Two days slipped by quietly. Thabal spent her time with her books and night calls with Vikram. Nowadays he was busy too. Can't blame him though. He was the SP! And she couldn't be any more proud of him.
She was grateful just at the thought that, even in his busy schedule he takes out time for her. To talk to her. For hours.
When she would be bored, she would munch on the achar, packed by her sister while watching her favourite turkish drama. Uff! The men were to die for.
She would eat, watch drama, study, eat again, talk to him and then sleep. This was the routine for the past two days. She was seriously bored. She just wanted her friends at this point. She was ready to bear their continuous bickering for once.
Right now, she lay sprawled on her bed, one leg bent, the other dangling off the side, her biology textbook open on her stomach. Open but very much unread. Her eyes traced the same paragraph for the fifth time.
She sighed and flipped the page only to realise she hadn't absorbed a single word. A frustrating groan escaped her lips.
"Why is this so boring yaarrr!" She huffed with a pout. The ceiling fan hummed lazily above her. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, painting warm stripes across her bed. It was exactly 3:00 PM when her phone vibrated beside her pillow.
She frowned and grabbed her phone. And as soon as she saw the screen, her eyes lit up. A smile bloomed on her lips before she answered.
"Hiiiiii" she dragged her words with a giggle at the end.
"Padh rahi ho?" Vikram's voice came through the speaker, calm and amused, as if he already knew the answer. Thabal glanced at the book, then at the notebook laying carelessly.
"Haan… sort of" she replied, biting her lips. He chuckled at it. Knowing her tone well.
"Jhoot bolna bhi seekh lo thoda ache se" He teased. Making her huff.
"Bore feel ho raha hai" she whined slightly. There was a brief pause on the other end. Thabal heard him inhale a breath in. And then.
"Ready ho jao" he said simply. Grabbing her attention immediately. She quickly sat up in a go. Her brows knitted together.
"Huh? Ready? Kyu?" She fired questions upon him.
"Because chand. I am right infront of your building" and that was all needed for Thabal to sprint up from her bed and run towards the window. Quickly opening the window, she stared at Vikram with wide eyes.
Vikram waved at her playfully, with a smirk playing on his lips.
"Get ready and come down. I will take you to my place" he dropped another bomb. Her body jolted upright.
"KYA?" She exclaimed in surprise, shock and what not. She stood near the window, frozen and phone pressed to her ear.
"Par aachanak se? Aur warden?-" she asked in panic but he interrupted gently.
"Don't worry about that. Mein hoon na. Bas tayar hoke aajaw. 10 minute ke under aajana" he said eyeing her through her window.
"Par par. 10 minutes? Yeh-" she stammered in sudden anxiousness.
"Chand" he called calmly. Gaining all her attention. She finally gulped and calmed down. Hearing him call her.
"Operation karne nahi ja rahi ho. Mere saath ja rahi ho. Mere ghar. Hm? Tension mat lo. You trust me right?" He asked, which she just hummed, looking down. Feeling flustered.
"See. Look at me. Meri aankhon mein dekho" he instructed her. Thabal slowly lifted her eyes and watched him. He didn't say anything for a few moments.
He just stared at her, no emotions at all. Just admiring. Admiring to his fullest. And then he smirked, making her confused. What happened to him now?
"You know. You look hot in my shirt" BUSTED!
Thabal stood frozen for a second before she processed his words. She looked down at herself and then realised that she was wearing the shirt she stole. Her eyes immediately widened in realisation. Fuck it!!
She immediately pulled the curtains and slapped her forehead.
"Shit!" She cussed loudly and then quickly hung up the call. She made a crying face and screamed inaudibly. Groaning in shame and embarrassment.
"Why? Why? Why am I so dumb?" She muttered to herself, palming her face. Just then her phone tinged, indicating a notification.
She picked up and checked to see his message.
Strict Sharma ji😤❗
Now don't start cursing yourself. Get ready.
Thabal groaned and huffed. What an embarrassment. Her cheeks warmed up remembering the scene.
