Vikram lay on the bed in the guestroom, unable to sleep. His thoughts churned in frustration.
Vikram's Monologue: "Why do I always lose control and hurt her? I never want to cause Tara pain, but the moment I see her with Prithvi, my mind just... shuts down. I can't let her be around him.my Tara is not someone to be toyed with—and Prithvi treats women like they're temporary distractions. I won't let him anywhere near her, not at any cost. But why doesn't she see that? Why can't she see his real face?"
Eventually, sleep found him.
---
The next morning, Vikram stepped out of the room, still carrying the weight of his restless night. Just as he exited, he ran into Dadiji.
"Vikram, beta, what are you doing? Why can't you see what's right in front of you? Let go of your stubbornness. Tara is a good girl. Give yourself and your life one more chance. How long will you live in past"?
Vikram didn't respond.
He quietly returned to his room.He noticed the door was slightly ajar As he stepped toward the bed . There, curled on his side of the bed, was Tara—she had rolled over in her sleep, the blanket fallen to the floor.
He moved closer, gently lifting her arm which was dangling. He pushed up the sleeve of her sweater, revealing a dark bruise.
Regret flickered in his eyes. He softly touched the mark and then pulled the blanket over her. As he leaned forward, his face inches from hers, he was about to kiss her forehead—when Tara's eyes fluttered open.
Startled, Vikram quickly pulled back.
Tara (groggily):
"You were… doing what, exactly?"
"I was... checking your fever," he replied, feigning calm.
"This is how you check a fever?" she raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I do," he said, escaping toward the balcony. He flung the door open, taking a deep breath.
Tara sat up, confused. "What... was that?"
---
Later, Vikram dressed in casual clothes—something he rarely did—and joined Dadaji and Dadiji downstairs.
"Let's all go out today," he said.
Dadi's eyes welled up. "You're skipping work… to spend time with us? . Will Tara come too?"
"If I ask, she won't. You ask her," Vikram said.
Dadi smiled and went to Tara's room.
"Tara beta, how are you feeling?"
"Better, Dadi."
"Then get ready—we're going out."
"Where to?"
"You'll see."
---
Downstairs, Tara assumed Dadi was taking her somewhere. But she noticed Dadaji joining as well, and smiled.
They all walked to the car.
"Where's the driver?" Tara asked.
Vikram appeared, smirking. "I'm your driver today."
Tara was stunned. This man lives for work, and today he's skipping it? This had to be a dream.
"Tara," he called. "Get in."
"Huh?" she blinked.
"Tara, get in the car," Dadi repeated.
What is happening? she thought. This monster is taking us on an outing and hasn't even yelled once.
As the car moved, Vikram spoke again.
"Stop looking at me like that. You're distracting me."
She quickly turned away. Dadi chuckled from the backseat.
---
They arrived at a scenic mountain waterfall. The January afternoon sun made everything shimmer.
"Wow, what a beautiful place!" Tara exclaimed.
Dadaji and Dadiji sat on a bench nearby.
Vikram followed Tara. "Careful," he warned. "Don't fall."
"Why are you following me? And I'm not talking to you."
"Because you're going to slip again, and this time you'll land in the river."
Tara ignored him and ran playfully toward the waterfall. The path down was rocky and risky, but she was too delighted to care.
Vikram sighed. Why did I plan this?
Back on the bench:
"Do you think Vikram will ever have a normal life again?" Dadi asked.
"Maybe. That boy has been through too much. His anger hides his pain," Dadaji replied.
"It's been 25 years. I lost hope... but seeing him run after Tara, maybe there's still a chance."
"He does care. Didn't you see him in the hospital?"
---
By the waterfall, Tara let the cold water splash her arms. Vikram approached, alarmed.
"Are you crazy? You'll get sick again. The doctor said to stay warm."
"Oh, now you care?" she teased.
"Step away from the water."
"Nope."
He grabbed her wrist to pull her back, but she resisted. Vikram lost balance and fell—with Tara—right into the water.
Both were drenched.
Tara burst out laughing. For the first time in a long while, Vikram laughed too.
He gazed at her as water streamed down her face. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. Their eyes locked.
Tara's heart raced. She quickly stood up. Vikram did too, the air between them thick with unspoken feelings.
"You're wet again. You'll fall sick. Are you a child?"
"There's sunlight. I'll dry up."
"Wow, such brilliant ideas."
"Don't try to be friendly. We don't have to pretend here."
"I'm not pretending. I do care."
She paused. "Care? You? For me?" she laughed. "Your 'care' left two marks on my hands."
He looked down, ashamed. "I never wanted to hurt you."
"Then what do you want from me? Because I don't get it."
"I'm bad at explaining things. That's why I don't answer."
"You know what you're good at? Controlling people. That's your talent."
"Sometimes control protects the people who don't know they're in danger."
"Maybe I don't think like a businessman. That's why your logic doesn't reach me."
Vikram stared into her eyes. "Neither my words, nor my silence... reach you. That's the problem."
Tara was silent.
---
After a moment, he said, "Let's go. Dadaji and Dadiji must be waiting."
As they walked back, Tara stumbled again.
"Aaaaa!" she yelped.
"Seriously, where is your focus?" Vikram scolded.
He bent to help, but she flinched.
"Did you just call me fat?" she glared.
"No! I just meant lifting you from a room is easier than carrying you up a mountain."
"Same thing. You called me fat."
"Okay fine, I'll lift you. Happy now?"
"I can walk—"
"You can't," he interrupted, and scooped her into his arms.
"Don't move or we'll both fall again."
She stayed still.
Dadi and Dadaji watched them from a distance.
"Let's walk the other way," Dadaji said. "Give them some space."
---
Back at the house, Tara was limping.
"What happened, Tara?" Dadi asked.
"Just slipped a little."
"Vikram, take her to her room and put spray on her ankle."
"Give me your hand," he said.
"Lift her!" Dadi ordered.
"No, I'll help her walk," Vikram tried.
"I don't think I can walk," Tara whispered.
"Seriously?" he sighed. "Dadi, she's manipulating me."
"Lift her!" Dadi insisted.
He obeyed.
"I'm going to die carrying you all the time."
She smiled secretly.
He placed her on the bed and collapsed beside her.
"You enjoy troubling me, don't you?"
"Look at yourself. No one would recognize you as the great Vikram Suryavanshi."
She giggled and lay down beside him.
He turned to her.
"You're laughing too much. If you don't stop, I'll shut you up myself."
Tara "Huuu..."
He leaned in. "Haan"(yes).
He was just about to kiss her when a knock interrupted them.
They quickly moved .