muttering to herself.
"Toh aaj bhool gaye mujhe?"
"Yaar Thabal. Aaj tere officer ko kya hogaya hai. Bara late kar raha hai. Usually toh itna jaldi aata tha. Aaj toh 15 mins late hai" Meera frowned.
"Jyada assume mat kar. Hamari tarah vella nahi hai. SP hai. Busy hoga kam se" Shreya responded in defence. Making Thabal think deep upon it. It was true. He wasn't just someone. He was a respected and a disciplined officer. Of course he have works. He might be busy with it.
Should she go? No let's wait for more 5 minutes. She decided internally. She tapped her foot impatiently, chewing the inside of her cheek. Her brows furrowed deeper the more she waited, and a twinge of disappointment poked at her chest.
And just as she was about to watch the time again she heard the low, familiar rumble of a jeep turning the corner. She whipped her head around.
The black silk vehicle pulled in smoothly to its usual spot. The door opened, and there he was, sunglasses on, sleeves rolled, he stepped out casually like he hadn't just made her wait for fifteen entire minutes.
Thabal didn't smile. Instead, she crossed her arms and kept sitting as he approached. The girls stood up with a smirk. Muttering a small bye to her, they walked out, searching for a auto.
"Mujhe laga tum chali gayi hogi" Vikram sighed with a slight chuckle, taking out his glasses. But Thabal didn't responded. Her mood was off. Very.
"Chalogi nahi kya? Asi kabtak bethogi?" He raised a brow at her. She didn't replied, just stood up and went to the jeep. Opening the passenger door, she stepped inside. Taking her seat, turning her head outside.
Vikram blinked, a little surprised by her move. He raised a brow. Thinking if he had done something. Nevertheless, he walked up till the jeep and hopped on starting the engine.
The ride started and the atmosphere was too quiet. The type of quietness that signal danger. Vikram glanced at her, hesitating a bit.
"Did i messed up?" Thabal immediately turned to him, hearing it.
"Aap na ekdam buddhu ho. Pata nahi kisne aapko police banaya. Jarur apne cheating karke pass kiya hoga. Itni bhi akal nahi hai ki khud ke karname realise karlo" she ranted her heart out, with an angry glare. Making Vikram frown in confusion.
"Huh? Kya matlab-" he started but was cut off.
"Late kyu huwe aap" Thabal questioned with a deep scowl. And that's when it tinged Vikram's mind. She was angry for being late. He couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her cute antics. And boy, that was a wrong move.
She scoffed in disbelief. Her scowled deeper.
"Wow! Aap has rahe ho" she shook her head and looked away muttering something to herself. As if cursing him. Vikram suppressed his chuckle so that it doesn't slip again. He cleared his throat.
"Acha sorry sorry. Gussa mat ho. Woh commissioner se milne gaya-"
"Mat bolo aap hogaya" she cut him off, still not looking at him. Vikram couldn't help but smile at her antics.
"Sorry, dobara late nahi karunga" He apologized again only to be dismissed by her.
"Meine bola na mujhe nahi sunna" she said. A slow grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He moved his free hand behind, grabbing a box from the back seat.
"Meri galti hai. Maafi chahta hoon, madam. Shant hojawo" Before she could come up with another sarcastic remark, he slid the box in her lap.
Thabal looked down at her lap to a gift box wrapped in soft pastel pink paper, tied with a neat silver ribbon. She stared at it, taken aback. But then adjusted her expression to a nonchalant one.
"Aapko lagta hai yeh sab dene se mein maan jawungi?" She raised her brow at him, making him smirk in return.
"Kholke dekho. Shayad se maan jawo" he said teasingly. Thabal huffed and opened the box only to widened her eyes seeing the gifts.
The box was stuffed with a Pringles can, Ferrero rocher, kitkat, Nutella, soft drink can, coffee powder, choclate and brownie. Her eyes softened a bit seeing these. She felt a bit guilty of wasting so much of his money on such silly things. But didn't voice it out now as she have angry. Yeah, she was angry. Hmph!
"Nahi mani mein" she scoffed turning away. Vikram raised his brow playfully at that.
"Acha? Thik hai fhir wapas dedo" he was about to grab the box when Thabal immediately clutched it tighter to herself, pulling it away from his reach.
"Nahi! I mean i don't give my gifts back" she composed herself and reasoned out. Making him chuckle.
"Thabal" he called out gently. Making her look at him.
"I am sorry okay? Don't be angry. Sudden emergency tha, jana important tha. Aagli baar se i will redo the schedules, thik hai?" He explained softly, looking at her. Hoping she won't be angry anymore.
Thabal didn't said anything for a moment. Just stayed quiet. Then after a moment, she looked at him.
"Mein bhi sorry" Vikram turned to her with a raised brow, hearing her.
"Tum kyu?" He asked in confusion. Thabal played with her fingers then answered.
"Woh. Aap busy hona. Mujhe pata hai. Aap ka kam hi asa hai. Kab bulale, kab nahi kuch pata nahi. Still pata nahi kyu meine gussa kiya. Bekar pe itna suna diya. So sorry for that" she muttered.
