Vikram storms out of the room, rage simmering under his calm exterior.
Tara, still shaken, whispers to herself, "Did I really hear that right?"
—
Company Gates — Late Night
Vikram reaches the gate after some time, only to find Prithvi, completely drunk, swaying as he spots him.
Prithvi (mocking):
"Welcome, the great Vikram Suryavanshi!"
He stumbles towards him.
Vikram (angrily):
"What are you doing here?"
Prithvi:
"Do you know how hard it is to talk to you? You don't take my calls, you avoid me. I had to pull this stunt just to get your attention."
Vikram:
"I'm not here to listen to your drama. Just leave."
Prithvi:
"No! Not today. Today, you'll have to listen. I won't leave without saying what I came to say."
Vikram (threateningly):
"Don't push me, Prithvi. I might do something you'll regret."
Prithvi (laughs bitterly):
"My biggest regret is that you're my brother — one who despises me."
Vikram:
"Because you deserve that hatred! All you do is chase girls, party, drink, and waste money. What do you expect?"
Prithvi (unashamed):
"Yes, I'm a playboy. I mess up. But you've hated me even before I knew what hatred meant."
Vikram:
"Just leave, Prithvi."
Prithvi:
"You can't throw me out. I'm a Suryavanshi too. If I wasn't, you wouldn't even be here. I know how obsessed you are with the company's image."
Prithvi (serious):
"I'll keep it simple. I want the new hydro project."
Vikram:
"Earn it. You always come begging."
Prithvi (furious):
"I'm Narayan Suryavanshi's son too! I only got 20%, you got 80%! Why?"
Vikram:
"And you ruined even that 20%!"
Prithvi:
"Don't give me lectures. You never let me grow in the market."
Vikram:
"Then get smart enough that no one can beat you."
Prithvi:
"I don't care. I want that project — at any cost."
Vikram (to guards):
"Get him in his car and drop him home."
Prithvi (threatening):
"If anyone touches me, they'll regret it."
Guards freeze.
Vikram (firmly):
"I won't hand over that project — no matter what you do."
Prithvi (grinning):
"You will. This time you'll hand it over without profit. Speaking of profit… why did you marry Tara in three days?"
Vikram (raging):
"That's none of your business."
Prithvi:
"Oh but it is. You never breathe without calculating profit or loss — but you married her?"
Vikram:
"You're crossing the line."
Prithvi (walking closer):
"I mean… Tara is really beautiful. I was attracted too…"
Vikram (shouts):
"Take her name again and I'll break your face."
Prithvi (claps):
"Wow, the great Vikram Suryavanshi… is in love! I get it now. You married her because you love her. I get it. She's stunning — even I was tempted, but hey, I'm not the marrying type, right?"
Vikram (furious, punches him):
"GUARDS! If he's not in his car and out of here in 10 seconds, you're fired."
Prithvi stumbles but manages to smirk one last time.
Prithvi (leaving):
"So… that driver's daughter is your weakness now, Vikram Suryavanshi?"
—
Later that Night (1 AM)
Vikram returns home. Tara is asleep. He notices the blanket has slipped off and gently covers her again. Softly stroking her hair, he sighs, then goes to sleep in his own bed.
---
Next Morning
Tara wakes up and notices Vikram is not in bed. She sees the balcony door open and finds him sitting there, lost in thought.
Tara (to herself):
Why is he out in this cold morning air?
She walks out with a cup of coffee.
Tara:
"Here, have some coffee."
Vikram (surprised):
"You brought this? For me?"
Tara:
"Yes. Was it necessary to fight Prithvi sir again?"
Vikram (serious):
"How do you know about that?"
Tara:
"I overheard your call. You always fight him."
Vikram (annoyed):
"So you're upset… for him? That's why you're here defending him? You care for Prithvi so much?"
Tara (angrily):
"I'm not upset for him. I'm upset seeing you sitting in the cold like that. I'm the one who cares for you, not him!"
She storms off.
Vikram (smiling to himself):
"So… she cares about me, not Prithvi?"
He sips the coffee.
"Who added sugar?"
—
Downstairs
Tara grumbles to herself in the kitchen.
Tara (muttering):
"Make coffee, bring it, and still get scolded. No one appreciates good people anymore."
Staff:
"Ma'am, there's still one cup left.
Tara:
"Nope. I'm switching to tea."
She remains downstairs. Vikram arrives for breakfast. Tara ignores him completely and walks off when he tries to speak. Defeated, Vikram heads to the office.
—
Later
Tara tells Dadi she, her mom, and Suhani are going to the hospital. Dadi agrees.
At the hospital, all three are emotional — Tara's father's condition hasn't changed.
Doctor:
"Treatment has just started. You'll need to be patient. Mr. Suryavanshi checks for updates daily. We're doing our best."
As they leave—
Suhani:
"Vikram sir isn't as bad as he seems."
Tara's mom:
"He just doesn't speak much. People don't understand him."
Tara (thinking):
And when he does speak, he ruins both your ears and brain.
—
After spending some time together, Tara drops them home and returns to the mansion.
---
Evening, 7 PM
Tara enters her room and sees Vikram already there. She frowns and turns away.
Vikram:
"Tara."
Tara:
"I'm not talking to you. So you don't talk to me either."
Vikram (acting clueless):
"What did I do?"
Tara:
"What did you do?! I brought you coffee in the cold and you scolded me!"
Vikram:
"Oh… you made that coffee? I was wondering who added sugar!"
Tara (mocking):
"Next time I'll add neem juice — it'll suit your taste better."
Vikram:
"The coffee wasn't that bad."
Tara:
"So it was bad, huh?"
Vikram realizes she's in full sass mode. He wisely changes the topic.
Vikram:
"You went to the hospital? What did the doctor say?"
Tara (nods):
"Treatment just started. We'll have to wait."
Vikram sits beside her on the bed.
Vikram:
"Don't stress. If needed, I'll shift him to another place."
Tara:
"I hope you don't get scared again tonight."
Vikram (playing innocent):
"Could happen. You promised you'd help me, right?"
He slides into her bed.
Tara:
"This bed is small."
Vikram:
"Exactly. Better help. I mean, stay close so I don't get scared."
Tara:
"Fine, I'll come to your bed."
Tara lies on Vikram's bed — at the very edge.
Vikram:
"This won't help. How will I not be scared if you're so far?"
Tara:
"Fine. Give me your hand. I'll hold it — you won't be scared."
She gently takes his hand.
Tara:
"You'll sleep peacefully, right?"
Vikram looks at her with soft affection.
Vikram:
"Yes."
Soon, they both fall asleep.
—
Next Morning
Tara wakes up to find Vikram holding her in his sleep — hugging her from behind.
Tara (thinking):
Why is my heartbeat racing?
Vikram, still asleep, snuggles closer.
Tara (thinking):
Did he do this knowingly? Should I say something?
She turns to look — he's still asleep.
Tara (softly):
He must have been scared again… like Suhani used to get in her sleep.
Vikram sleeps peacefully.
Tara? She's wide awake — and her heartbeat refuses to calm down.
---