The airport buzzed with the usual hum of departures and goodbyes. Thabal sat quietly near Gate 4, her hands folded neatly on her lap, a backpack at her feet and a duffel slung over the chair beside her. Her eyes stared blankly at the giant screen displaying flight statuses, but her mind was far, far away.
It was afternoon. The air was slightly warm. The announcement finally crackled over the speakers: "Flight 6E-172 to Imphal is now boarding at Gate 4."
She stood up slowly, inhaling deeply as if trying to gather every scattered piece of courage she had left. Around her, people rose from their seats and formed a line. Thabal joined them, adjusting the strap on her shoulder, her eyes fixed ahead.
She took a step forward. Then another. And then-
"Thabal!" The same familiar voice. Breathless. Drenched in emotion.
Her heart skipped. Her steps froze. She turned around so quickly that the bag slipped off her shoulder and hit the floor with a soft thud. There he was.
Vikram.
Standing by the edge of the crowd, chest heaving slightly, eyes locked on her like she was the only thing in this chaotic airport that made sense. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"Vikram?" What was he even doing here in the airport? Neither of them said anything more. They didn't need to.
She broke into a run. Her feet moved on their own, weaving through the line of strangers, past the buzzing gate, straight into the only place that mattered in that moment, his arms.
Vikram caught her mid-leap, wrapping her tightly into his chest. Her legs barely touched the ground as he held her, strong and steady, like he'd been waiting forever to do exactly that.
Thabal buried her face in his shirt, inhaling the scent she knew too well, warm and comforting like sandalwood. Her heart thundered against his, both of them racing to catch up to what their mouths hadn't said yet.
"Yaha kya kar rahe hai aap?" she whispered, voice shaky. Vikram said nothing, he slowly pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. Gazing at her he cupped her face with his hands. Inching closer to her face.
"Ase hi jane wali thi hm? Bina mile? Just with a single text?" He asked slowly, his voice hoarse with heavy breathing. He inhaled a deep breathe in as if controlling himself. Thabal looked at him with eyes slightly wide.
"W-woh mein.." she couldn't form any words nor any excuse as truth to be told she didn't want to meet him before she goes or else she fear she won't be able to go leaving him behind.
"I am sorry" she admitted softly after a minute or silence. He stared at her for a long beat. Then shook his head with a crooked smile. He leaned his head against her gently.
"Pagal kahiki" he muttered under his breath. Thabal chuckled hearing him. Her eyes brimming slightly with tears. She didn't waste anytime before hugging him tight again.
Vikram took a breathe of relief and hugged her closer. His heartbeat matching hers. Both running widely. Thabal felt her chest tighten, emotion spilling over. Around them, people moved, some stared at them. But for them, time had folded into this one still, perfect second.
The final boarding call rang through the terminal again, firmer this time.
"Passengers for Flight 6E-172 to Imphal, this is the final call for boarding at Gate 4."
Thabal slowly stepped back from Vikram's arms, her hands still resting on his chest. Her eyes lingered on his face, memorizing every line, every curve of the jaw, each structure of his face.
"I have to go" she said softly and gently, afraid to speak too loud. Fearing that she won't be able to go if she hears it herself.
Vikram smiled at her, small and curt.
"I know. Enjoy yourself there. Live to your fullest and take care. Your family will be there to protect you" he said. Thabal didn't said anything, her lips twitched a bit upward. Not in happiness but in bitterness.
Enjoying? That too in Imphal? This two doesn't come together at all. And Vikram was wrong. She will be never protected by her family. The only person she would be protected by was going to be left behind by her.
Thabal stood on her toes, reached up and gently touched his face, fingers brushing along the edge of his cheek.
"I will be back by a week" she whispered. A flicker of something warm danced in his eyes.
"You'll call?" he asked, like a little boy suddenly unsure.
"I'll do without any fail" she smiled. He smiled back and let out a soft, quiet chuckle.
She stood on her feet properly and turned away from him, going back to the place where she dropped her bag. Followed by Vikram behind her. She reached down to pick up her duffel bag. He helped her sling it over her shoulder, fingers lingering a second longer than necessary.
He dragged his fingers down her arm and clutched her hand gently. Bringing it up to slowly, he inched it towards his lips and placed a kiss over her palm. Thabal momentarily closed her eyes at the feeling of his lips on her skin. That small gesture of comfort was more intimate than any other physical contact.