"And aap mere liye schedule mat change karo. Aapka kam jyada important hai" she said, her voice low. Guilty of her previous behaviour.
Vikram chuckled hearing her saddened apology.
"It's okay. Gussa ho sakti ho tum. Gusse mein aur sundar lagti ho" Thabal immediately blushed hearing him, she let out a low groan.
"Flirt mat karo aap" she squeaked, earning more laughter from him. Before she could reply, her phone rang. She blinked, then smiled seeing the caller ID.
"Ek minute" she said to Vikram and answered the call, putting her phone near her ear.
"Hello che" she called, a small smile on her lips.
"Thoi, hostel yawrabo?" Her sister asked.
(Have you reached hostel?)
"Umhk, yawdri. Lambi da ni" Thabal answered.
(No not yet. I am on the way)
"Chak charabo?" She again asked, earning a hum from the other side.
(Have you eaten?)
"Fhajana chatlu ko, yengu. Langjhananu. Mathanta su leinu. Yawraga hairakku-" her rambling was cut by Thabal
(Go safely okay. Don't be mischievous. Don't stay alone. Tell me when you reach-)
"Che! Eie kuirami siga leirise. It's fine. Warunu dugjam. Eie kaim tawde" Thabal chuckled softly hearing her sister's concern rant.
(Sister! I have been staying here since long. It's fine. Don't worry much. Nothing has happen)
Vikram whereas listened to her, completely lost. He watched her eyes light up and her tone shift into something softer, faster, familiar, like music he didn't understand but wanted to hear again.
"Fhare eie thamage ko" with that she ended the call. And kept her phone. She looked at him to see him smiling faintly.
(Okay i will keep)
"Kya huwa?" She asked him with a curious face.
"Tumne itna jaldi jaldi bola. Kuch samaj nahi aaya. Lekin sunke aacha laga" he chuckled out making her laugh in return.
"Wanna learn Manipuri?" she asked, innocently. Her eyes shining with something, unrecognisable. Vikram straightened, intrigued at the thought of learning her language.
"Kaha se shuru karogi?" He asked to which she grinned widely in return.
"So let's start from, ng masak yam fhajei" she said. He took a moment before repeating.
(You look too good)
"Na masaak ym fha-fha-" he stuttered not really habituated with the different accent. Thabal laughed at it.
"Fhajei" she pronounced nicely for him to understand clearly.
"Fhajei" he repeated nicely this time. She just smiled sweetly and nodded.
"So what does this means?" He asked to which Thabal smiled slyly.
"It means you look bad" she lied clearly with a grin. Making him pause then chuckle at her antics.
"You are impossible" he shook his head with a smile. Just then he remembered the small sweet box. He opened the glove compartment and handled the box to her.
Thabal took it with a confused look.
"Aab yeh kya hai. Dusra gift?" She asked to which he just chuckled and shook his head.
"Ek bhai hai mera, police pe select hogaya. Ussi khushi mein diya. But i don't like sweets. Toh tum khalo" he said, making her widened her eyes in amusement.
"Wow! Nice. Meri taraf se congrats kardena. Kitna aacha hai. Aap aur aapka bhai dono police pe. Sharma family ki generation in police" she said with a bright smile. Vikram just smile, which didn't really reach his eyes.
"Muh bola bhai hai" he corrected, earning an 'ohhhh' from her.
"Toh kitne siblings hai aapke?" She asked again.
"Koi nahi" he answered, still driving. Slow and careful from earlier.
"Ohh. Bechare. Aakela feel hota hoga na aapko?" She tched with a pout. Vikram said nothing at it. What could he even say. He has been alone all life.
"Mera koi nahi hai Thabal" he answered, his voice low and deep. Thabal froze hearing him, she looked at him with a puzzled look.
"Anath hoon mein. I don't have a family" and that hit her hard. She just looked away not having any word suddenly.
"I-i am so sorry. I didn't know" she immediately apologise, feeling guilty for saddening him.
"It's okay. No need to be sorry" he shook his head with a slight smile.
"Mujhe iss baat se fark nahi para kabhi. Because my parents were never there since I was a child. I never saw them. Mein anath ashram mein pala bara hoon. Wahi mera ghar tha. Toh socha jaye toh meine yeh jindagi apna li hai. Dukh nahi hota" he said. Thabal listened to him keenly. She gulped, looking at his side face.
She never knew he was such a lonely soul, behind that strict authorative uniform. He was hiding his own pain behind that cold face. She let out a small sigh at it. Surely everyone has their own pain and sufferings.
"Koi baat nahi. Ekdin aapke life se yeh andhera hat jayega. Ekdin aapke life pe asa ujala aayega ki aapke pure life ko chamka dega" she smiled softly, trying to comfort him.
Vikram looked at her, eyes shining with something unknown. He then turned to the road. His grip tightened over the steering wheel.
"What if already ujala aagaya ho?" He questioned, muttering to himself. The question lingering in the air.
__________☁️____________
Hope you liked it🫂☃️✨
Stay safe sweeties
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