The next morning, Thabal didn't really have a good morning. She woke up with a dull ache behind her eyes. Her body felt heavy, limbs sore, throat dry. She brushed it off at first. But by the passing second, everything worsened. Her period arrived.
And she knew she was doomed. Periods on top of fever? It was the worst thing to ever happen. The cramps wrapped around her lower abdomen like a tight knot, twisting deeper with every passing minute. She curled up on her bed, knees drawn to her chest.
Meera noticed first. She frowned and walked towards her. Slowly touching her shoulder.
"Thabal? Kya huwa? Tabiyat thik nahi hai?" She asked in cornern. But Thabal didn't reply. She let out a slow breath, a painful one.
Meera placed the back of her hand on Thabal's forehead then again hers. She frowned.
"Bukhar hai tujhe toh. Bola kyu nahi tabiyat thik nahi hai toh?" She scolded her softly. Meanwhile Shreya came from the bathroom, adjusting her dress.
"Oi Thabal? Aaj nahi jayegi kya? Kya huwa?" She asked, standing in front of the mirror. But then noticed her painful expression.
She turned to her and sat near her, on her bed.
"Bukhar hai" Meera informed.
"Rukh tu. Dawai laate hai hum. Meera aaj uni nahi jayenge" Shreya decided. Meera nodded in agreement. Before they could go anywhere, Thabal weakly called.
"S-suno" her voice cracked slowly. Shreya abruptly stopped. Turning to her again.
"Jyada kuch nahi hai. Periods bhi hogaye hai. Cramps plus mild fever isliye halat ganda hai. Tum log tension mat lo, jaw" Thabal murmured, voice weak.
Shreya and Meera exchanged a look that said, 'There's no way we're leaving you like this.'
"Pagal hai kya?" Shreya chided, quickly grabbing a handkerchief and wetting it under the tap water. She squeezed the water out and put the wet cloth onto Thabal's forehead.
"Periods aur bukhar mein akele kaise rahegi? Chill kar, notes classmates se mil jayenge." Thabal wanted to protest, but a sharp wave of cramps hit her, making her gasp and bury her face deeper into her pillow. The world felt like it was spinning in slow motion.
"Thabal, kaisa feel ho raha hai tujhe? Sar dard hai?" Meera asked which she nodded slowly.
"Gale pe dard?" Shreya asked which she nodded again.
"Shreya, tu ek kam kar. Dawai la de. I will take care of her" Meera suggested. Shreya quickly nodded and went out of the room. Meera moved around the room first, drawing the curtains slightly so the sunlight wouldn't stab into Thabal's already aching head.
"T-thanda lag raha hai" Thabal whispered slowly, goosebumps erupting on her skin. Meera luckily heard it. Thanks to her sharp ears.
"Rukh, mere pass kuch patla blankets hoga" with that, she started searching for a blanket in her jumbo box. Finally after a few minutes of searching, she found one. She hurriedly covered her figure with it.
Thabal clenched on the blanket and pulled it closer. Slightly shivering.
Meanwhile, at the police station, Vikram was staring at his phone. He had sent a 'Good morning' text thirty minutes ago and there was no reply. Usually, she would reply in minutes with a flurry of emojis. His thumb hovered over her contact. He tried to focus on the file in front of him, but his mind was occupied.
He dialed. The call ringing.
In the hostel room, Thabal's phone buzzed near her pillow. Meera picked it up, seeing 'Strict Sharma ji 😤 ❗' flashing on the screen.
"Thabal, Vikram sir ka phone hai. Baat karegi?" Meera asked. Thabal weakly reached out, her fingers trembling. She pressed the phone to her ear.
"Hello" she said softly, trying not to sound weak. There was a pause on the other end. On the other end, Vikram froze the second he heard her tone.
"Kya hua?" he asked immediately, his voice sharp with concern, all traces of his usual calm authority slipping away.
"Tabiyat thik nahi hai?" There was a pause before she could respond, another wave of discomfort making her grip the blanket tighter.
"Thoda… fever hai. Aur periods bhi aa gaye" she admitted weakly.
