The early morning light crept gently into the bedroom, casting a soft golden glow on Tara and Vikram. Tara stirred slightly, noticing how close Vikram was to her, his arms loosely wrapped around her in his sleep.
Tara (whispering to herself): "He must have been scared in his sleep... just like Suhani gets frightened sometimes and hugs me. But why is my heartbeat racing like this?"
She glanced at the wall clock — 5:00 AM. Sleep had evaded her all night. Her hand rested over her chest.
Tara (internally): "Is this... normal? Is this how everyone feels? Or is my heart trying to tell me something else? Maybe if I check Vikram sir's heartbeat, I can figure it out."
She gently placed her ear against Vikram's chest, trying to catch the rhythm of his heartbeat. But Vikram, lost in deep, undisturbed sleep, had a calm heartbeat that Tara couldn't quite hear.
Tara (pouting): "Obviously I can't hear anything properly over his shirt. That's why it's not working."
Without a second thought, Tara began unbuttoning his shirt — one button, then the next. Just as she was about to reach the third, Vikram's eyes flew open. For the first time in his life, Vikram Suryavanshi felt nervous.
Vikram (confused and slightly flustered): "Tara… what are you doing?"
Tara (calmly): "Trying to hear your heartbeat. Couldn't hear it over your shirt."
Vikram: "What? But... why?"
Tara: "To check if your heartbeat is normal or not. Now don't interrupt, I'm trying to concentrate."
She placed her ear against his bare chest again.
Tara: "Wait... your heartbeat is even faster than mine!"
Vikram (smirking): "And yours is fast too."
Tara: "Yes! It's been happening for days. I think I'm sick or something. Maybe you have the same condition."
Vikram (smiling): "Yeah, I've had this illness for one and a half years now."
Tara: "So how do you treat it? I haven't been able to sleep because of it."
Vikram: "Let me help. Take five deep breaths. Trust me."
She did as he said, closing her eyes, breathing deeply.
Vikram gently wrapped his arms around her. "Now close your eyes and stop thinking. Just relax."
Within ten minutes, Tara fell asleep like a child. Vikram gently brushed a lock of hair from her face.
Vikram (to himself): "So her heartbeat's racing too… and she doesn't even understand why. How adorably clueless. You asked what my treatment is, Tara? It's you."
After a while, he slowly shifted her back onto the bed, careful not to wake her, and went downstairs to get ready for work.
At breakfast, Dadi noticed something.
Dadi: "Vikram, you're glowing today. No frown, no anger. Something's definitely changed."
Vikram (smiling softly): "Nothing's changed, Dadi. Everything's the same."
Dadi: "Exactly. That's why it's strange."
Before leaving, Vikram instructed the staff, "If Tara doesn't wake up by 10 AM, take her breakfast to her room. Gently wake her up."
He left for the office, while back at the table, Dadi and Dadu exchanged knowing smiles.
Meanwhile, at Prithvi's house:
Prithvi (wincing): "Ugh. The way he hit me… it still hurts."
Prithvi's Mom: "You're always getting beat up. You call this success?"
Prithvi: "This time, I'll win, Mom. I'll get that hydro project, no matter what."
Mom: "Do you think Vikram will hand it over to you that easily?"
Prithvi: (smirking): "Not easily. But he will. I've found his weakness."
Mom: "What weakness?"
Prithvi: "Love. The mighty Vikram Suryavanshi has fallen in love."
Mom: "With who? That driver's daughter?"
Prithvi: "Yes. He married her for a reason. Not strategy — emotion."
Mom: "Wow. I always thought it was a power move."
Prithvi: "He warned me once to stay away from Tara. And within four days, he married her. Now, I'll use this against him. Let's see how far he'll go to protect her."
At the Suryavanshi Group office:
Vikram entered, returning greetings with a rare "Good morning."
Staff 1: "Did you hear that? He replied!"
Staff 2: "Are we dreaming? Is he... happy?"
In his cabin, Vikram recalled the morning scene with Tara, smiling despite himself.
Manager (entering): "Good morning, sir. Quick update about yesterday's meeting."
Vikram: "Go on."
Manager (smiling): "Sir… you should smile more often. You look good in love."
Vikram: "Do you enjoy your job?"
Manager (nervously): "Apologies, sir! Let's talk business."
Later, Vikram (to himself): "I need to control these emotions. People are already noticing. I must stay professional… but I can't deny I feel good."
Back at the mansion:
Tara had woken up to breakfast and concern from the staff.
Staff: "You okay, ma'am?"
Tara: "Yes. Just… haven't been sleeping. And my heart feels weirdly fast."
Staff (giggling): "That's love, ma'am. Happened to me too when I got married."
Tara (shocked): "Love?! With Vikram sir? How?"
Tara spent the day trying to distract herself with K-dramas, but none held her attention. During romantic scenes, she imagined herself and Vikram instead of the leads.
Tara (annoyed): "None of the actors even look attractive anymore. What is happening to me? Tara, control yourself. This is just a temporary relationship!"
Later, in the backyard sipping tea:
Tara (to herself): "From now on, no racing heart. No feelings. Love? What even is that?"
Determined, she walked back to her room — only to find Vikram changing his shirt.
Tara's heart thumped wildly again.
Tara (thinking): "Vikram sir looks so... hot."
Flustered, she rushed to the balcony.
Vikram: "Tara? Are you there?"
Tara: "Why are you following me? Can't you change in the bathroom like normal people?"
Vikram: "And what about this morning when you unbuttoned my shirt?"
Tara: "That was for medical purposes!"
Later that night:
Vikram and Tara sat silently on their bed. He wanted to give her a gift but didn't know how.
Vikram: "Are you okay, Tara?"
Tara: "I'm fine. Just not in a great mood."
Vikram: "Want chocolate?"
Tara (perking up): "Yes!"
She grabbed the box from the dresser, started munching — then noticed another small box inside.
Tara: "What's this?"
Vikram: "It's for you. Open it."
She did — a beautiful diamond necklace.
Vikram stepped forward. "Let me put it on you."
Tara (stepping back, teary-eyed): "No. Don't."
Vikram: "Why not?"
Tara: "You once said I'd do anything for jewellery and money. Remember? That day you ripped off the necklace your grandmother gave me… the scar is still here."
Vikram: "I was wrong. I'm sorry for everything."
He kissed the scar gently, but then leaned to kiss the other side. Tara pushed him away.
Tara: "This is a contract marriage, Vikram sir. You said it could end anytime. So why do this now?"
Vikram: "Do you really think a piece of paper decides which relationships are serious?"
Tara: "In our case, yes. I don't even know why you married me in the first place."
Vikram: "Let's sit and talk—"
Tara: "No. Just stay away. Let's live this contract like a contract."
That night, both lay in silence on their respective sides of the bed. Eyes open. Hearts heavy.
But this time… their pain didn't come from hatred. It came from love.