Vikram was walking down the stairs, almost broken, his steps heavy and slow.
---
On the rooftop:
Tara quickly moved away from Prithvi.
Tara: "Prithvi sir, why did you hug me?"
Prithvi (smiling casually): "We're friends, aren't we? I can hug my friend."
Tara: "And you keep pulling my cheek, too. Please stop doing that. I don't like it."
Just then, Tara's phone rang. It was Suhani.
Tara: "Happy New Year, Suhani."
Suhani (excitedly): "Happy New Year, didi!"
Tara smiled and started walking back downstairs.
Back on the rooftop, Prithvi smirked to himself.
Prithvi (muttering): "Tara, Tara, Tara... I only hugged you because I can't kiss you yet."
---
Meanwhile, Vikram nearly stumbled down the last stair.
Man nearby: "Are you alright, Mr. Suryavanshi?"
Vikram (composing himself): "Yes, Mr. Singh. I'm fine."
Mr. Singh: "We were just talking about you—how much you've achieved at such a young age."
As Tara walked back into the venue, she was still on her phone with Suhani.
Tara: "Yes, Suhani. Now go to bed. Good night. Happy New Year again."
Call ends.
Vikram watched her smile from afar.
Mr. Singh (noticing Vikram's distraction): "Mr. Suryavanshi?"
Vikram (snapping back): "Yes, yes. I'm listening."
Mr. Solanki: "You're a man who turns everything he touches into gold. You've got everything a man could ask for."
Vikram (to himself): Do I really have everything?
Vikram (smiling faintly): "Gentlemen, enjoy the party. Happy New Year."
He walked straight to Tara.
Vikram (angrily): "We're leaving."
He grabbed her hand.
Tara: "You're holding my hand too tightly. It hurts."
Vikram: "Just smile and walk out quietly. No drama."
---
Back on the rooftop:
Suhani was calling Prithvi.
Prithvi (irritated): "This kid again... But because of Tara, I have to deal with her."
Prithvi (answering): "Hey Suhani, happy new year!"
Suhani (excited): "Happy New Year, Prithvi bhaiya! You're the best!"
Prithvi: "You're the best too, Suhani. Now go sleep. I'm cutting the call."
---
Outside the venue:
Tara: "Vikram sir, we've left the party. Please let go of my hand now."
Vikram didn't let go. He held her hand even as they got into the car.
Tara (teary-eyed): "It hurts, please let go..."
Vikram (looking at her intensely): "And what about the pain I feel, Tara?"
Tara (confused): "What?"
Vikram: "Forget it. You'll start your drama again, pretending like you don't know anything."
Tara: "Because I don't know! What are you even talking about?"
Vikram noticed the driver glancing at them through the mirror.
Vikram (sharply): "Tara, quiet. I don't want to talk right now."
Tears silently rolled down Tara's cheeks.
Tara (whispering): "You always do this."
Vikram (coldly): "I said shut up."
Tara turned away, looking out of the window. Vikram did the same. After a few minutes, Vikram glanced at her hand and noticed deep red marks where he'd grabbed her.
She was gently touching them.
He closed his eyes—regret washing over him.
He leaned in and tried to take her hand.
Vikram (softly): "Show me."
Tara (pulling away angrily): "Don't touch me, okay? Stay away."
They both turned to face the window again. Tara kept crying silently. Vikram felt completely shattered inside. The image of Tara and Prithvi hugging kept flashing in his mind… and her voice echoed: Don't touch me.
Vikram (in his mind): Why can't I touch you?
---
They reached home. Tara got out of the car without looking back.
Vikram (to driver): "Get out."
Driver (nervously): "Sir, are you going somewhere?"
Vikram (angrily): "Just do what I said."
Vikram drove away. Tara watched from her room's window as the car disappeared.
Both of them were crying.
---
Vikram arrived at his farmhouse.
Watchman: "Sir, you're here this late?"
Vikram (exploding): "Park the damn car!"
He stormed into the house.
Time: 3 AM
Dada ji received a call.
Watchman: "Sir, Vikram sir is here. He's been drinking and he seems really angry."
Dada ji: "Keep an eye on him. Don't let him out of sight."
Dadi ji woke up too.
Dadi ji: "What's wrong?"
Dada ji: "He's gone to the farmhouse."
Dadi ji (worried): "We both know when he goes there, it's never for a good reason."
---
At the farmhouse:
Vikram entered his bedroom, sat on the bed, pulled out his phone, and opened a secret folder.
Photos of Tara. Hundreds of them.
He zoomed into one where she was smiling.
A tear fell onto the screen.
He touched her face on the screen.
Vikram (whispers): "Happy New Year, Tara..."
He kissed the screen.
Vikram (in his mind): You are mine, and yet you're not.
---
Back at the mansion, Tara had cried herself to sleep. Dada and Dadi ji were deeply worried.
At the farmhouse, Vikram fell asleep crying.
Two different kinds of heartbreak—but the year had begun badly for them both.
---