Three whole days!
Thabal has been inside her small hostel room for three damn days. She haven't stepped a foot outside her door. Reason? The great Vikram Sharma said not to go out because she was still sick and did not recovered fully.
She tried convincing him, coaxing him lovingly. But him? That stubborn ass man. He didn't move a little from his words. By now Thabal felt she was gonna die out of boredom. She just wanted to go and walk out. But if she did, God knows what will burst out from him.
She got her notes from Shreya and Meera. The days she didn't attend the uni, they listened really well and brought notes for her. She would request them, or even threaten them to bring something to eat for her. But them being them. Didn't bring a thing.
She was seriously frustrated, angry, irritated, and what not. Her mood swings were doubling everything. She felt really angry at this point.
It was afternoon, 1:15 pm. Thabal was sitting on her bed, wrapping a thin blanket around in the heat of Nashik. She still felt a bit cold. Keeping her book in front of her, she revised a few already learnt lessons. As she was murmuring the words and formulas under her breath, her phone suddenly buzzed.
She glanced at it.
Strict Sharma ji 😤 ❗
Calling......
She glared at the phone hard, letting it ring for sometime. As the buzzing reached it's end, she finally picked up. She placed it against her ear but said nothing. A slow chuckle was heard from the other side.
"Chand?" He called but she didn't answered.
"Chand?" He tried again. Thabal rolled her eyes, yet her heart thudded against her chest. She could ignore him, but not the way him calling her made her heart race.
"Kya hai sidha sidha bolo. Sun rahi hoon na mein" she huffed angrily. Vikram chuckled at it.
"Pata hai tum gusse mein kiski tarah lagti ho?" He asked. Thabal narrowed her eyes at him but didn't answered anything.
"Aare pucho toh kiski tarah" he urged her.
"Bol hi do ab. Kiski tarah" she sighed tiredly, already done with him.
"Bilkul meri biwi ki tarah" and Thabal blushed hard. This freaking man. She wanted to beat him so much, yet at the same time she couldn't even handle his gaze.
"Chup karo aap. Mujhe bohot gussa aa raha hai" she groaned in frustration, although a part of her was embarrassed. She was trying to cover up her embarrassment with anger.
"Toh rokh kon raha hai. Mein hoon na. Utar do gussa" he said it so smoothly and casually that it did something inside her heart. The way he said it, as if it was normal.
"Jyada muh mat chalao aap" she mumbled under her breath. Vikram chuckled hearing her being annoyed.
"Achaa? Aur kya kare mera muh? Bas tumhe kiss karne ke liye thodi hai" he teased, clearly poking the lion. Thabal clenched her jaw. Although her cheeks heated up.
"Mein serious hoon. Bohot gussa aa raha hai mujhe. Teen din ho gaya, teen din! Mein kab tak kamre mein band hokar baithi rahungi?"she snapped.
"Jab tak mein bolu" he replied calmly. She choked on her own air.
"What the! Vikram I am okay now. Dekho mein bilkul thik hoon. Perfectly fineeeee!!" She grunted in annoyance.
"Tum abhi bhi 100% theek nahi ho. Gala abhi bhi sensitive hai. Awaj thik nahi huwi hai. Tum chalogi, thand lagegi, phir se problem hoga" His tone had shifted, still soft, but firm.
"Uff! Aapko samajh nahi aata. Mein bore ho gayi hoon. BORED. BORED. BORED." She fell back on her pillow dramatically.
"Achaa. Asa hai" he chuckled casually. The fucking audacity to! Aghh! She just wanted to snap his neck.
"Kam se kam mujhe chaat khaane toh jaane dete!" She wanted to scream. But instead she gritted out.
"Bilkul nahi" he deadpanned.
"Momo!" She tried again.
"No" was his answer again.
"Ice cream!" And that was it. Thabal took a pause because she knew she just landed herself into trouble. Vikram took a deep breath in as if controlling himself from scolding.
"Baby, you just recovered from fever. You are suffering from a cough too" he calmly explained. She huffed loudly.
"And may i remind you. Tum bimar bhi woh kulfi ke wajah se pari thi. So thanda apne dimag se nikal dena" he made himself clear. Thabal let out a frustrated groan, burying her face in her pillow.
"Vikrammmm" she whined softly. Trying to pursue him. And Vikram felt a twitch on his lips. She was succeeding, almost.
"Bolo" he hummed gently, in the same tone.