She heard him exhale slowly, the sound heavy through the phone, and she could almost picture the way his jaw would tighten at the news.
She could hear the shuffles in his background, as if he was getting ready to run.
"Kon hai tumhare saath?" He asked, already getting ready to go.
"Chinta mat karo Vikram. Meera is with me. Shreya dawai lene gayi hai" she whispered out, feeling too tired to speak out loud.
"Mein aa raha hoon" he said, tone final. Thabal sighed at it.
"It's okay. Jarurat nahi hai. Aap busy honge" he cut her off gently yet firmly.
"Behes mat karo Thabal. I am coming, until then take rest" he said and kept the call. When the call ended, Meera raised an eyebrow knowingly.
"Aa rahe hai na?" she asked. Thabal nodded weakly. Meera let out a small sigh.
"Accha hai, at least tu thoda secure feel karegi" she said. Thabal didn't respond, but deep down, she knew it was true. The thought of Vikram being there, of his steady presence, eased something inside her.
Shreya arrived with the medicine after a minute or more. She quickly opened it and fed her, with a few gulps of water. The medicine was bitter, but the water felt like heaven against Thabal's parched throat. She sank back into the pillows, the thin blanket pulled up to her chin, her eyes fluttering shut as the fever made her head feel heavy like lead.
"Rest kar. Sir aate honge" Meera patted her head and lulled her to sleep.
After 15 minutes Vikram finally arrived. He knocked once before entering, his expression immediately softening the moment his eyes landed on her curled-up form on the bed. He didn't see anything, his focus was entirely on her.
Meera stood up from the tool. Letting him sit. Vikram slowly walked towards her and sat near her bed. He stared at her for a minute, her usual glowy look was now pale and dull. Her lips were dried and lost their colour. She looked...like a sick person. And he hated it.
Vikram's jaw tightened. He hated seeing her like this, vulnerable and in pain. He placed his large, cool hand over Thabal's forehead, his heart sinking at the radiating heat.
"Thabal" he called out softly. She opened her eyes slowly, hearing him, squinting at the light.
"Aa gaye aap?" She whispered slowly. He brushed her hair back from her forehead.
"Kaisa lag raha hai?" he asked quietly.
"Bura" she whispered honestly and closed her eyes back. Vikram didn't say anything. He just continued caressing her head slowly. Meera cleared her throat softly.
"Umm sir. Medicine de di hai. Thoda rest chahiye bas. Aap uske saath rahiye. Hum classes attend kar lete hai tab tak" she said, giving them some privacy. Vikram nodded, finally acknowledging them.
"Thanks" he said simply, genuine gratitude in his voice. Shreya and Meera grabbed their bags and walked out of the room.
As they went, the room was filled silence. The only sound was Thabal's painful sigh. Vikram felt his heart shrink seeing her condition.
He gently caressed her face and leaned to peck on her lips.
"Baby, sar pe dard hai?" He asked to which she meekly nodded, eyes still closed, her brows furrowed in distress. Vikram looked around the room sharply, until his eyes landed on the small vicks container. He walked towards the dressing table and picked it up.
Going back to her, he sat on the tool just beside her bed. He opened the cap of the container and took some balm on his fingers. He applied it on her forehead. Rubbing her temple and forehead gently, moving his fingers in circle and in different movements. He sometimes pressed hard, sometimes soft. According to the place.
Thabal relaxed a bit. Her expression softened, the distressed looked loosened finally. Giving a sense of relief to him.
"Hmmm" she hummed in satisfaction. Feeling a bit better. Vikram continued working on her forehead. He leaned closer without realizing it, his forearm resting carefully near her pillow, his eyes scanning her face again and again as if memorizing every detail.
"Idhar zyada dard hai?" he murmured softly, pressing a little gentler near one temple. She responded with a faint hum, barely audible, her head tilting instinctively into his hand, trusting him without opening her eyes. That simple movement hit him harder than he expected.