🦋🦋🦋--------------
Thabal stepped out of the hostel gate and spotted him waiting, leaning casually against his jeep, sunglasses on, sleeves rolled up. He was looking at something on his phone. His fingers busy scrolling.
She cleared her throat dramatically to catch his attention. And it worked. Vikram looked up and froze. He slowly took out his glasses to see her properly. His eyes felt blessed to be greeted by her view. Just before him.
She was wearing a white kashmiri kurti. Along with a light blue paired jeans. Her medium length hair was left open. She looked like an angel in white. He couldn't really move his eyes from her. His throat suddenly felt dry. His usual flirty remarks now seemed lost.
He was brought back to reality when Thabal inched close to him and cupped his face to check his temperature. Vikram visibly flinched under her sudden touch.
"Tabiyat toh thik hai. Aapko kya huwa? Kaha kho gaye the?" She asked in confusion. Vikram blinked once. Then twice.
"Tabiyat bilkul theek hai. Bas nazar atak gayi" he said slowly, eyes still fixed on her face.
"Nazar? Kis cheez pe?" She frowned.
"Tumpe" he said smoothly. She immediately pulled her hands back from his face like she had touched fire.
"Aap bhi na!" she huffed, cheeks warming.
"And ase ghuro mat. Ase ghurne se atke ga hi" she glared at him playfully. He chuckled at it, finally straightening up.
"Ghur nahi raha tha. Observe kar raha tha." He corrected himself smartly.
"Observe? Police wale ho toh har cheez ka analysis zaroori hai kya?" she scoffed, walking past him toward the passenger seat.
"Jab subject itna interesting ho, toh haan" he replied, opening the door for her. Before she could do it. She paused mid-step and glanced back.
"Subject? Aapko mein subject dikhti hoon?" She asked with a frown. To which he smirked and leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"Nahi, usse bhi barkar ho" he whispered. Her heart skipped at it. She froze for half a second, then climbed into the jeep without another word, slamming the door just a little too hard.
He laughed under his breath and got in. As the jeep started moving, Thabal crossed her arms and stared out of the window, pretending to be very invested in the passing trees.
"Shirt kab churaya" Vikram asked casually. Thabal didn't turned to him nor answered. Her face was already red. She was internally praying for him to forget all those. And here he was. Asking her about that!!!!
Ughhh!
She kept mum, closing her eyes in embarrassment. Vikram glanced at her once. Then again. She had gone suspiciously quiet. His lips curled up in a sly smile.
"No reply? Matlab crime admit hogaya " he asked, amusement lacing his voice. She kept her eyes shut tighter, as if disappearing was an option. Her lips pressed into a thin line.
"Chand" he called gently. Silence. He slowed the jeep slightly and leaned a bit toward her.
"Aankhein band kar lene se sach change nahi ho jaata" She groaned softly and finally opened one eye, glaring at him.
"Aap chup nahi reh sakte na? Ek baar bhi?" She fumed at him to which he just smiled. Utterly pleased.
"Nahi. Especially when you are this cute" he teased.
"I am not cute" she snapped, then immediately realised how weak that sounded. She huffed and looked out of the window again.
He laughed at her reaction. A proper deep laugh.
"Relax. Accha laga mujhe" he smiled to himself as he continued to drive through the road. Thabal frowned hearing him.
"Kya?" She asked.
"That you wore my shirt. It... It looks good on you" he said, his tone softening at last. Her heart did something stupid in her chest. She swallowed and mumbled.
"Wapas kar dungi" Vikram smirked at it. His innocent chand.
"Tum rakhlo. Looks better on you" he answered back. She finally turned to him, but not fully. Just eyeing him sideways. Truth to be told, she didn't want to return the shirt too. It brought her a sense of comfort. She felt him close whenever she hugged the shirt, close to her.
The road grew quieter as they drove farther from the hostel area. Trees lined the sides. The wind brushed against her face through the slightly open window, making the strands of her hair fly along the wind. After a while, she spoke again, softer this time.