"Please na. Pleaseeee. The hostel food is really bland and boring. Shreya aur Meera bhi kuch nahi lati mere liye. Aap leke aajawo na. See i found the perfect solution. Ase mujhe bahar bhi nahi jana parega. And I can eat it too. Also aapse bhi mil lungi. Aapko nahi milna kya mujhse? Don't you miss me?" She tried to emotionally blackmail him. Vikram smirked at it. Who was she playing this with?
"Agar mein ek aur baar aaya na chand. Tumhari warden hamare baare mein 100 kahani banayegi" he shook his head with a slight chuckle. Thabal frowned and then widened her eyes, as if remembering something.
"Ohh isse yaad aaya. Mein puchne wali thi. But bhul gayi thi. Aap mere warden ko kaise jaante hai?" She finally asked the question.
"Well, kafi purani baat hai. Kuch ase hi 4 saal ki baat hai. Chandigarh pe tha mein. Kuch dange ho rahe the. Tumhari warden tab Chandigarh pe hi thi. She came with her husband. Her husband got stuck in between the riots. Meine aur team ne unko rescue kiya, and from then on she came to know me and till date grateful hai" he revealed.
"Ohh" she nodded her head. She felt herself proud of him. She knew beneath this tough texture, he had a kind and patient heart. But everytime she hear anything about him, she couldn't help but feel happy.
But then she suddenly shook her head. No no. She can't be flattered now.
"Aap baat badal rahe hai. Mera khanaaa" she groaned in irritation. Vikram chuckled at it.
"Aare. Meine kidhar badla. Tumhi ne toh pucha. I was just answering" he answered innocently, making her angry more.
"Toh aap mere liye street food nahi layenge?" She asked him calmly, gritting her teeth.
"No" he said straightforwardly.
"Sure?" She asked again, as if giving him a chance to say yes. But then. If not stubborn and challenging. Then who was Vikram Sharma?
"Nahi" he repeated again. Thabal took a deep breath in. Closing her eyes in frustration.
"Chatkho chalu ng. Eiga wari sananu. Eigonda kawrakanu" with that she ended the call and threw her phone near the pillow.
(Go away. Don't talk to me. Don't call me either)
She muttered manipuri words under her breath. Cursing him.
🦋🦋🦋------------
It has been an hour. Freaking one hour since she cut his call and he haven't call back till now. Even after an hour. Not even a single message. Thabal was boiling in anger by now. She glared at the phone and looked away.
"Kitne bure hai. Wapas call karke sorry bolne mein kya jata hai. Maan jati na mein" she muttered under her breath but then clenched her jaw.
"Ab toh harghis nahi manungi. 100 baar bole tab bhi. He is taking me too lightly" she furiously exclaimed to herself and return to study. But her mind was on him. She was continuously checking her phone. For any message or any calls. But no.
'did i overreact too much?' she internally thought to herself. He was doing it for her own good. Because he cares for her. She was aware of that.
'but then atleast mana toh sakta tha na?' she fumed over it again.
Just then a knock was heard on the hostel room door. Thabal still sat, feeling too lazy to open the door. She thought whoever have come will go back if the call was unanswered but to her annoyance, the person on the other side continued to knock making her groan.
"Shanti se jeene nahi dega koi mujhe" she gritted her teeth and climb down the bed.
"Koi hai kya?" An unfamiliar female voice reached her ears.
"Aa rahi hoon" she shouted with her half broken throat and opened the door. A deep scowl settling on her face. But as soon as she opened the door and saw the person, her anger immediately melted down.
Thabal looked stunned and blinked in surprise. Standing there was Kavita with her usual warm smile. She was carrying a large, insulated tiffin carrier and a smaller thermos.
"Aunty. Aap yaha?" Thabal asked quickly smoothing her messy hair. Kavita smiled at her.
"Kaisi ho beta?" Kavita asked. Thabal smiled at her.
"Aachi hoon aunty. Aap aayiye na under" she called her in, giving space for her enter. Kavita smiled and stepped inside.
"Yeh kidhar rakhu mein?" She asked signalling to the tiffin she brought. Thabal frowned looking at it. It was supposed to be hers?
"Lekin aunty yeh aap kyu laye hai? Kiske liye hai?" She asked, clearly confused. Kavita stood still for a moment before speaking.
"Aare. Vikram ne bataya nahi tumhe? Ussi ne bheja hai mujhe tumhare pass. Keh raha tha ki tum bohot zidd kar rahi ho bahar ka kachra khane ke liye. Isliye usne phone kiya aur mujhse kaha ki turant yeh sab bana kar yaha pohocha du" she chuckled, shaking her head. Thabal's heart did a little somersault.
