Vikram was having dinner with Dada ji and Dadi when Tara entered the dining room and quietly joined them.
Dadi's eyes sparkled. "Tara, you changed your saree."
She looked toward Vikram and smiled softly, "She looked absolutely beautiful in that yellow saree today, didn't she?"
Tara gave a small smile in response.
Vikram glanced at her — something in her eyes seemed… unsettled.
Dada ji added, "Parvati, you should give Tara some sarees from your collection. She should wear them more often."
Dadi chuckled. "You stole the words right out of my mouth."
Tara hesitated, "Dadi… I'm not really used to wearing sarees. I don't know how to handle them properly."
Dadi said warmly, "The more you wear them, the easier it gets. Right, Vikram?"
Vikram looked up. "Tara should wear what she is comfortable in. If she's not at ease in sarees, then she shouldn't be expected to wear them."
Tara stared at him, a question lingering in her eyes.
(In her mind): Will I ever understand this man? He's a mystery… one moment cold, the next unexpectedly kind.
Dada ji nodded in agreement. "Vikram's right."
Dadi smiled. "I'm not forcing her. She looks beautiful in everything she wears."
After dinner, everyone dispersed. Vikram headed to his room. Tara stayed with Dadi for a while, chatting softly.
Later, as Tara walked toward the room:
(In her mind): He has two faces — one that makes you hate him and one that almost makes you feel… no, Tara. Don't even think that. This is a contract marriage. Don't forget that.
As she entered the room, Vikram was working on his laptop. She began pulling out her bedding when—
Vikram: "Tara, wait."
Tara: "Yes?"
Vikram: "Come here. I need to talk to you."
She walked toward him, unsure.
Vikram: "Remember that hospital I mentioned the other day? I'm thinking of shifting your father there tomorrow. There's been no improvement here. That facility has had success with many similar cases."
Tara: "Should I come with you?"
Vikram: "No, I'll manage. You can go meet him later."
She nodded. Just as she turned to leave—
Vikram (hesitating): "Tara… you can sleep on this bed, if you want."
Tara (turning around): "No, Vikram sir. I'm fine with my own bed."
Vikram: "I said that in anger… that day."
Tara: "It's better if we maintain our distance. After all, this is a contract marriage."
She quietly went back to her own space.
Vikram (in his mind): But what if this contract was signed… with permanent feelings?
He turned off the lights.
Both lay awake in the silence of the room, eyes open but hearts full.
Tara (in her mind): Don't overthink. Sleep. This marriage has no room for thoughts or emotions. No matter what, I'll always be the daughter of a driver.
Vikram (in his mind): I know what you think of me, Tara… and you're not wrong. The way I forced this marriage was wrong — but my intention never was. The moment I saw you with Prithvi, I thought I hated you… but the truth is, I never could. No matter what you do, I can't hate you. And when I see you with someone else, I… I lose control. I never want to hurt you, but my anger… it always wins.
Eventually, sleep took over.
---
Morning...
Vikram woke up to find Tara still asleep… on her bed.
He watched her for a few seconds, then knelt beside her.
As always, the blanket had slipped off.
He gently pulled it over her and kissed her forehead softly.
Vikram (whispering):
"Some contracts… come with permanent agreement clauses."
And he walked away.
Tara slowly opened her eyes, confused.
(In her mind): Did he just… kiss my forehead? So that kiss I felt yesterday… it was real? But why would he do that? What did he mean by 'permanent agreement clause'?
Her heart raced.
The bathroom door creaked — Vikram had already gone in.
Tara quickly shut her eyes again.
After getting ready, Vikram scribbled a note, left it beside her, and left quietly.
When Tara finally sat up, she found the note and opened it.
> "I'm shifting your father to the new hospital today. You were asleep, so I didn't wake you." — Vikram
(In her mind):
What? He didn't wake me? He used to splash water on my face or yell at me. And now… this?
No, Tara. Focus. This man is a businessman. He doesn't do anything without reason. If he's behaving nicely, there's definitely a motive behind it. You need to be alert.
He's already taken control of your life — now he wants to control your mind.
She imagined a scene: Vikram controlling her mind like a puppet, making her smile and obey everything he said.
Tara (snapping out of it):
"Noooooo! That cannot happen!"
She got up and got ready for the day.
Later, she called her mother.
Tara's Mom: "Tara, how are you, beta?"
Tara: "I'm fine, Maa. How's Suhani?"
Tara's Mom: "Still asleep! She's making the most of her holidays."
Tara: "Vikram sir is shifting Papa to a better hospital today. We'll go visit in two or three days. He told me that similar patients have recovered there."
Tara's Mom (concerned): "But won't it cost more? What about the people helping us—have you spoken to them?"
Tara: "The one helping us… is Vikram sir."
Tara's Mom (shocked): "Tara… is that why you agreed to this sudden marriage?"
Tara (nervous): "No, Maa! It's not like that. We… we got married because we wanted to get married."
Tara's Mom: "And love? Was there love?"
Tara (voice heavy): "Of course there was…"
(She struggles to breathe while saying it.)
Tara's Mom: "Alright then. But… you still call him 'Vikram sir'?"
Tara: "Let's talk later, Maa. I have to go. We'll visit Papa soon."
She ended the call, a single tear escaping her eye.
(In her mind):
I'm sorry, Maa. I had to lie. But one day… you'll understand. I did this all for Papa.
---