Tara had joined the party with Suhani and Prithvi, but her mind was elsewhere. Her eyes kept wandering, searching—though she wasn't sure what she was looking for. Or who.
The music was loud, people were laughing, lights were dazzling—but the joy that usually sparkled in her eyes was missing. Something had shifted. The party ended, and Suhani left with Prithvi, while the rest of the guests slowly disappeared.
Tara returned to her room, noticing immediately how spotless it looked. "Strange... someone cleaned this recently," she murmured. "And it feels empty... like something's missing."
She looked around. "Where's Vikram Sir?"
Her heart skipped. "Why am I even thinking about him? Let him go wherever he wants."
Still, she changed into her nightwear and tried to sleep—but sleep wouldn't come. "Maybe I should call him? Just to be sure he's okay... I mean, contract marriage or not, he is still my husband."
She dialed. Switched off.
Tara sighed and tried again. Still off.
She tossed and turned before finally drifting into a restless sleep.
Morning
Vikram returned to the room around dawn. His face was pale, his eyes red and puffy as if he'd been crying all night—or hadn't slept at all. He went straight into the bathroom.
Standing before the mirror, he looked like a shadow of himself. His jaw was clenched, his hair disheveled, and faint cuts lined his hand. His expression was hollow.
---
Flashback:
Vikram had seen Prithvi pull Tara's cheek again. The fury inside him boiled over. He stormed into his room, slammed the door, hurled his phone across the wall, and roared, "WHY, TARA? WHY AGAIN?"
Everything on the table was smashed. He sat on the bed, his fists clenched, breath heavy.
Moments later, he called staff to clean the room—ordering them to make it look exactly like it used to. Not a single trace of the destruction should remain.
Then, he disappeared to the rooftop room, drinking through the night, lost in his chaos.
---
Back to the present.
Tara stirred awake just as Vikram stepped out of the bathroom. She wanted to ask where he'd been but held herself back.
"Where were you last night?" she finally asked as he buttoned his shirt.
Vikram didn't reply. He opened the door and slammed it shut behind him.
Tara winced.
"The monster is back," she whispered.
All day, she kept wondering if she was overthinking things or if something was truly wrong.
That evening, a knock came at her door.
A staff member stood there. "Ma'am, we found Sir's wedding ring in the garbage. I thought I should return it."
Tara blinked. "Garbage?"
"Yes, while we were cleaning the room yesterday evening. Sir had broken some things, and the ring ended up with the trash. He said to replace everything exactly how it was. He even shattered his phone."
Tara accepted the ring silently, placing it on the mirror table.
That night, Vikram returned to the room. Without a word, he grabbed a bottle of alcohol and walked out. Curious and concerned, Tara quietly followed him and found him heading to the rooftop.
She hesitated for nearly an hour before summoning the courage to go after him. She knocked.
He opened the door with fury in his eyes.
"Why aren't you in the room?"
"Didn't want to see your face. Now leave."
"What is happening to you? Why are you doing this to yourself?"
"This innocent face of yours—it always ruins me. You do something, and then you come back acting like nothing happened. And I… fall for it every time."
"Vikram Sir, please say it clearly. I don't understand."
He laughed—bitterly. "Of course you don't."
She noticed the cuts on his hand. "How did this happen?"
"Don't fake your concern, Tara. If you cared, I wouldn't be in this condition."
And with that, he slammed the door.
Tara screamed.
Her hand got caught in the door and was cut. Blood trickled down.
Vikram immediately reopened the door and panicked. "Tara! Your hand—"
"Leave it. I'll handle it," she said, holding back tears.
"Let me help—"
"No!" She jerked her hand away.
Vikram grabbed it gently this time, stopping the bleeding. He took her downstairs, sat her on the bed, and cleaned the wound.
"Sit here. Don't move," he said softly.
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She was in pain, but even more confused.
He brought the first aid box and wrapped her hand carefully.
She watched him silently. This man hurts me… and then heals me. He causes pain… but can't bear to see mine. What is he?
When she tried to pick up her pillow with one hand, Vikram stopped her.
"Where are you going?"
"To the rooftop room. You don't want to see my face, right?"
"No one's going anywhere. Sleep here. I'm staying too."
They both lay on their sides of the bed, backs turned. But neither could sleep properly. Tears slipped from both their eyes.
---
Morning.
Vikram woke up first. Tara had rolled closer in her sleep, her leg over his and her head resting near his shoulder.
He gently shifted her wounded hand, checking the swelling. Then, he kissed it softly.
"Sorry," he whispered, a tear slipping from his own eye.
Vikram's Monologue:
I can't stay near you… and I can't stay away. When I try to leave, it feels like I'm dying. But staying close and not being able to call you mine—it's killing me slowly.
I can't let you be with Prithvi. I know his history with women. He lures them with sweet words. I don't know why you're doing this—but I know why he is.
The truth is… I can't see you with anyone. Not even him. Not even anyone.
Vikram got ready for work. Tara also got up.
"You freshen up first. Then I'll change your bandage," he said.
She returned after a while, trying to move her hair with one hand.
"Your hair's falling into your wound. Tie it."
"I'll do it."
"No. I'll help."
He got on the bed, took a hairband from the mirror, and began to tie her hair.
He paused when he saw her kurti unbuttoned near the neck. He gently fastened it without a word, then tied her hair into a rough braid.
She watched everything silently through the mirror.
He finished the bandage. "I'll send your breakfast upstairs. Eat slowly with a spoon. I'll also call the doctor."
---
Vikram was about to leave for work when he paused at the garden.
He walked in, looked at the yellow rose bushes, and picked one.
Flashback (2 years ago):
It was morning. Vikram was sipping coffee by the window when he saw a girl—Tara—smelling the yellow roses happily. Her father (the family driver) scolded her, but not before she plucked one.
He was furious. Who touches my roses?
But then she sneezed cutely, and he couldn't help but smile.
Later, he saw her leaving for college—with that same rose tucked into her braid.
It wasn't love at first sight. But it was something. Something different.
---
Back to the present.
Vikram placed the yellow rose near the mirror.
Later, the doctor visited Tara—she had developed a slight fever. He prescribed medicines and an injection. Dadi and Dadu lovingly scolded her to take care.
Tara took the meds and fell asleep.
Vikram called staff from work to check on her. "She has fever, took medicine, and ate lunch," they replied.
That night, Vikram returned to the room. Tara was sleeping. He gently touched her forehead to check for fever.
Then he noticed the rose—tucked into her braid.
He smiled faintly.
She opened one eye. Why does this monster sometimes turn into an angel?
Vikram had his dinner and turned off the lights.
---
Morning.
This time, Vikram had rolled close to Tara in his sleep. His arm was around her waist.
He quickly removed it and adjusted the rose in her braid before placing a kiss on her hair.
He changed her bandage—it was healing.
They had breakfast together downstairs.
"How did it happen?" Dadi asked.
Before Tara could reply, Vikram said, "My fault, Dadi. I didn't notice her hand on the door. It got hurt when I closed it."
Tara looked at him—stunned.
Later that night, she was watching K-Drama.
Vikram spotted his wedding ring on the mirror table. He quietly put it back on.
Then he went to bed and turned off the lights.
Tara whispered, I also deserved one ji chang wook.Only his magic can fix my life .
Vikram removed her earbuds.
"What the hell?!" Tara yelped.
"Sleep. Or I swear I'll break your phone for real."
"Monster," she muttered.
He turned, grumbling in his mind, Every night, she thinks she deserves a new man.