"Aunty i am so sorry. Aapko bohot distrubance huwa hoga na. Woh toh mein unse bas majak kar rahi thi" she tried to cover up quick, feeling embarrassed and a bit guilty. Kavita smiled at it.
"Aare pagli. Tum insab ki chinta mat karo. Tum Vikram ki pasand ho. Aur uski har pasand ka khyal rakhna mera kam hai" she walked towards Thabal and patted her cheek softly.
"Jyada mat socho. Bolo kidhar rakhu mein?" She asked. Thabal smiled , a warm one. She felt her heart lightened up.
"Niche hi rakh dijiye aunty. Mujhe aadat hai niche khane ka. Yeh toh hostel room hai toh hum kuch bhi laate hai, mein aur mere dost niche beth ke hi khate hai" she explained softly.
Kavita nodded with a warm smile and bent down, placing the tiffin carefully on the floor. The thermos she set beside it gently, like she would for her own child.
"Tum betho. Mein paros deti hoon tumhare liye " she crouched down. Opening the tiffin.
"Nahi nahi, aunty, main kar leti hoon" Thabal insisted, flustered.
"Aare rehne do, beta. Tum beth jawo. Fhir aaram se khana" Kavita insisted. Thabal shyly and hesitantly nodded.
"Waise kya huwa. Aaj university nahi gayi?" Kavita asked while she placed the different containers infront of her.
"Vikram ne jane nahi diya aunty. Woh mein bimar par gayi thi. Toh abhi recover huwa hai. Still unhone jane nahi diya" Thabal sighed, clearly frustrated over the fact. Kavita laughed softly and shook her head.
"Pata hai Thabal. Tumhe khush hona chahiye. Asa itna pyaar karne wala, aur khyal rakhne wala saathi mila hai tumhe" she smiled at her. Forwarding her the tiffins.
"Woh tumhari bohot fikar karta hai. Meine 7 saalo mein Vikram ko itna khush, bechen aur dukhi hote huwe nahi dekha, jitna tumhare aane se huwa hai. Jab tumse milta hai khush hota hai, tumse jaghra karta hai toh bechen aur dukhi rehta hai" Kavita quietly revealed. Thabal gulped listening to her. A feeling of pinch rising in her heart.
"Uske jindagi pe koi nahi tha. Na maa baap. Na koi ladki. Na hi koi aacha dost. Aapna marji ka malik tha woh. Khud se akele rehna sikh liya tha. Lekin jabse tum aayi. Uski toh mano puri jindagi ka routine hi badal gaya" she chuckled, tearing a roti for her. Pinching it with the sabji, she forwarded it to Thabal, near her lips. Thabal smiled softly, a warm feeling surging in her.
She slowly opened her mouth, letting her feed. As she chewed softly, the taste hit her craving taste buds. She immediately closed her eyes in bliss.
"Ummm" she hummed to herself in satisfaction. Kavita smiled at it.
"Pasand aaya?" She asked, which Thabal immediately nodded in return.
"Chalo aacha hai. Warna tumhe pasand nahi aata toh Vikram mera dimag khata" she chuckled teasingly. Thabal blushed at it. Covering her mouth as she chewed, hiding her smile.
"Pata hai. Meine tumhe bina dekhke hi pasand kar liya tha jab mujhe pata chala Vikram kisi ladki ko pasand karta hai. Itne saalon se mein usse bol rahi thi shadi karne ke liye. Lekin woh mera baat kabhi sunta hi nahi tha. Ladkiyo ko woh pasand tha. Lekin sab darte the uske woh gusse wale shakal se" Kavita chuckled to herself. While scooping soup and forwarding it to her.
"Mein bhi thoda dari thi pehle pehle" Thabal grinned sheepishly, slurping the soup. Kavita laughed at her innocent comment.
She wiped her hands on her dupatta lightly and sighed with a smile, as if remembering something funny.
"Waise, ek baat bataun?" she began, sitting a little straighter.
"Haan aunty" Thabal looked at her curiously, her fingers took the spoon and slurped the soup out of it.
"Vikram, pichle teen din se sirf ubla huwa khana kha raha hai" Kavita shook her head with a tsked. Thabal blinked. Not able to register what she was saying.
