The air was thick with heat by evening. Thabal and the two just came out from their tuition centre. They huffed tiredly, yet in their tiredness lies a sense of excitement too. Which Thabal wasn't a part of.
She stared at the two like they were caught murdering. She couldn't think properly. What was wrong with them? Since the morning, Meera and Shreya had been acting like they had won the lottery but weren't allowed to tell anyone.
They whispered in corners, giggled at their phones, and every time Thabal approached, they would suddenly start talking about the weather with exaggerated interest.
She have asked them 5th times again and again. But their answers were the same.
"Tu itna overthink kyu karti hai. Has bhi nahi sakte kya hum. Roj hi toh haste hai" they would say.
Thabal nodded but she wanted to say 'roj hi haste hai, par mere saath'
"Kuch khaye kya?" Thabal asked them. Feeling her stomach grumbling. Usually they would have agreed happily but today very unusually they denied.
"Nahi yaar. Aaj maan nahi. Pet kharab hai mera. Meera ka bhi aaj fasting chal raha hai. Woh usne uske parents ke liye rakha hai" Shreya made a pity face and shook her head. Thabal raised her eyebrow at it.
"Fasting? Canteen pe jo coke and sandwich khaya woh kya tha?" She asked and now Shreya was tongue tied. But Meera quickly came to the rescue.
"Aare abhi se start kar rahi hoon. Aaj raat tak rakhungi" she said casually.
"Hmm" Thabal just hummed and turned her head away from them.
"Tu bura mat maan. Kal khate haina" Shreya quickly added. Thabal just nodded at their words.
"Sir kab aayenge? Hamara gari aagaya. Tu kab jayegi?" Meera asked as a bus came, stopping infront of them.
"Tum log jawo mein ek auto le lungi. Aaj nahi aayega woh. Busy hai" she informed.
"Aacha thik hai. Aache se ja" Shreya came and side hugged her. Waving at her they climbed up the bus.
Thabal stood on the dusty pavement, watching the bus pull away with her two best friends waving frantically from the window. The silence that followed was heavy.
"Kuch toh gadbad hai" she muttered to herself, kicking a stone.
Since when did Shreya care about her stomach, and Meera... Why would she keep a fasting for her parents. That too all of a sudden. She let out a frustrated huff. The evening air was humid, clinging to her skin, and her stomach gave another loud, growl.
She started walking toward the auto stand, her mind spinning with theories. Were they planning a surprise? But what type of surprise. Her birthday was yet to come. It's on April.
What is it that they are hiding from her. And if so, what? Why are they hiding it from her. Suddenly an auto stopped infront of her.
"tumhālā kuṭhē jāyacē āhē, madam?" The driver asked.
(Where do you want to go, madam?)
"Govind nagar" she said. The driver nodded and signalled her to sit.
She took her seat and informed Vikram about it, sending a quick text. She plunged earphones in her ears, trying not to ruin her already ruined mood more.
After being stucked in the traffic for more than 10 minutes she finally reached home. Handling the money to the driver. She thanked him and reached the gate.
Further reaching the main door, she fished her keys out of her bag and unlocked the door, stepping inside.
"Aunty?" she called out, but her voice was swallowed by a heavy, velvet darkness. The hall, no house was pitch black. Not even a pinch of light was visible.
A cold shiver of dread raced down her spine. Did someone break in? She reached for the switchboard, her fingers trembling, but before she could touch it, the entire hall erupted in light.
Thabal flinched, her heart leaping into her throat. She almost bolted back out the door until she actually saw the room. She stopped on her spot. Her eyes widening.
"Oh my God!" she breathed, her hand flying to her mouth. The hall had been transformed. Hundreds of fairy lights were draped like glowing vines from the ceiling. But what captured her eyes more were the dozens of glass frames which were perfectly hung on the walls.
She walked closer, her feet moving as if in a dream.
In the frames were pictures of them. There was a candid of her laughing at the food court, a selfie of them taken by her. The picture of them on the day of the party, date and many others. Even a small one of Vikram's hand holding hers in the jeep. A soft chuckle left her lips as she looked over all the pictures.
Each frame was a memory, a silent testament to the months they had spent building a world together. As she looked around she noticed more frames on the other wall. In simple, the hall was filled with them, their memories.
Thabal felt a pinch in her heart as she watched these. The gesture was so sweet, it could kill her. The frames were too pretty, they gave the aesthetics of pure vintage. Surely, those two must have told him this.
