"Dadi calling.."
"Vikram, where are you? Where is Tara? Is everything alright?"
"I'll tell you later, Dadi…" Vikram's voice trails off.
"Has something happened? Your voice sounds… so sad."
"I'm cutting the call, Dadi."
He hangs up.
Dadi (thinking): Why do I feel so scared?
Vikram sounded broken… and Tara's phone has been switched off for hours. Please, God, keep everything safe…
At the Police Commissioner's Office—
"Have you traced the location?" Vikram asked sharply.
"Yes, Mr. Suryavanshi. It's coming from Green Land Hills," the Commissioner replied.
"What? That's where my hydro project is—and exactly the one Prithvi wanted from me!"
"Calm down. We're sending a team. We'll find Madam soon."
"No. I'll speak with my lawyer. I'll transfer that project to him right now. I can't risk it. That area is surrounded by jungle. It's already 4 PM. It'll get dark soon…"
"Mr. Suryavanshi, please—"
"I don't have time!" Vikram snapped. "I'm going myself with the papers. Once Tara is safe, you can do what you want."
"Then call Prithvi now. Tell him you'll bring the transfer papers. Ask him to send you the exact location. We'll follow right behind you—just 10 minutes apart."
"And if he figures out you're following me? If he harms Tara—"
"And if you go alone, how will you handle him if he tries to harm both of you?" the Commissioner countered.
Vikram clenched his jaw. The risk was real either way.
He dialed Prithvi's number.
"Hello…" Prithvi answered, clearly drunk.
"I'll bring the project papers myself. Just tell me where you are," Vikram said, forcing calm.
"Good… come to the entry of Green Land Hills, near the jungle. I'll tell you more once you're there."
Vikram shared the plan with the police team, collected the documents from his lawyer, and headed out.
---
Suryavanshi Mansion —
Dadi and Dadaji sat in worry.
"Vikram isn't answering… and Tara's phone is still switched off," Dadaji sighed.
---
Green Land Hills —
Vikram arrived near the jungle's edge.
He called Prithvi.
"I'm here. With the papers. Where are you?"
"Good. Head towards your hydro project site. There's a house nearby. I'm waiting."
Vikram's blood boiled.
"You kidnapped my wife… right next to my project."
"A perfect place to break your ego," Prithvi sneered.
The Commissioner's voice buzzed in Vikram's earpiece.
"We heard everything. Go ahead. We're right behind."
Vikram entered the house.
"Welcome, Vikram." Prithvi smirked.
"Where is Tara?"
"Papers first," Prithvi demanded.
Vikram threw them at his face.
Prithvi chuckled. "Your ego will never leave you." He handed the papers to his men.
"Where. Is. Tara?"
"She's inside… unconscious. Don't worry, she'll wake up in 2–3 hours."
Vikram stormed inside, his heart pounding. Tara lay motionless on the bed.
"Tara… Tara…" he whispered, gently shaking her. Nothing.
He lifted her in his arms and started walking out.
"Now that you got her, and I got the project—let's forget this ever happened," Prithvi smirked.
Vikram stopped at the door. "I've let your mistakes slide before… but not this time."
The police stormed in as Vikram walked out.
"Vikram! You betrayed me!" Prithvi shouted as the cops cuffed him.
---
At the Hospital—
"She'll regain consciousness once the drug wears off," the doctor assured Vikram.
Vikram took Tara home.
---
Suryavanshi Mansion —
"What happened, Vikram?" Dadi asked anxiously.
"Let me explain inside."
He laid Tara gently on the bed and told them everything.
Dadi broke down in tears. "I never thought Prithvi would stoop this low."
"Where is he now?"
"In police custody. And he'll stay there," Vikram said firmly.
---
Later That Night…
Tara stirred awake.
"My head… why does it hurt so much?"
"Don't worry. It'll pass. Have some water," Vikram said softly.
"How did I get here? I went to meet Prithvi…"
Vikram looked away. "Even after everything I said… why did you go?"
"He said… he'd explain. That he hadn't meant to manipulate Suhani. Then he offered me juice… and everything went dark."
Vikram swallowed hard. "He kidnapped you, Tara."
Tara stared at him, shocked.
Vikram explained everything.
Tears welled in her eyes.
As Vikram tried to comfort her, Tara pushed him away.
"What's the difference between you and Prithvi?" she whispered.
"Both of you used my life like a business deal. First, he manipulates Suhani… now this… am I just a project or a contract for you both? Will I ever be treated like a person?"
Her words cut Vikram deeper than any knife.
"Rest," he whispered, walking away to the other side of the room.
---
Vikram couldn't sleep. He watched over Tara, but her words echoed in his mind.
She's right… she deserves her freedom… her life, her choices… I can't force her anymore…
Tears blurred his vision.
I'll let her go… even if it breaks me…
At dawn, he sat by her side.
Softly brushing her hair aside, he whispered,
"Tara… this is the hardest thing I'll ever do… but I've decided. I'll set you free from this marriage… you deserve your life, your happiness…"
His tears fell silently as he leaned forward… gently kissing her forehead…
…and then her lips… before walking away.