Thabal pushed open the door. The room was clean, bedding freshly laundered, a vase of bright flowers on the desk, and a small stack of crime novels. Thabal's favorite genre, on the nightstand. It was a true sanctuary, a clear efforts Nungshi had made to ensure her sister's brief stay was bearable.
Thabal felt a sudden rush of emotion, the kind that made her throat sting. The silent, profound love from Nungshi contrasted so sharply with the cold indifference downstairs. She smiled gently, a soft sad smile.
She entered inside properly and walked towards the window which offered a view of the street. It was a place she used to hide and read as a child. She dropped the bags with a quiet sigh that no one below could hear and leaned against the cool wall.
She closed her eyes, trying to mentally push away the sharp, stinging memory of her parents' welcome. It was exhausting, this constant need to be invisible and quiet in her own house.
A few minutes later, Nungshi's quick footsteps came up the stairs. She stopped when she saw Thabal leaning against the wall, her face pale.
"Hey. Thoi? Keidawre?" Nungshi whispered, her voice immediately dropping to match the quiet atmosphere upstairs. Thabal opened her eyes and gave a small, humorless smile.
(What happen?)
"Just getting some air. It's warm downstairs." Nungshi knew exactly what she meant. She didn't press the issue. Instead, she reached out and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Thabal's face.
"Don't worry about them, Thoi. Just ignore them, okay? Eie lei sidi. Moi di dum sumaina ni. It's just their way of loving. They love you" Nungshi said, though the explanation felt thin even to her. Thabal didn't said anything. They didn't love her. They never did and will never do. She wanted to scream but decided against it.
(I am here. They are just like this)
"Now, go wash up" Nungshi nudged her. Thabal nodded. As Nungshi started to unpack the duffel, folding clothes with meticulous care, Thabal walked over to the desk. She placed her backpack down. Her fingers brushed the zipper, pausing briefly over the memory of Vikram's face.
She needed to call him, to hear his voice, a true voice of belonging, before facing the quiet battlefield of the dinner table. But she knew that any long conversation would have to wait until everyone was asleep. For now, she had to prepare for the trial ahead. She had to put on her mask of quiet observation.
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The dining room table was set with carefully. Thabal sat beside Nungshi, directly across from their parents. Her mother served the delicious, traditional Manipuri food, but the silence between the clink of silverware was heavy and cold.
"Macha, hangchit di Sanu gi luhongbani noi chatluro. Noibu kawrakpani moi mama duna" her mother said, turning to Nungshi as she serve her.
(Baby, the day after tommorow is Sanu's wedding. Her mother invited you both)
"Woah! Thoi hayeng shopping chatlunaba" Nungshi decided with excitement for the upcoming program. Thabal said nothing just nodded with a small smile.
(Thoi let's go shopping tommorow)
They started eating in silence. Taking the curry from their respected bowls. It was a peaceful yet tensed silence until a voice decided to cut through the silence.
"So, the MBBS course" her father started, his voice sharp as he finally looked at Thabal. Thabal whereas froze hearing him. It was better to be unnoticed and ignored than being insulted and taunted.
"I received the email from the university. You came in first in the overall merit list this semester."
Thabal nodded, quietly accepting the half-praise.
"Yes, Pa. I topped two subjects"
"Only two" her mother repeated, her tone immediately dismissive as she placed a large piece of fish onto Nungshi's plate.
"Your cousin, Sanam, finished first in her class in Guwahati, even with the distractions of living at home. You are staying in a hostel, Thabal, with nothing to do but study. Dugjam fhajana leira fhawta 2 subjects khata?" Thabal's chest tightened, the familiar sting of being a topper who wasn't perfect hitting her again. She glanced at Nungshi, who gave her a subtle, calming shake of the head.
(Even after staying in such a nice environment just two subjects?)
"I am studying hard, Mama" Thabal insisted softly.
"My college has one of the toughest programs in the country." She continued to explain.
"Toughness is an excuse for failure," her father countered, folding his hands on the table.
"Ng gi lyrik ta paisa chang ngei mapan tharimi. Akhoina ngonda kari achaw asang nikhrage? Akhoigi mai ngak uu, langanu tani hairiba. Siga su ng ngamdradi kei kanari?" He didn't need to say more. It was a clear, cold reminder that they judged her every move, finding her lack of being a perfect daughter.
(We have invested a lot of money in your studies and sent you outside. What impossible things did we ask from you? We just told you to maintain our reputation and not to get spoilt. And if you can't even protect that little thing what's the use?)
Nungshi quickly cut in, her voice bright and defending.
