Tara was sitting in the living hall when Vikram and Suhani walked in.
Tara looked up, "Suhani, did you have your breakfast?"
"Yes, I already had it," Suhani replied with a smile.
Tara turned to Vikram. "Mr. Suryavanshi, will you have black coffee?"
Vikram shook his head. "I'll drop Suhani off first, then come back for coffee and breakfast."
Tara tilted her head slightly. "Shall I make methi parathas for you again?"
His eyes lit up. "Yes. I love methi parathas."
Suhani laughed, "Come on, jiju."
From the corner, Tara's mother spoke. "Suhani, why do you trouble Vikram ji? Anyone else could drop you at school."
"Aunty, I like doing it myself," Vikram said, a faint sadness in his tone. "Besides… Suhani won't be staying in the Suryavanshi Mansion much longer."
He placed his hand gently on Suhani's head. "I'll miss you, Suhani."
She smiled up at him. "Then come see me whenever you miss me."
Vikram nodded warmly. "I will."
Suhani turned to Tara. "Didi, wish me luck for my exams."
Tara walked over, hugged her, and wished her all the best.
"Tara," her mother said, "did Vikram ji have breakfast yet?"
"I'll eat after I come back," Vikram said, glancing toward Tara.
Vikram and Suhani left.
Tara murmured to herself, Let's make his favorite breakfast… She went to the kitchen and told the cook, "I'll prepare breakfast for Vikram myself."
Soon, the parathas were almost ready when Vikram returned. He noticed Tara wasn't in the living hall or dining room. Where did she go?
"Bring me my coffee," he told one of the female staff.
"Sir, Tara ma'am is making it in the kitchen. I'll get it for you."
"No, I'll take it myself," he replied.
When he reached the kitchen door, two cooks greeted him with a cheerful, "Good morning, sir."
"Leave," Vikram said firmly. "And don't come back for now."
The two cooks walked away, trying to hide their smiles.
Vikram stepped inside and back-hugged Tara.
She startled. "Vikram! What is this?"
"I just wanted to see" he murmured against her hair.
"Who checks like this?" she scolded softly.
"I do—when I want a close view."
"Aren't you worried someone might walk into the kitchen? Is this really the place for… this?" She turned to face him.
"Fine," he smirked, "after breakfast, we'll go to the room."
"Mr. Suryavanshi, please go sit at the dining table. I'll bring your coffee and breakfast."
"No. I'm not going anywhere. What did you make?"
"Can you please stand a little away from me?"
"No."
"Alright, breakfast is ready. I made methi parathas again—your favorite. Should I make them for you every day?"
He leaned closer. "You're my favorite too… and yes, I could have my favorite thing every single day."
Tara's thoughts raced. This man is getting too much.
Tara Why you are getting this close?
"I'm looking at your face," Vikram said softly.
Suddenly, Tara gasped. "Dadi's here!"
Vikram immediately stepped back and looked toward the kitchen door—only to find no one there.
Tara burst into laughter, and he glared at her. "Do you know how much you scared me?"
"You scared me first," she shot back.
"Oh, so this was revenge?"
"Kind of… I just needed to put a pause on your romance."
"That pause will never happen," Vikram warned, cupping her neck and bringing his face close.
"Vikram, please…"
"No 'please.' You challenged me."
"When did I challenge you?"
"Just now—you said you'd pause my romance."
"This time, someone will come in."
"I'll just lock the gate," he countered.
"Are you alright?"
"Perfectly. And I know your heartbeat still races when I'm close."
"And yours will too… in a second."
He frowned. "I'm not falling for your tricks."
She pointed upward. "Look to your right—there's a camera in the kitchen. The control room staff are probably watching our romance live right now."
Vikram closed his eyes and slowly stepped back.
"Have breakfast now," Tara teased. "Otherwise they'll make a whole movie out of this."
Vikram went to the dining table in silence.
Tara served his coffee and parathas.
"You look so good when you're quiet," she teased again.
"I feel awkward now," he muttered. "How am I supposed to tell them to delete the footage?"
"Just say exactly that," Tara smirked.
"You couldn't have told me about the camera earlier?"
"I forgot. You can delete it yourself."
"But they've already seen it…"
Tara leaned close, and Vikram instinctively pulled back.
"Be careful," she whispered.
"I won't be careful. I'll just check every camera angle in the house." Then he suddenly kissed her lips.
"Vikram—" she began.
"We're not in the camera frame here," he assured her with a grin.
"Breakfast, Mr. Suryavanshi. You're getting late for office."
"It's my company."
"Oh really? When I say that, you always brag about being punctual. What happened to that now?"
He leaned close to her ear. "Still punctual… but now, you control my speed."
She blushed. "Don't do this."
"Why shouldn't I?"
"I'm going to my room."
"Is that information or an invitation?"
She held back a smile. "Don't look at me like that—it's dangerous."
"It would be dangerous if you knew what I'm thinking right now…"
"Enough, Vikram." She grabbed his hand. "Go to the office."
"I've only had one paratha…"
"If I give you more time, you'll eat my whole brain."
"If you want to hold my hand, hold it tighter." He squeezed her hand firmly.
She looked flustered. "Please go to the office—and let go of my hand."
"Fine. But when I come back, I'll hold it again." He winked. "Now, drop me to the car."
"Alright. Move aside."
He stepped back.
"I'm going to my room," she said, stepping close. "Because I know you've sworn to shut me up."
"Oh, you mean like the days you didn't let me speak?" he teased. "Fine, i am going to the office"
"I will come back at evening for Suhani's study help, not for you."
"Thank you for not coming for me. Go to work, Vikram."
