Morning, 6:30 AM
"Tara, put on a shirt. You've been walking around without one for so long…"
"I'm not wearing it in my room," Vikram replied.
"Fine," Tara said with a small shrug, "then drop Suhani at school just like this."
Vikram smirked. "I'm choosing which shirt to wear."
Tara smiled knowingly. "Almost all of them are white. Thanks to Suhani, only about ten percent of your wardrobe has full colors."
"Don't laugh," Vikram said. "Today's Suhani's last exam. I want to wear something colorful, but I just… don't have the courage."
"Alright," Tara stepped toward the cupboard, "let me help. But you'll need to move aside so I can reach."
Vikram stepped closer instead, his voice low. "Why… are you losing control, Tara?"
She gave him a dry look. "I've been sleeping in the same bed with you for two and a half months. I didn't lose control then—why would I now?"
"That's exactly why I deserve an award," Vikram teased. "Because in those two and a half months, you slept on fifty percent of my body every single night."
"Just wear white," Tara advised.
"I'll wear something colorful for Suhani," Vikram decided. "Then I'll change before going to the office."
"Then wear red."
"Red isn't my color. The last time I wore a red tie, it went viral—and my wife almost accused me of cheating."
"Then wear green."
"No."
"Orange?"
"In this lifetime? Never."
"Yellow?"
"Fine, I'll wear yellow. Help me though—my hands have cuts."
She eyed his hands. "Yes, such big cuts… that are completely invisible."
Still, Tara picked out a yellow shirt and helped him into it. As she fastened the buttons, Vikram murmured, "Don't fasten even one button wrong, or I'll have to undo the whole thing."
Tara blushed, hiding her smile as she continued. "Mr. Suryavanshi, I think you might have done an MBA in flirting."
"No," Vikram said, "I never needed to study it. It just comes naturally when you're around."
Tara hesitated, wanting to ask about his mother, but changed her question.
"How should I remember my father?"
Vikram looked at her sharply. "If you miss your father, remember him in the moments you were happy together. When he was at his best—that's the best way to hold on to someone."
"That should apply to everyone, shouldn't it?" Tara asked softly.
"Yes," Vikram agreed.
"Then how long will you remember only the sad version?"
His expression darkened. "I'm going downstairs. I don't want to talk about this."
"For how long?" Tara pressed.
"Please, Tara, don't ruin my mood."
"I saw a photo of you and your mother," Tara continued gently. "It was beautiful. Shouldn't we frame it in our room?"
Vikram's voice sharpened. "So I can look at it every day and remember everything again?"
"In that picture, you were both happy," Tara said. "She was laughing openly—that was her best version."
Vikram stepped close. "You have no idea what happened, Tara. If you did, you'd never say this."
"Even if I knew, what difference would it make? How long will you live in the past? Do you think your mother would be happy seeing you sad like this?"
"Tara, please… not in the morning."
"Fine. Then I should also stay sad for my father forever, right?"
"You don't understand," Vikram said, pained. "There's a big difference between your father's death and my mother's."
"And what's that difference? Age? You were ten, I was twenty-one when I lost my father."
His eyes filled with tears. "My mother was… cheated on."
Tara stepped forward, cupping his cheek. "And by staying sad and trapped in the past, aren't you also betraying her love for you? She loved you more than anyone. I'm not saying it will be okay in one day, but you can at least try to live a normal life alongside the grief. So many people do. By staying like this, are you really keeping her happy? You're not that weak, Vikram—you can come out of this."
She paused. "I've been thinking… I spend my days at home doing nothing, getting bored. What if I start a foundation named Sulekha Rising Girls? Will you finance it, Mr. Suryavanshi?"
A tear rolled down his cheek, and he nodded.
"Thank you for accepting," Tara smiled. "Sulekha Mom was a powerful woman. I read about her online."
He looked at her in surprise. "You called her Mom?"
"Yes."
"I can't even call your mother Mom."
"That's okay. Call her 'Mom' or 'Aunty'—it doesn't matter. What matters is you respect her. And I know why you can't use the word 'Mom'…"
Vikram gently held her waist with both hands. "You've become so mature… it's hard to believe."
"I've always been mature."
"Please don't remind me of the past." He rested his forehead against hers affectionately.
The door burst open and Suhani ran in, wrapping them both in a hug. They both smiled, holding her tightly.
"Now that we've had a group hug, let's have a group kiss," Vikram teased, kissing Tara's cheek, then Suhani's forehead.
Tara thought to herself, Mr. Suryavanshi never misses an opportunity.