"Aap itne busy rehte ho fhir bhi itna time kaise mil raha hai aapko mujhe lene aane mein" she asked, looking at him. Vikram however kept his gaze on the road.
"Jab tumhe dekhta hoon, toh dimaag thoda shant ho jaata hai" was all he said. And that was all she needed to keep quiet. Her fingers curled into the fabric of her kurti.
She turned away from him and looked out of the window. A small smile playing on her lips. Her heart thudding fast, her stomach? Filled with millions of butterflies.
The Jeep slowed down as they turned into a quieter neighbourhood, clean roads, tall trees lining both sides, houses standing at a respectful distance from one another. Finally, he spoke.
"Ghar pe mein aakela hoon. Bas ek housekeeper hai. Kavita mausi. She is like family. Has been serving me for years" he informed. Thabal nodded and grabbed the information.
"Don't worry though. She is really sweet. You would love her" he added with a small smile on his lips. With that, he took a left turn and stopped the Jeep in front of a large house. Thabal looked at it and couldn't move her eyes away from it. The house. It was really pretty. So damn mesmerizing.
It was a beautiful brick house with a large, curved front porch. It has tall white columns and a warm wooden front door. The windows are big with dark frames, and a pretty stone path leads through the green bushes to the front steps. It looks like a very cozy and quiet place to live.
Her attention snapped when Vikram opened the door for her. He gestured for her to come out, forwarding his hand to her.
"Bas bahar se hi dekhna hai ya andar bhi chalogi?" He arched a brow at her. Thabal smiled, but didn't say anything. She gently took his large hand and held it close.
Holding his hand, she followed him towards the door. Vikram rang the doorbell twice. Thabal suddenly felt a bit nervous. It felt like she was being taken to meet his parents. Her palm suddenly felt sweaty. Her mind started clouding with different thoughts. And it started with her dress. She should have worn something better. Why did she even choose this?
Her chain of thoughts were broken when Vikram squeezed her hand softly, in an assuring manner.
"Jyada mat socho, hm? There's nothing to worry about" he rubbed the pad of his thumb over her hand. Before Thabal could respond, the front door opened.
A woman in her early fifty stepped out, wiping her hands on the edge of her saree. Her face lit up instantly when she saw Vikram. But then her gaze fell upon Thabal too. She froze for a minute. Her eyes then fall upon their intertwined hands. She gasps but then immediately grinned.
"Rukho rukho. Abhi andar mat aana" She quickly turned back and was about to go inside. But Vikram stopped her.
"Aare mausi. Under kyu bhag rahi ho" he asked in a confused tone. Why was she behaving weird all of a sudden.
"Aare kaisi baat kar raha hai. Bahu ghar aayi hai. Bina aarti utare thodi ase hi andar aayegi" Kavita turned and scolded him softly. And that's it. Thabal immediately turned red in shyness. She looked away and snatched her hand from him too. Vikram just palmed his face and sighed.
"Bhaga nahi laya hoon mausi. Ghar dikhane laya hoon. Aapse milane" he corrected her. Earning a disappointed face from her.
"Oh" was all she said. Then she tsked.
"Tum toh haath pakre huwe the uske. Toh mujhe laga bhaga ke le aaye" she huffed, feeling her dreams broken in just a snap. But then she quickly turned to Thabal and smiled.
"Aare beti aawo na andar. Aajaw aajaw" she ushered her with a warm smile. Thabal although embarrassed, smiled at her back and both of them entered.
Thabal looked around as soon as she entered. The hall was quite big and wide. The whole house was painted in light colours. White and ice blue. The kitchen in light peach. She could recognise it by the small view, which was visible from the place she stood at.
Vikram sat down on the couch and gestured for her to sit too. Thabal slowly sat near him. Fiddling with her fingers. Her hands shaking a bit in nervousness. Her eyes continued to roam around. There was a huge frame of 7 horses running.
Some part of the hall was decorated by his pictures, of his achievements. While some by flower pots. Which she was sure Kavita must have handled it.
