It was Thursday afternoon, and the sun hung low and golden in the sky, painting soft light across the college gates. Vikram's jeep was parked under the gulmohar tree, the engine off, the door half-open to let in a bit of breeze. As usual, he had come early, too early. Fifteen minutes before the final lecture ended.
He didn't mind waiting. In fact, lately, it had become a part of his daily routine he looked forward to. He used the time to check messages, write a few pending notes, or simply lean back and close his eyes for a moment. And today was no different.
He bobbed his head a little at the song running in his ear from the ear pods. Lately he has been listening to a lot of love songs. He wasn't interesting in even listening song. He brought the earpod just for his official usage. But suddenly few weeks back, he got habituated to hearing love songs and enjoying on top of it.
As the final bell rang and the college gates started to buzz with life, students poured out, laughing, yawning, pulling backpacks higher onto their shoulders. Vikram straightened in his seat, removing the earpods, adjusting the rearview mirror just slightly. He looked at the students, trying to search her in between them. Then he saw her. But she wasn't alone.
She was walking with a boy, tall, clean cut, wearing a crisp sky blue shirt and beige trousers. A medical coat slung casually over one arm. she was walking faster, whereas he was behind her, trying to match her steps. He was saying something with a bright smile on his face whereas Thabal's face was just neutral. Her lips move slowly as if muttering something in return.
Vikram's grip on the steering wheel tightened. His jaw clenched unconsciously. The boy bent slightly, whispering something into her ear. Oh he fucking hated that. Thabal whereas just sighed and muttered something. She finally looked up and then widened her eyes before smiling. She was about to walked towards him before the boy stopped her, standing infront of her. Blocking his view.
Vikram took off his glasses, throwing it on the bonnet angrily. The fuck does he think he is? He dared to block his view. His view of her!! Oh God save him if he ever get him in his hands.
Finally, fucking finally Thabal walked away from him with a frown. Approaching him, her steps fast. The sandals she wore, helping her to get quicker. When she reached the door, Vikram leaned over and opened it for her silently.
"Kafi jaldi aagaye aaj" she said, sliding into the seat with a smile.
"No. Right on time" Vikram replied, his voice tighter than usual. Thabal tilted her head hearing him. His tone sounds odd. Not like how he talks with her. But the tone he use on his colleagues and juniors
"Aap thik ho?" She asked gently to which he didn't answer immediately. Took a pause.
"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked, starting the engine with one swift turn. Thabal sensed the change immediately. The usual warmth in his tone was missing. He wasn’t looking at her. His jawline looked sharper than usual, tense, cut from stone. Something surely was off.
She glanced at him again. Blinking twice before asking again.
"You sure? You seem off"
"I said I'm fine" he replied flatly, continuing to drive. Thabal didn't said anything for a moment. Silence settled in the jeep as they merged into traffic. The usual casual conversations, stolen smiles, and playful teasing were replaced with an invisible wall between them.
Finally, Thabal sighed and turned to him.
"Okay. Who poked the lion today?" Vikram didn't respond.
"Kisi inspector ne fhirse kuch kam pe idhar udhar kardiya?" Still no answer.
"Ya kisi criminal se panga hogaya?" Still the silence. She leaned towards him a little, tilting her head with a raised brow.
"Or is it something else?" Still he didn't responded. The jeep was filled with silence. The only noise was the the honking of the vehicles infront and behind them.
Vikram closed his eyes with his jaw clenched. He abrubtly turned his head outside the window, looking back at the vehicles behind him.
He banged the jeep's door harshly.
"Andha hai kya? Dikhta nahi hai ki samne gari hai? Urake jawu mein? Dobara bajaya toh tere headlight ko bye kehdena" he shouted in irritation. Thabal slightly flinched at his loud tone, which didn't get unnoticed by him. He clenched his fist and slapped on the steering wheel loudly.
"Fuck it!" He muttered under his breathe. After a moment he muttered slowly, without looking at her.
"Sorry" Thabal didn't said anything. Just stayed quiet. She knew he needed time to compose himself. So that he think wisely.
The traffic started clearing up. Vikram moved his jeep driving silently. The tension and silence inside the jeep was uncomfortable. He started feeling restless and anxious. His eyes darted everywhere but her. Initially she was speaking, creating a warm environment. Now she has stop too. And the blame goes to who? The great Vikram Sharma.