She smiled at the thought. The hall was decorated with flowers. The empty spaces of the frames were filled by wall sconces. Fresh and new flowers filled the vase, replaced by the usual ones. This time with large amount.
But there was just a single confusion. What is it today? Is there anything special? She quickly pulled out her phone and typed going to Google.
october 12 special day in india
October 12 does not have a universally recognized national public holiday in India, but it holds historical significance, as it is the death anniversary of socialist leader Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia in 1967.
Thabal frowned at it. No any romantic day too. Then why??Just then, the rhythmic thud of heavy boots echoed from the stairs. Thabal turned, her breath hitching in her throat. Vikram was descending the stairs slowly.
He was all black today. His t-shirt was simple and fitted, it hugged his broad shoulders perfectly. He wore matching black trousers too. His short hair was perfectly in place and his gaze was fixed entirely on her, dark and burning with an intensity that made her knees weak.
He looked so good that it felt illegal to be this handsome. Thabal gulped. She felt like she will fell down this instant. There was a sudden, heavy warmth in her chest. The steady calm in his posture, and the way the light caught the sharp line of his jaw.
His eyes were so beautiful and deep that she could just drown in them happily and never get up. It wasn't just that he looked good, it was the way he carried himself, like he didn't even know he was the center of her entire world at that moment.
She stood still, quiet, completely captivated, wondering how she got so lucky to be the one watching him. How did God even send him for her?
He didn't say a word. He dragged a wooden stool to the center of the hall and sat down. Thabal smiled slightly in amusement and eagerness. What was he even planning?
Her heart started racing in excitement. Just then Vikram cleared his throat. He took out his phone and typed something. His ears were red, of shyness. God! He looked so cute yet so hot. Was it even possible? She asked herself for the upmteenth times.
"Chand. Umm i-i prepared something for you. A song. Eh, i-its my first time. I had never sung before. Also in a foreign language. So just bear with me" he started, stammering in between. Reflecting his inner nervousness which couldn't be seen outside his stoic personality.
Thabal wanted to laugh at the scene of this big man getting nervous, but just nodded in return. Her own heart beating fast.
"Umm I will just sing from the middle part. Just a small part. Where the male starts" he said and prepared himself.
Then suddenly music started. A familiar one. It was being played in a speaker from God knows where. Thabal widened her eyes as she recognised the introduction.
The tune continued for a few seconds before the female singer sang.
"Fhanglaroi ngna eigumna amata punsida nungshiba"
(You won't get someone like me in your life, love)
Then suddenly Vikram sang. His voice deep and electric. It was the first time Thabal heard him sing, and she was completely betwitched.
"Ahing khuding khanduna leiri ng gi wakhal" he sang in his east Indian accent. Their eyes never leaving each other. The unfamiliar language felt foreign on his tongue. Thabal laughed softly at it, eyes brimming with tears.
(Every night, I live thinking of your thoughts)
"Khangamloine, uramloi eina khangjariba" he continued while watching her smiling with tears shimmering in her eyes.
(The depth of my thoughts remains unknown and unseen by you)
"Tarage- tarage eina. Thamoida leibado nggi" he looked down at the phone to remember the learned lyrics.
(Let me hear the voices in your heart)
"Liraro-liraro ng gi nungshi napao do" he looked up again and maintain the eyecontact.
(Narrate me your love confession)
"Hairammu-hairammu ngna nungshi jei haina
(Tell me that you love me)
Ngairammu- ngairammu poukhum tara gene
(Wait, let me hear your answer)
Kari poukhum pamge ngna piragene
(I will give you the answers you want)
Thamjarage thamoinungda nungshi jeine
(Let me keep you in my heart)
Pirage eigi thamoise ngonda
(I want to hand my heart to you)
Apangbi thamoini, ngonda ngawjaribi
(My heart is naive, it's crazy for you)
Eiese eigi oiramdare, eiese ng gi oiramalle"
(I guess I was never mine to begin with, i was always yours)
And the tune continued for a few seconds before it ended.
Vikram kept his phone aside and walked towards her. He fisted in his pocket before kneeling infront of her. Thabal couldn't help but sob softly. She wanted to smile, she wanted to laugh but instead tears flowed down. She couldn't just control it.
"Shh don't cry" he smiled at her and forwarded the small white coloured box. He gently opened it to reveal a gold ring.