"Wow, Jiju," Suhani said, "you're wearing a yellow shirt with a black coat—you look just like a sunflower."
Tara and Vikram both burst out laughing.
"That was a compliment!" Suhani protested. "Didi, you come too—let's all go together."
"Alright," Tara said. "It's your last exam this season."
"Yes! Let's go!" Suhani grabbed both their hands and pulled them toward the car.
She led them all the way to the car, and the three of them left together.
Back at home, Dadi said to Tara's mother, "When you all leave tomorrow, the house will feel empty. Because of Suhani, the house feels lively. This home needs children."
"One day we have to leave," Tara's mother replied. "And life needs to be settled again. As for children, you'll see them soon."
"That makes me so happy," Dadi said warmly.
At the school gate, Vikram and Tara wished Suhani good luck and hugged her before she went inside.
After she left, Vikram turned to Tara. "Will you come somewhere with me?"
"Where?"
"A holiday… or you could call it a honeymoon."
"Really, Vikram? Do we even need to go on a honeymoon?"
Vikram burst into laughter.
"Don't laugh!" Tara scolded.
"I just thought we could go somewhere for a week. Or longer, if you say."
"I'm not in the mood to travel anywhere right now," Tara replied. "And certainly not with you for a whole week. I can't take an overdose of your love day and night. You keep me speechless with all your romantic lines. So… no thank you."
Vikram looked slightly irritated as they got into the car. "You always do this."
"Just drop me home and go to the office," Tara said. "Otherwise, because of your romance, the Suryavanshi Group might drop too."
"Don't think too much about my business. I can handle it."
"I expect you to," Tara replied.
Ten minutes later, she asked, "Vikram, are you really not going to talk to me?"
"Let me drive. And anyway, you can't be with me day and night, but I… I don't even want to leave you for a moment."
Tara smiled.
"See? It doesn't matter to you," Vikram added.
"I'm not saying anything," Tara said carefully, "because if I do, I'll be the one caught. And no, Mr. Suryavanshi, I won't fall for your blackmail."
"My love feels like blackmail to you, doesn't it?"
"I don't want to fight."
"You don't want to love, you don't want to fight, and you don't want to go on a honeymoon with me."
"I'm not going on a honeymoon," Tara said firmly. "No matter what you say."
The car entered Suryavanshi Mansion.
"Tara, have your breakfast," she urged. "Vikram, you haven't even had your coffee yet."
"No," Vikram replied flatly. "I'm not eating, I'm not drinking anything. I'll just change my shirt, grab the things I need, and head to the office."
Vikram stepped out of the car and walked straight into the Suryavanshi Mansion without another word.
This man and his tantrums, Tara thought. She sighed and followed him upstairs.
"Vikram, don't be upset," she said, moving closer. "I'm really not in the mood to go anywhere right now. I won't be able to enjoy myself—there's still sadness in me. But… why don't you take me somewhere for just a day?"
"Do you mean for a day… or a night?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
"Vikram, I'm not scared of days or nights anymore," she replied calmly. "I know now that with you, any time can be dangerous."
"Then stay away from me," he warned.
Tara stepped closer anyway, smiling mischievously. "This close enough?"
Vikram's gaze sharpened. "Now you're in trouble, Mrs. Suryavanshi, because you've come a little too close."
He made a move to catch her, but she darted away.
"If I catch you," he called after her, "you'll be responsible for whatever happens next."
"Vikram, have your breakfast and go to the office," she teased. "Save your romantic drama for later."
"No," he said, and lunged toward her again—this time catching her. In one swift motion, he scooped her into his arms and laid her down on the bed.
"Now, Mrs. Suryavanshi," he murmured, "what should I do with you?"
"Vikraaaam, no—" she began, but a knock on the door interrupted her.
"Who's at my door now?" he muttered.
"I asked them to bring you breakfast and coffee," Tara said quickly. "Enjoy."
"Very smart move," Vikram replied. "But this won't save you forever."
"There's staff outside," she whispered urgently. "What will they think? Let me go, I have to open the door."
From outside came a familiar voice.
"Tara beta…"
Tara's eyes widened. "Mr. Suryavanshi—my mother is at the door."
Vikram immediately stepped aside. Tara scrambled to fix her hair and clothes before opening the door.
"Mummy, why did you bring breakfast?" Tara asked.
Her mother smiled warmly. "I thought I'd bring it for you both. You're leaving tomorrow—you'll miss us."
"Come in," Tara said, stepping aside.