He sighed and glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Not able to bear the silence anymore he broke it.
"Who was that guy?" She blinked hearing him. She looked at him with a confused gaze.
"Which guy?" She asked. Vikram didn't reply immediately, took a moment and answered.
"The one walking with you. Talking and whispering" he said, his tone a bit bitter. Thabal furrowed his brow hearing it. Then it relaxed on its own realising. So he was jealous. How cute. She smiled knowingly, suppressing a giggle.
"Oh woh. Classmate hai mera. Ransh naam hai" she informed. Vikram just hummed in return.
"Kya bol raha tha?" He asked.
"Number mang raha tha. Said he likes me" Vikram clenched his finger around the steering wheel. Jaw clenched. How dare he? Thabal whereas was having a hard time trying to control her laugh. She was enjoying all his reactions.
"Toh. Toh tumne usse diya?" He asked again, praying to all the existing God for her to say no. Knuckles turning white as he clenched on the steering wheel tightly.
"Nahi" and he visibly relaxed. A small sigh of relief escaped his lips. Thabal noticing it couldn't help but smile. She bit her lower lip and shook her head in amusement.
"Pasand woh mujhe karta hai. Mein nahi. Toh mein kyu deti usse. Meine mana kardiya. And aache se samjha diya ki dobara piche na kare" she further explained, easing his tension. His clenched jaw relaxed. And he nodded.
"Tumhe kabhi tang kiya usne?" He asked, earning a shake of head from her.
"Nahi. Usne tang nahi kiya par mein tang huwi. Like he use to you know follow around me. Kind of baat karne ka bahana dhundhta tha, kabhi assignment ko leke kabhi dusri baat. Toh yeah it was kinda irritating" she said. Vikram nodded. Clicking his tongue inside his cheek. Poor boy, wasting his efforts over his girl.
"Dobara tumhe pareshan kare toh bolna" he said. To which Thabal laughed.
"Kyu? Aap maroge usse? Ya jail pe dal doge?" She giggled teasingly. Vikram couldn't control the small smile that slip on his lips. He stopped the jeep infront of her hostel building. Neither of them moved for a moment.
Thabal opened the door slowly. Before she could move down, a big warm hand clutched her wrist. She snapped her head towards him. Her heartbeat racing with his touch. Vikram grabbed a gift box from the back seat and handed it to her.
"For you" he whispered hoarsely. She looked at the box and caught it carefully. Raking her hand over the beautifully wrapped ribbon.
"Issbar kya diya hai?" She smiled up at him. Vikram just smiled at her question.
"Room pohochke dekh lena" he responded making her chuckle softly. She climbed down with her bag flung over her shoulder and the gift box delicately clutched by her.
Before turning she called.
"Waise Sir" Vikram looked at her with a raised brow. Thabal leaned in slightly and whispered.
"Next time, if you're jealous say it. I might like it" Vikram didn't said anything. He couldn't say anything. He just sat looking at her with his lips parted a little. She laughed quietly at his reaction, her eyes twinkling. She looked at him for last before she walked away.
Vikram watched her disappear behind the gate, her words echoing in his mind. 'I might like it'. He shook his head, resting both hands on the wheel.
God, what was this girl doing to him?
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Thabal opened the door to her room and entered in. Closing it back, she sighed, leaning against the door. A smile playing on her lips.
"So Sharma ji jealous bhi hote hai?" She giggled at her own thought. She walked towards her bed and sat on it. Looking at the box. Smile never leaving her lips.
"Pretty" she whispered to herself.
"Haaah! I don't know why he has been wasting his money on such things. 10rs ka chocolate hi de deta. Khush hojati mein" she shook her head with a sigh.
"Let's see this" she said to herself, excitement pumping in her veins. What have he gifted this time? She opened the ribbon delicately. And then removed the cover off. Her eyes widened seeing it. A small gasp escaped her lips.
It was a white full sleeves and off shoulder top. The ruffles at the shoulder binded by pearls. It was pure beauty! Such a beautiful piece of cloth. This must not cost less than 3k. She was sure. Quickly she searched the prize, raking her eyes over the MRP rate.