"Thabal, i am so crazily obsessed about you. Everything about you drives me mad to such extend that i am ready to do anything. I have never felt such strong feelings for anyone. I-i guess i have fallen for. Bad. And honestly it's the best feeling I have ever felt" his voice cracked a little. He took a pause, trying to compose himself. He didn't want to break down in his own confession.
"I want to love you forever. Just like this. I would do anything just for you to want me. To love me back. I will be the perfect man you want, which you deserve. I will improve every flaws of mine. I-i want to be the man you deserve" he bit his lips and breathed deeply, trying to control the tears that were slipping down his cheeks.
"I-i never knew what a family was. Until you. You became my home. My solace, my everything. You changed my life. You brought colours into my dull and colourless life" Thabal sobbed at it, not able to control more she fell on her knees. She covered her mouth and broke into silent cries.
"I don't know how and why I fell for you. But i just did. The moment i saw you, i felt things which i never felt in my life. I don't know why the fuck am I crying for. I-i just can't control it" he squeezed his eyes shut and quickly wiped away his tears.
"I never knew tears, laughs, love. But as soon as you came. It feels like a daily routine for me. I laugh with you everyday, i smile at the thought of you everytime. You have made me cry twice, counting this" a laugh escape her lips mid sobbing, hearing her.
"That's the control you have over me. I never thought mere life pe asa bhi ek moment aayega where i will confess on my knees that too crying like h-hell. I never thought i will fall for a certain manipuri girl. Your eyes did all. It was the first thing that pulled me towards you. They are so lovely, i couldn't brush it off from my thought. And this led to us here" he laughed softly, tears covering his cheeks.
"E-eie ng nungshi, eigi nungshibi. Eie naga punsi chuba ama lening gi" his broken manipuri. It was so funny yet so cute. Thabal didn't know what to do, either to laugh or just continue crying.
(I-i love you, my love. I want to live with you forever till death)
Her poor heart couldn't handle it anymore. She clutched her chest and cried more. Why do he have to love her so much? Why do he have to show so much efforts to her? She couldn't handle it. It was too fucking overwhelming.
The fact that he tried so hard learning her language. Trying to know her more, to connect with her more. Oh God, how perfect could he be?
"It's okay if you don't reciprocate the feelings. I will wait forever for you baby. I will wait till you fell for me too. I just-"
"I love you" she cried out, tears flowing down on her already wet cheeks.
"I-i love you. I love you so much. How could I not Vikram? How could I? You filled something in me which was always empty. You healed the wounds which you never gave. Eie ng yawdana kamaina leidoino" she sobbed and crawled towards him.
(How can I live without you)
Vikram was frozen in his place hearing her confession. But he came out of his shock state as Thabal hugged him. He quickly wrapped his arms around her.
He hid his face in the crook of her neck, his broad frame shaking slightly as the weight of his confession finally settled. He had spent weeks practicing those Meiteilon lyrics, his tongue tripping over the vowels, his ego battling with the fear of looking foolish. But seeing her here, hearing those three words, made every stuttered syllable worth it.
"You really... you really mean it?" he whispered against her skin, his voice rough and thick. Thabal pulled back just enough to look at him. Her eyes were puffy, her nose red, and her cheeks stained with tears, but to Vikram, she had never looked more radiant.
She reached out, her fingers trembling as she wiped a stray tear from his jaw.
"I do. I love you so much" she softly assured him. Vikram released a shaky sigh and joined their foreheads together. Thabal smiled, her heart easing now. No longer racing like before.
"Aapne itna kuch kiya. Yeh sab ki kya jarurat thi. Bekar pe itna paisa gaya hoga ispe" she sighed softly.
"You are worth everything chand. Everything" he whispered back, pulling back and kissing her forehead. He stared at her and cup her face gently, wiping her face slowly.
"My pretty little baby" he muttered, making her blush and looked away from the intense eyecontact.
"Say again. Say that you love me" he traced her jaw softly and asked, his ears yearning to hear her say it. Thabal smiled at it.
"I love you"
"Again"
"I love you"
"Again"
"I love you"
"Again"
"I love you. I love you Vikram. So much. I love you so much" she muttered leaning just a bit and attaching their lips. Vikram immediately closed his eyes and kissed her back. He slowly moved his lips, sucking on her upper lips.
Thabal tilted her head slightly and started kissing him more deeply. She let out a low, shaky groan and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer until there wasn't a single inch of air between their bodies.
It got messy fast. Their teeth clanked together once, but they didn't care. His other hand moved to her body, roaming around her back and waist. He pulled back after a second, his breath coming in hot, wet gasps against her lips.
