Tara's Room – 2 PM
Tara sat on the bed, carefully running her fingers through Vikram's hair, brushing it back with tenderness.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asked softly.
Vikram only hummed in response.
Tara stood up.
"I'll bring lunch. Please wait."
She climbed down from the bed. Vikram's low voice followed her.
"I'm fine…"
The moment she left the room, Vikram quietly picked up his phone and made a call to someone.
---
Twenty minutes later, Tara returned with a tray. She forced a small smile, trying to lift his mood.
"Lunch is ready… please eat a little."
Vikram sat up and together they had lunch. Just then, his phone rang. The screen flashed: Suhani calling.
Vikram picked it up, his tone deliberately calm.
"Hello, Suhani? Tell me."
Suhani's playful voice came through.
"Are you missing me?"
Vikram's lips curved faintly.
"Yes, I miss you."
"Your health has worsened again, hasn't it?" she pressed.
"No… my health is fine," Vikram replied.
Before he could say more, Tara leaned forward and gently took the phone from his hand, continuing the conversation with Suhani herself.
---
4 PM – At Prithvi's House
Police officers arrived at the door.
"Mrs. Sunanda," one officer began firmly, "there's a complaint against you—that you snatched Mrs. Tara Suryavanshi's diamond necklace. We also have a warrant to search your house."
Sunanda froze, terror flashing across her face.
"What nonsense! I belong to the Suryavanshi family myself. Why would I steal from my own? This is false."
The officer replied coldly,
"The complaint was filed by Mr. Vikram Suryavanshi himself."
Sunanda's voice shook.
"Give me one minute, my son Prithvi is not home. Let me call him."
The officers allowed it, assuring her,
"Don't be afraid. We also have female officers with us."
She quickly dialed Prithvi, then returned to the officers, trembling.
"Vikram is my stepson. He hates me. He must have done this out of spite. I never thought he would drag our family issues this far…"
Just then, Prithvi arrived, anger flashing in his eyes.
"What is this? How can you accuse someone without proof?"
In answer, the officer pulled out his phone and played a clip—clear footage of Sunanda pulling the necklace off Tara's neck.
Prithvi's face drained of color. Sunanda collapsed onto the sofa, clutching her head.
The officers searched the house. From Sunanda's room, they recovered the missing necklace.
"Mrs. Sunanda Suryavanshi," the officer said firmly, "we have to arrest you."
Desperate, Sunanda pleaded,
"Please… I'll return the necklace! If you want money, I'll pay. Just close the case!" She turned on her son, screaming, "Prithvi! Say something!"
But Prithvi's voice broke as tears welled in his eyes.
"Maa… for a necklace? You've fallen so low… I always blamed everyone else because you taught me to. But today I see the truth. If I've become this broken man, it's because of your greed. Suhani was right—I am a bad person. And I am this way because of you."
He collapsed onto the couch, sobbing.
The officers handcuffed Sunanda and escorted her away.
---
Suryavanshi Mansion
Tara sat by Vikram's side, chatting about her school and college days, trying to distract him. But Vikram's head throbbed as she went on and on.
Six crushes. She's described six boys already. Which husband enjoys listening to this? And if I ever compliment another woman, she won't even speak to me…
Vikram groaned inwardly. Tomorrow I'm going back to the office. Better than listening to my wife's endless crush stories.
Tara continued cheerfully. "His eyes were so nice… his height was perfect… and the way he talked—so charming."
Vikram interrupted, "Tara, could you massage my head? It hurts. And please… stay quiet while you do it."
She pouted. "Fine, but don't you like my stories?"
Vikram muttered, "My head hurts because for the last hour you've been describing every feature of other men. Do you think I enjoy it?"
Tara teased, "They were only crushes, not boyfriends. Why are you jealous?"
"Fine then," Vikram said dryly. "I'll compliment some of my female business friends. You can tell me how you feel listening. And no, they weren't my girlfriends either."
Tara quickly put a hand over his mouth. "Stop! I'll massage your head. Let's change the topic."
As she massaged his temples, she whispered,
"Vikram, I'll teach you a trick to control your anger. Count from one to five and take deep breaths. Like how you taught me breathing exercises that helped me sleep. You try it too—it will work for your temper."
Vikram burst into laughter.
Tara frowned. "Why are you laughing? Did I say something silly?"
Vikram, still chuckling, said,
"Tara, that wasn't a real breathing exercise. I just teased you. Your heartbeat used to race, and you couldn't sleep because of anxiety. I asked you to breathe just to calm you down."
Tara gasped, tugging his hair. "So you fooled me?"
"Don't pull—ouch! I didn't fool you. I genuinely asked you to inhale and exhale. That part was true. But the hug afterward… that wasn't part of the exercise."
Tara's eyes widened. "Even the hug wasn't real? You lied to me, Mr. Suryavanshi!"
Vikram tried to control his laughter.
"I didn't lie. You were cute, and I knew why you were restless, so I hugged you to calm you down. And you did relax, didn't you?"
"Then why didn't you tell me later?" Tara shot back.
"Because I liked it. And you're the one who started the habit," Vikram teased. "You used to shift onto my side, rest your head on my chest, and hug me while sleeping. I got used to it. Later, I started finding excuses because otherwise you'd fight with me."
Tara huffed. "So you've been taking advantage of my innocence from the start!"
Vikram groaned. "Tara, stop. I never took advantage. You forget—you tested my control plenty of times. Like that morning you unbuttoned my shirt while I slept, just to listen to my heartbeat. And when I asked later, you said it was for 'medical purposes.' I never forced you into anything you didn't want."
