The morning sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting soft patterns across the hostel room. Birds chirped outside, and the air buzzed with quiet excitement. Thabal was wide awake before her alarm even rang, her heart still fluttering from the night's call.
Thabal stood in front of her open wardrobe, struggling to choose between two tops. Meera stood near the bed, selecting things for her.
"This one looks casual but boring and this one's cute but maybe too much?" she murmured to herself, holding each one up. To which Meera sighed and face palmed herself.
"Ladki! Jyada mat soch. Kuch bhi ek dalde. Woh toh terepe already lattu hai hi. Tu woh Sonu kaka ki jitni fhika dal type fhika kapra bhi pehenle toh bhi tujhe asa compliment karega jaise tumse sundar hoor pari usne jindagi mein kabhi nahi dekha ho" she exclaimed, making Thabal smiled with a tint of redness.
"Hogaya! Blush baad pe karlena. Abhi pack karo" Thabal laughed hearing her. She zipped open her duffel bag with nervous energy just as Shreya sat up groggily from her bed. Rubbing her eyes.
"Kidhar bhagne ki tayari kar rahi hai" She mumbled, blinking at the sight. Thabal grinned at it but said nothing. Instead Meera answered for her.
"Bhag nahi rahi. Officer sahab ke saath trip pe ja rahi hai" Shreya immediately jumped off her bed hearing it. Her eyes wide, jaw dropped.
"KYA???" she exclaimed or more likely shouted in surprise.
"What do you mean trip?" She asked palming her already wide opened mouth.
"2 days trip. Only him and her" Meera winked at her playfully. Shreya didn't said anything for a moment. She just paused, didn't say a word. And both of them knew, she was gonna blow up.
And she did. The next very moment she squealed! Loud!
"Ahhhh! What the fuck?? Tune bola kyu nahii?? Fuck!" She jumped up and down on the floor covering her mouth.
"Jaldi uthogi nahi toh bolungi kaise" Thabal shrugged her shoulder with a duh tone, her lips tugged in the corner.
"Wait what? Matlab you planned it yesterday night?" Shreya shrieked again. Thabal winched and nodded at her high pitch tone.
"Abey chiriya. Awaj kam kar. Jawani mein hi behri hojawungi" Meera threw her a glare. Shreya ignored her and ran to Thabal's bed.
"Dikha dikha kya packing kar rahi hai. Kuch sexy sa dal na. Behos hojayega" She giggled earning a smack from the latter. Thabal glared at her, with red cheeks.
Shreya burst into laughter, sitting up and helping her pack.
"Okay, okay. But don't forget bug spray. Or...you know. Ahem! protection" she added with a wink.
"SHREYA!" Thabal exclaimed, face turning crimson.
"Get out before I throw you out of the window"
The trio erupted in laughter. Laughing at their own jokes. A honk from outside cut through their chatter. Meera peeked through the window.
"Ooooh! Tall, dark, and uniformed has arrived" she sang with a grin. Thabal rolled her eyes, she looked down at her watch. It was 7:55. A smile played on her lips. Hmm, seems like Sharma ji is too eager.
She grabbed her bag, and rushed downstairs along with the two, her heart racing again. Outside, Vikram stood leaning against his jeep, sunglasses on, arms folded casually. The morning sun reflected off the watch on his wrist.
He smiled seeing her. Opening the door for her in advance, as she approached. Thabal couldn't held back her smile, her smile widened seeing him and his gesture.
"Good morning, adventurer" he said with a soft smile as she approached nearer to him, standing just infront of him.
"Good morning, officer" she replied playfully with a grin, tossing her duffel into the backseat, where his own bag was already resting.
"Come, get in" he guided her. Thabal nodded then turned to her friends. She smiled at them and hugged them each as a good bye.
"Bye" she muttered to them.
"Dhyan se jana. Aur dher sare memories banana" Meera chuckled at her. To which Thabal let out a little laugh.
"Of course" with that she got in inside the jeep and waved a last good bye to her friends. The jeep roared to life, and soon they were rolling out of the town, cruising along a quiet road that seemed to stretch into nowhere. The city noise faded into the distance, replaced by rustling trees, the hum of cicadas, and the rhythmic thump of the tires against the road.