"Deva! Itni sundar ladki pasand kiya hai tune Vikram" Kavita's word made her come out of her la la land. Thabal couldn't help but smile shyly at her comment. Whereas Vikram had a proud look over his face. He leaned comfortably on the couch and smirked.
"Kya naam hai beta?" Kavita asked her lovingly. Thabal looked up to her and passed her a warm smile.
"Thabal" she answered. Kavita raised her eyebrows in amusement.
"Jitni pyari dikhti ho, utna hi pyaara naam hai" Kavita cupped her cheeks and chuckled. Thabal was a blushing mess by now.
"Itna tarif karogi mausi toh traffic light ki tarah lal hojayegi" Vikram teased from side. Earning a cute glare from Thabal. Kavita smiled at herself seeing their playful interaction.
"Kya peeyogi beta? Chai? Coffee? Juice?" She asked. To which Thabal immediately shook her head.
"Aare nahi nahi aunty. Aap bethiye aur baat kariye bas. It's okay. Yeh sab ki jarurat nahi" she denied respectfully. Kavita smiled hearing her. Her hindi was cute. It was broken. Her accent was completely different from others.
She wanted to ask where she was from. But felt it would sound offending.
"Aare pagli. Pehli baar aayi ho. Ase hi thodi jane dungi mein. Kha pike jana parega. Chai toh bas muh ke swad ke liye hai. Abhi picture baki hai" she grinned playfully. Thabal chuckled hearing her.
"Juice hi kar dijiye aunty" she replied to her previous question with a smile.
"Mausi, mere liye chai!" Vikram added. To which Thabal elbowed him silently.
"Juice juice. Mere liye bhi juice" he quickly changed his words. Kavita watched the exchange with quiet satisfaction. Her lips curving up a little.
'hm, so there's finally someone who could control Vikram, in her finger's tune. Nice'
With that thought, Kavita turned and walked towards the kitchen. And as soon as she walked in. Thabal turned to Vikram and slapped on his hand.
"Meine juice bola toh aapko bhi bolna hai. Kyu aunty ko dusra chiz fhir banane mein pareshan kar rahe ho aap" she scolded. Vikram chuckled hearing her.
"Baapre! Abhi se tarafdari?" He smirked to which she smacked again, this time on the arm.
"Shii!" Vikram winced gaining her attention. She immediately stopped and examined his arm. A look of worry overpowered her face.
"Aare! Jyada lag gayi kya? Dard ho raha hai abhi bhi? I am so sorry. Meine dhyan nahi diya" she immediately apologised, feeling guilty upon her own recklessness. How stupid she could be!
"Dikhaw" she caught his arm gently and caressed the wounded area softly. Vikram watched her panic for a second or more. And then. He chuckled.
A full, loud and deep chuckle that echoed through the hall. Thabal froze mid-movement, eyes widening in realisation.
"Aap- aap acting kar rahe the?!" She scowled at him deeply.
"Galat career chun liya na?" He smirked at her playfully. Her mouth fell open. Then her eyes narrowed. Without any warning, she lunged toward him, swatting at his arm.
But Vikram dodged easily with the perfect reflex. He stood up and laughed. Signalling her to chase. Challenging her more. That's it! Thabal ran behind him across the hall, her slippers slapping against the tiled floor.
"Aaj toh aap gaye!" She warned, gritting her teeth in annoyance. They circled the couch once, nearly knocking over a flower pot.
"Careful!" he warned between laughs.
"You be careful! Because iske baad mein aapki ek ek haddiya tor dungi" she yelled at him, running behind him. He suddenly sprinted toward the stairs.
"Tum kyu torogi. Woh toh mera kam hai. Tum bas joro" he laughed as he ran up the stairs. He took the steps two at a time, his long legs helping him a lot. After a moment, he reached the landing, and pushed open a door.
"This side!" he called out. His smile never slipping off his face. It was the first time he was smiling so damn much. His chest felt full. Full of happiness and an overwhelming feeling.