Tara flushed. "You weren't innocent either. You often tried to kiss me, and every night you slept hugging me from behind. One morning, when I was asleep, you even pressed your lips against mine."
Vikram admitted calmly, "Yes. Sometimes I lost control. But I always pulled back. That wasn't a kiss, Tara. I just pressed my lips to yours. And tell me—if you didn't like my hugs, why didn't you protest? In the beginning, you hated even sharing the bed with me. But later? You let me hold you. That means you liked it too."
Tara avoided his eyes. "Your head massage is done. I'm going downstairs."
Vikram caught her hand. "Answer me first. You liked it, didn't you?"
She bit her lip, trying to hide her smile. "I don't know."
"Wow. What an innocent answer," he teased. "In this relationship, I've suffered the most. Do you know, you once ran out of the room in the middle of a kiss? I've taken every step forward carefully, knowing you felt the same, yet always holding myself back."
Tara softened, whispering, "You are great, Mr. Vikram Suryavanshi. You're never wrong, are you?"
His smile dimmed. "No. I've been wrong plenty of times."
Tara touched his shoulder. "Forget the past. Let's move forward—together."
He gave a small smile.
"Good. Then I'll go prepare something. Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes," he nodded.
"Do you want anything else?"
"No."
Tara narrowed her eyes. "That means you're lying. Tell me what you want."
Vikram leaned closer. "Answer one last question. You liked it when I hugged you at night, didn't you?"
Tara hesitated, then finally confessed, "At first I fought it. But yes… I liked it. I loved it. And I still do." She smiled. "Happy now, Mr. Suryavanshi?"
Vikram's expression softened. "Then why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I'm saying it now." She stood, ready to leave. "Okay, I'll go downstairs."
Before she reached the door, it opened—and Dadaji and Dadiji stood there.
"You both should have called me, I would have come," Tara greeted.
"How is Vikram?" Dadaji asked.
"He's fine. Please, come in."
They sat by Vikram's side. Dadiji grew emotional.
"Vikram, how long will you keep hurting yourself over this? Some people never change."
Vikram gave a faint smile. "I'm fine… I'm learning to leave the past behind, not let it control my present."
Dadaji nodded. "Good. That's all we hope for. We've seen your pain from the start. But lately, you looked genuinely happy. That's the Vikram I want to see again."
Dadiji smiled at Tara. "Do you know, when he was small, he was the most mischievous child? His mother, Sulekha, was always exhausted chasing him around."
Tara thoughts, Oh, I know very well how mischievous Mr. Suryavanshi can be....
Vikram's phone rang again. He answered.
"Alright, officer. Send the necklace to my house."
"Whose call was that?" Dadaji asked.
"The police. They recovered Tara's necklace. Sunanda has been arrested."
Dadaji's face hardened. "Good. She deserves punishment."
After chatting briefly, the elders left.
---
Later, in the room
Tara asked lightly, "What should we have for dinner?"
But Vikram looked at her intently. "Don't you want to ask me anything else? About what you just heard?"
Tara shook her head. "No. The less we talk about that matter, the better. You did the right thing, Vikram. Everyone must know their limits. And let me tell you… the greatest revenge in this world is forgiveness. Forgive for yourself, and forgive for me too—so no one can affect you that deeply again."
She stood, smiling. "Now let me make your second-favorite boiled vegetables."
Vikram chuckled. "Who told you they're my favorite?"
Tara teased, "Your white shirt did. You like simple things."
Vikram leaned closer, his eyes gleaming. "Yes, I like simple… but not always. For example, you're anything but simple."
Tara huffed. "That's enough, Mr. Suryavanshi. You're sounding perfectly normal again. Which means it's time for me to leave."
She left the room. Vikram smiled after her. Maybe she's right. Forgetting and forgiving is the best medicine for old wounds. And I really do want a normal life with Tara… free of the past.
A police officer soon arrived and handed over the recovered necklace.
---
Night – After Dinner
Vikram held the necklace out.
"Look, your necklace is back. Let me put it on you."
Tara laughed. "It's 10 PM. Where will I go wearing this now? I'll wear it some other time. And I know your intention, Mr. Suryavanshi."
Vikram chuckled. "Fine, keep it safe then."
"Tomorrow morning. And tell me honestly—is it very expensive?"
"Not much."
"How much?"
"Only ninety lakhs."
Tara gasped. "Ninety lakhs?! Vikram, that's insane! Why would you buy such a costly necklace?"
He stepped closer. "Because it was my first gift to you. I wanted it to be special. But tell me—have you ever valued any of my gifts?"
Tara's eyes softened. "Yes. I kept the first rose you gave me in a box, safe in the cupboard. I wear the anklets you gave me every day. And your mother's necklace—I've kept it very carefully."
Vikram's heart melted. "So… it's not the cost or the quality for you. It's the emotions."
He smiled. "Alright, let's sleep."
As they lay down, he thought, How could anyone not love her? She doesn't even realize how valuable her words are.
Five minutes later, Tara murmured,
"Vikram, why are you always obsessed with kissing my neck?"
He smirked. "Because I'm completely obsessed with you. Have been for a long time. Do you not like it when I do that?"
She hesitated. "I… I don't know."
"Which means you like it," he teased.
She laughed. "You're such a—"
"Yes, finish it. I'm such a shameless man," he grinned.
Tara shook her head. "I didn't say that. But maybe… maybe we can say that between all these little moments, the past wounds are finally healing."