Tara had been told to turn off her phone, right when she was watching her K-drama. Now Vikram would have to witness her drama instead.
Tara (furious): "He might be the CEO of his company, but not of me! This is India, we live in a democracy. I'll watch what I want."
Vikram (calm but firm): "Tara, go to sleep, or your phone's going to be in pieces."
Tara (mocking): "How will you break it if I don't give it to you?"
Vikram: "I have work tomorrow. Can we please sleep?"
Tara: "Then sleep! Let me enjoy my show!"
Vikram sighed as Tara continued her show with giggles and exaggerated reactions. He stuffed cotton in his ears and tried to sleep. In the CEO's bedroom, it was clear: the CEO's wife was the real boss.
Next Morning
Tara woke up, suddenly alert. She gasped. She had been sleeping with her head on Vikram's chest and a leg thrown across him. Horrified, she leapt up, her mind racing with chaotic thoughts.
She made dramatic expressions while pacing the room, silently arguing with herself. Meanwhile, Vikram sat on the bed watching her with confusion.
Vikram: "What is she doing? Did I miss something?"
Tara (to herself): "Oh god! I was literally sprawled over him! Maybe he thinks I'm doing this on purpose. Maybe that's why he was so mad the last two days. Ugh, Tara! You're a fool!"
Tara: "I have to go see dad today."
Vikram: "Let's go tomorrow. I'll come with you and speak to the doctor myself."
Tara: "Tomorrow's Sunday."
Vikram: "I know. I can get appointments anytime."
As he left the room, Tara was left wondering what he thought about me… and whether he thought I was some kind of night-time blanket monster.
Later that day, she was determined to stop herself from rolling toward Vikram in her sleep again. She devised a "full-proof" plan—literally. At bedtime, she spread the blanket on the bed, wrapped herself inside like a burrito, and lay stiffly on her side.
Vikram watched her silently, eyebrows raised.
But her plan failed miserably. Being tightly wrapped, she rolled again—directly onto Vikram's side. He got up, rolled her back like a sleeping sushi roll, and went to bed.
Tara groaned in her mind, "I should've started from his side!"
She eventually fell asleep again, this time at the very edge of the bed.
Midnight
Tara woke up.
Tara (whispers): "Tara! Seriously? Again??"
She was hugging Vikram again. As she tried to slip away without waking him, his arm tightened around her waist.
Vikram (internally, smirking): "Got you, Tara. You're not going anywhere."
He pretended to sleep, pulling her even closer. She froze.
Tara (murmuring): "I'm trapped."
Next Morning
Vikram woke up to find Tara's face inches from his. He gently moved her hair from her face and repositioned her carefully on the bed.
Later, he walked in with a cup of tea.
Vikram: "Wake up. We have to visit the hospital."
Tara (groggy): "Whaaat?"
Vikram (louder): "UP. NOW."
Tara: "Why are you yelling?"
Vikram: "Because that's the only volume you respond to."
After breakfast, they visited the hospital where Tara's father lay unconscious on life support. Tara burst into tears. Vikram held her quietly.
Doctor: "There's no improvement. His brain damage is spreading. We're losing hope."
Tara broke down completely. Vikram led her out, gently helping her back to the car as she cried the entire way home.
That night, Tara sat silently on the bed, broken.
Vikram brought his laptop and showed her a hospital that had a higher success rate in such cases.
Tara: "But it's too expensive."
Vikram: "I'll handle it."
Tara (numb): "What do I have to do this time?"
Vikram stared at her, hurt flickering in his eyes.
Vikram: "Nothing. Just… rest."