It was almost 8 pm. They walked through a few blocks away to a quiet, street lined with a local neighbourhood area. The streetlights were dim, casting long shadows.
They walked along the footpath, steps slow, unhurried. Thabal looked around, then up at him.
"Aaj ka din bohot achha tha" she said quietly. Vikram looked at her and smiled.
"Good" he replied slowly. They continued walking side by side. In a quiet, comfortable silence. The only thing making noise was the cricket.
Their hands brushed once and then again. Thabal felt her heart thud against her ribcage. It touched again, until his fingers slowly curled around hers. She didn't pull away. Slowly and shyly, she entangled her fingers with his.
They walked like that, silently, steps in sync. Thabal glanced up at him. He was looking straight ahead, jaw relaxed, shoulders loose.
"Jyada aacha lag raha hoon kya?" He smirked still looking straight at the road. Thabal blushed and looked away.
"Asa kuch nahi hai" she mumbled in her defense. Vikram chuckled hearing her. They stopped in front of a small, closed antique shop. The entrance was recessed and dimly lit by a single lantern, offering perfect, quiet solitude.
"Idhar itna shant hai" Thabal spoke, looking around. There was no noise at all. Completely opposite from the city, just a few steps away.
"Hmm" Vikram hummed and then looked at her. The way she was admiring the quiet night. The way she was watching the moon. His moon was watching the real moon up there.
Her presence still feels like a dream to him. Till now. Their hands, they were still intertwined. Vikram slowly detached it, gaining her attention. She looked at him with a questioning gaze, as if asking why he pull away.
Vikram inched his hand towards her face and removed the few strands of hair, tucking it behind her ear. He let his hand linger over the nape of her neck for a few seconds.
Vikram’s thumb brushed lightly against her skin, slow, deliberate. Thabal's breath hitched, her eyes fluttering shut for a brief second before opening again. She could feel the warmth of his hand, the closeness of him, too close now.
His eyes were dark, serious, and locked entirely on her. He was silent for a long moment, simply gazing at her. The air between them grew heavy, charged with anticipation. Vikram slowly moved his hand to cup her cheek, and began to lean in.
Their faces were inches apart, breaths mingling, the world narrowing down to just the two of them. His forehead touched hers. Their noses brushed against each other. Thabal felt her breath quickened.
"Oi Hero! Room pe jake kar yeh sab" a sudden, sharp voice cut through the silence. Thabal and Vikram froze, pulling apart instantly. Two young men, clearly in their mid 20s were sitting on a bike. Eyes mockingly roaming on the intimate couple.
"Itni raat gaye apni heroine ke saath romance. Woh bhi khule mein, huh? Jyada dikhane ka shok hai kya? Asa hai toh hum bhi toh dekhe tumhari masuka ko" one of the men smirked and the other one whistled. The one speaking climbed down from the bike and stood in front of them proudly.
Thabal stiffened hearing their vile words, while Vikram closed his eyes for half a second, jaw tightening. He turned slowly, the polite, loving expression instantly snapping into the usual cold, commanding stoic expression.
He didn't speak, he just let the street light beam settle on his face. The men took one look at his face and went pale. They stood frozen in their place. The one sitting on the bike without a second thought, drive away. Leaving his friend alone to face the officer's wrath.
"Si-sir. S-sir. Sir please. M-maaf kardo. Meine p-pehechana nahi" the man left behind stammered, panic flooding his features.
"S-sir -"
"Marna hai kya chutiye?" Vikram asked, voice cold and clipped. If looks could kill, the man would have been dead by now. Because currently Vikram was slicing him with his sharp gaze.
"Bhag" was the only thing he said. The man didn't need any more warning. He turned on his heel and disappeared down the street like his life depended on it. Silence fell again.
Thabal burst out laughing, breaking the silence.
"Asa lag raha tha abhi pant gili kardega woh" she giggled, clutching her stomach. Vikram turned back to her, unimpressed.