"Pa, Thabal is doing brilliantly. She've got achievement at that university. They're lucky to have her. Besides, I know she's gaining incredible practical experience. Thabal, tell them about the complex surgery you assisted with last month. The one you told me about that you got recognized for?"
Thabal jumped at the chance, expecting it might make them feel proud of her.
"It was a complex gastrointestinal case. The senior surgeon actually allowed me to perform the suturing at the end, and he wrote a positive note about my work to the department head." She smiled widely, her heart racing with pride and happiness.
"You only performed the suturing" her mother cut in sharply, completely ignoring the pride in Thabal's voice. She turned to Nungshi, her expression softening into pure pride.
"Macha. Ng di clients kya fhangi ngashi?" She asked. The conversation immediately shifted, leaving Thabal's accomplishment to be forgotten instantly.
(Baby. How many clients did you get today?)
For the next ten minutes, her parents poured all their praise onto Nungshi, her achievements, her excellent salary, her stability, and her sensible choice to remain close to home. Thabal sat quietly, pushing food around her plate, feeling the deeper taunt in every word aimed at her sister. The message was cruel but clear. Nungshi was the perfect daughter, the successful, stable one who made them look good. Who followed their legacy. Thabal, despite her brilliance, was a disappointment because she broke the legacy and choose a work against the family's wish.
Thabal felt utterly drained, her appetite gone. She looked across at her sister, whose gentle expression was the only sign that she truly understood the depth of the pain those cold words had caused. Dinner was over, leaving Thabal emotionally exhausted and sick to her stomach.
🦋🦋🦋------------------
Thabal lay curled up in her bed, the door locked and the lights off. She waited until the sounds downstairs had completely stopped. Around 11:00 pm, she finally pulled her phone from under her pillow.
She went straight to his contact and hit the call button, needing to hear his voice now. Vikram answered on the first ring, his voice low and heavy with sleep, a clear sign that he had been waiting up for her call.
"Madam finally called hm?" he murmured, his voice filled with a hint of teasing. The sound instantly melt away the cold, quiet tension from the dining table.
"Hmm, kya bolu. Itna kuch chaos tha." A small, genuine smile touched her lips.
"How was the flight? Did you get to the house okay? Tell me everything," he pressed, his voice moving from sleepy to fully focused.
"Umm. Sab aacha hi tha. Matlab nothing much. But to be honest bohot tiring journey tha. I feel all my bones crackling" she groaned in a whining tone. Vikram chuckled hearing her.
"Rest well after this. You need a proper long nap to function well again" he said gently, concerned laced in his voice.
"Hmm" She smiled faintly hearing him. Talking to him after all that mental pressure felt like getting a whims of fresh air in between smoke and dust.
"Parso ek shadi hai. Chiche ke saath jaaungi. Kal shopping jane ki baat kahi hai. Dekhte hai kya aacha milega" she hummed softly.
"Tumhe konsa jyada sundar dhundhne ka tension hai. Whatever you wear, you will stand out in it" Thabal chuckled hearing him. She couldn't help and let out a soft laugh.
"Aap aur aapki yeh flirtings" she shook her head, looking up at the wall above. A smile lingering on her lips.
"Umhm. But that's what impress you" he teased and Thabal swear she could see him smirking behind the phone.
"Don't flatter yourself Mr officer. Learn to live in reality" she teased him back. Vikram chuckled hearing her.
"I am living in reality. You need it too now. Soon tumhe bhi realise hojayega" he sighed in a dramatic way. Thabal giggled at his words.
There was a silence between them. A comfortable, comforting silence.
"Thabal" he called after a minute or more, earning a hum from her.
"Thik ho?" He asked. Thabal immediately closed her eyes hearing him. Her heart clenching in need. In need of him. Of his presence.
"Hmm" she hummed in return. Vikram didn't speak immediately. He let a pause of silence between them for a moment.
"Chand" and that seem like the breaking point of her control. She let out a sigh, a tired sigh. She chewed on her lower lips slightly. Not able to say anything. Vikram didn't rush her. He simply listened to her uneven breathing and quiet restraint.
"Vi-vikram" she called out softly. Her tone a bit vulnerable. And Vikram would be lying if he says it didn't effect him at all. Because it did. Much more than it was needed. He took a sharp breathe in, controlling his not so holy thoughts.
"Bolo. Sun raha hoon" he responded gently, his voice hoarse and rough.
"I- i. I miss you. I miss you so much. I wish you were here. It's so difficult without you. Kuch sahi nahi lag raha. Sab galat lag raha hai. I-i want to lay at your shoulder for once. Just a-again" she felt her eyes water as completed. The sudden confession was raw, desperate. It wasn't the whole truth, but it was the safest truth she could offer.