"You come with me—then I'll stay in a good mood."
"With the way you're acting, your company will face a downfall."
"I'm ready for every downfall… if you're ready to fall with me."
She glared at him.
"Okay, okay," he laughed, kissing her forehead. "Bye."
As he left, Tara thought to herself with a smile, Who said this is the same Mr. Suryavanshi I married?
---
Evening, 4:00 p.m.
Vikram arrived at the Suryavanshi Mansion.
He met Suhani and told her to wait in the study room while he went to change.
Suhani went to the study room.
Vikram entered his bedroom and saw Tara sleeping deeply, lost in her dreams.
After thinking for a moment, he quietly locked the door — partly to keep Suhani from walking in.
Tara was sleeping at the edge of the bed, so he gently moved her to the center without disturbing her. Then, slipping beside her, he pulled her into his arms and closed his eyes.
A few minutes later, Tara stirred, feeling the weight beside her. She opened her eyes.
"You're back?" she murmured.
Vikram didn't open his eyes, only held her tighter. "I'm exhausted… just give me five minutes like this."
"Do you need something?" she asked softly.
"Five minutes of rest," he replied, "then I'll change and go help Suhani in the study."
Tara hugged him back. "And if Suhani comes in?"
"I locked the gate," Vikram said lazily.
Tara smiled faintly. "That would make this even more… suspicious for her."
"Let it be," Vikram mumbled. "Please, just let me rest."
Five minutes later…
"Weren't you supposed to rest? Why are you kissing my neck?" Tara asked.
"Because it was so close to me," he replied with a hint of mischief.
"Go and change before Suhani comes."
Vikram looked at her, his voice tinged with emotion. "The hardest thing for me is to go away from you." He locked eyes with her. "Can I kiss you?"
"Not now, Vikram… Suhani might come," she hesitated.
"Just one kiss," he promised.
She closed her eyes. "Fine."
Vikram kissed her. At first, it was controlled — but when Tara responded, they both got lost in the moment, forgetting time completely. The kiss began to deepen, moving beyond where they had intended to stop.
Suddenly, Tara pulled away, catching her breath and regaining control. "Vikram… right now, we should stop."
A hint of sadness touched his face, but he nodded. "Alright… I'll continue tonight." He got up. "Going to the study now," he said, heading to change.
---
In the study room, Vikram began helping Suhani with her work.
"You're a really intelligent person, Jiju," Suhani commented.
"If you ever have a problem, just ask me," Vikram said, smiling at her.
After an hour and a half, Tara appeared at the doorway.
They're talking like the topic is Einstein's theory of relativity, she thought. What sixth-grade subject is so difficult that Mr. Suryavanshi is explaining it this deeply… and Suhani isn't even bored?
She walked in. "I brought something for you both."
"Coffee for you, Vikram, and cookies for you, Suhani."
Both thanked her, and Vikram immediately continued explaining the topic Suhani was struggling with.
A little while later, Tara said, "Alright, I'll leave you two to it."
"Bye," they both replied.
How can someone enjoy books this much? Tara wondered as she left. They both have the same nature.
---
8:00 p.m.
"That's enough for today, Suhani. I'll help you again tomorrow," Vikram said. "See you at dinner."
"Thank you, Jiju," Suhani said, hugging him.
"I'll join dinner at nine," Vikram added. "If you're hungry before that, eat without me and go to bed early — you have another exam tomorrow."
Suhani nodded and went downstairs.
---
Vikram entered his bedroom to find Tara sitting on the bed.
"Tara, why are you sitting like that? Are you upset?" He walked toward her.
"Mr. Suryavanshi, don't come close to me… and don't touch me," she said seriously.
"What? Why? You were fine just a while ago."
"I'm not fine now. I should never have trusted you."
"What happened?" he asked, concern growing.
Tears welled in her eyes.
"Tara…" He cupped her cheek gently. "Why are you crying? Tell me what happened."
She moved his hand away.
Vikram was confused and anxious. "Please, tell me."
Tara pulled out her phone, opened a site, clicked on an image, and showed it to him.
"This is you, isn't it?"
Vikram looked at the picture and closed his eyes.
"Don't close your eyes," Tara said bitterly. "There's no name here, but I can recognize you. You're cheating on me."
"I'm not cheating," Vikram said firmly. "It was a business meeting."
"Wow… in a park? With a woman pulling your tie?" Tara's voice dripped with anger. "Since when do you conduct this kind of business?"
"Please, stop crying. I haven't cheated on you and I never will," Vikram said, trying to calm her.
"Oh, right. I was foolish to believe your sweet words. This is your real face," she accused.
"Tara, you can't judge everything from just one image."
"In a public place you're this close… who knows how close you are in private meetings?"
"That park was booked," Vikram explained.
Tara's eyes widened. "You booked an entire park for another woman? You have no shame saying that to me?"
Frustration began to show in his voice. "I told you — it was a business meeting."
"Then where are the others? Why are only the two of you visible?"
"If you listen, I'll explain everything. You've misunderstood," Vikram pleaded.
"No," Tara said coldly. "I've understood you perfectly. I thought you only loved me."
"I still love only you," Vikram said.
"Then why did you go on a park date with someone else?"
"That wasn't a date — it was a deal."
"I know your deals… how many women will you 'make deals' with? If this is what you wanted, why tell me you loved me?"
Vikram's patience frayed. "This 'deal' means a business deal, Tara. Please understand."
"I'll sleep on the other side of the bed," she said sharply. "Don't try to come close to me tonight."
Vikram felt utterly helpless. He knew exactly how difficult it was to convince Tara once she had made up her mind.
To be continued…
---