"Go" he whispered. Thabal looked at him for a moment before smiling softly. She turned toward the gate, while he watched her go. His heart constricting. Aching in a weird way. But just before stepping into the line again, she turned around.
Vikram was still standing there, watching her like he was memorizing her for the week he won't be seeing again. Looking at him for the last, Thabal turned and walked into the boarding gate without looking back again.
The doors slid closed behind her, and with them, the end of a moment. But somewhere in both their hearts, their bond have started becoming more deeper.
Even distance, they knew, wouldn't undo what had already bloomed.
🦋🦋🦋------------------
The plane landed with a gentle bump, a sound that signals that the passengers have arrived to their destination. As the engines slowed, a tight, unwelcome feeling started in her chest. She climbed off the plane first, moving down the walkway. Stepping into the small, humid Imphal airport, she immediately felt suffocated.
She scanned the people waiting past the luggage area, her anxiety rising quickly, looking for the one face that mattered in the dark evening. And there she was. Nungshi, Thabal's older sister, stood by the railings. She wore a simple white top with pink trousers and her face was a bright, comforting sight. The moment they saw each other, the painful knot in Thabal's stomach loosened, replaced by a rush of pure relief. A smile immediately formed on her lips.
"Che!" Thabal called out, running towards her along with her heavy bag. Nungshi's smile grew wider, lighting up her face. She opened her arms, and Thabal crashed into her embrace. The hug was tight, a desperate hold. As if the she was the only peace between all the chaos.
"I missed you so much, thoi" Nungshi whispered, pulling back just enough to hold Thabal by the shoulders.
"You look so tired, ish. Moi kaim pijaraktro?" She frowned looking at her thin self. Thabal genuinely laughed, a light, happy sound.
(Didn't they feed you anything?)
"Pijaraki che. Leave all that. Ng kamai tawrige. How's law?" Thabal asked with a smile. Nungshi easily picked up Thabal's duffel bag and put it over her own shoulder, leading the way to the small parking lot.
(They did che)
(How are you?)
"Nungairi. Law su dum tawrini haiduni. Ng haiu. Lyrik kamai tawri. I was so happy you finally agreed to come home." They got into a mahindra SUV700. Nungshi started the engine, and they drove out onto the familiar, dark roads of Imphal. There were street light shining through the way.
(I am good. My law studies are just going on fine. You say. How's studies going on?)
"It's just fine" Thabal said, looking out the window. She carefully chose her words, leaving out any mention of Vikram or how much she hated leaving him.
"The hostel is busy. The studies are very hard. I think I'm doing okay."
"Of course, you are. You're the smartest one we know," Nungshi said, full of pride. She reached over and squeezed Thabal's knee.
"Don't worry about anything while you're here, okay? Eie ng lakani haina bora hawrammi, utti tawrammi" She grinned. The road twisted and turned. Thabal felt her sister's love wrap around her like a warm blanket, it was the only reason she was here. A week of dealing with the atmosphere at home was a small price to pay for the sister who had always been her protector.
(I made pakora and utti for you as you were to come)
They drove for another fifteen minutes in comfortable silence, listening to a song on the car radio. Then, Nungshi made the turn onto their street.
Thabal immediately felt her heart dampened as she entered the familiar road. She sat her head facing the window where she could see people of her neighbourhood staring at her but looked away dismissively as if she was a stranger. She sighed softly and smiled a bitter one. How welcoming of them.
As her house approached. She glanced towards it. It was a tidy, two-story house, just as she had left it, with the overgrown jasmine bush by the door. But to Thabal, it looked like a prison. A wave of deep, complete tiredness washed over her. This exhaustion was not from the flight, it was from the emotional torture she knew was ahead. Every criticism, every mean word, every cold look she knew was coming seemed to already hang in the air like a thick fog.
Nungshi parked the car, and the silence inside the small vehicle became heavy and hard to breathe. Thabal sat still, her hand resting on the door handle, unable to push it open.
"We're home, Thoi" Nungshi said softly. Thabal took a deep breath, trying to collect the small bits of courage Vikram had tried to give her at the airport. It felt useless. The strong, decisive young woman who had run into his arms hours ago was gone, replaced by a drained, worried girl who felt too mentally tired to even step inside.