Vikram listened to her patiently. He felt his own heart heavy. With the need to hold her in a comforting, warm hug. To console her that he was there. For her. Always. Whenever she needs.
"I know. I know chand. It's okay. I will be there for you as soon as you come back. I miss you too. Jitna tum soch sakti ho usse kayi jyada." He comforted her gently with his calm words.
"Am I being too clingy?" She asked after a moment. Feeling insecure or her own action. She wants to be perfect for him. Vikram laughed a little hearing her.
"Mujhe tum aachi lagti ho. Har ek rup pe. Jaise bhi ho. I like you real. Jaise ho waise hi raho. I don't want you changing yourself for anyone. Mere liye toh bilkul bhi nahi" he answered gently, his deep manly voice tingling her, but at the same time calming her soul down.
Thabal smiled and chuckled softly.
"Aapka din kaisa tha? Koi chor pakra aaj?" She asked, a hint of tease lingering in her voice. Vikram smiled hearing her and shook his head.
"Haan chor hi samajlo. Kuch drug related case ka jhamela hai. Ussi ki investigation and stuff chalu hai" he informed about his whole day in just a sentence. Hearing him Thabal sighed a little. She drew circles over her pillow. He must be so stressed and tired after all this. She wondered internally.
"Thak jate honge na aap? Itna sab jhamele mein?" She let out her thoughts. Vikram chuckled hearing her. Ah! His innocent Chand. So caring and kind.
"Haan thoda bohot. Par tumse baat karli na aab. Toh thakan ka dose mil gaya. Abhi i don't even know thakan kya chiz hai" he spoke making her giggle in return.
Just then a loud noise echoed from Vikram's side. He snapped his head towards the source of sound. A harsh knocking on his door. His eyes narrowed slightly. Someone in his house knocking at his door that too in the middle of the night? Definitely not normal.
He slid his hand under his pillow, pulling out his favourite gun. Loading the gun swiftly he stood up from his bed.
"Vikram? Kya huwa? Awaj aayi aapke waha se. Aap thik hai?" Thabal asked, concerned at his sudden stillness.
"Shh chand! Everything's fine. Lemme see who is it" Vikram whispered softly to her. Consoling her silently with his gentle affirmation.
Vikram walk slowly towards the door. As he neared it. He heard a familiar voice.
"Sir!! It's me. Urgent hai sir" came shinde's voice behind the door. Vikram immediately opened the door, facing a slightly tensed Shinde.
"Kya baat hai? Woh bhi itni raat gaye?" Vikram asked immediately, sensing something fishy.
"Sir. Woh. Sagar Nath. Mumbai aaya hai sir woh. Mere kuch khabriyo ne pata lagaya. Abhi 15 minutes pehle hi pohocha hai. Suna hai Singapore pe tha tabse" Vikram chuckled hearing him. Not the soft and playful chuckle like he does with Thabal. Instead it was a dangerous and evil one.
"Khud apne per pe kulhari mar raha hai chuti-" Vikram stopped himself from completing the sentence as he suddenly remembered that his chand was still on the line.
He placed the phone on his ear.
"Chand. I am sorry I have to go for Mumbai. Urgent kam aagaya hai. Tum so jaw, hm? Rest well" he informed in short. Thabal straightened her poster hearing him. Mumbai that too in the middle of the night?
"Aacha thik hai. But you are okay right?" She asked, her tone low and hesitant. Vikram could feel his lips tugged up hearing her. Oh! How he loved her care. He felt desperate, his situation was similar to a dog wagging it's tail infront of it's master for attention. But he didn't really care. All he cared was about her. And just her.
"Mujhe kya hona hai. Thik hoon mein" he hummed gently against the phone. Shinde whereas looked freaked out. He looked at Vikram with wide eyes.
Is this man fucking serious? He had a large search operation on a single man. Making his spies and dogs chase after him just for a trace of him. And when finally he was in their fist. All Vikram was doing was blushing and shit.
Shinde face palmed himself, silently groaning.
"Take care. Wapas safely aana"she whispered to him gently. Silently praying for him. Vikram smiled a little. But his heart smiled wider inside.
"Hmm" he hummed and hung up the call.
Thabal stared at the black screen of her phone and held it to her chest. The silent comfort from Vikram was enough to calm her, for now. She was still tired and hurting, but she had secured her anchor. She was alone in the room, but she wasn't alone in the world.
All she was worried now was about him departing to another city. She prayed silently for his safety until sleep took over her.
___________☁️__________
Hope you enjoyed it
Stay safe sweeties🦫🍓✨
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