Thabal looked at him and reddened. She was breathless. Her chest was heaving up and down. Vikram suddenly remembered the ring box . He looked around and saw it lying next to him.
He took it and removed the ring from it. Turning to her, he took her right hand in his.
"Chand" he called softly, earning a hum from her.
"I bought this for you" he said looking at the ring and then at her.
"I know you are still young. You have a life laying infront of you. You have a bright future ahead. And i would never come in between your dreams and future. I just want to be a small part of your life. I don't want to figure it out with anyone else. This isn't a 'marry me tomorrow' ring. This is a promise. A promise that I am yours, completely and forever. Wherever you go, whatever you choose to be, I will forever love you. I will forever wait for you at our home. Maybe with our kids in future" he winked at her playfully in the end.
Thabal chuckled at it and shake her head at his antics. Although a pink tint covered her cheeks. She cupped his jaw and gave a deep peck on his lips.
"You are my life Vikram. Mera sab kuch toh aap pe basta hai. You are my present and my future" she murmured and pecked his lips again. Vikram smiled and slid the ring onto her finger.
It fit perfectly. Thabal stared at the gold glinting under the fairy lights.
"It's beautiful" she whispered and threw her arms around his neck again, pulling him down until they were lying on the rug, the fairy lights above them looking like a private galaxy.
"Wait" she said suddenly, pulling back with a small pout.
"Is this why those two were acting so weird? They helped you?" She asked with a frown. Vikram chuckled and hummed.
"They did. Shreya chose the frames. Meera gave me the song. She choosed it personally. Boli ki, the lyrics will match the situation perfectly" he said with a smile. Thabal chuckled at it.
"Haan lyrics toh bohot aache se match huwe hai. I couldn't believe that you sung it. The lyrics were so heart touching. Mujhe itna rona aa raha tha" she sighed dramatically. Vikram laughed softly at it.
"Glad you found it bearable. It took me weeks to practice those lines" he sighed and shook his head earning a laugh from her.
"You sound super cute speaking manipuri" she laughed, slapping on his chest in between her laughs.
Vikram smiled at her and caught her hand.
"Let's go to our room. I have something for you there" he informed. Thabal's eyes widened, her brows shooting up.
"Another one? Vikram, my heart can only take so much in one night!" She dramatically placed a hand over her left chest.
"Then let me handle this heart. I will keep it safe and sound" he teased, winking at her. He sat up, still having her in his arms.
Thabal stood up, followed by Vikram. He caught her hand and climbed the stairs, his grip firm and warm. The house felt different tonight.
When they reached the door to their bedroom, Vikram stepped behind her, placing his hands on her shoulders.
"Close your eyes" he commanded softly. Thabal obeyed, a giddy smile playing on her lips. She heard the soft click of the door opening and felt him nudge her forward into the room. The scent of sandalwood and the cool breeze from the window greeted her.
"Okay. Open them." Thabal opened her eyes and let out a soft, gasp. The room was dimly lit by a few warm lamps, but her focus was immediately pulled to the space above the headboard of their bed.
Hanging there was a massive, five-foot-wide photo frame, elegantly bordered in dark wood. It was a photo frame of them. A selfie she has taken with him during the puja. She looked at the camera with a wide smile, her eyes glinting, cheeks glowing from happiness.
Vikram was looking at the camera too. But his smile was softer. As if he has just learned to smile recently. Yet his eyes were glowing with love.
The quality was so crisp it felt like they could step right back into that moment.
"When did you... how did you even get this done?" She whispered in daze.
"I have my ways" he said, stepping up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
"Pasand aaya?" He asked softly, resting his chin over her shoulder.
"Pasand?" Thabal turned to him with a frown, as if offended.
"I so much love this Vikram. It's so beautiful. So perfect. And- i am just lost of my own words" she explained with a helpless sigh. Vikram cupped her chin and slowly caressed it.
"You're the most beautiful and perfect thing in this house" he murmured slowly and leaned his forehead against hers. Thabal smiled and closed her eyes.
"I love you" he whispered.
"What if I tell you I love you more?" She asked with a giggle, eyes still closed. Vikram chuckled at it.
"Whatever my woman says"
__________🌸__________
For anyone wanting to listen the manipuri song i mentioned in this chapter
The song name is hairammu By Abhisekh Tongram
It's available in YouTube and Spotify
Hope you like it
Stay safe sweeties🦥✨
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