She reached towards the door, panting slightly. With a huff, she pushed the door open. She stepped into the room and stopped. It was his study. The room was big yet calm. A large wooden desk near the window, files stacked neatly on one side, books arranged in careful rows. The walls held framed certificates, commendations, medals. Everything spoke of discipline and dedication.
Vikram leaned against the desk, catching his breath, watching her expression soften.
"Yeh mera study room hai. Aadha time idhar hi bitta hai" he informed. She walked in slowly, eyes scanning everything. She looked up at a framed photograph on the wall.
It was him. A younger version of him. He looked like he was in his late teens when he clicked it. It was with a senior officer. The officer was hanging a medal on his neck.
He looked young, calm and composed. He had that same expression earlier too. The cold face. A chuckle left her lips as she realised it. Vikram hasn't changed at all.
"Aapka aur bachpan ka photo nahi hai?" She asked turning to him to which he shook his head.
"Khichaya nahi kabhi. Jarurat hi nahi para" was his only answer. Her chest tightened. Such a traumatising thing for a young child. To think that taking a photo isn't worth it. She wanted to hug his childhood version. Kiss on his head and tell him that he is special, he is the best. That, he is important to her.
Vikram saw her dejected look. His sensitive chand. A small smile played on his lips. He opened another door connected to the study.
"This is the guest room" he said. Thabal turned towards his voice and saw a door open. The room was simple, airy, with light curtains and a neatly made bed. A vase of fresh flowers sat on the side table.
"Mausi ka favourite kam, decorate karna" he added. She smiled at it.
"Pata chal raha hai" she said, examining everything.
"Do aur guest rooms hai" he informed. And then guided her out of the room. Towards the corridor. As they walked, he opened the last door at the end of the hallway. His room. She hesitated for half a second before stepping in.
It was a large room, covered in beige colour. There was a just a single photo of his. Hung near the dressing table. A four feet photo frame. He was dressed in his uniform. Eyes sharp and cold, jaw clenched. His room was plain and simple.
No extras. No flowers, no exaggeration of decorations. There was only an alna for clothes, an almirah. A small table near his bed. A large king size bed, a tall lamp. Air conditioner and a swing near the large window.
Oh! A swing. Thabal looked at it again. Her eyes liting up. It was a simple steel swing. Painted in grey, sunlight spilled over it, making the space feel softer, warmer.
She immediately rushed over it and sat down carefully. The swing dipped slightly under her weight, creaking faintly. She held onto the thick metal chain and pushed herself back and forth, slow at first, then a little freer. A soft smile curved on her lips.
Vikram watched her for a moment before walking towards her and sitting near her, on the swing.
"Pasand aaya?" He asked to which she nodded immediately with a wide smile.
"Aapne bola kyu nahi ki aapke pass jhula bhi hai" she frowned playfully. Making him chuckle.
"Pata nahi tha itna pasand hai tumhe" he answered, watching her happy. A slow wind blew towards them, making her strands fall over her lips. Vikram raised his hand slowly removed it. Tucking her strands back, behind her ear.
"Yeh ghar aapki choice hai?" She asked, feeling lost in his eyes. Vikram smiled and shook his eyes, not breaking the eyecontact.
"Kuch mahine pehle hi pata chal gaya tha ki posting hone wali hai. Chandigarh pe tha tab. Mausi ke saath. Tab yeh ghar banwaya tha. Sab mausi ne banwaya hai. Mere pass itna time nahi tha ki apni choice bhi sochke bolu" he said. Thabal listened to him carefully.
"Toh....aapko pasand aaya yeh ghar?" She asked to which he didn't reply for few seconds, just watched her.
"Mere liye ghar jagah ya eent nahi hai Thabal. For me, home is a person. And I have been homeless all my life. Agar mein yeh ghar ki jagah, kisi mitti ke ghar pe bhi jake rahu. Lekin uske saath, jismein mujhe sukoon milta hai. Toh khush rahunga mein. Bohot" he answered.
'aur mujhe sukoon sirf tumse milta hai. Sirf tumse ' he whispered in his mind.
_______🌸________
Hope you enjoy it
Stay safe sweeties😁🍒✨
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