The conference room was filled with silence except for the speaker explaining. A long oval table occupied the center, files neatly stacked, water bottles aligned with discipline. Senior officers filled the seats, some talking in low voices, some flipping through papers, some already irritated because the meeting had crossed its scheduled time.
Vikram sat straight, backed in his chair, uniform crisp, expression unreadable. On the outside. While internally, his patience was thinning by the minute.
Claps were heard as the speaker finished and took his seat. The DIG sitting on his chair calmly, finally spoke up.
"I want to hear Vikram. Sharma? Would you brief us?" He asked, but everyone knew it was just a formality. The command was hidden by the question
Vikram stood up smoothly, pushing his chair back.
"Sure sir" he said, voice firm, professional. He grabbed his laptop and walked towards the projector. He opened his laptop and took a moment, as he went through some pictures and documents. Finally he stood straight, facing the people present. He started speaking.
Explaining and showing his plans. His ways, his every move. He cleared everything, not giving a chance for anyone to question him. And as he continued his eyes flickered briefly toward the wall clock. 2:40 pm. His jaw tightened. Her class ends at 2:30.
It has been few days. Thabal's classes have started again. Vikram dropped her off and pick her up as earlier. And today, he was late. He was fucking late. And it was eating up his mind.
He continued speaking without missing a beat. Yet glancing at the clock again. His fingers curled subtly against his palm. But the tension crept back in the moment he paused.
Was she waiting? She must be tired after her classes. She shouldn't wait. But she must be. Those thoughts clouded him. He hated not being there. The meeting dragged on.
He could continue more, but shortened the discussion and finished it up from his side. Claps followed by. All the senior officers looked at him impressed, the juniors too.
"I like Vikram's one more. His plan is more practical and it will benefit us too" the DGP concluded. All the others nodded too.
"Thank you sir" Vikram nodded in appreciation and took his seat. The meeting still extended. Discussions branched into unnecessary debates. Someone argued over jurisdiction. Someone else brought up paperwork delays.
Vikram sat back down, listening, nodding when required, but his leg had started bouncing under the table, a rare tell. Shinde, seated two chairs away, noticed. He raised an eyebrow slightly, puzzled.
Why does he seem so restless today. He wondered internally. And then he followed his gaze, eyes sticking on the clock over the wall. He finally understood his distress.
3:05 pm. Vikram exhaled slowly through his nose. He discreetly unlocked his phone under the table, screen hidden by his file. One quick glance. 1 miss call. It made it worse.
"Vikram sir, we will need your approval by tomorrow morning" a junior informed. Vikram looked at him and nodded.
"Hmm. I will take care of that" he assured, his tone stiff and professional like usual.
"All right. We will conclude here" the DGP announced. Fucking finally! Vikram was on his feet before the sentence even fully landed.
"Permission to leave, sir?" he asked formally.
"Granted" the senior nodded.
"Good work as always, Sharma" he added, a proud and smug look crossing on his face.
"Thank you, sir" Vikram nodded in return. The moment he stepped out of the conference room, professionalism dropped like a uniform jacket after duty. He pulled out his phone and dialed.
He started running at this point. Towards his jeep. He placed the phone against his ear. It rang once. Twice. Then picked up.
"Hello?" Thabal's voice came through. Soft and slightly impatient. His shoulders loosened instantly.
He opened the door of his jeep and entered in. Sitting inside, he started the engine. Putting the call on the loudspeaker.
"Classes khatam?" he asked, skipping greetings.
"Haan. Aap itne haaf kyu rahe hai? Kya huwa?" She asked in concern, hearing him breathing heavily.
"Kuch nahi. Bas bhag ke aaya tha. Late hogaya. I am sorry. You had to wait so much. Mein abhi 5 minute pe aa raha hoon" he assured her, increasing his speed. Driving away smoothly through the light traffic.
"Vikram. Dheere chalao. No need to rush. It's fine" she calmly said. Vikram hummed but drove faster anyway.
"Vikram, aap itna tension kyu lete hai. Calm down. I understand aap busy the" she said softly, trying to calm his nerves down. It worked. It did. But he still felt anxious about being late.