Vikram swallowed, jaw tightening again, out of helplessness. He could handle criminals, chaos, pressure, but this, seeing her in pain, unable to fix it instantly, made him feel utterly useless. Still, he stayed steady, adjusting his pace, alternating between slow circles and light strokes, occasionally brushing stray strands of hair away from her damp forehead.
When she finally looked relaxed enough, he left her forehead and scooped some vicks balm on his finger. He applied it this time behind her ear. He gently massaged the area. After a few minutes of massaging. He stood up, walking towards the kitchen.
As he reached the basin, he washed his hands properly. He took out a clean handkerchief to wipe off the water droplets. And then took out his phone. Dialing a contact, he kept the phone against his ear.
After a few rings, the person finally picked up.
"Haan sir?"
"Shinde, go to my cabin. I have left few papers near my blue file. Woh leke Arvind ke pass jawo. Get his signature. And i want this done by only you. Only you. Am I clear?" He repeated sharply. His tone cold and dangerous, completely in contrast to the tone he used few minutes ago.
"Y-yes sir!" Shinde answered, scared by his warning. Vikram ended the call and looked around. He unbuttoned his khaki shirt and took it off. Revealing a black t shirt on.
He breathed in relief finally. It was blazing hot, also the fact that he couldn't on the fan seemed to be like a punishment. He kept the shirt on top of the filter.
He took a steel pot, filled it with water, and placed it on the stove. The flame clicked on, blue and steady. As the water heated, his mind drifted towards her.
The way she had winced earlier and clutched her stomach. He hated that he couldn't take the pain away completely.
When the water came to a rolling boil, he turned off the stove. Looking everywhere, he finally found a rubber water bag. He carefully poured the boiling water into the rubber water bag. He sealed it properly, checked twice to make sure there was no leak.
He entered the room softly. Thabal was still asleep, curled slightly to her side, one hand resting near her stomach like she was unconsciously guarding the pain. Vikram's expression softened instantly. He picked up a thin towel and wrapped it around the water bag.
He heard her faint murmur, without wasting any time he rushed towards her.
"Vikram" she murmured, voice barely above a breath. He leaned closer immediately.
"Haan. Yahi hoon" he replied, just as softly. She didn't say anything after that, but her body relaxed on its own. Gently, he lifted the edge of the blanket and placed the warm water bag over her lower abdomen, carefully. He adjusted it until it sat just right.
She stirred faintly, a soft sound leaving her lips.
"It's okay it's okay, warm hai. Better lagega" he murmured, his thumb brushing soothing patterns over the back of her hand instead.
He sat on the tool. He stayed like that, unmoving, watching over her as she slept, the tension in his body slowly easing as the medicine began to do its work. Every now and then, her brows would twitch or she would let out a faint sound, and each time, he would gently caress her hand, grounding her with a gentle touch until she settled again.
🦋🦋🦋-------------
Thabal woke up slowly, this time not painfully. But relaxed. Her muscle cramps felt better. Her stomach hurted less. Her head didn't ache like crazy anymore. She blinked once. Twice. The ceiling above her came into her view. She looked at the left wall. The clock ticked 2:35 pm.
She felt a warm compress against her stomach. She tried to move her hand, and that was when she felt it.
Her fingers were wrapped in someone's warm hand. Her gaze slowly travelled to her left, eyelids still heavy, until she saw him.
Vikram sat on the stool beside her bed, his body leaned slightly forward, one elbow resting on his thigh. He wore a black t shirt and his khaki pants. His head was tilted to the side, eyes closed, jaw relaxed.
Her heart clenched. For a moment, she simply stared at him. At the way his thumb rested against the side of her hand. At the quiet patience written all over his posture. He looked so different like this.
She swallowed, emotion rising unexpectedly. Her chest felt warm, full in a way that had nothing to do with fever. She shifted slightly, the movement small but Vikram stirred instantly.
His eyes opened, alert in a split second, gaze snapping to her face as if he had been waiting for this moment the entire time. The tension melted the second he saw her awake.
"Uth gayi?" he asked softly, voice low, careful. She nodded weakly, lips curving into a faint smile. whisper.