"Where are we going by the way?" Thabal asked him, glancing towards him. To which Vikram just smirked and turned towards her.
"Janna hai?" He leaned a bit towards her to which she nodded eagerly. He paused for a moment then boiled her nose with the tip of his finger.
"The road to heaven" he answered with a chuckle and turned towards the road, focussed on the driving. Thabal threw him a playful glare and smacked on his arm.
"Uljhate kyu ho" she huffed and turned away. Vikram chuckled and said nothing.
Thabal ducked her head out of the window, letting the fresh breeze rush in. Her eyes widened as endless greenery flanked both sides of the road. Tall trees swayed gently, birds darted through the branches, and the golden morning light gave everything a dreamlike glow.
"This is beautiful" she whispered, her voice filled with awe. Vikram glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"Better than reading textbooks all night?" he asked, a hint of tease filled his tone.
"Oh, infinitely" she laughed at it. There was a pause, and then she added.
"You really planned this well. I never had someone surprise me like this" she smiled softly, looking at the road infront.
"I knew you would love it. No traffic, no noise, just nature. And madam, give a break to yourself. Jyada parogi toh fhir pagal na hojawo" Vikram joked. But this time Thabal didn't laugh out loud. She smiled, gently and slowly. She was touched, knowing he thought about her mental health. The feeling and care was new and extremely peaceful.
She looked at him.
"Thank you" she muttered to him slowly. Vikram glanced at her for a moment through his glasses then turned away.
"Don't be" he murmured loud enough for her to hear. There was a comfortable silence between them, both of their hearts fluttering for their own reasons. They both smiled to themselves, enjoying each other's presence.
"Gana chalana hai?" Vikram proposed after a moment of silence. To which Thabal grinned and immediately nodded happily. Vikram chuckled and handed her his phone.
"Play whatever you wish for" he told. Thabal with a wide grin, unlocked his phone and played her all time favourite song. Sana talloi.
"This is my favourite! I just love chand ningthou's song" she squealed happily. And Vikram just glanced at her. Noting it silently in his head.
Just as she was vibing at the song, Thabal suddenly leaned towards him and took off his glasses, taking him by surprise. Vikram turned to her to see her putting on his glasses proudly as if she didn't just snatched it.
She looked back at him and passed him an innocent grin. Vikram said nothing, just watched her with a small smile tugging on his lips. She had no idea how beautiful she was.
They talked more along the way, about their hobbies, the weirdest foods they would ever tried, and their favorite music. Laughter bubbled up between them naturally, as if they'd known each other for years.
A couple of hours later, they pulled into a quiet forest clearing. Tall trees surrounded them like guardians, and not far away, the soothing sound of running water hinted at a river nearby.
They parked the jeep and began climbing down the ground. Thabal looked at her surroundings in amazement. A wide smile played on her lips. She took out her glasses and clapsed a hand over her mouth.
"Wow" she breathed. Vikram joined her, brushing past branches. He stood behind her, close to her.
"Pasand aaya?" He whispered to her.
"Pasand? Of course. I mean look at the scenery. Itna sundar view. Like kahi aur hoga kya? Oh God". She rambled in awe. A small chuckle leaving her lips as she couldn't control her happiness. Vikram turned back and grabbed their bags, unloading all of it. Hearing the sound, Thabal turned back to help him too.
"Tum jaw. I will fix all these" he assured her, yet Thabal was keen on helping him.
"Mein bhi kardeti hoon" she insisted. Vikram looked at her for a moment then smiled. Thabal looked up at him with a raised brow.
"Kya?" She asked him to which he shook his head and chuckled in return. Together they set up the tent under a tall tree with a good view of the water. Thabal helped clip the rods, her hair flying in the breeze as she struggled with the fabric.
Vikram glanced at her time to time, biting his lips to held back the chuckle seeing her struggle. He wanted to laugh out loud at her cuteness but then the consequences he had to face after that seemed cutely dangerous.
Seconds passed, turning into minutes. Almost 20 minutes later finally the tent was done building. Thabal stood up with a groaned and sighed loudly.
"Ufff! This was so damn tiring!" She groaned in irritation. To which Vikram just chuckled and stretched, wiping his hands on his pants.
"Well, madam architect, next time we'll call for backup." He joked, grinning at her playfully. She brushed her jeans off slowly and sat at a large log lying carelessly near their tent.
