Vikram sat in his jeep, under the gulmohar tree. The light breeze carried the scent of the flowers as Vikram leaned against the vehicle, arms crossed, eyes flicking occasionally to the college gate.
Thabal walked out a few moments later, her hair loosely tied, her white coat flapping slightly in the breeze. She looked up, spotted him, and offered a small wave before quickening her pace toward him.
"You are early" she remarked, adjusting the strap of her bag as she neared.
"You are late" he countered, one brow raised. Thabal laughed at it gently.
"Blame the anatomy professor. He loves human bones more than people." She swayed her hands and exhaled a deep sigh. Vikram chuckled and opened the passenger door for her, a gesture she have grown used to by now. As they settled inside, the jeep began to roll slowly onto the road.
For a few minutes, they rode in a comfortable silence. Thabal hummed to a song playing faintly on a street vendor's radio as they passed. Then she spoke, breaking the quiet.
"By the way, aapne aajtak mera number nahi manga" Vikram glanced at her sideways, caught off guard.
"Huh? Kya?" He raised his brow, not understanding her purpose of asking it.
"My number" she repeated, clearly amused.
"Koi aur hota toh kabka mang leta. Aap hi hai abhi tak nahi manga" she further said, voicing out her thoughts. Vikram chuckled at it, he glanced towards her and smirked.
"Mein koi aur thodi hoon" Thabal laughed softly at that.
"Already stalk karke drop kar raha hoon. Number mangta toh aur creepy lagta. Toh socha less creepy hi sahi" he shrugged his shoulder playfully, making her laugh at it again.
"Aap aur aapki betuki baatein" she shook her head with a chuckle.
"Toh are you offering it now or still waiting to be asked?" He raised his brow at her with a teasing smirk.
"I am a very well mannered lady. Toh i preferred to be asked" She grinned cleared her throat and spoke, changing her tone a bit, composing herself gracefully, as if belonging from royals. He let out a short breath of laughter.
"So madam. Can you please care to share this gentlemen your precious number?" He acted along with her. Making her giggle in return.
"Of course of course. I would love to" she laughed softly. Vikram just chuckled and shook his head. He took out his phone from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Here, take it. 907461" he said handling his phone to her. Thabal opened the lock and quickly tap on the screen. She called on her number to take his number. And few seconds later, her phone rang. She smiled at it and then typed quickly at his phone before handling it to him back.
Vikram looked at the screen, almost turning the screen off when his eyes fall on the name with emoji.
The meitei doctor😁🌷✨
He let out a small genuine laugh and shook his head. This girl and her antics.
"You are impossible" he chuckled. Looking at the front. As he turned the steering wheel. He stared at her for a moment longer than necessary, something softer flashing across his face. But he looked away quickly, covering it up with a subtle cough.
"Now let me save yours" she muttered with a grin. And Vikram knew she was upto something mischievous.
"Ulta sidha mat rakhna" he warned before hand but she turned to him with a playful grin.
"Too late sir" she giggled.
"Kya save kiya hai?" He asked turning to her with a raised brow. To which she just smiled sweetly.
"Nahi batawungi" she blinked at him, smiling at him with eyes closed. Vikram didn't said anything just smiled at her antics and looked away.
Thabal looked out of the window and spotted a pani puri stall nearby. Her eyes lit up seeing it. Umhm! It's been days she didn't have it. Time to devour this. She thought to herself. Her stomach already fluttering at the thought. The tang, the crunch, the spice, it was all calling to her like a long-lost friend. A craving that could no longer be ignored
"Stop stop stop!" She turned to him and tap on his hand rapidly. Vikram stop the jeep and turned to her with a raised brow.
"Kya huwa?" He asked in confusion.
"See" she pointed at the stall with a sheepish smile, but eyes glinting with delight. The way she bit her lip, trying to contain her grin, made Vikram let out a soft laugh. He shook his head with amusement.
"Khana hai?" He asked to which she immediately nodded.
"Chalo" he said opening the door and climbing out. Thabal was right behind him, already half jogging toward the stall. The air around the stall was filled with the tempting aroma of tangy water, boiled potatoes, and freshly chopped coriander.
"Bhaiya, 50 ke Pani puri dedo" she smiled in excitement, taking a plastic container. Another one passing it to him which Vikram denied with a smile.
"Kya nahi khawoge aap?" She asked him with a frown.
"Nahi. Mein yeh sab utna nahi khata" he shook his head making Thabal sighed dramatically.
"Eheee!! Aapne yeh nahi khaya toh swad ka meaning hi nahi malum" she shook her head with a tsked, masking a pity face. Making him chuckle.
"Tum khalo" he said. Thabal stood at the stall, eyes gleaming as the vendor handed her the first pani puri. She took it delicately, tilting her head back slightly as she placed it into her mouth.
Crunch. Her eyes closed immediately, and she let out a dramatic sigh of satisfaction.
"Ufff! This. This is pure bliss" she said with a full mouth, fanning her cheeks slightly as the spice kicked in. Vikram leaned against the side of the stall, arms crossed, watching her with a smirk.
