From the upper corridor, Vikram stood, arms crossed and jaw tight, glaring down at the living room. His eyes were locked on Prithvi, unable to suppress the burning rage storming through his veins.
In the dining hall below…
Tara: "Suhani, you didn't even tell me you were coming!"
Suhani (grinning): "It was my and Prithvi bhaiya's plan. We wanted to surprise you!"
Dadi: "Well, it's a good thing you both came. This home needed some cheer."
Prithvi (teasing): "Tara, you're okay, right? Not scared of your husband watching us like that from upstairs?"
Tara chuckled nervously and stood. "I'll go inform the staff to bring something to eat."
As she got up, Prithvi grabbed her hand, stopping her. At the same moment, Vikram's fists clenched tightly above.
If Dadi, Dadaji, or Suhani weren't present, I would've broken his face right now, Vikram thought furiously.
Tara quickly pulled her hand away. "I'll go now," she said, her tone slightly stiff.
Prithvi (smiling): "Wait! Suhani and I brought something special."
He gestured to the driver, who brought in a cake box.
Prithvi: "A chocolate cake with extra chips — just like you like."
Suhani: "Yes, didi!"
Tara: "Thank you, Suhani. Thank you, Prithvi sir."
Prithvi (staring at Vikram smugly): "Come on, Tara. First bite from me."
That was it.
Vikram shouted: "Tara! Come to the room. NOW."
Dadi (sensing the storm): "Go, beta. Maybe it's something urgent. You can come back after talking."
Tara stood nervously. As she turned, Prithvi smirked and said loudly, "Vikram, Tara has something on her lips…"
Before she could react, he touched her lips with his finger.
Tara stepped back, shocked. "I'll clean it myself!" she snapped.
But Vikram was already on the move.
He stormed down the stairs, grabbed Tara's wrist, and pulled her upstairs without saying another word.
---
Inside the Room:
Tara (struggling): "I was already coming! Why are you doing this in front of everyone? Suhani was there… What will she think?"
Vikram (ignoring her): "Do you not understand what Prithvi is doing?! Are you that naive?!"
Tara: "He's just a friend! It was just a joke — you're overreacting!"
Vikram (stepping closer): "So anyone can touch your lips and you won't mind?!"
Tara: "He's my friend! Why does it matter to you?"
Vikram: "It matters because he's Prithvi! You really don't see what he's trying to do?"
Tara: "Why do you hate him so much?"
Vikram: "You like him, don't you? That's why you don't see his reality."
Tara: "What do you mean by that?"
Vikram (gripping her shoulders): "You like him more than a friend, Tara. Just admit it!"
Tara (pushing him back): "How dare you! My relationship with Prithvi is nothing more than friendship!"
Vikram: "Really? Then explain why you hugged him at his birthday party? Or on New Year's Eve? He always touches your cheek — now your lips too — and you never object!"
Tara (defensive): "He hugged me! And I told him not to — his nature is just… like that!"
Vikram (mocking): "Yeah, right. It's all just friendly to you. Fine. But two days after that birthday party, I found something out that proved you're more than just a friend to him."
Tara: "What are you talking about?"
Vikram: "My company lost a tender. Someone leaked confidential files. And guess what? The picture of those files was clicked from your phone."
Tara (stunned): "What? That's impossible! I didn't—"
Vikram (furious): "Stop lying, Tara. I have proof."
Suddenly, from the doorway, a small voice broke the silence.
Suhani (teary): "It wasn't didi… I took that photo."
Both Vikram and Tara turned, shocked.
Suhani (crying): "I'm sorry… Prithvi bhaiya told me to. He said the file belonged to him and that Vikram sir was keeping it unfairly. I didn't know it was wrong…"
Tara (kneeling beside her): "What exactly did he say, Suhani?"
Suhani: "When we were here for Dadaji's birthday, I was playing on your phone. Prithvi bhaiya asked me to go to Vikram sir's room and click a picture of a blue file. He said it was very important for his company."
Vikram's face darkened with fury and guilt.
Vikram (murmuring): "He used a 12-year-old child… And I blamed Tara this whole time..."
---
Living Room
Vikram stormed downstairs, walked straight to Prithvi, and punched him across the face.
Dadi: "Vikram! What are you doing?!"
Vikram: "Please don't stop me this time, Dadi. He deserves more than this."
Dadaji: "What happened?!"
Vikram: "He manipulated Suhani to steal confidential data from my room. He used a child."
Gasps filled the room. Prithvi's smirk vanished.
Dadaji (angrily): "Is that true, Prithvi?!"
Prithvi (shrugging): "Yes. So what? You gave 80% of the company to him. I got only 20%. I did what I had to."
Dadaji (furious): "You disgust me."
Vikram (shoving him toward the door): "Leave. Now. Or I'll show you what real consequences feel like."
Prithvi stumbled out.
Dadi broke down crying on the sofa.
---
Tara's Room
Suhani: "Didi, I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't know it would cause so much trouble."
Tara: "You should've told me, Suhani…"
Suhani: "I'm sorry."
Vikram entered quietly. His eyes were filled with guilt, his steps hesitant.
Suhani (frightened): "Please don't punish didi. Or me."
Vikram (kneeling in front of her): "Punish you? Never. Neither you nor your sister deserve that."
Suhani (sniffles): "Really?"
Vikram: "Really. You're brave, Suhani."
He kissed her forehead gently. "Relax. Everything's okay now."
Then, his eyes slowly moved to Tara — her eyes red, her expression unreadable.
Vikram could barely meet her gaze.
How did I misunderstand her so deeply? How could I believe she'd betray me? I forced her into this contract marriage because of all this… and I was wrong. I hurt her — deeply — the one person I never wanted to hurt.
Tara didn't say a word. She turned away.
---
Later…
Tara (to Suhani): "Let's go. I'll drop you home."
Vikram (gently): "I'll take her."
Suhani: "Really, Vikram sir?!"
Vikram: "Yes, come on."
---
At Suhani's House…
Tara's Mom: "You brought Suhani back? Come inside at least!"
Vikram: "Another time, aunty. It's already late. We'll visit properly soon."
He walked back to the car.
Driving alone, his thoughts suffocated him.
How do I face Tara now? I hurt her again and again. I never wanted to… but I did. And she doesn't deserve this pain.
---
Back at Suryavanshi Mansion
Vikram stepped into the room.
Tara sat on the bed, clearly having cried.
She didn't look at him.
And he… didn't dare speak.
But the silence between them now carried more weight than any storm.