"Majak mat urawo aap. Hamesha aapko bas taunt hi marna hai" she scoffed and turned away from him dramatically. Vikram smirked and walked over to the jeep, opening the back door. He pulled out a medium-sized tiffin boxes wrapped in a folded napkin and turned back toward her.
"By the way" he said, raising the boxes slightly.
"Someone wise once said, hard work should always be followed by good food." Hearing it Thabal raised a brow, instantly intrigued. Her head snapping towards him quick.
"Aap khana laye?" She asked him a bit amused. He gave a mock, offended look at that.
"Of course I did. Tumhe kya laga ase hi bhuka rakhunga mein tumhe?" He chuckled. Thabal grinned, delighted.
"You aren't that bad as i assume officer" she giggled with a hint of tease.
"Haan haan khane ki baat aati hai toh sab kuch aacha hi lagne lagta hai" he rolled his eyes playfully earning a hearty laugh from her.
He walked towards her, and took a sit just near her, under the shade of a large tree. The light filtered through the leaves in golden patches, and the sounds of the forest river burbled in the distance. Birds fluttered overhead, and the breeze carried the scent of fresh grass and earth.
Vikram spread the napkin out on the log between them and opened the tiffin boxes one by one. A burst of warm, familiar smells filled the air, paratha rolls, stuffed paneer sandwiches, and neatly packed slices of mango.
Thabal’s eyes widened seeing it.
"Oh my God. Itna sara. Aapne banaya? Lagta toh nahi" she exclaimed not able to digest. Vikram chuckled at it.
"Well. Meine nahi banaya. Meri housekeeper hai. Kavita mausi. She made it. But yeah. I am sure as offended hearing you" he made a poker face, imitating an angry face. Thabal giggle at it, poking his cheek playfully.
"Aapko khana bhi banana aata hai?" She teased him, nudging him by her elbow.
"Basic survival needs hai. Of course I know. Everyone has to atleast know the bare minimum" he shrugged his shoulders casually as if cooking was that easy. Thabal looked at him stunned. To which Vikram looked at her with a raised brow as if asking 'kya'.
"I-i. Mujhe nahi aata" she muttered slowly. Vikram chuckled hearing her.
"And you tease me by my cooking skills" he mocked her playfully, earning a glare in return.
"Meri baat alag hai" she narrowed her eyes at him, making him laugh out loud at her antics.
"Achaa thik hai. Chalo. Have this" he said, opening one of the sandwich containers and offering her the first piece. Thabal took it and bit a big bite from the sandwich. She immediately moaned in delight.
"Mmm! This is so good" she said, eyes lighting up. Her lips curving into a smile. She hurriedly took more big bites, almost chocking on it.
"Aaram se khawo" he patted her back gently. Standing up, he went to the tent and opened his bag, taking out a bottle of water. He walked out and passed her the bottle.
Thabal quickly opened the cap and took few big gulps. And then immediately sighed in relief.
"Sorry sorry. It was so tasty that i couldn't help it" she smiled at him sheepishly, making him smile in return too. Vikram watched her eat happily. Enjoying every moment of the bite. Taking another sandwich when the first one finished.
While devouring it, Thabal glanced at him to see him already staring at her. She raised a brow at him to which he just shook his head with a chuckle. Thabal frowned but then raised her half eaten sandwich to him.
"Lo aap bhi kha lo" she offered, not realising she was offering him her eaten one. Vikram didn't react immediately. He took a moment to see if she realised, when she didn't, he leaned forward and took a bite from her hand.
Chewing the vegetables and bread softly. A small smile tugging on his lips.
"Hmm, aacha toh hai bohot" he murmured, making Thabal grinned.
"Aapki mausi kitna aacha khana banati hai. Like really. You really need to raise her pay" she giggled. Vikram chuckled at her words. He opened another box and held it infront of her.
"Try this" he showed her the paratha rolls, confident enough that she would love it. He took out a roll and held before her mouth.
Just then his gaze fall upon her lips. Full and pink. In a messy shapeless way, yet so beautiful. So damn edible. He gulped a lump down, not able to advert his eyes. Fuck it! It was getting hot down there.
