Tara's Room.
Tara (startled): "Why are you and I getting so close, Vikram? Stay away…"
Vikram (stepping closer): "Now that I'm here, Tara… I'm not going anywhere."
He gazes deep into her eyes.
Vikram: "Tara, I want to live every moment with you. For years, I was only breathing… but now, it finally feels like I'm alive. This... this life is what I want. I want you — nothing else."
He places a soft kiss on her forehead.
Then, gently, Vikram touches her cheek. Tara hesitantly touches his cheek in return.
Vikram inches closer, wraps his arm around her waist.
In nervousness and shyness, Tara buries her face in his chest.
Vikram (softly): "Tara… look at me."
Tara (shyly shakes her head): "No…"
Vikram: "Please… look at me."
Slowly, Tara lifts her head and looks up.
He stares at her — then kisses her on the lips.
They both lose themselves in the moment.
Vikram places one hand gently on her neck and the other on her waist, pulling her even closer. Tara, meanwhile, holds onto his shirt tightly.
It's a deep, still, powerful kiss — a moment that silences everything else.
But suddenly, they hear the sound of the door creaking open.
They quickly pull apart.
Their breaths are heavy, chests rising and falling as they struggle to regain composure.
The door opens.
Suhani: "Why are you both looking like you've seen a ghost?"
She glances between them curiously.
Suhani (to Tara): "Didi, why is your face so red?"
Tara and Vikram exchange guilty glances, visibly nervous.
Suhani (grinning ): "Jiju, Tara didi left a lipstick mark on your shirt!"
Tara quickly turns around to look.
Vikram glances down — closes his eyes in embarrassment.
Suhani: "Come fast, both of you. Mom's waiting."
Tara: "Suhani, just go! Please."
Suhani: "Fine, I'll go. But Jiju, didi totally ruined your white shirt with her red lipstick!"
She walks off, laughing.
After she leaves, both Vikram and Tara place a hand over their hearts, eyes closed — as if caught committing a crime.
Tara (angrily): "Mr. Suryavanshi, control your hormones and emotions!"
Vikram: "And you, stop wearing red lipstick."
Tara: "Then stop wearing white shirts!"
Vikram: "Don't blame my shirt for your lipstick."
Tara: "Don't even come near me. How am I supposed to face Suhani now?"
Vikram: "I feel ashamed too, Tara. I feel… guilty. I mean, we just became friends and now Suhani probably thinks—"
Tara: "Exactly! And now I have to sleep in the same room as her tonight. What will she ask me?"
Vikram (suddenly): "Wait — you're sleeping with Suhani tonight?"
Tara: "Yes."
Vikram: "What about me?"
Tara: "You'll sleep alone. Suhani, Mom and I will sleep here since the bed is bigger. You can sleep in my parents room.
Vikram: Then let go back to Suryavanshi Mansion.
Vikram (staring at her): "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Tara: "You said you'd stay the night. Why leave now?"
Vikram: "I'll stay — but only if you sleep next to me."
Tara: "Mr. Suryavanshi, you do realize that sleeping next to you is extremely dangerous these days?"
Vikram (whispering into her ear): "Mrs. Suryavanshi, how long do you think you can keep resisting me? Tell me…"
Tara: "I'm going. You go change your shirt!"
She leaves the room.
Vikram (to himself): "I really need to be careful now... I hope Suhani didn't see anything."
---
Dining Area
Tara Mom: where's Vikram ji?"
Tara's "He's coming. Let's start eating."
Tara mom:"Have you lost it, Tara Let him come first."
Vikram enters.
Everyone begins eating.
Tara's Mom: "Vikram ji, do you like the food?"
Vikram: "Yes. It's really tasty."
Tara's Mom: "I'm glad. Tara cooks similar food, so I'm sure you're used to it by now."
Tara (thinking): What's gotten into Mom? Where is she getting these lines from?
Vikram: "Yes, a day or two she cooked. It was good."
Tara (glaring at him, thinking): Mr. Suryavanshi, stop! Who tells the truth this honestly?!
Tara's Mom (angrily): "Tara! Why don't you cook for your husband? He still eats the cook's food?"
Tara: "There's a cook! Why should I cook? And no one asks me to!"
Tara's Mom: "Cooking for your husband is different, beta. That's what makes a house feel like home. You should cook for him sometimes. I know you're lazy."
Vikram and Suhani burst out laughing.
Tara: "Mummy, stop this leg-pulling now"
Tara's Mom: "Fine, fine. Don't get angry. Just eat."
Suhani: "Didi, tomorrow is my PTM. Will you come?"
Tara: "Yes, I'll come. In fact, I have a few complaints to make too. You've become quite talkative lately."
Suhani: "Then I'll go with Jiju!"
Tara: "Jiju isn't going anywhere. He didn't even go to office today. Another leave and he'll fall sick."
(She glances at Vikram.)
Vikram: "I'll go with Suhani."
Suhani: "Yayy! Thank you, Jiju!"
Tara's Mom (laughing): "Tara, both of you should go together. One day, you'll be going for your own kids' PTM."
Tara (thinking): Seriously, Mom? Even you brought up babies now?!
Suhani: "I want to meet your baby too, didi! When will I?"
