The dining table was set in a comfortable, heavy silence. Thabal and Vikram sat on their chairs. Facing each other. It was only them in the house. Kavita had gone back to her house, which was nearby.
Thabal kept her head down, her spoon toyed with a piece of vegetable. Every time she looked up, she caught the warm yellow light of the dining hall reflecting off Vikram's sharp features. She felt a lingering heat in her cheeks, the ghost of his kiss still tingling on her lips. She wanted to say something, anything to break the tension, but her shyness acted like a heavy curtain.
Across from her, Vikram was unusually quiet. He ate silently, completely in contrast with his flirting self. His eyes rarely left his plate. Every time he looked at Thabal's innocent face, the guilt of his earlier 'unholy' fantasies stung him. He felt like a predator sitting across from a dove.
Once the meal was finished, Vikram stood up abruptly, gathering the plates.
"Mein bhi help karti hoon" Thabal stood up, extending her hand to help him, but Vikram pulled them back slightly, his fingers avoiding hers.
"Nahi chand. Tum betho. Mein kardeta hoon. You might be tired already. Thoda betho, rest karo. After i finish doing the dishes, i will show you, your room" he said, his voice clipped but not unkind.
"But Vikram. Abhi mein aagayi hoon na. Toh let me do it too. Aage chalke bhi toh karungi na" she said softly. But Vikram just nodded.
"I know. Just let me do this" he replied, turning toward the sink. Thabal stood in the kitchen doorway, watching his broad back.
The way he scrubbed the plates was almost aggressive, as if he were trying to wash away more than just food stains. His behaviour was weird and unusual, it just changed in hours and it made her heart sink. Was he regretting asking her to move in?
A few minutes later, Vikram wiped his hands and walked toward the hallway where her suitcases stood. He picked them up with ease.
"Come" he said briefly. He led her past his own bedroom and stopped at a door near his own room. He pushed it open to reveal a simple yet elegant guest room. It was airy, with fresh linens and a large window that showed the reddish moon hanging low in the sky.
"This is your room. It has an attached bathroom. If you need anything, my room is just there" Vikram said, placing the suitcases at the foot of the bed.
Thabal didn't move, she looked at the large bed, then back at him. He was standing by the door, his hands tucked into his pockets, looking everywhere except at her.
"Vikram?" she asked softly.
"Hmm?" He hummed at her.
"Is something wrong? Since aunty left, you've been different. Did I do something? Are you unhappy that I am here?" Vikram's heart twisted. He finally looked at her, seeing the genuine worry in her beautiful light brown eyes.
"No, Chand. Never. I am just....just had a long day. And the office called earlier-" he started, finding some random excuses.
"Aap jhuth bol rahe hai" she said firmly, stepping toward
him.
"You're deliberately ignoring me. Sab thik tha. But jabse aap khane pe bethe, your behavior changed. Kya hogaya hai Vikram? Meine kuch kiya hai kya?" She asked, worry pooling in her eyes. Vikram sighed, the weight of his guilt making it hard to meet her gaze.
"Asa nahi hai chand. I am just trying to make you comfortable. I know this is all new for you. I don't want to rush you-" Thabal took another step, closing the gap until she was standing right in front of him. She reached out, her small hand grabbing his white T-shirt.
"I didn't move in here to be a guest in a separate room, Vikram. I moved in to be with you." She whispered, her face flushing a deep crimson. Vikram's breath hitched.
"Thabal. You don't understand-"
"I want to stay in your room. Aapke saath. Mujhe bas aap chahiye. Aur kuch nahi sunna mujhe" she cut him off, her voice trembling but determined. The air in the room suddenly felt thin.
Vikram looked down at her, his protective instincts clashing violently with the raw desire she unknowingly provoked. He knew that if she stayed in his bed, his control would be tested every single second.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice dropping to a low, deep one. Thabal nodded, her grip on his shirt tightening.
"I trust you, Vikram. More than anyone else" she muttered with a soft smile. That's the problem, he thought, a dark flicker of passion returning to his eyes.