"Kya huwa? Khilawo" Thabal frowned at him, seeing him froze. Vikram nodded curtly and fed her looking away from her face, or else he won't realised when he will grabbed her neck and kiss the fuck out of her.
His lips parted slightly. Inhaling a breathe in. Her knees brushed with his and he felt all the existing feels on his body. One thing Vikram hated the most was even though he could control his body very well, it failed horribly infront of her.
Thabal noticed his ignoring gaze. She finished chewing and called.
"Vikram" she called gently. To which he hummed in return, not looking at her at all. Thabal still looked at him intently.
"Aapse ek baat puchu kya?" She asked gently to which he turned to her this time. He looked at her, as if his eyes was trying to read hers.
"Pucho" he whispered hoarsely. Thabal gulped, looked at him with emotions swirling in her eyes and then after a moment asked.
"Aapko mein pasand hoon?" Vikram paused a bit. He looked away, his fist clenched tightly.
"Hmm" he hummed softly. Watching the forest absentmindely. Thabal looked at him, her body turning towards him completely.
"Kitna?" She asked to which he just stared infront of him blankly.
"Bohot" he replied in return. To which Thabal raised a brow, a small smile tugging on her lips.
"Bohot se samaj nahi aata. Thoda elaborate kijiye" she added. Vikram sighed and chuckled out. He turned to her, looking her in the eye.
"Agar baaton se bayan kar pata toh kabka nahi bol deta?" He whispered out at last. And Thabal couldn't control the red tint on her face anymore. She smiled, cheeks red in shyness.
"Agar meine kaha ki.... mujhe aap pasand nahi. Toh?" she bit her lip, trying to test the water. But Vikram didn't faze.
"Toh kya? Mein karta hoon humdono ke liye hi kafi hai" and hearing this Thabal couldn't help but laugh. She inched closer to him and smiled at him, slowly, she hugged his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. Vikram was suddenly taken aback by her touch but then immediately relaxed at the comforting, soft feeling.
Both stayed in silence for a moment, before tapping her on her shoulder.
"You wanna rest inside the tent?" He asked but she shook her head in return. A gentle smile layed on her lips.
"Bas kuch der ase hi rehna hai" she spoke softly. Vikram looked away and smiled, he heaved a sigh and sat in silence along with her. In a peaceful silence.
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The sky was a deep indigo, brushed with countless stars that shimmered like scattered diamonds. The forest had settled into stillness, with only the gentle murmur of the nearby river and the soft crackle of the fire filling the silence.
Thabal sat near the fire, her face glowing in the warm orange hue. She was now changed into a lose knee length pants. Her eyes were fixed on the flames, watching them dance and flicker like little spirits. Along with it, she was roasting a marshmallow she packed.
Vikram sat on the log, his long legs stretched out, a twig in his hand lazily tracing circles in the dirt.
"Do you hear that?" Thabal asked softly, breaking the silence. Vikram turned slightly.
"The river?" He asked. She nodded immediately to it, a smile playing on her lips.
"It sounds like a lullaby" she sighed happily, squealing with a small laugh. Vikram smiled but didn't said anything. He looked toward the direction of the flowing water.
"You seem to be fond of the water" he asked, noticing how much she likes it ever since she was here. Every moment, she will go near the river and play with the water, giggling and smiling alone. Sometimes even urging him to come and play too.
"Yeah. Pani aur mera alag sa rishta hai. I just love water. It's like a therapy for me. Bachpan pe whenever I use to feel low, mein hamesha hamara ghar ke pass ke ek pond pe jake beth jati thi. And somehow, it always calmed me down" she narrated, a smile always sticking on her face as she said it.
"It's peaceful here. I didn't know I needed this until now" she added in the end. Rolling the stick as she roast the marshmallow properly. There was a pause, the fire cracking between them, and then Vikram said.
"You always look like you're carrying a thousand thoughts in your eyes" Thabal chuckled hearing him. She glanced at him in amusement.
"Aap toh mujhe khud se bhi jyada jante hai" she smiled at him jokingly. Vikram didn't said anything. Just looked at her intently. Her expression softened. She looked down at her hands and adverted her gaze. His gaze was too strong to hold for long.
"Maybe I am. I have been always taught that i have to stay in control of everything. My studies, my future, how people see me. Sometimes, I forget how to just... breathe" she sighed, staring at the fire in silence. But then smiled as if remembering something.
