Morning – Tara & Vikram's Bedroom
The position Tara and Vikram were sleeping in was... questionable, to say the least.
Neither of them could explain how they ended up like that—tangled so closely, limbs overlapping, warmth shared. But then again, this was Tara and Vikram. In their bedroom, anything could happen.
Tara's eyes fluttered open. Her breath caught.
Why... am I this close to Vikram Suryavanshi?!
His face was just inches away. His arm casually draped around her waist like it belonged there. Her confusion turned to alarm.
Just then, Vikram's eyes opened too—and he immediately knew what storm was about to hit him.
Tara: (annoyed) "Why are you holding me like that?! Move!"
Vikram: (irritated) "Excuse me? You're holding me! Let go first!"
They scrambled away from each other like they'd touched fire.
Tara: (accusing) "Why were you on my side of the bed?"
Vikram: (calmly) "Tara, take a closer look. This is my side."
Tara: "Yeah? Well, I went to sleep on the opposite side last night. So, why are you here?"
Vikram: "That's what I'd like to ask. Why did you go over there in the first place?"
Tara: "For safety!"
Vikram: "If anyone needs safety in this arrangement, it's me! I should be sleeping in a full-body armor. Every night, you either punch me, elbow me, or land a kick somewhere I won't recover from."
Tara: (snapping) "Stop lying, Mr. Suryavanshi."
Vikram: "Tara Bansal, I—"
Tara: (cutting him off) "Not Bansal. Tara Suryavanshi, okay?"
A faint smile crept across Vikram's face. He tried to hide it.
---
Flashback – Last Night
Tara had sat on the bed, quietly crying. Her thoughts circled around her father's worsening condition. Nothing seemed to help.
Vikram had seen her, but he didn't know how to comfort her. Emotional expression wasn't his strong suit. He wanted to wipe her tears—but didn't know how to reach across that invisible line.
Tara: (sniffling) "Will Papa be okay?"
Without a word, Vikram opened his laptop and showed her a hospital screen.
Vikram: "I found this place. It's one of the best. I'm thinking of getting him admitted there."
Tara: "But that'll cost even more... right?"
Vikram: "Let me handle the money. You don't worry about that."
Tara: "Last time, I had to marry you for money. What will I need to do this time?"
That line hit Vikram harder than he expected. But he kept his expression flat.
Vikram: "Just rest. I'll take care of it."
They lay down on their respective sides of the bed. Tara's tears didn't stop. Vikram's heart didn't either.
Afraid she might roll toward him again while asleep—like she always did—Tara devised a plan.
Tonight, I'll sleep on the opposite side of the bed. That way I won't accidentally hug him in my sleep.
Solid plan.
Until 2 AM.
She rolled anyway. And kicked him—right in the stomach.
Vikram woke up gasping in pain, turned on the light.
Vikram: "Is this girl trying to kill me?! Every night it's a new injury. Maybe I should start sleeping on the floor!"
He gave her a small shove and moved to the opposite side of the bed.
---
Back to Present
Tara: "We'll know whose fault it is… based on whose blanket we're in."
Vikram: "Fine."
They both checked the bed.
No blanket.
Not hers.
Not his.
They were both lying on the bed, entirely without covers. Their blankets had fallen—one on either side of the bed.
Their eyes met.
Pause.
Vikram: "I'm going to the washroom."
Tara: "So am I."
Vikram: "Where?"
Tara: "Why should I tell you?"
Vikram: "Forget it."
Inside the washroom, Vikram smiled to himself.
We slept the whole night without blankets. It's December. And yet, we didn't feel cold...
Tara, in her room, panicked.
Tara: "How did I survive this freezing night without a blanket?!"
(Answer: Because human blankets are warmer. And the two were wrapped around each other all night.)
Now both of them were carefully avoiding eye contact.
---
Later That Morning
Vikram was getting ready.
Tara went to bathe—only to realize she had rushed in without her towel.
She peeked out and saw Vikram sitting on the bed, tying his shoelaces.
The moment she opened the door, their eyes met.
Tara quickly looked away, panicked—and slipped.
Vikram caught her before she could hit the floor.
Vikram: "Can you do one thing without causing a disaster?"
Tara:"Don't talk to me!"
She pushed past him—only to stumble again.
This time, she fell.
On top of Vikram.
Again.
Vikram (groaning): "I swear I need full-body armor around you."
They got up.
Tara noticed his wince. His back pain—caused by her earlier—had returned.
Tara: (genuinely concerned) "Do you want help?"
Vikram: "Yeah. Stay away. That would really help."
Vikram left for the office after a short rest.
---
Afternoon – Tara Alone
Tara felt restless. She talked to the house staff, her grandparents, even the flowers in the garden. Finally, she picked a yellow rose and brought it to her room.
---
Night – Bedroom
No matter what she tried, every night ended the same way—Tara hugging Vikram in her sleep.
She was frustrated.
Just then, Vikram entered.
Tara (awkward): "How's your back now?"
Vikram: "Better for now… but let's see how long that lasts."
Later, they went downstairs for dinner, then returned to the room.
Lights off. They lay on their usual opposite ends of the bed.
This time, Tara, determined to not roll over again, slept at the very edge.
Ten minutes later—
Thud.
Vikram: (turning on the light) "Tara? Where are you?!"
Tara: "Down here."
She had fallen off the bed. Her nose was bleeding.
Vikram picked her up and gently cleaned the blood.
Vikram: "That's it. You're sleeping in the middle. I'm not scraping you off the floor again."
Tara had no choice.
---
Next Morning
Tara woke up… and froze.
Vikram was hugging her this time.
In her blanket.
On her side of the bed.
She had the perfect chance to wake him and throw all the blame back.
But for once... she didn't.
She just quietly slipped out of bed.
---
Later That Day
Vikram: "Tara, it's the 31st. New Year's Eve."
Tara: "So?"
Vikram (clearing throat): "There's a party tonight. I have to attend… and it's a couples party."
Tara: "I'm not coming to your high-society functions. And don't forget—this is a contract marriage."
Vikram: "Sure. But the contract also says you'll appear like a happy wife in public. So get ready."
Tara glared.
Vikram (pausing at the door): "Also... about the dress—"
Tara (cutting him off): "I know. My clothes won't match your 'class.' So I have to dress up to fit your status. Right?"
Vikram: "Actually… I was just going to say the party has a black theme. I'll have a few black dresses sent up. Pick whatever you like."
He left the room.
Tara stood still.
Why does he always ruin my anger with logic?