'you trust me too much, that i feel guilty of thinking anything wrong about you' he thought internally.
Vikram didn't say a word. He simply reached down, grabbed the handles of her suitcases, and turned back toward his master bedroom. Thabal followed him, her heart doing a frantic dance against her ribs.
When they entered his roo.m, the scent of his cologne hung in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of the sandalwood incense.
Vikram set the suitcases by the wardrobe and cleared his throat, looking around as if seeing his own room for the first time.
"I will make some room in the cupboard" he said, his voice a bit gruff. He opened the heavy wooden doors, pushing his neatly ironed shirts and uniforms to one side to create a vacant space for her.
Thabal walked over, her fingers brushing against the fabric of his jackets as she began to tuck her tops and jeans into the space he provided. Seeing her colorful clothes hanging next to his stark, authoritative uniforms made something shift in Vikram's chest.
"You can use the top drawers for your things. Aur kuch chahiye toh tell me" He informed, pointing to the things. Thabal nodded and took out her nightwear, which was a simple, oversized t-shirt and shorts, and headed to the washroom to change.
When she came out, Vikram was already on the bed, propped up against the headboard with a laptop on his lap. Thabal froze for a second. The sight of his broad shoulders and the sharp look of his made her swallow hard.
She slowly inched near the bed and climbed into the other side of the bed, feeling the mattress sink under her weight. The bed was huge, but she felt like she was inches away from a forest fire.
"Thabal" he said softly, finally closing the laptop.
"Haan?" Thabal answered abruptly, looking at him.
"If you feel uncomfortable, if you want me to move to the couch, just say it. Mujhe bura nahi lagega" he assured gently. Thabal felt her eyes softened at his words. She smiled at him.
"Vikram. Meine kaha na aapse. I want to be by your side" He looked at her for a long beat, his gaze tracing the curve of her jaw. Slowly, he reached out, his large hand cupping her cheek. His thumb brushed over her lower lip, the same lip he had nearly bruised with his passion earlier.
He gently pressed a kiss on her lips. As if taking away all the swollen pain she felt. Thabal didn't shy away. Instead, she leaned into his touch, her eyes fluttering shut.
Vikram continued peppering kisses on her lips and cheeks. The room filling with noise of smooches. And Thabal's low giggle. He slowly made Thabal lay on the bed.
Placing a last kiss on her forehead. He laid down next to her and stared at her.
"Shirt khol sakta hoon?" He asked lowly, his voice coming out deep and husky. Thabal shyly nodded. Heart stammering badly.
"Aap ghar pe kholke kyu nahi rehte? Itni garmi toh hai" she asked, curiously. Vikram sat up and pulled off his t-shirt.
"I don't like revealing my body in front of anyone" he said and laid down near her. He wrapped a thick arm around her waist, tugging her back against his chest. Thabal gasped softly as she felt the heat of his bare skin against her back. His heartbeat was a steady, heavy thud against her shoulder blades.
"Except you though" he whispered and entered his bare hand under her t-shirt. Running his hand around her naked waist. Thabal visibly shuddered at the feeling.
"Sleep" he whispered into her hair, his breath hot against her ear. Thabal smiled, a sense of profound safety washing over her. She reached back, tangling her fingers with his where his hand rested on her stomach. Outside, the red moon watched over the silent house, marking the beginning of their life together.
🦋🦋🦋-------------
The morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a soft, golden glow over the room. Vikram was the first to stir. His internal clock, trained by years of discipline, usually snapped him awake at 5:00 AM. But today, his body felt heavy, anchored by a warmth he had never experienced before.
He opened his eyes and for a split second, he forgot where he was. Then, he felt it, the soft weight of Thabal's head on his bicep, her steady, rhythmic breathing puffing against his chest. She was curled into him like a kitten, one of her hands resting on his chest, just above his heart.
He stayed frozen, his breath hitching. In the raw, unfiltered light of the morning, she looked ethereal. Her hair was a messy halo around her face, and her lips were slightly parted.