"Haan. Bas thodi si patli khichdi aur pani pe hi jinda hai. Mein puchti hoon toh kuch bolta nahi. Meine socha pehle diet chal raha hoga ya kuch naatak hoga. Lekin abhi samaj aa raha hai. Kyu khaya tha usne" She looked up at Thabal with a knowing smile.
Thabal felt her breath hitch. Kavita chuckled softly. Thabal stared at her, stunned, her heart squeezing painfully. Her lips parted a little, but no words came out. A soft warmth spread through her chest.
"Pagal hai woh" she whispered lowly.
"Haan hai. Lekin tumhare liye hai" Kavita smiled affectionately. Thabal couldn't answer, she just looked down at her lap, her cheeks hot, her heart heavier, softer, fuller.
Kavita placed a gentle hand on her head.
"Thoda zidd wala hai, thoda gusse wala, par dil ka bohot accha hai, beta. Tumhari fikar mein khud ko bhi pareshaan kar deta hai" Kavita smiled at her, a smile of assurance and support.
Just then, the doorknob shook from outside.
"Oii Thabal! Darwaza khol! Aaj spare key lena bhul gayi mein" a familiar voice complained loudly.
"Behen, thoda jaldi. Per tutne wale hai mere" another voice whined. Kavita looked surprised. Thabal groaned softly.
She quickly stood up and opened the door. The moment the door opened, Meera and Shreya barged in dramatically.
"Oh! Itna sara khana. Vikram sir aaye the kya?" Meera exclaimed.
"Namaste aunty. Kya khushbu hai. Mai go!" Shreya sniffed dramatically. Quickly acknowledging the elder before focusing on the food.
Before they could talk nonsense further, Thabal quickly introduced them.
"Yeh Kavita aunty hai. Vikram ke liye work karte hai. She is family. Aur aunty, yeh mere dost hai. Roommates bhi. Meera aur Shreya" Both immediately joined hands.
"Namaste aunty" They chorused. Kavita laughed heartily.
"Namaste beta. Aao, aao. Tum bhi khao. Bahut saara banaya hai." She ushered. Meera politely declined but Shreya beat her to it.
"Aare THANK YOU aunty!" Shreya sat on the floor before even being invited properly.
"Aye! Bahar khake aayi thi na tu. Fhir bakasur ki tarah tut kyu pari hai" Meera glared at her. But Shreya had already dig in the paneer.
"Aare, but yeh sab woh akele kaise khayegi" Shreya frowned as if very concerned, her cheeks stuffed with the rice. Kavita laughed at it.
"Koi baat nahi beta. Kha lo tum bhi. Beth jawo" Kavita insisted Meera to sit too. But she shook her head.
"Nahi aunty mein thik hoon. Bahar khake aayi hoon" she smiled politely.
"Oi, tujhe pata hai aaj kya huwa. Woh canteen wala Raghav haina-" Shreya started but was cut off immediately.
"Chup! Hogaya. Baad pe" Thabal snapped, embarrassed. Kavita smiled amused.
"Tum dono kaha se ho beta?" She asked the two.
"Siliguri se hoon aunty" Shreya answered first, quick and fast.
"Mein kolhapur se hoon" Meera turned to her and smiled. Kavita widened her eyes at it.
"Tū marāṭhī āhēsa kā??" She asked in shock. Meera widened her eyes too, a grin forming her lips.
(You are marathi?)
"Hō! Tū paṇa marāṭhī āhēsa nā?" she asked back with a laugh.
(Yes, you are marathi too?)
"Hō hō, mī nāśikacāca āhē, mājhē ghara kāhī kilōmīṭara antarāvara āhē" Kavita smiled widely and informed.
(Yes yes. I am from Nashik itself. My home is just a few kilometres away)
"Mī kōl'hāpūracā āhē" Meera informed in excitement.
(I am from kolhapur)
"Arē dēvā, mājhī bahīṇahī tithēca rāhatē. Tulā dēvānśa māhita āhē kā?" Kavita asked eagerly.
(Oh my, my sister is there too. You know Devansh?)
"Hō hō" and their chats continued. They talked like family, as if they were relatives and haven't meetup for years. They laughed, chatted and giggled over their conversation.
Thabal and Shreya stared at the two with their mouth agape. They turned to stare at themselves. Conversation with their eyes. Shreya raised her brow asking if asking what they were talking. Thabal frowned and shook her head.
Shreya sighed and shrugged her shoulders. She continued eating the food.
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Hope you enjoyed it
Stay safe💗✨
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