"You look like you're about to cry" he teased.
"Thoda kam spicy le leti" She shot him a look, eyes watering slightly but proud.
"Real pani puri has to be spicy, okay? yahi hota hai asli swad" she exclaimed, making him chuckle. The vendor passed her another one which she looked up at him and gestured him with her eyes to take it.
"Nahi tum khalo" he denied politely. But Thabal being Thabal nudge him.
"Lelo na. Bas ek hi hai. I swear it's very tasty!" She requested, making a puppy face. Vikram sighed and took a moment to look at her. That darn face of hers. How can one deny it. He stared at her for a second before grabbing her wrist, surprising her by his sudden move. Before she could process anything, he leaned down and took the puri in his mouth from her hand.
His lips brushing the tip of her fingers, causing a havoc inside her. Her eyes widening slightly, cheeks reddened.
"Hmm, aacha toh hai" he spoke, with a slight smirk.
"H-haath se lena tha" she whispered at him.
"Oops!" Vikram feigned innocence while shrugging his shoulder with a chuckle. Thabal peeked at him slowly and blushed, embarrassed about the incident few seconds ago. The world seemed to blurred around them. Only them and the panipuri.
The jeep waited quietly in the background, but neither of them was in a hurry to leave.
🦋🦋🦋-----------------
The hostel room was dim and hushed, filled only with the gentle hum of the ceiling fan spinning slowly above. A faint yellow glow from Thabal's desk lamp cast soft shadows on the walls. Her books lay scattered across the table, pages marked, notes scribbled, highlighters capless like tiny soldiers resting after battle.
It was exactly 12:03 AM.
Thabal sighed as she finally closed her last notebook. Her eyes burned slightly from hours of reading, and her mind buzzed with formulas and facts. But there was a certain peace in the quiet. The two chaos had already settled on their bed, breathing soft and rhythmic. The night outside was still, calm. Perfect.
She reached for her phone without thinking. Turning the lamp off, she flopped on her bed, laying on her stomach, feet swaying. The moment she climbed into bed, phone in hand, she scrolled to one contact. Strict Sharma ji 😤❗. She giggled looking at the name she saved.
It was the perfect timing to call and talk. Her friends were sleeping, her daily routine of talking to home after dinner has finished too. It was midnight with no one to disturb them. She bit her lips, smiling to herself.
Her finger paused over his name. She didn't press call. Not yet. What if he was already asleep? What if he had an early morning tomorrow? What if she was being too... clingy . She bit her lower lip, hesitating, debating with herself.
She just wanted to hear his voice. Apparently she have become a bit attached with him. Not seeing him for a day makes her restless. Not talking to him, ruins her day.
With a quiet breath, as though the sound might wake her sleeping roommates, she tapped 'Call'.
"Jo hoga dekha jayega" she muttered to herself. Trying to sound confident but deep down her heart was beating out loud. Thinking about the consequences. She was nervous as hell.
The phone rang once, twice, thrice. She braced herself to hear the voicemail. And then click.
"Itni raat gaye ek sarif ladki ek ladke ko call karte huwe?" came his teasing voice, warm and smooth like fresh coffee. Not groggy, not annoyed. Just him. Her heart skipped slightly. A smile played on her lips.
"Haan toh nahi kar sakti kya? Bas halchal puchne ke liye kiya" she said, biting her lips after that to control the smile. A soft chuckle was heard from the other side.
"Missed me?" He asked, his voice deep and hoarsed. Thabal smiled, rolling on her back. Curling up near the wall.
"Mein kyu karu bhala" she retorted softly.
"Aap jage huwe the?" she asked, drawing circles on the bedsheet casually.
"Yeah" he replied casually, like it wasn't midnight, like he had been expecting her call.
"Kuch reports dekh raha tha bas" he added. Thabal hummed softly in response.
"Disturb kiya kya meine aapko?" She asked to which he chuckle in return.
"Nahi. Agar soya bhi hota toh utha leta" he informed. Thabal smiled, a shy one.
"Aur tum? Abhi tak jagi ho. Soyi kyu nahi?" He asked.
"bas abhi parahi khatam kiya" she responded looking at the wall as if it's the most beautiful thing.
"Waise Sir" she started earning a hum from the other line.
"Aap ko ladkiyo ka chize ke baare mein pata kaise hai. Kitni girlfriend thi aapki?" She asked catching him off guard.
"Huh? Kya matlab" he asked clearly confused of her question.
"Aapne jo kal top diya tha na. Woh. Like itna sundar tha, I bet aapne toh nahi liya hoga. Ya toh experience hai ya toh kisi aur se help liya hoga" she said with confidence. Vikram chuckled at it.
"Meine hi liya tha. And nahi. I didn't have any girlfriend in the past" he cleared making her eyes widened in shock.
"Kya?? What do you mean you didn't have have any girlfriend. 30 saal se aap single hi hai?" He hummed from the other side muttering a 'haan'.
Thabal gasped at it.
"Oh God. Seriously?" She asked again, earning a chuckle from him.
