Vikram signaled to Tara with a subtle nod — but she didn't understand. Instead, she walked away with her mother and Suhani.
Vikram's thoughts: Tara, how could you do this to me? Seriously, Tara?
He stayed in the living room for a while, silent, the frustration simmering under his calm exterior.
Then, he called over a female staff member.
Vikram: "Go to the room near Dadi's — the one where Suhani and her mother are staying. Tara should be there. Tell her I need to see her, it's important."
Staff: "Yes, sir." She nodded and left.
A few minutes later, the staff reached the room.
Staff: "Tara ma'am, Vikram is in the living hall. He says it's important."
Tara: "Alright, tell him I'll be there in a while."
Her mother caught the exchange, instantly understanding.
Tara's mom: "Beta, go. If Vikram ji is saying it's important, it must be."
Suhani: "Should I go and ask him what it is?"
Tara's mom: "No, Suhani. You go to sleep — you have school tomorrow."
The staff returned to Vikram.
Staff: "She said she'll come in a while."
Vikram's thoughts: Fine… she's only gone for a little while. I'll wait.
Before going to his room, Vikram stopped by Dadi's for a moment, then went upstairs.
He waited.
Vikram's thoughts: When is she coming? It's been ten minutes since I came upstairs. What is she even doing all day?
Thirty minutes later…
Vikram: "Enough. I'm calling her."
But he hesitated.Suhani picks up the phone and says something?
Vikram (muttering): "Tara, please just come…"
Five more minutes passed. Finally, the door opened — Tara walked in.
Vikram's eyes were sharp, his expression unreadable.
Tara: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Vikram: "Nothing. You just… don't care about me."
Tara (sarcastic): "Wow. The day I cared for you with all my heart, I still had to hear this dialogue."
Vikram: "I've been waiting for you for so long."
Tara: "Why wait? You could've just gone to sleep."
Vikram: "Sleep? Really? I should've just gone to sleep?"
Tara: "Yes."
Vikram: "You're heartless."
Tara: "What's wrong with you?"
Vikram: "Nothing."
She came closer, sitting on the bed, her tone softer.
Tara: "Tell me, what happened? Why are you in a bad mood?"
Vikram: "Nothing…"
Tara: "Then go to sleep."
Vikram suddenly pulled her closer.
Vikram: "Fine, I'll end my anger — because even if I stay mad, where else will I go?"
He reached for something on the side table — a necklace. Carefully, he placed it around her neck.
Tara froze. She recognized it instantly — the same necklace Dadi had given her the day after their wedding, the same one Vikram had once yanked from her neck in anger, leaving a cut behind.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Vikram immediately pulled her into a hug.
Vikram: "Please, Tara, don't cry. I know why you are. No matter how many times I say sorry for that day, it will never be enough. Please forgive me."
Tara: "You've already apologized for the necklace incident. How many times will you say it?"
Vikram: "Then why are you crying? Is it because of the cut?"
Vikram: "Trust me, Tara — I never meant to hurt you. When I saw the cut, it hurt me too. I felt every bit of that pain myself."
Tara: "It's not that, Vikram. Don't feel guilty for something I've already forgiven. I'm crying because… the day Dadi gave me this necklace, I didn't want to take it. I knew it wasn't mine by right. It stayed in its box the whole day. But in the evening, I felt like seeing it… and it was beautiful. I tried it on — and that's when you walked in. That day, all I could think was — 'Tara, don't try it. It's not yours.'"
Vikram's chest tightened, his own eyes welling up.
Vikram: "It was always yours, Tara. Always. I wanted to give it to you myself."
He hugged her again, tears slipping down his face.
Vikram: "I'm sorry, Tara. I've been awful. Sometimes I think… I was never worthy of you."
Tara: "That's the past, Vikram. If we want to move forward, we have to leave it behind."
Vikram pulled back slightly.
Tara (wiping his tears): "You don't look good when you cry."
Vikram (wiping hers): "And you don't look good with tears either."
They sat close, sharing a quiet moment.
Vikram: "The food was good tonight."
Tara: "Please, Vikram, don't remind me. Two things I hate are your favorites. Who eats palak and methi? Sometimes I doubt your taste."
Vikram (tapping her nose): "You're my favorite too — so stop doubting my taste."
Tara: "So I'm like methi and palak?"
Vikram (smiling): "No… you're like rasmalai. I've had that too."
Tara: "Mr. Suryavanshi… now I really doubt I'm not the first girl in your life."
Vikram: "You're doubting me?"
Tara: "Yes. I've seen pictures of you with so many women, looking very… comfortable."
Vikram (hugging her): "Those were business events. I had to act. It didn't mean anything romantic."
Tara: "But how were you single for so many years? Maybe not in a romantic relationship, but you could've been in a… situationship."
Vikram: "What? You think I'd do that?"
Tara: "Why not?"
Vikram (angry now): "Listen, Tara. I liked you. I wanted to tell you every single day — but I couldn't. And you think I'd be in some situationship with someone else?"
Tara (teasing): "How would I know?"
Vikram: "I didn't expect this from you. I'm going to sleep."
Tara: "Fine. I'm tired too."
Vikram: "Don't talk to me."
Tara: "Alright."
Vikram (shocked): "You won't even try to make up?"
Tara (smiling): "No."
Vikram: "Now I'm really angry."
Tara: "How will you make up with me?"
Vikram (turning towards her): "You already know how."
Tara: "Mr. Suryavanshi… I know exactly what's going on in that head of yours. I'm not walking into trouble. I have to put away this necklace and change my saree before sleeping." She got off the bed.
Vikram: "If it's trouble, you'll walk right into it. Where are you going to change?"