Her eyes widened more in shock. Rs 4,567. Damn! It was dang costly. Just for a single top. She slapped her forehead and sighed. And just then her peaceful state vanished as the door flung open, revealing the two storms who stood at the doorstep with a wide grin.
"Guess who is back bitches?" Shreya grinned jumping and throwing her bag to her bed skillfully as if done several times.
"Bhai itna heavy traffic tha. Mein toh thak gayi" Meera sighed lazily.
"Haan hansa behen. Tu kab nahi thakti" Shreya shook her head mockingly, earning a giggle from Thabal. And just then Shreya's sharp eyes happened to notice the white cloth in Thabal's hand.
"Yeh konsa kapra hai? Naya kharida kya?" She asked. Thabal didn't said anything, hesitating a bit. She knew their reactions well.
"Ahh nahi woh-" she started but was cut off by her loud squeal.
"Waittt!! Gift box?? Matlab yeh Officer ne diya?" Shreya jumped in excitement. Hearing this Meera jumped in too, her laziness long gone.
"Wow kya hai dikha dikha" she sat on her bed. Thabal chuckled and shook her head at their antics.
"Gift mujhe mila hai khushi tumlog ki samai nahi ja rahi" she said. Shreya slapped her shoulder at it.
"Tu chup reh. Tu nahi samjhegi" then turned to looked at the cloth.
"Oh. My. God" She uttered loudly, picking up the top. Eyes wide, lips parted.
"THIS IS PURE MASTERPIECE!!" Both of them yelled in unison. Thabal winched at it. Scrunching her nose.
"Bhai konsi mitti se bana hai woh. Konse mahan devta ne usko janam diya tha? How can his choice be so fucking good yaar??" Meera clutched her heart dramatically, making a crying face.
"Wahi toh!! I mean look at the design, look at the fabric, the colour. Everything!! It's gorgeous!!" Shreya grinned hard, squealing happily.
"Thabal! You have to try this. Right now!" Meera demanded.
"Yes. Abhi ke abhi" Shreya leaned in too, with a determined face. Thabal sighed at it. Clutching her forehead.
"Aare abhi toh mein aayi-"
"Mujhe kuch nahi sunna. Abhi ke abhi jaw and change into it" Shreya cut her off. Thabal not having any choice took the top and entered inside the bathroom.
She turned on the light and looked at the bathroom mirror. Pulling off her top, she wore the new one. Adjusting it's fabric and placement. She dragged her bra strap over her shoulder as the top was off shoulder.
A smile appeared over her face as she admired herself. It was beautiful. Too beautiful. It fitted her perfectly. As if it was meant to be hers. A hint of warmness tinged her cheeks. She smiled shyly and shook her head. She pushed open the door, hearing the two chatter continuously.
But as soon as they heard the door open, their heads snapped towards her and they immediately froze. Lips parted, eyes widened dramatically. Thabal couldn't help but giggle at their reaction.
"Kaisi lag rahi hoon?" As soon as she said, the two immediately jumped in to respond together.
"Bomb lag rahi hai pura!"
"Swarg se utri huwi apsara ki tarah"
Thabal let out a laugh at their comments.
"Yaar mein mar toh nahi gayi na? Asa lag raha hai swarg pe hoon, kisi apsara se takra gayi hoon" Meera looked at Thabal in confusion. Thabal felt her cheeks warmer.
"Chup karo yaar tumlog. Bas pucha tha kaisi lag rahi hoon. Itna bhi nahi bolna tha" She huffed with cheeks red.
"Bhai Mr. Officer ki choice ki daat deni paregi. Maan gaye. I would never underestimate him ever. His choice is just chef kiss" Shreya exclaimed, still in daze of the beauty of the top.
"Wahi. Asa lagta hai yeh iske liye hi bani ho. It just look so perfect on her that koi aur pehenega na toh ganda lagega" Meera agreed. Thabal just chuckled and shook her head.
They were exaggerating too much. She said to herself. One thing always ticked her off. Her facial features. She was never confident about it. Her small monolid eyes, was what she was made fun of. She knew she wasn't beautiful. People says she is beautiful just because she is fair as snow and have a glass skin.
But nevertheless of anything. For the first time she felt beautiful. In this top. Given by him. The thought warmed her up. It really did look good on her.
"Sharma ji does have a good choice" she giggle to herself.
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Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties🫂🌷
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