He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the road, jaw clenched the way it always did when he felt helpless against time.
"I don't like you waiting" he said finally, voice low, almost rough. There was a brief pause on the other end. Then her sigh came through the speaker, soft, patient.
"Achaaa. Toh next time meeting ko bolo thoda jaldi khatam ho jaye sir" she teased lightly. He huffed, the corner of his lips twitching despite himself.
"Agar mere bolne se DIG aur DGP sunne lag gaye na, toh duniya ulti hojani hai" he shook his head.
Traffic slowed near the university road. Students were scattered around, some laughing, some tired, some already rushing off. Vikram's eyes scanned the familiar figure.
"Gate pe ho?" He asked looking around. She hummed at it.
"See see" she started waving her hand widely. Seeing a familiar jeep. Vikram saw her standing alone at the waiting shed. He cut the call only after seeing her.
Parking the Jeep in the distance, he stepped out. She was standing, waiting for him. Her bag slung over her shoulder, hair loose, eyes fixed on him. Something in his chest loosened the second he saw her.
"You okay?" he asked, already in front of her, gaze scanning her face carefully. She nodded.
"Haan-" Before she could finish, he reached out, fingers brushing her hair away, from her face. He wiped the sweat sticking on her strands gently.
"Thaki huwi lag rahi ho" he said, examining her overall look. Thabal smiled and shook her head.
"Aare nahi. Bas garmi haina so thoda exhaustion ho raha hai. Nothing serious. Chalo" she said, hugging his arms with a casual smile. Vikram looked at her for a moment, then took the bag from her.
He adjusted the strap of her bag over his shoulder and guided her toward the jeep. She leaned into him instinctively, her steps matching his, the chaos of students and vehicles fading into background noise as they reached the jeep.
As he opened the door for her, she paused and looked up at him, eyes a little too hopeful for someone who had just said she wasn't tired.
"Kya huwa?" He asked gently, knowing well she was going to demand something.
She bit her lower lip, eyes darting briefly toward the row of stalls lining the road outside the university gate. The smell of fried snacks, spices, and something sweet hung thick in the air.
"Hmm…actually" she hummed innocently. He followed her gaze. And just like that, everything clicked. He chuckled and shook his head faintly.
"Khana hai tumhe?" He asked earning an eager nod. How damn fucking cute.
"Chalo, main area se khayenge. Udhar varieties hai" he suggested and she grinned happily. Nodding quickly.
"Yayy! Chalte hai jaldi. Mere under various cravings ho rahe hai. Momo bhi, samosa bhi, kulfi bhi, chaat bhi, aalu tiki bhi. Uff!!" She rambled as she sat inside the jeep. If she would have been a cartoon character, then a string of drool would have drip off her mouth.
Vikram said nothing, he smiled and shut the door for her. shutting the door after she sat.
"Aurrr......" She dragged thinking deeply about what to eat.
"Itna sab tumhari iss choti si pet pe jayega bhi?" He chuckled and teased, moving to the driver's side.
"Aap jyada mat bolo" she narrowed her eyes at him, offended
"Haan haan, bilkul" he replied dryly. And started the engine. His fingers tightened briefly around the steering wheel, lips pressing into a faint smile as he drove toward the main market road.
He drove in a medium pace, listening to her chatter.
"Ahh! You know what. Aaj test huwa tha hamara. And i got the highest. Luck aacha tha mera. Meine kal utna aache se para nahi, still i got the marks" she said in glee, giggling slightly.
Vikram smiled and turned to her. He placed his left hand on hers. Slowly caressing on it.
"I am proud of you" he expressed softly. Thabal looked at him for a moment then smiled. Small but genuine. Her heart felt full. Just by that single sentence.
As they reached the market area. The area was louder, brighter, rows of food stalls packed tightly together. Smoke rose from hot oil, laughter echoed, horns blared. Vikram parked at a familiar spot and stepped out, walking around to her side again like it was instinct.