"And then comes your entry. Pura heroic jaisa. Aap jabse aaye ho my whole schedule has been changed. Mera life ka rules, jab tehes nehes hogaya hai" she laughed softly at her own words. A warm feeling spreading over her chest. She kinda felt overwhelmed by the good feelings all of a sudden.
"I still can't believe I'm here" she sighed with a smile, staring at the fire.
"Come here. It's done" Vikram patted the place beside him. Thabal nodded and stood up, picking up the plate of roasted marshmallows. She walked to him and sat on the log, just near him.
Behind them, the sound of the river acted like a calm melody for them. Vikram picked up a marshmallow and blower on it. He inched it near her lips.
"Careful, it's hot" he murmured slowly as he fed her. Thabal carefully bite into it and immediately made a face.
"Hmph! It's sticky!" She cringed. He laughed at it.
"That's the best part" he tsked and fed her one more. Thabal widened her eyes at delight. Her glinting with happiness.
"Ummh! Aacha hai kafi" she exclaimed in pure joy. Vikram smiled and shook his head at her antics. He picked one and was about to eat when it got snatched by none other than the great Thabal. He looked at her with a scowl not understanding her behaviour at all.
"Mein" she grinned sheepishly and held it up to his mouth. Vikram looked at her stunned for a moment before his eyes softened. His lips tugged a little at the corners. She would surely kill him one day with her cute gestures.
His ears slightly burned as he opened his mouth and took in the food. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, listening to the crackling fire and the gentle rush of the river behind them.
But the comfortable space was broken when a the clouds started to thunder all of a sudden. Cold breeze whoosed around the forest. Letting the fire flicker it's flame at the wind.
"Ee! Seems like baarish hone wala hai" Thabal giggled and looked up. The moon and stars already covered by dark black clouds.
"Under chalo" he guided her in the tent. Strong wind started blowing up by now as seconds passed. Thabal quickly grabbed the plate and rushed inside the tent, keeping her sandals outside.
She smiled widely and laid on the soft mattress topper with a sigh of delight.
"Uff this is soooo good!" She grinned, laying on her pillow. By the time, Vikram entered too, he zipped up the tent from inside and sat on the mattress comfortably. He passed her a bottle, gesturing her to drink it up. Thabal sat up and quickly took a gulp down. As she wiped the corner of her lips by the back of her hand, she flinched slightly hearing a loud thunder outside.
"Chalo so jate hai. It's late" Vikram told, to which she nodded in return. Both of them laid on their sides comfortably, creating a little distance between them respectfully. They didn't yet closed their eyes. Both of them just looked up to the plain tent, their hearts filled with warmth and unspoken understanding.
Thabal turned to Vikram, watching him silently. Vikram sensing her gaze, turned to looked at her. He raised a brow at her.
"Neend nahi aa rahi?" He asked to which she just smiled.
"Aa rahi hai. Thodi si" she responded. Vikram chuckled slightly at it.
"So jawo" he muttered softly. Then another thunder blazed. Thabal coiled herself, squeezing her eyes. Vikram looked at her, watching her gently.
"Dar lag raha hai?" He asked to which she peeked opened her eyes at him.
"Woh bijli se thoda sa dar lagta hai" she responded meekly, slightly embarrassed. Vikram said nothing, he slowly lifted up his hand and kept it near her. Thabal looked at his in confusion. In return, he just gestured her to hold it.
Thabal slowly and hesitantly, crept her hand up to his. And Vikram immediately clasped it. Intertwining their fingers in a comforting manner. Her small hands against his large ones.
"Dar lage toh utha dena" was the only thing he said. Thabal smiled slowly at it. She tightened the hold gently and blushed, looking at their hands.
'how can I be scared when you are there, holding my hand' she wanted to say, but didn't. Because maybe, some things are better without being said too. She smiled softly, releasing a sigh of content.
And just like that, wrapped in the warmth of the tent's temperature and quiet understanding, the forest became their little world, where time slowed, hearts spoke, and something tender began to take root. And Thabal for the first time in a long while felt free.
"This is my favourite night ever" she murmured to herself, eyes glinting with an unknown emotion.
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Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties💗🎀
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