"I'll miss you and Suhani too," Vikram said sincerely. "But I respect your decision. And Suhani already told me—if I miss her, I should come visit."
"You're always welcome, Vikram ji," Tara's mother said. "The support and love you've given us during such a difficult time—we will never forget it. I'm truly happy Tara has found such a good life partner. Now, I'll be going."
After she left, Vikram turned to Tara with a smug look. "You couldn't have gotten a better husband than me. Even your mother said so."
"Vikram, have breakfast and go to the office," she replied.
"At least give me a yes or no," he teased.
"I'm not answering," she said, smirking.
"Fine," he said, finishing his breakfast quickly before heading out.
When he was gone, Tara thought to herself, Vikram, it's fun teasing you. And mummy's right—you are the best husband I could have gotten. She finished her own breakfast.
---
12:30 p.m. – Suryavanshi Company
In his office, Vikram leaned back in his chair. I'll go pick Suhani up from school, he decided. I can give her the gift I bought and spend some time with her. I'm really going to miss that girl.
At the school, Suhani's eyes lit up when she saw him. She ran straight into his arms.
"Jiju! Did you come to surprise me?"
"Yes," Vikram said. "Come on, let's get something to eat and then go somewhere."
"I want ice cream," she announced.
"Okay," he agreed. "But you'll have to eat something else too—it's lunch time."
The driver set out lunch for both of them, and ice cream for Suhani. They sat in the car, happily eating.
"Tara didi didn't come?" Suhani asked.
"You can ask her yourself," Vikram replied.
"That means you two fought," Suhani guessed.
"Come on, Suhani. Let's go somewhere," Vikram said, changing the subject.
"Fine, if you don't want to tell me, that's okay," she said with a shrug. "Let's go."
The car stopped in a quiet, almost deserted place, in front of a large old building.
"Where are we?" Suhani asked as she stepped out.
"Come inside—you'll see," Vikram said.
An older man approached. "Sir, you could have called us—we'd have brought it to you."
"I wanted to show Suhani," Vikram replied.
"Alright then, come," the man said, leading them inside.
Suhani's eyes widened. "Wow! A unicorn swing!" She ran toward it. "It's beautiful, jiju!"
"By tonight, this swing will be in your house," Vikram said. "Do you want any changes?"
"No, it's perfect. Tara didi's star swing is also nice," she replied.
"Alright then," Vikram said. He had the driver drop Suhani home before returning to the office.
---
8:00 p.m.
Tara called him. "Are you not coming home tonight?"
"No," Vikram answered. "I have work."
"Come on, Vikram, stop behaving like a child."
"Since when is focusing on work childish?" he countered. "You're the one who sent me to the office so Suryavanshi Company's stocks wouldn't drop."
"Vikram, come home, or I'll come get you."
"You're threatening me?" he asked, amused.
"Yes," she said. "If you're not here in half an hour, I'm coming."
"It's late, Tara. Don't do anything foolish. I'll finish up and come home," he said, ending the call.
---
10:00 p.m.
Vikram still hadn't returned.
"I'm not calling him again," Tara muttered. "I've already tried four times. And he's probably eaten dinner anyway." She sighed. "I'm going to sleep. His first love is work, after all."
Ten minutes later, Vikram entered the room. Tara quickly closed her eyes, pretending to be asleep.
She always does this, he thought. I know she's awake.
He changed, turned off the light, and lay down beside her.
Tara reached out and touched him with her fingertip.
"Let me sleep, Tara—I'm tired," he murmured.
"Why are you so upset?"
"I'm not upset," he said. "You're the one who doesn't like having me around."
"When did I ever say that?" she protested.
"This morning," he reminded her. "And you didn't even say I'm the best husband."
"Vikram, whether you're the best husband or not, you're my husband. I can't change that."
"Thank you," he said dryly. "Now I'm definitely upset with you."
Tara laughed softly. "I like teasing you, just like you like teasing me."
"Don't laugh too much," Vikram warned. "I'm still the cold-hearted Vikram Suryavanshi."
"I was never afraid of you," she said with a grin.
That's exactly why she has me wrapped around her finger, Vikram thought.
"Good night, Mr. Cold-Hearted Vikram Suryavanshi," Tara teased.
"Am I really not a good husband?" he asked quietly.
"Vikram, since when do you need words to understand something? Look into my eyes, see my smile—you'll know how important you are to me, and how much I love you."
Vikram moved closer. "And you think I can sleep without you?"
"Can you?" she asked playfully.
"Not a chance," he said.
They smiled at each other and drifted off to sleep.