Summer evenings are always beautiful, aren't they?" Tara said with a soft smile.
Vikram smiled, brushing his hand gently against her cheek. "Yes… but your smile looks even more beautiful to me."
Tara gave him a look. "Since when did Mr. Suryavanshi become this open with words?"
Vikram chuckled. "Since you started hearing even my silence."
Tara teased, "Don't you think being this romantic doesn't really suit your image?"
Vikram leaned in, a playful glint in his eyes. "Why wouldn't it? I'm human too. I have emotions… I just never knew how to express them before. Now I do."
Tara shook her head. "You've started talking so much that I don't even get a chance."
Vikram moved closer. "I have other ways to make you stop talking… Want to try?"
Tara smirked. "I know exactly what way that is. We've been married for five years now. But your romance just doesn't fade."
Vikram, whispering close to her lips, "Romance shouldn't fade. It should grow…" They were just about to kiss—
"Mom! Dad! What are you doing?"
They quickly moved apart.
Tara went over. "Nothing, sweetheart."
Vikram muttered under his breath, 'Why is it impossible for anyone to not interrupt when I'm about to kiss Tara?'
"Dad?"
Vikram picked up the little one in his arms. "Yes, sweetheart?"
Tara joined them.
"You left me alone while I was sleeping and came to this yellow rose garden?"
Vikram smiled. "We didn't want to disturb you."
"But when mom sleeps, you never leave, do you?"
Tara burst out laughing.
Vikram groaned. "Tara! Stop it…"
"I never leave you either, sweetheart. I was just out for a moment."
Tara smirked. "Looks like Mr. Suryavanshi can't even convince a child."
The child turned to Tara. "Mom, but you also came here…"
Vikram laughed. "Why don't you try convincing now?"
Tara ruffled the little one's hair. "Let's go inside. It's getting dark."
"Even the puppy came looking for you!"
"Wait!" Tara turned around.
And right then, Vikram held Tara's hand and kissed it softly.
Tara playfully hit him. "What is this behavior, Mr. Suryavanshi?"
Vikram smirked. "This behavior… is called Love Mrs. Suryavanshi."
He picked up the little one. "Come on, sweetheart. Let me carry you inside."
"You're the best dad in the world!"
The puppy scurried ahead.
Vikram said, "Let's hurry too."
And the three of them walked into the house…
---
Vikram woke up with a start.
For the first time… it wasn't a nightmare. It was a sweet dream… but I still can't be happy about it. Even this hurts me…
He checked the time. 11 AM.
So late? I should head to the office… No. Tara… and her anger… and those endless questions. And like always, she won't understand why I did everything I did — because I love her.
Vikram walked out of the room and began making coffee.
"Sir, let me make it for you," the watchman offered. "And sir… Dadi has called four times since morning. I told them you were resting. Where's your phone? Both Dadaji and Dadiji were trying to reach you."
"It's in the room… on silent."
The watchman handed him the coffee, and Vikram went back inside.
I'm sitting here dreaming… and Tara probably doesn't even care. I've always been the wrong person in her eyes.
He checked his phone — several missed calls and messages.
Three missed calls from Tara… at night? So… she does care.
He opened the message:
> "I'm not talking to you.
Don't even think I've forgiven you. I'm still super angry 😡😡
I'm only asking because you're my roommate — where are you?"
Roommate? First, I was a contract husband… and now I'm a roommate? Great. But at least there's still hope… she cares.
He smiled and called her back — but her phone was switched off.
Why is her phone off? Tara never switches off her phone…
He called again. Still switched off.
He quickly called Dadi.
"Vikram? Why did you go to the farmhouse again, beta? Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine… Is Tara in her room?"
"No, she left around 9 AM. Said she had some work."
"Her phone is off."
"She probably forgot to charge it."
"Which driver took her?"
"I'll check with the staff."
After checking—
"She left by cab, not the car."
"By cab? Why? Where were you?"
"I was in the living room… I didn't know she left by cab. Is everything okay?"
"I'll talk later, Dadi. If you hear anything, let me know."