As he looked down at her, a wave of something much stronger than desire hit him. It was a physical ache in his chest, a fierce, protective surge that made his throat tight. He had lived his life for duty, for the law, and for his country. He had known passion and he had known attraction. But this? This feeling of wanting to freeze time just to keep her safe in his arms forever?
It was completely new and raw. He felt his heart thudding furiously. He was scared it might be too loud. And she might hear it.
'maybe, this is what they call love' his heart whispered to him. Making him freeze. It seemed like his limbs had gone into paralysis mode.
Thabal suddenly stirred, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks. She groaned softly, nuzzling deeper into his arm before her eyes slowly opened.
She saw the line of his jaw first, then looked up to find him already watching her.
His eyes weren't sharp or professional they were dark, filled with an intensity that made her breath catch.
"Good morning" he whispered, his voice gravelly with sleep.
"Morning" she replied, her voice a tiny, shy murmur. She realized her position, legs tangled with his, her body pressed flush against his side and her face instantly turned a bright, rosy pink.
She tried to pull back, but his arm tightened around her waist, holding her in place.
"Stay" he murmured. Thabal looked at him, searching his face. The distance from last night was completely gone. In its place was a vulnerability she hadn't seen before. As she looked into his eyes, she saw her own reflection.
They stared at each other for a moment before Thabal leaned in and pecked his lips. But then immediately felt shy of her actions. Vikram felt a twitch in his lips as he stared at her shy self.
His precious little baby.
He felt an uncontrolable feeling in his heart, as if it was too full of emotions. A surge of warmth seeps inside his heart.
"Thabal" he whispered, making her look at him with a questioning gaze. He smiled and shook his head.
He inched closer and lowered his head, joining their forehead together. Thabal smiled and closed her eyes, leaning into his warmth. She slowly extended her arm and placed it behind his bare back.
He finally has a home now. His home.
He wasn't homeless anymore. He didn't feel he was an orphan any more. As he has a family now. His own family. The thought itself made his arms tightened possessively around her.
He couldn't control and acted on his internal instinct. Pulling away, he leaned to her face and bit her cheek, making her yelp.
"Ahhh" Thabal shrieked, not really prepared for the bite. She glared at him and rubbed the spot, trying to soothe the pain. Vikram whereas smirked.
"Asa kyu kiya? Pagal hogaye hai kya aap" she frowned furiously. Vikram chuckled and pecked her nose.
"Maan karta hai kha hi jawu tumhe. Kacha jaba jawu" he whispered huskily, making her flustered from the intensity of his deep morning voice.
"Canibal kahike" she glared at him. Making him laugh more. Warm and unrestrained, the kind only she was capable of dragging out of him.
His hand slid to the back of her head, gently massaging her scalp where her hair was messy from sleep.
"Kya karu you taste good" he teased, his voice low and sinful. Thabal's face turned tomato red.
"Stop!" she swatted his chest, but he only grinned wider.
"Hato aap. Uthna hai mujhe" she said poking his chest with her finger.
"Toh uth jawo" he shrugged casually. As if he hasn't bound her with him. Thabal closed her eyes in irritation.
"Aap utho pehle" she sighed, pushing him but he didn't budge an inch.
"Mein kyu uthu?" He asked her with a smirk, irritating her furthermore.
"Vikrammm!!" Thabal groaned, frustrated.
"Haan ji" he whispered in a sensual manner, teasing her. Thabal felt her cheeks flushed. She looked away.
"Agar 10 kisses doge. Toh shayad uth jawu mein" he hummed to himself, pretending to think.
Thabal stared at him with a done look but then gave in eventually. She cupped his jaw and leaned in, peppering smooches on his lips. Counting in her mind. At the last one, Vikram pulled her closer before she could pull away.
He gave a deep liplock kiss on her lips, making her red. Looking at her reaction, he chuckled and finally loosened his hold. Thabal pushed his arm away shyly and sat up, hair all disheveled, t-shirt sliding off one shoulder. Vikram sat up too and froze.