As she came out he held her wrist lightly, pulling her close as they walked towards the food stalls. The road was busy and noisy. The stalls buzzed with life, vendors shouting orders, people crowding around with plates in hand.
Her eyes sparkled as she took it all in. She grinned and looked at him expectingly.
"Pehle kya?" he asked. She scanned the stalls thoughtfully, then pointed.
"Woh pani puri. Uske baad aloo chop. Uske baad-"
"Baby, ek saans mein bolna band karo" he interrupted her so gently that it made her feel things.
"Okay okay. Pehle pani puri. The og" she grinned. Vikram smiled and shook his head at her antics.
He ordered for her, watching closely as the vendor handed over the plate. She took one, the vendor handed her a puri and she popped it into her mouth, eyes fluttering shut in pure satisfaction.
"Mmmm. Heaven!" She hummed. The vendor passed another one. This time she brought it up to his lips, gesturing him to take it. But Vikram shook his head in no.
"Tum kha lo. Mujhe insab ki utni aadat nahi" he denied. But Thabal frowned.
"Khalo na" she huffed, almost in a whine. And that single act melt all his restraints. He bend slightly and took the puri in his mouth, from her hand. Thabal grinned at it.
"Aacha haina?" She asked to which he nodded, not because it was tasty but because he wanted to see her smile wider.
"Bhaiya thoda meetha bhi dena" she requested as the vendor passed her another puri.
Vikram stood beside her, a stark contrast to the lively, messy street food scene in his crisp uniform, yet his focus was entirely on her. Making sure that she was safe and secure.
Thabal looked at him and her surroundings. She suppressed a laugh and leaned towards him.
"Next time se aap jab uniform pe honge toh khane nahi aawungi mein" she whispered yelled at him. Vikram raised his brow at him in a questioning manner.
"Sab ko dekho. Kaise ghur rahe hai aapko. Koi pass bhi nahi aa raha hai. Warna usually stall pe khare rehne ki jagah bhi nahi hoti" she giggled, putting another sukhi puri in her mouth.
Vikram just smiled at her antics.
"Ab chale? Next stop, Momo stall?" she asked, already wiping a stray drop of chutney from her chin with the back of her hand. Vikram reached into his pocket, pulled out a clean handkerchief, and gently wiped her chin for her.
"Aaram se. Kahin bhaag nahi rahe momos" he scolded her softly and pulled his hand back.
They moved to the next stall where steam was blowing out from large aluminium containers. The smell of spicy red chutney and steamed flour filled the air. Thabal stood in line, waiting for her turn.
Vikram stood nearby her, a bit far but close enough to rush to her when needed. As her turn came, she ordered three plates, packaging one.
"Teen plate? Itna sab kaun khayega?" Vikram asked, moving closer as she handed the money to the vendor. He reached for his wallet, but she had already tapped her UPI, giving him a defiant look.
"Ek plate mere liye. ek Meera ke liye, aur ek Shreya ke liye. Unlike you, woh toh momo pe jaan chirakte hai" she explained with a proud grin. The vendor handed over a polythene bag, filled with packed momos.
"Ufff! Kya smell hai. I can't wait to eat this" she sighed dramatically before walking from the line.
"Aur kuch?" He asked to which she scrunched her nose as if in deep thought.
"Ummm haan. Aur toh bohot kuch khana hai. Jaise samose, aalu tikki and bohot kuch. Kher, choro. Let's keep it for later. Abhi kulfi!!!" She grinned in excitement.
Vikram couldn't help but let out a short, genuine laugh. He led her toward the corner of the square where an old vendor sat with a large, red cloth covered clay pot, the legendary matka kulfi. The scent of cardamon and thickened milk wafted through the air, cutting through the spicy grease of the market.
"Uncle, do kulfi. Badam wali" Thabal ordered before Vikram could even open his mouth.
"Do? Maine kab kaha mujhe khani hai?" Vikram raised an eyebrow. Thabal tched at him.
"Kulfi kon nahi khata Vikram. Woh bhi itni garmi mein, it's like a blessing" she said as if it's the most obvious fact.