Vikram tries hard to suppress a laugh. Tara's expression is priceless.
Tara: "Suhani, eat your food."
Suhani: "Tell me na, when's the baby coming?"
Tara lowers her head.
Tara's Mom (laughing): "Soon, beta. Now eat."
Tara's Mom: "Vikram ji, you like kids, right?"
Vikram: "I love them — a lot."
Tara (thinking): This man used to love peace. Now he loves kids?
Suhani: "Jiju, did the lipstick mark come off your shirt?"
Vikram chokes on his food.
Tara's Mom: "Drink some water, beta. And Suhani — no talking while eating."
Vikram quickly sips water and excuses himself.
Tara (whispers): "Idiot!"
Suhani: "How am I the idiot? You left the lipstick stain on his shirt."
Tara looks helpless and awkward.
Tara's Mom: "Suhani, eat. Don't tease your sister."
Tara: "I'm done, Mom. I'll go rest."
She leaves.
---
Later — In the Room
Tara walks in and glares at Vikram.
Vikram: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Tara: "Why did you have to say you love kids?!"
Vikram: "What? I do love kids. Should I lie?"
Tara: "You used to love silence."
Vikram: "Now I love you. And you and silence don't go together."
Tara sits on the bed, frustrated.
Tara: "What do I do with Suhani?!"
Vikram: "She totally ruined my reputation in front of your mom."
Tara: "Because of the kiss — all your fault."
Vikram: "You should've at least locked the door."
Tara: "Oh yeah, let's just lock the door in this small house and let everyone know something's up. This isn't your mansion!"
She throws a pillow at him.
Vikram: "Why are you hitting me?"
Tara: "Because you deserve it."
He grabs her wrist, pulls her close.
Vikram: "Don't provoke me, Tara. Or else..."
Tara: "Or else what? What will you do?"
Vikram: "You're taking advantage of the fact that this is your house and I won't do anything. But I can."
Tara: "Like what?"
Vikram throws a pillow at her.
Tara (fuming): "Mr. Suryavanshi!"
Vikram: "Yes?"
Tara: "You think I'm scared of you?"
Vikram: "No you Not , The world fears me — and I fear only you."
Tara (laughs): "You look kinda cute when you say stuff like that."
Vikram moves closer.
Tara: "Mr. Suryavanshi, don't start again."
Vikram (in a low voice): "Don't start what?"
Tara hits him with another pillow and laughs.
Vikram: "Tara?"
Tara (teasing): "What?"
They both start a full-on pillow fight — laughing, shouting, dodging.
Tara hits Vikram square in the face with a pillow.
Vikram (mock angry): "Tara?!"
He grabs the pillow from her, pins her hands, and lays her down on the bed.
Tara (nervous): "What are you doing?!"
Vikram: "I win."
Tara: "You cheated!"
Vikram: "Winning is winning."
He leans in closer.
Tara: "I won't accept defeat unless you defeat me fairly."
Vikram: "You know I always win."
She breaks free, flips him down, and sits on top of him.
Tara: "Now tell me — who won?"
Vikram (shocked): "You're this strong?!"
Tara: "I was great at martial arts in school."
Vikram holds her neck gently and pulls her close.
Vikram: "Then why do you get so nervous when we get close?"
Tara: "Because when you come near… my heartbeat races."
Vikram (whispers): "No. Don't fear it. Learn to own it."
Tara tries to pull away.
Tara: "Because I'm strong — just not in these moments. My brain stops working."
He pulls her down beside him.
Vikram: "Then take this as a win. For me."
He taps her nose. Tara laughs. Vikram smiles too.
Suddenly —
Suhani: "Which game are you playing? I want to join!"
Both freeze.
Vikram moves away, embarrassed.
Vikram: I am going.
Suhani: "Jiju, where are you going? I want to play too!"
Tara (laughing nervously): "Come, Suhani. Let's play."
She whispers something in Suhani's ear — then they both gang up on Vikram and start hitting him with pillows.
Vikram: "This is cheating! Give me a chance!"
Tara: "No time-outs in this game, Mr. Suryavanshi!"
They continue hitting him, laughing hysterically.
Suddenly, Suhani stops and hugs Vikram tightly.
Suhani: "You're not hurt, right?"
Vikram (emotional): "No, Suhani. I'm fine."
Vikram's thoughts: I've longed for this my whole life. No amount of money can buy moments like this.
Suhani: "I didn't use to like you. You were always quiet and serious. But now I know — people who talk sweet aren't always good. The good ones are those who say little, but mean it."
Vikram: "You're upset because of Prithvi?"
Suhani: "No. If that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have seen your truth. I'm going to 7th grade now. I'm growing up."
Vikram: "I can tell. You're more mature than Tara."
Tara (smiling, not offended): "She's right. Sometimes life makes things happen just to reveal the truth. If it weren't for this contract marriage, I'd never understand Vikram. He's not just a good husband — he's the best I could've asked for. He made mistakes, but he accepted them, apologized… and he's been caring quietly all along — for Suhani, for Papa, for me. His anger was visible. His goodness... wasn't."
Vikram: "Tara, what are you thinking?"
Suhani: "Yeah, didi, what are you thinking?"
Tara (smiling): "Let's go to Chinese Corner this evening."
To be continued...