God. She looked too soft. Too cute. Too tempting. He clenched his jaw lightly, controlling himself.
She ran a hand through her hair and climbed off the bed, going into the washroom. Vikram fell back on the bed and covered his face with his hands.
"Yeh ladki mujhe barbaad kar degi" he muttered under his breath.
🦋🦋🦋---------
Vikram came out of his room, while ruffling his hair with a towel. He wore sweatpants, which were hanging on his hips. He was shirtless, bare from the up.
Hearing the boiling of water, he walked into the kitchen. Thabal was standing there, now in a top and a knee length skirt. While humming something softly. Her small frame looked even smaller inside his big kitchen.
He leaned on the doorway and just watched. Her tiny wrists moving. Her messy bun. The way she stood on her toes to reach the jar. He felt something warm in his chest. A feeling that terrified him and comforted him at the same time.
She sensed him and turned. Her eyes landed on his bare chest. And she instantly turned red. She looked away quickly.
"Sharam nahi aati na aapko. Ase khule mein ghum rahe ho" she muttered with flushed cheeks.
"Kyu? Is it affecting you?" He smirked and inched closer to her.
"Nahi" she snapped, dropping some tea powder over the boiling water.
He stepped behind her, placing one hand on the counter beside her waist and the other on her stomach, gently guiding her stirring hand.
"Sundar lag rahi ho" he whispered, lips brushing her ear. Thabal nearly dropped the spatula.
"C-chup karo aap" she stuttered, trying to act nonchalant. But his warm hand wasn't helping her a little bit. She felt an ache down there. The way he was roaming his hand inside her top, moulding her tummy softly.
"Hato!" She elbowed him lightly, face on fire. He chuckled. Then leaned down and kissed her neck lightly. She froze like a statue.
Vikram continued his work of art. He sucked on her sensitive skin, grazing with his teeth lightly.
"Ahh" she moaned softly, closing her eyes at the soft pleasure.
And that was the encouragement he needed. He licked at the spot he just bit, and the next moment, sucking on it like no tomorrow.
The air in the kitchen grew heavy, thick with the scent of cardamom tea and the sudden, electric heat between them. Thabal's head lolled back against his shoulder, her breath hitching as Vikram's hand moved with a possessive rhythm against her skin.
He didn't stop at her neck. His lips traced toward the curve of her shoulder, pulling the collar of her top slightly to the side to claim more territory. Every time his teeth grazed her, a fresh jolt of electricity surged through her, melting the last of her feigned resistance.
"Vikram" she whispered, her voice trembling. He groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating against her skin. He turned her around in the small space between him and the counter, his dark eyes hooded and intense. The smudge of red on her cheeks had deepened, and her lips were parted, inviting a different kind of trouble.
He cupped her cheeks and caressed it softly, her cheeks were on fire. He leaned down to her face level and captured her lips in a kiss that was anything but gentle. It was hungry and desperate.
Thabal linked her arms around his neck, her fingers disappearing into his damp, ruffled hair, pulling him closer as if trying to bridge the impossible gap between them. The tea continued to bubble behind them, forgotten and boiling over, but neither noticed.
"Vikram. Woh bahu-" and they immediately parted away from each other hurriedly. Kavita stood frozen, embarrassed and awkward near the kitchen door.
She gulped as she looked at them. Oh God! What has she just witnessed now? Why does she have such bad timing? She cried internally.
"Umm. Woh- woh mein baad pe aati hoon. Thoda kam hai" she turned away and walked out.
Thabal groaned and palmed her face. Completely red by now.
"Sab aapki wajah se huwa hai. Oh God!! Abhi mein aunty ke samne jaise jawu?" She whined in frustration, completely embarrassed. Vikram chuckled and caressed her neck.
"Looks good on you" he said, caressing her neck faintly. Thabal was confused for a moment, of what he was implying upon. But upon realising, her eyes widened.
"Vikrammm!!" She shrieked in annoyance. And Vikram? He laughed.
_________🌸_________
Hope you like it
Stay safe🎀✨
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