Tara left the room in a hurry, her footsteps light but fast.
Vikram stayed back, trying to get a grip—not on anger, but on the whirlwind of emotions storming inside him.
> Vikram (to himself): "I need to talk to her..."
He walked out.
He searched the house—downstairs, every room—
But Tara was nowhere to be found.
Eventually, he asked one of the staff.
> Staff: "Tara ma'am is in the backyard."
> Vikram (muttering): "Backyard... at this hour? This girl..."
He made his way out.
There she was—sitting on the wooden bench, her shoulders trembling, crying quietly into her hands.
He sat beside her.
Silence for a moment.
> Vikram: "Tara, can you tell me what's really going on? What's troubling you? Can we talk about it?"
She only cried harder.
> Vikram: "Tara... why are you crying so much? I'm starting to feel guilty… what did I do?"
> Tara (through tears): "I'm not crying because of the kiss..."
> Vikram: "Then what is it? Please tell me."
She took a shaky breath, then began to speak.
> Tara: "Whenever you come close, my heartbeat races. When you touch me, my body flashes hot with sensations I can't control. It's not that I didn't want the kiss... I just panicked.
Even in my dreams, I've seen you kiss me and I felt fine... but today, again, my body didn't cooperate."
> Vikram (thinking, barely holding back a smile): "She has no idea what she says sometimes... this is the cutest and most innocent confession I've ever heard."
He gently wiped her tears.
> Vikram: "Stop crying now. Relax. The more you overthink, the more you'll panic."
> Tara: "I've never been in a romantic relationship before... maybe that's why this is happening to me."
> Vikram: "Tara, stop overloading your brain. Keep logic aside, please. Let's go to the room. We'll talk and find a solution."
> Tara: "Solution?"
> Vikram: "Yes, there's always a solution to every problem. Come on now, no more tears."
They walked back to the room.
Sitting on the bed together, Vikram turned to her.
> Vikram: "Tell me honestly... do you want this marriage to continue? Because I don't want to force anything on you."
> Tara (nodding): "Yes."
> Vikram: "Good. Then let's work on our relationship. We got married so suddenly—we didn't even spend time together. There's been so many communication gaps, it's natural we keep having misunderstandings."
> "Let's first get comfortable with each other... then we'll move forward. And until you're fully comfortable, I won't touch you. I'll wait. Let's start with friendship."
> Tara: "Friendship? With you?"
> Vikram: "Yes, with me. That way you'll really get to know me. We've skipped so many things. Let's start from the beginning."
Tara agreed.
Vikram smiled, thinking:
> "She's still the same innocent Tara I fell in love with..."
---
Love Game Result?
LOVE is not a game.
So—no winner, no loser.
LOVE is Just two people choosing to understand each other.
Tara and Vikram had finally begun their journey of understanding.
And so began the Friendship Era...
---
Later that night
Post-dinner, both lay in bed.
Tara had her back turned.
> Vikram: "Tara, can you turn this way?"
She turned to face him.
> Vikram: "Why so quiet? Say something. Even a fight is fine. Just because we're friends now doesn't mean I'm not still your husband—you can fight with me."
> Tara (looking at him): "I don't feel like fighting."
> Vikram (coming a little closer): "I know what you're going through. I've felt it too... I still feel it."
> Tara: "But you always seem so calm."
> Vikram: "Because I've learned to hide my emotions. It's not that my body doesn't react—
when you come close, my heartbeat races too.
When you hug me, even my breathing changes.
And believe me, I try very hard to control myself... but sometimes, it's not easy."
> Tara (smiling): "So you're struggling too?"
> Vikram: "A lot more than you think... and long before you started struggling."
> Vikram: "Let's talk about something else now. We're friends, right?"
> Tara (in a lighter mood now): "So, you'll listen to everything I say now? Because we're friends?"
> Vikram: "I already listen to everything you say. But sure—if there's something else you want to make me do, go ahead."
Tara's face began changing expression again.
Vikram noticed—he switched the topic quickly.
> Vikram: "You don't watch K-dramas anymore?"
> Tara: "My real life already feels like a K-drama. Why watch more?"
> Vikram (laughs): "You've finally shifted from fiction to reality.
It's not bad to like something. Misunderstanding it is."
> Tara: "What do you mean?"
> Vikram: "Remember how you used to crush on K-drama leads after every show?"
> Tara (shocked): "How do you know that?! Do you have telepathy?"
> Vikram: "Telepathy? No. You used to scream it loud enough. I heard you."
> Tara (looking at him): "So... were you jealous?"