Nungshi waited patiently for a moment, then squeezed Thabal's arm.
"Lako" Thabal finally pushed the car door open. The metallic click sounded loud in the quiet street. She took a deep, steadying breath and followed her sister up the stone walkway. Nungshi opened the front door with her spare key, and the familiar, cool air of the house flowed out.
(Come)
"Eie ng gi bag pubirakke. Ng manung changammu" Nungshi whispered.
(I will grab the bag for you. You head in first)
Thabal stepped into the living room which was lit up by a bright light. The TV was on, showing a news channel, and the air was thick with the scent of dinner cooking, mustard oil and spices. Her father was in his usual armchair, reading the local newspaper, the pages held up to shield his face.
"Papa" she called softly, her voice too slow. Hesitating to voice up loud. Her father lowered the newspaper just enough to look over the top edge. His eyes were critical and quickly scanned her from her clothes to her face.
"Nama chakhum da leibani" was all he said. Thabal clenched her fist but didn't said anything. She glanced at the kitchen and walked towards it, standing by it's door.
(Your mother is in the kitchen)
She felt her eyes watered up as she looked at her mother who was busy in cooking. She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came up. Instead she felt something restricted in her throat. As if something was clawing against her throat.
Her mother glanced up, her expression unchanging, then immediately looked back down at her kitchen chores.
"Oh. Lakaba ng" she stated flatly, as if Thabal hadn't just returned after months of being away from home.
(You came)
"H-hoi mama" Thabal responded slowly.
(Y-yes mama)
"Hmm. Chatlo fhi hongdokuro dugei chanabei makha da laku. Nache di?" Thabal felt her heart shattered hearing her. She tried not to chuckle in sarcasm. She was the one gone and she wasn't even being asked for? Not even a how are you?
(Go freshen up and come down to eat. Where's your sister?)
Instead her elder sister was asked for. Like everytime. The coldness was like a physical slap, yet it was so familiar that Thabal's body simply went numb. This was the welcome she had feared, the one that made her feel like a clumsy guest rather than a daughter.
A moment later, Nungshi came in, dragging both the backpack and the heavy duffel.
"Ma, Pa! I'm here!" Nungshi announced, her voice naturally brighter and warmer than Thabal's. Their mother dropped her utensils instantly. A genuine, loving smile transformed her face.
She quickly ran to Nungshi, past Thabal without giving her any heed.
"Macha! Lakabo ng? Lako lako. Warammani ng" She rushed to her, wrapping her in a tight hug.
(Baby! You came? Come come. Your must be tired)
"Thabak loiraga gari thawraga lakido wadra. Taxi ama lawge leite" her mother fussed, stroking Nungshi's hair with obvious affection. Their father also lowered his newspaper completely. He didn't rise, but the frown had left his face.
(You came from work and then drove. You must have been tired. You should have taken a taxi instead)
"Nungshi, siga laku. Keino ng na dugjam lumba bag ka loi purakido." Nungshi chuckled, enjoying the sudden flood of attention.
(Nungshi, come here. Why are you carrying such heavy luggage with you?)
"I'm not tired Pa! Chill! Thoi already ware after so much travelling so eie oina pubirake mai bags" she said looking towards Thabal who still stood near the kitchen door. But nobody gave any heed to words relating to her.
(Thoi was already tired after so much travelling so I brought the bags instead)
"Well, you must be hungry" her mother said, pulling Nungshi towards the dining table.
"Lako fhammo. Ngashi office ta kei kei tawi hairakko" As the pair walked away, Thabal's father briefly met Thabal's eyes. He didn't speak to her, didn't ask her to join them, or offer her a seat. He simply picked up his newspaper again, the rustle of the paper making it clear that the moment of interruption was over.
(Come sit down. Tell me what happened at office today)
Thabal stood in the hallway, unnoticed and unwanted. She walked towards the backpack Nungshi had dropped. She was home, yet she felt farther away than she had been standing at Gate 4 in Nashik. The truth was stark and cold, she was here only because Nungshi had asked. To her parents, she was merely a problem that had returned, while Nungshi was the only success they cared to acknowledge.
Slowly, quietly, Thabal retreated, picking up her bags. Heading to her old room.
___________☁️____________
Hope you liked it
Stay safe sweeties🫂💗
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