"Kaka, bas ek" he said to the vendor and gave him the money. Thabal slapped his hand with a scowl.
"Aap itne chilhawthiba kyu ho. Yeh nahi khate. Woh nahi khate. Uff!" She huffed in frustration.
(Someone who is picky in regards to food)
"Huh? Kya thiba?" He looked at her in confusion, hearing the sudden unfamiliar language.
"Kuch nahi" she ignored him and took the kulfi.
"Aare batao toh? Kya gali diya tumne" Vikram asked, his lips twitching as they walked towards his jeep.
"Gaali nahi hai! 'Chilhawthiba' matlab jo khane mein bohot nakhre dikhata hai. Just like you," she explained, shooting him a glare
"Itna disciplined hone ki kya zaroorat hai? Kabhi kabhi dil ki bhi sunni chahiye samjhe" she nudged him gently . Vikram shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping him.
"Dil ki nahi sunta toh tum meri hoti nahi" he looked at her, a small smile playing on his lips.
"Hmph. Baaton mein toh koi aapko hara hi nahi sakta," she muttered, though she couldn't hide her smile.
"Chalo, ab betho" he said, guiding her toward the Jeep. Once they were inside, Vikram pulled up the windows and on the ac. Thabal suddenly felt relief from the humid crowd.
"This is life" she hummed in satisfaction, eating the kulfi while leaning against the seat , satisfied. Every few bites, she would hold the stick toward Vikram's mouth, her eyes hopeful.
"Vikram, ek bite? Please? Bohot tasty hai" she insisted. Vikram glanced at the dripping kulfi and then at the road, shaking his head with a small, indulgent smile.
"Nahi chand, tum khao. I'm good." But Thabal didn't back off.
"Ek spoon bas?" She insisted.
"Baad pe khawunga" he replied instead, making her roll her eyes.
"Haan haan. Jab mein kha ke khatam karlu, tab khana aap. Yeh matka" she scoffed and continued eating the ice cream.
He didn't want the mess, but more than that, he just enjoyed watching her enjoy it. He drove through the quietening streets, until the silhouette of the hostel gate appeared. He pulled the jeep to a smooth halt in front of the gate.
Thabal finished the last bit of her kulfi, grabbed the makta and also her other stuff.
"Acha, main chalti hoon. Pohoch ke inform karna aap. Bye" she said, reaching for the door handle. She was halfway out of the seat when she felt his hand wrap firmly around her wrist. The suddenness of it made her stop and turn back.
"Kya-" She didn't complete her sentence as he shut her up with his lips. His hand moved from her wrist to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair to tilt her head back. It wasn't a gentle goodbye.
Thabal was shocked at first, but eventually smiled and kissed him back. Moulding her lips with his. She opened her mouth slightly, letting him enter. Because she knew, he wanted to. He invaded her mouth, his tongue tasting the lingering sweetness of the malai kulfi on tongue.
He played with her tongue, caressing her neck at the same time. And that did something inside her.
"Ummm" she moaned softly, clutching his collar tightly. After a few more seconds, he finally left her.
He didn't pull away far. His forehead rested against hers, both of them breathing heavily in the quiet cabin of the Jeep.
"Indeed the kulfi was a blessing. Aacha taste karta hai" he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly vibration that sent shivers down her spine.
"Aagli baar bhi lena. Only for you. Because I have my own way to eat it" he teased softly, a smirk finally playing on his lips. Thabal blinked, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. She looked away, her face flushed a deep crimson.
She scrambled to get her bags, practically tripping out of the Jeep in her daze. She didn't look back until she was halfway to the gate, touching her lips with a shaky hand. Vikram watched her until she was safely inside, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel, the taste of her still lingering on his tongue.
He gripped the steering wheel tightly and threw his head back against the seat.
"Fuck it" he muttered to himself. He really has gone crazy. Just a single taste of her lips and now he was craving it like water in the desert. He was fucking addicted to her. Her lips, her face, her eyes, her nose, everything.
__________🌸_________
Hope you enjoyed it
Stay safe sweeties🦫✨
Write a comment ...