---
Vikram's worry deepened. Why would she leave like this? And not tell anyone?
He called Tara's mom.
"Hello, Vikramji?"
"How's Suhani?"
"She's good… and how's Tara? Can you give her the phone? Her phone's switched off."
Vikram froze. What?
"She's… busy with something. I'll call you later." He hung up.
Panic started gripping him. Where is she? Four hours… this isn't like her. And her phone…
He rushed from the farmhouse back to the mansion.
---
At the mansion—
"Why didn't you inform me Tara left by cab?"
"You weren't answering your phone, sir."
"You should have stopped her!"
"Is something wrong, sir?"
"Don't ask questions — just show me the gate's CCTV footage."
They watched the footage together.
Why did she go that way? No one she knows is in that direction…
"Call the watchman."
"Yes, sir."
"Did you say anything when Tara was leaving?"
"I did, sir. Just asked why she was taking a cab… seemed a bit strange."
"You're all useless. Get out!"
Vikram ordered his team to get the cab details.
They contacted the company — who resisted at first — until Vikram himself got on the call.
"This is Vikram Suryavanshi. I want information about the cab that picked up my wife from the Suryavanshi Mansion. Where did it take her?"
"Sir! You're really Mr. Suryavanshi? Oh my God… I—"
"Skip the fan moment. Just give me the details. My wife was in that cab."
"Uh— Yes, sir. The drop location was… The Party Night Restaurant."
The Party Night…?
That was Prithvi's restaurant.
Why would she go there? Damn… Prithvi. He's capable of anything…
Vikram rushed straight to the restaurant.
---
At The Party Night—
"Where is Prithvi?"
"I… I don't know, sir," the manager stammered.
Vikram grabbed his collar. "Where is he?"
"He came in the morning… but then left. I don't know where."
"Show me the CCTV footage."
"I… I can't…"
"If you don't, I'll file a kidnapping case on you too. And trust me, that'll be the easy part for you."
Shaken, the manager took him to the security room.
Vikram watched the footage.
At 9:37 AM, Tara was seen arguing with Prithvi. Prithvi gave her something to drink… and soon, she collapsed.
The footage after that? Missing.
Vikram slammed the manager against the wall. "Where did he take her?"
"I swear, sir! I don't know… After she fainted, Prithvi sir took her in his car."
"Why is the footage missing?"
"Maybe… technical issue?"
"Call him."
They tried — Prithvi's phone was off.
Vikram slammed his fist on the table. "If Tara gets even a scratch… neither Prithvi nor any of you will survive!"
---
In his car…
Where did he take her? Is she okay? I never imagined Prithvi would stoop this low. He always played on the fact I wouldn't go to the police — because of the family name. But this time…
Vikram's car stopped outside the Police Commissioner's Office.
---
"Mr. Suryavanshi?"
"I need to talk. It's serious."
"Yes?"
"My wife… Tara… has been kidnapped by my stepbrother — Prithvi Suryavanshi."
The commissioner stared at him. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Vikram explained everything.
"I'll form a team right away, sir. We'll find her. You have my word."
As Vikram got up to leave — his phone rang.
Prithvi.
"Talk. We'll trace the location," the commissioner advised.
Vikram answered.
Prithvi laughed, "I guess you figured it out by now?"
"Where is Tara?" Vikram snarled. "If she's harmed—"
"Oh… such love! I love Tara too… she's so sweet."
"Prithvi!!!"
"Relax. I love her, but not that way. Listen — straight to the point. Bring the hydro project files. Sign it over to me. Then take Tara. I haven't touched her… yet. But who knows how long I can control myself?"
"Don't you dare touch her! I'm bringing the papers."
"So easy, huh? I didn't know you loved her this much… Giving up such an ambitious project without a second thought? Impressive. And don't try any stunts — you know you won't go to the police. The media would have a field day with this Suryavanshi scandal."
"Send me the location."
"Not yet. First go to the lawyer. Sign everything over to me. Then I'll send you the location."
The line cut.
Vikram clenched his fists. I'm not letting him get away with this…