> Vikram: "Jealous? Of them? I'm smarter than all of them."
> Tara (laughs): "You searched them up, didn't you?"
> Vikram: "What could I do? You'd lie next to me every night and say 'I deserve this man in my life.' I had no choice."
> Tara (laughing): "Stop... stop... you're being too normal and chatty!"
> Vikram (turning a little serious): "I am normal. I just grew up in a life where I had to appear quiet and ruthless."
> Tara: "You loved your mom a lot, didn't you?"
> Vikram (softly): "Yes. A lot. I still do."
> Tara: "How did she die?"
Her question made Vikram visibly uncomfortable.
> Tara: "Okay... you don't have to answer. Please don't go sad on me."
> Vikram: "Her trust was broken. That's how she died."
Tara gently placed her hand over his.
> Tara: "Go to sleep. Otherwise, I'll ask even more stupid questions."
> Vikram (looking at her): "Won't you come sleep closer?"
Tara didn't say anything.
He kept looking at her.
> Vikram: "I'll wait until you're ready... but a casual touch is okay, right?"
> Tara (smiling faintly): And she moved closer.
He pulled her gently into a hug.
> Vikram: "Thank you..."
> Vikram (teasing): "Tara, your heartbeat's racing again. I can hear it."
> Tara (turning away): "Then I'll face the other way. So you can't hear it."
> Vikram (grinning): "Still can."
> Tara: "Don't tease me, Mr. Suryavanshi—or I'll go sleep on the other bed."
> Vikram (relieved to see her relaxed): "You can call me Mr. Suryavanshi, I love hearing it."
(He kissed her lightly on the neck)
"Now sleep."
> Tara: "Say that your lips accidentally touched my neck."
> Vikram (laughing): "That was a casual kiss."
> Tara: "You keep using the word 'casual' just to fool me!"
> Vikram: "Mrs. Suryavanshi, how could I fool you? You're already too smart. Now sleep. I have to go to office tomorrow."
> Tara: "It's Sunday tomorrow. And don't pretend—everyone knows your first love is work."
> Vikram: "No, work is secondary. You're primary."
> Tara: "You say such sweet lines... didn't you say you've never been close to anyone? Then where do these lines come from?"
> Vikram: "Now you sound like a proper wife."
> "You don't need experience for everything. I've lived in society too.
And with you, I want to experience everything."
> Tara: "Keep flirting. Instead of calming me, you're making my condition even worse."
> Vikram: "Worse condition? With time, it'll get better." (He held her closer)
"Now I won't let you run again. Tara, are you comfortable now?"
> Tara: "Yes. Much better than before."
> Vikram: "Should I visit your dreams again and kiss you there? You seem to like that." (laughs)
> Tara: "Mr. Suryavanshi!" (She gives him a back-hit on the chest)
"I'm not sleeping near you anymore!"
> Vikram: "Ow! That hurt! And this second bed—removing it tomorrow."
> Tara: "Why? What if we fight? Where will we sleep?"
> Vikram: "On the same bed. And honestly, Tara... that was the cutest confession I've ever received." (laughs)
> Tara: "That was a confession?"
> Vikram (trying not to laugh): "Of course! Confession isn't just 'I love you', you know."
> Tara: "You look good when you laugh."
He leaned closer to her ear...
> Vikram: "Don't say that... or I might break the very promise I made tonight."
> Tara: "What?"
> Vikram: "Go to sleep, Tara. Please."
---
Vikram (thinking): "She's finally close to me... that's enough for now. I'll wait, Tara."
Tara (thinking): "Did I really confess?!"
They both fell asleep.
---
Next morning – 8 AM
> Vikram: "Tara, wake up. It's 8 already."
> Tara: "Then you wake up! Why are you asking me?"
> Vikram: "Look where you're sleeping."
> Tara (half-asleep): "Why is your face so close to mine?"
> Vikram: "Because you're lying on 70% of my body."
> Tara (realizing): "Oh no!" (She rolls off the bed)
> Vikram: "You test my self-control daily. But it's okay... do what you want. I won't mind."
> Tara: "I'm not listening to anything. Let me sleep. It's Sunday. Go to your precious office."
> Vikram: "Why?"
> Tara: "Otherwise your sweet lines will short-circuit my brain. I'm not used to this."
> Vikram: "Then get used to it. I'll always speak sweetly. Now get up... lazy."
> Tara: "What did you call me?!"
> Vikram (grinning): "Lazy."
(And he walks out of the room)
> Tara (to herself): "This man was better when he used to talk less..."
---