Tara: "Bathroom."
Vikram (raising an eyebrow): "Why bother going to the bathroom? You can change here."
Tara (smirking): "Oh? And give you front-row tickets to the show?"
Vikram (grinning): "The show's already started, Tara. I don't mind an encore."
He stepped closer — but before he could reach her, she spun around, grabbed the end of her saree pallu, and in one swift motion, wrapped it entirely around him — chest, arms, waist — trapping him like a neatly packaged gift.
Vikram (blinking): "Tara… what the hell?!"
She laughed — not the polite kind — but full, mischievous, almost villainous.
Tara: "Now you stay here. No movements, Mr. Trouble."
Vikram: "Seriously? You've tied me up like a hostage!"
Tara (twirling in her blouse and petticoat): "Exactly. Saree wrap — limited edition."
She pushed him gently onto the bed.
Tara: "Enjoy, Mr. Suryavanshi."
She grabbed her night suit from the cupboard and headed to the bathroom.
Tara: "Enjoy your punishment."
Vikram (deadpan): "I swear… the moment I'm free—"
Tara (grinning): "By then, I'll be asleep. Good night."
She winked and disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Vikram immobilized in six yards of chaos.
When she came back out, he was still wrapped up.
Vikram: "Tara, unwrap me."
Tara (lying down next to him): "I should've wrapped you tighter."
Vikram: "You're just creating trouble for yourself now."
Tara: "Now you'll stay like this all night."
Vikram: "Okay, here's a deal. You unwrap me, and I promise I won't do anything. I'll just quietly go to sleep."
Tara: "Really?"
Vikram: "Yes, really. I can't even move right now."
Tara felt a little bad, so she unwrapped him.
"Alright, go to sleep now, Mr. Suryavanshi."
Instead, Vikram slipped his arm around her waist and gently laid her down on the bed.
Tara: "You promised, remember?"
Vikram: "I don't recall that…so, you'll have to face the punishment."
Tara: "Oh? And what, you'll wrap me up in a saree too?"
Vikram: "No… I'm thinking of the opposite."
Tara: "Vikram, no—"
Vikram smirked: "Mrs. Suryavanshi… face the consequences."
He leaned over her, taking control — still protective, but completely in charge. Hovering just above her, his face was so close she could feel his breath.
Vikram: "What will you do now, Tara?"
Before she could answer, his lips captured hers — and this kiss was nothing gentle. By the time Vikram finally pulled away, Tara was breathless.
Vikram lay down beside her, turning off the light.
"Good night."
Tara was still trying to steady her breathing.
---
Ten minutes later…
Tara: "Vikram… what are you doing?"
Vikram: "You know exactly what I'm doing."
Tara: "You are impossible, Vikram."
Vikram: "Quiet, Tara. I still remember what you did to me earlier."
Tara giggled: "Vikram, stop tickling me, this isn't fair!"
Vikram: "This is your sweet punishment."
Tara laughed harder: "If you keep doing that, I'll go sleep with Mummy and Suhani."
Vikram held her close: "I won't let you go anywhere. And if you push me too much, I'll wrap you in this red saree along with me. So… sleep now."
Tara: "Mummy and Suhani will be leaving in four or five days."
Vikram's expression turned sad: "Really? I'll miss Suhani so much. But I can understand Aunty's feelings… I respect them."
Tara, emotional: "My parents loved each other deeply… this is hardest for my mother."
Vikram: "I understand. After spending so many years together, when you're so used to someone's presence and they leave forever… life becomes very hard."
He tried to comfort her.
"Come on, sleep now. You're tired."
---
Morning — 6:30 a.m.
Vikram woke up and gently shook her.
"Tara… Tara, wake up."
Tara: "Why?"
Vikram: "We need to fix everything before Suhani comes in."
Tara: "Yes… that girl really scared me yesterday."
Vikram: "I'm going to take a shower and get ready."
Tara: "Should I get you your black coffee?"
Vikram: "Don't ask me so sweetly in the morning… we've just fixed everything in bed."
Tara: "Mr. Suryavanshi, please go take your shower. Talking to you has become so difficult now.
Vikram: "So now I shouldn't even tell you the truth? Who else should I tell what I feel?"
He headed to the bathroom. "Okay, I'm going to bathe."
---
7:10 a.m.
Suhani knocked on the door.
Tara opened it.
Suhani: "Didi, are you also coming to drop me at school?"
Tara: "Why, Suhani? Should I come?"
Suhani: "Then why are you already dressed this early?"
Vikram, standing at the mirror fixing his tie, struggled to hold back his laughter.
Suhani: "Now let me come inside."
Tara stepped aside.
Tara's thoughts: "This girl is definitely going to be a detective in the future."
Suhani walked up to Vikram.
"Are you ready?"
Vikram: "Yes, Suhani, I'm ready."
Suhani: "And the funny thing is… Tara didi is ready too."
Vikram smiled.
Tara: "I'm not ready, Suhani — I just woke up."
Suhani: "Then why is your hair so perfectly in place? Since when did you become like those TV actresses who sleep in makeup and wake up in makeup?"
Tara: "Suhani, I'm going downstairs now. And the way you're asking so many questions, you're just making me angry."
Looking at Vikram: "And you — stop smiling."
She walked out.
Tara's thoughts in the hallway: "Every morning this Suhani starts her interrogation."
---
Inside the room…
Suhani: "Jiju, I need help with my studies."
Vikram: "Okay, I'll help."
Suhani: "When? You never have time. You go to the office in the morning and come back at 8 or 9 p.m."
Vikram: "From today, I'll come back in the evening, okay?"
They both went down to the living hall, where Tara was already waiting — glaring at them both.