"Funny lag raha hai?" He asked with a raised brow. She nodded shamelessly. He shook his head, lips twitching despite himself. She stepped closer, eyes shining with mischief.
"Aapse sab ase hi darte hai?" She asked playfully.
"Shayad se. Tum hi ek ho. Sar pe bethi ho" he smiled slyly at her. Teasing her. Thabal smiled and came even closer to him.
"Mein kyu daru aapse" she said softly, dragging her words. Vikram looked at her with his brow raised.
"Mujhe toh aap pasand hai. Koi apne pasandida insaan se darta hai bhala?" She slowly said, almost in a soft whisper, inching more closer, their face almost touching.
Vikram froze hearing her. He gulped a lump down. His heart racing faster than any horse. His hands suddenly turned cold.
"Mujhe aap ussi din hi pasand aagaye the jab aap woh gali pe aaye the. To find me. I knew it from there. My heart isn't so much in my control. Aapka jo hogaya hai" she looked at him in his eyes, her eyes swarming with various emotions. While he was stiffened in his place to finally hear her confess.
His heart was now beating at an abnormal speed. Thabal giggled looking at his stiffened state. She placed her palm on her chest, feeling his racing heartbeat.
"Pure district ke SP ho. Har koi kapta hai aapko dekhke. Just a glance and everyone is gone. Now that same person is shivering under my touch?" She teased, the corners of her lips curling into a playful smirk.
Vikram inhaled a breath in and closed his eyes for a second before opening it. This time darker and filled with an unknown desire.
"Isse ek aur kadam aage baraya toh kiss kardunga. And once I do. Tum meri hogi. Bas meri. Chaha ke bhi tumhe nahi chorunga. Apne se bandh ke rakhunga jindagi bhar" he whispered hoarsely to her. Giving her a brief warning.
She bit her lip, her heart raced but she smiled. Instead of answering, she rose slightly on her toes and pressed a soft, quick peck to his lips. Just one second. But it was enough. Something snapped in him.
Vikram's hand came to her waist instantly, pulling her closer as his other hand cupped her face. He lowered his head to her level and leaned in quickly. His lips found hers again, this time slow, deep and passionate. The kiss was filled with everything he had been holding back. Thabal melted into it, fingers tightening at his collar, she tried to copy his actions. Moving her lips with sync.
The quiet street, the dim lights, the forgotten interruption, everything disappeared. It was just them. They were sharing their first kiss. In an intimate manner.
Vikram felt crazy. Her lips, they were driving him crazy. He felt more greedy for them, as he continued to suck on her lips. Both of their eyes were closed. Completely lost in the moment of kiss.
She was fucking his. She was never fucking leaving her ever after this. A possessive feeling surged through him all of a sudden. He held her even closer, his hand roaming around her waist. Caressing it in a seductive manner. Thabal moaned at it.
"Hahhh" she opened her mouth and moaned softly. And that's it. That was a fucking invitation for Vikram. His tongue entered her warm mouth. Their tongues met, swirling against each other. At this point, he wasn't kissing her. But eating her mouth.
He pushed her slightly, making her take a few steps back. As the shop's shutter came near, Vikram placed his palm over the back of her head, preventing it from hitting the shutter.
Thabal was gasping for breath. She immediately hit his shoulder, signalling him to stop. Vikram unwillingly pulled away, but not before taking a long suck of her lips. He kept his forehead against hers, they were both breathless. The air around them felt charged. Everything else was silent. For the meanwhile, the only noise was their quiet gasp.
Thabal's lashes fluttered open, eyes dazed, lips swollen, chest rising and falling as she tried to steady herself. She felt her whole body burning from desire and shyness.
"Janwar kahike" she muttered under his breath, which unfortunately Vikram heard. He chuckled and placed a deep, lingering kiss over her hair. Then cupped her face and kissed every corner of her face.
Thabal squeezed her eyes shut and giggled at the tickling feeling of his stubble beard.
"Bas bas" she laughed and stopped him.