"Haan. And ismein itna unbelievable kya hai?" He asked making Thabal sighed dramatically.
"You ask ismein unbelievable kya hai? Aajkal 14 15 ke bache date kar rahe hai. Aur aap 30 ke hoke aaj tak girlfriend bhi nahi banaya?" She groaned shaking her head.
"Kyu tumhara tha kya jab tum 14 15 ki thi?" He asked, his tone playful. But it didn't last long when she uttered the next words.
"Nahi 14 15 pe nahi. But 17 pe tha" she said. A silence followed on the line. Thabal could hear him exhaled deeply, as if controlling himself.
"Kaun tha?" He asked after a moment.
"Ummmm. Classmate tha. Imphal pe jab mein rehti thi. Udhar se tha. Karib 1 saal se mere piche para tha. Aacha bhi dikhta tha toh socha dekh lete hai. But he was weird like very weird. He wanted that you know. Physical relation and all. Meine bola ki i am not even 18 now. Uske baad dekhte hai and shit. But banda maan hi nahi raha. Emotional blackmail karne laga. Toh i really felt uncomfortable and creeped out. So chordiya meine usko. Bas 2 mahina chala" she explained, cringing visible at the memory. Eww! Her choice in men back then.
Vikram didn't said anything, just hummed in reply.
"Are you still in contact with him?" He asked.
"Aare no no. Kon pagal uss bhadwe ke saath baat karega. Bohot dheet aur besharam hai woh. If I talk with him now, he would still say the same thing" she immediately denied.
"Hmm good" he muttered. Thabal grinned at it, squeezing her pillow.
"Jealous?" She asked earning a grunt.
"No way" he mumbled making her laugh out loud.
"Thabal yaar! Itni raat ko kisse baat kar rahi hai. Meera hogi deep sleeper mein nahi hoon" Shreya groaned yelling at her. Feeling disturbed by her loud laugh.
"Koi nahi koi nahi. Sorry. Tu so ja" she said to her, and her bit her lips. Huff! Almost got caught.
"Abhi meri watt lagti" she muttered to him, this time slowly. Vikram chuckled hearing her.
"Tumhare dost sab sogaye?" He asked earning a hum from her.
"Isliye toh abhi call kiya. Warna yeh log mera dimag kha jate. Privacy bhi nahi milta. Mama and che se baat bhi karliya taki baad pe they don't call when I talk to you" she muttered, glancing at her nails subconsciously.
"Achaa. Sab kuch khatam karne ke baad call kiya?" He asked, voice laced with something unrecognisable. Thabal nodded at it and hummed.
"Irade nek nahi lag rahe madam ke. Sab sone ke baad aadhi raat ko call kiya taki privacy mile? Hmm, very suspicious" he hummed to himself as if thinking deeply about it. Thabal couldn't help but laugh at his antics.
"Aap ka hi dimag itna dur jata hai. Mein sarif gharane ki aachi ladki hoon" she cleared her throat, acting along. Vikram let out a slow laugh at it.
Neither of them spoke after that. Just stared at anything that was infront of them with a smile .The call had not ended. The seconds ticked quietly in the background, but neither of them was in a hurry. Thabal lay on her side,phone still pressed to her ear. The soft hum of his breathing was oddly comforting. He wasn't saying much, but his silence wasn't empty, it was full of presence.
"You still there?"she asked softly, her voice almost a whisper.
"Hmm, just listening"Vikram replied.
"To what?"
"To you breathing" he said plainly. Thabal smiled sleepily hearing him.
"Ajib hai aap bohot" she let out a gentle laugh.
"I have been called worse" he said with a faint chuckle. There was a pause.
"what are you doing now?" she asked, twirling a bit of her hair.
"Bas, leta hoon bed pe" he answered.
"Kam khatam?" She asked to which he muttered a no.
"Tumhare saath baat kar raha hoon. Kam pe maan kaise lagega" he breathed out slowly. Thabal smiled, a shy one. A one that made her flutter in shyness.
There was a moment of silence between them before she broke it.
"I like this" she said, looking at the wall, touching it gently with the tip of her fingers.
"This?" he asked.
"You. Me. Talking like this." She uttered, a smile playing on her lips. Vikram's voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
"So do I"
And somewhere between giggles and laughter Thabal's breathing slowed, a soft tired sigh escaped her lips. Her voice got softer. A soft yawn escaped her lips.
" Neend aa raha hai?" He asked, earning a soft, lazy hum from her. Vikram chuckled hearing it.
"So jawo. I am here until you sleep" he said. And that somehow managed to work like a lullaby for Thabal. Her eyes immediately closed on her own, her becoming heavy.
"Goodnight, Thabal. Eie ng nungshi" he murmured. And somehow Thabal heard it, a faint smile playing on her lips. But didn't had the energy to respond back.
And though the call remained connected for a while longer, neither spoke again. They didn't need to. Because sometimes, falling asleep to someone's presence is the most comforting confession of all.
_________🌸___________
Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties🌛🧿
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