He released her hand and pressed the back of his hand on her forehead, checking her temperature.
"Kaise lag raha hai ab?" he asked, eyes scanning her face again, noticing the slight color returning to her cheeks.
"Better hai" she replied honestly. Vikram helped her to sit comfortably. He placed the pillow against her back.
"Aap… gaye kyu nahi?" She asked, looking at him. His jaw tightened just a little.
"Aur tumhe aise chhod ke chala jaun? Bukhar mein, pain mein?" he said, as if the idea itself was absurd.
"Par aap busy honge na. I am sorry, I wasted your time" she sighed in guilt. Vikram exhaled and shook his head.
"Chand, ase kyu soch rahi ho. Baby I am here for you. Baki chiz ke baare mein mat socho. Baki chiz kho bhi jaye toh bhi i can handle it. But tum nahi" he whispered, maintaining eye contact with her.
Her eyes stung. She looked away quickly, blinking, but he noticed. Of course he did. He leaned forward, hand brushing her cheek gently.
"Hey, kya huwa?" He asked slowly. She shook her head, emotions overwhelming.
"Dard ho raha hai kahi?" He asked to which she shook her head again in no.
"Toh?" He asked but she couldn't answer anything. How can she? She was speechless by the way he took care of her. As if she was the most important person in his life. She suddenly felt too much. The emotions were too much. She couldn't contain it. Her chest felt too full.
This level of love and care. Only her grandparents loved her this much. Nungshi did, but not upto that level. She felt as if Vikram was sent by them to her. So that she would have someone to call her hers solely.
The thought itself made her eyes watered. Vikram on the hand panicked seeing her like this. He gently pulled her jaw to face him. The moment her eyes met his, she couldn't control anymore. She broke into tears.
"Hey, baby" he murmured, voice dropping even softer, almost scared now. He cupped her face with both hands, thumbs brushing away the tears as they kept coming anyway.
"Aare, kya hogaya? Batao na" he asked, feeling helpless. She shook her head weakly, lips trembling, trying to speak but failing.
The emotions had piled up too fast, gratitude, relief, affection, the ache of being cared for so deeply when she wasn't used to it. Also her period hormones added all this in like a cherry on top. Her chest hitched as she cried harder, shoulders trembling.
Vikram looked at her for a moment before pulling her gently into his chest. One arm slid behind her shoulders, the other resting securely on her upper back, holding her like she might fall apart if he loosened his grip even a little.
"Shh shh. It's okay. Main hoon yahin" he whispered against her hair, his chin resting lightly on her head. Her fingers clutched the fabric of his t-shirt, gripping him tightly, as if anchoring herself. She buried her face into his chest, tears soaking into the cotton as quiet sobs escaped her. His hand moved in slow, steady strokes along her back.
Minutes passed like that. Just him holding her while she let it all out. And just at that moment, the door clicked open. Shreya and Meera stood frozen at the scene. For a second, neither of them said a word.
And just as their footsteps echoed in his ears. Vikram looked up, meeting their eyes. For a brief second, there was surprise. But nothing more than that.
He didn't move her away. He simply held her the same way, calm and steady, as if daring anyone to question it.
The room was quiet. Too quiet. The only sounds were of Thabal's sobbing and her hiccups. Thabal was curled into Vikram's chest, her face hidden against him, shoulders still shaking faintly. Vikram sat on the bed, one arm wrapped securely around her, the other moving slowly up and down her back in a steady, soothing rhythm. His head was bent toward her.
It was intimate yet so soft and raw. Meera swallowed first. She gently touched Shreya's arm.
Thabal sniffed, her sobs finally fading into quiet breaths. Vikram felt the change instantly. He loosened his hold just a little, enough to look down at her face.
"Better?" he murmured, thumb brushing her cheeks gently. She nodded faintly against his chest, not lifting her head yet.
"Andar aajawo" Vikram signalled the two to come in. Thabal finally lifted her head slightly, her eyes red but calmer. She noticed them standing there and flushed faintly, trying to pull back in embarrassment.