"Pagal kardogi tum mujhe" he murmured, gazing at her intently. Thabal held the eye contact. And then suddenly hugged him. He pulled her into his chest, more closely, a desperate need for physical touch. Her cheek rested against his heartbeat. She wrapped her arms around his waist without hesitation, fitting there like she had always belonged.
Vikram rested his arms around her shoulders. He kept his chin on her head. Thabal suddenly moved her face away, looking up at him.
"Abhi hum kya hai?" She asked him, genuinely confused. Vikram smiled at her innocent question.
"Jo tum chaho" he answered.
"Aare ase kaise chalega. There should be something official between us" she said, frowning. Very serious about it. Vikram chuckled in return.
"Acha. Girlfriend ban jawo meri" he said so casually, it made her gasp. Feeling offended.
"Ase thodi bolte hai. Proper proposal chahiye mujhe. Aache se bolo" she demanded, annoyed. Vikram shook his and sighed with a smile. He looked around, as if finding something. And then his eyes fall upon a tree. Perfect!
He moved away from the hug and walked towards the tree. Standing on his toes, he grabbed a few branches and brought it to his level. Thabal watched in amusement as she saw him plucking the jasmine flowers, blooming on the tree. A small smile appeared on her lips.
Vikram turned to her and smiled. He arranged the flowers in his hand and walked towards her. As he near her, he stopped a few inches before. Taking a breath in, he slowly sat on his knees. Looking up at her.
"Miss S. Thabal. I Vikram Sharma, has taken a deep liking for you. I want to start a future ahead together. Just the two of us. So would you do the honour of being my girlfriend? I promise, i will cherish you forever" he confessed, a smile tugging on his lips. Thabal giggled and nodded quickly.
"Yes, i would love to be your girlfriend" she squeled and took the flowers from him. Before he even stood up, she jumped to hug him. Almost making him stumble back by the sudden force. Vikram froze at first but then relaxed. He wrapped his arms around her and chuckled.
🦋🦋🦋----------------
The car slowed down in front of her hostel just as the first drops of rain began to fall. It was light at first, soft and drizzling. Vikram parked near the gate, engine still running, headlights cutting through the growing drizzle. The familiar building stood quiet, dimly lit, watching them silently.
Thabal unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to him. For a second, neither spoke.
"Jaldi chali jana. Jyada der bheeg ke mat raho" he said softly, his eyes reflecting care.
"Haan" she nodded, fingers tightening around her sling bag. She opened the door, and the rain greeted her properly now, speckling her hair and shoulders as she stepped out. She closed the door and then paused. Something tugged at her chest.
Her heart started racing. She gulped, the rain dropping over her head and soaking her body. She shivered slightly, feeling the cold rain drop on her skin.
Before Vikram could even ask, she suddenly leaned through the open car window, one hand braced on the door frame. And kissed him. Slow and tender. A seductive one. Teasingly sucking his lips. Vikram froze for half a heartbeat before his hand came up to cradle her cheek through the open window, thumb brushing her jaw.
He pulled the kiss deeper. Sucking on her lips with more passion. She pulled back just enough to smile at him, eyes shining. Vikram looked at her, his eyes burning with desire. Clearly showing that he wasn't satisfied with the kiss which finished just in seconds.
"Andar jaw Thabal. Agar ek minute aur idhar rahi toh sachmein. Bhaga le jaaunga tumhe apne saath" His gaze darkened, voice dropping into that familiar warning tone, dangerously sincere.
She smiled and took a few backward steps toward the gate, never breaking eye contact. Then, with one last mischievous smile, she turned and ran inside, rain soaking her dress.
Vikram sat there for a long moment, hands still on the steering wheel, rain drumming softly around him. A slow smile spread across his face. He chuckled and shook his head.
"Pagal ladki" he muttered to himself.
If it wasn't enough, he have even fallen for her more than before.
__________🌸_________
Stay safe sweeties 🦋🍁
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter🎀✨
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