"Thabal, kaisi hai?" Meera asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Thik hoon" Thabal whispered back shyly, voice raw from crying. Shreya pressed her lips together, eyes slightly glossy now. She hadn't expected this. This was something she never expected, this kind of care and love. She felt something in her heart, a good soothing feeling. Her eyes were blessed to witness such a scene.
Meera entered followed by Shreya behind her. They turned their back on them, as if pretending they didn't exist in the room. They began to engrossed in their own work.
Vikram cupped her cheeks and wiped the corner of her eyes. Looking at her gently.
"Aab bolo kya huwa" he asked softly. Thabal sniffed, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. She couldn't meet his eyes in embarrassment.
"Kuch nahi. B-bas. Hormones tha" she quietly whispered. Vikram looked at her for a moment before laughing faintly. He pecked her lips gently but was pushed away lightly.
"Nahi. Yeh sab abhi nahi. Aapko bhi sardi jhukham hojayega" she whispered yelled with a scowl and shook her head. Vikram looked at her with a smug looked, slightly smirking.
"Umhm, challenge hai kya? Because I love them" with that without any warning, he leaned closer and captured her lips into a liplock kiss, short but deep. Thabal felt her eyes widened at his audacity. Although he pulled away quickly, she quickly glanced towards the two. But thankfully, their backs were faced towards them.
"You!" She glared at him and punched on his chest. Vikram muttered an 'oww' and clutched his chest dramatically.
"Uff! Maar hi dalogi tum toh. Bimar ho lekin fierceness gayi nahi" he smirked playfully.
"Besharam kahike. Pata nahi sharam kaha rakhke aaye hai aap" she shook her head at his antics, but not before giving him another glare. But her flushed cheeks betrayed her anyways.
Vikram chuckled, he inched closer near her and reached out, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering on her face with an intensity that made her heart skip.
"Sharam aur mein? Dur dur tak rishta nahi hai hamara" he teased, but she swatted her head in return.
Suddenly Vikram's phone vibrated. He sighed before picking it up. Placing it against his ear, he hummed.
"Sir, commissioner sir aane wale hai. 10 minute pe. Aap agar thoda jaldi aa jate hai toh...." Shinde hesitated slowly, trying his best to not anger him up. Vikram exhaled and looked at Thabal.
"Aa raha hoon. Files prepare rakho. I want no mistakes when I see it" he concluded and kept the call. He checked his watch. It was nearing 3:00 pm. He had to rush to the headquarters now.
"Mujhe nikalna hoga" he informed, looking at her. A guilty look decorating his face. Thabal smiled faintly and shook her head.
"Aap jayiye. I knew that aap busy hi hai" she ushered him to go. But Vikram. He didn't have the heart to go.
"Dil nahi maan raha" he muttered under his breath, which Thabal happened to hear. She inhaled a breath in and clutched his hand.
"Jaw aap. Work is more important" she patted his hand gently. Vikram shook his head in no, as if denying her statement.
"Khyal rakhogi khud ka?" He asked slowly, holding her hands firmly. Thabal scrunched her nose at it.
"Main bachi thodi hoon" she narrowed her eyes weakly, clearly offended. Vikram smiled but said nothing. He held her hand, sitting near her for a moment before he stood up, walking over to retrieve his shirt. He put it on, buttoning it up.
Walking towards her, he leaned near her and pressed a kiss on her hair. He gently caressed her head and pulled back.
"Dawai time pe le lena. Warm bag thanda ho jaye toh bolke pani badalwa dena" he instructed, pointing at the bag on her stomach. Thabal smiled and nodded. The energy to speak dropping. Vikram took one last look at her and walked away.
And as soon as he did, she glanced towards the two. And that was her mistake. Because the two were grinning at her like a cheshire cat. With a knowing look on their face. Thabal groaned, pulling the blanket over her red face.
"Bas karo tum log" she grumbled.
"Shuru kaha kiya humne abhi" Meera laughed, clearly indicating that the teasing was yet to be done.
_________🌸__________
Hope you enjoyed the chapter
Stay safe sweeties 🍁✨
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