Morning, 6 AM
Tara lay on the bed, eyes open, a storm of thoughts brewing inside her.
(In her thoughts) The entire night went by… I didn't sleep a wink. These flowers are useless. And look at them — they're already wilting.
She sat up abruptly and started muttering to the fading blooms beside her.
Tara (irritated): "You all are useless. Yesterday you looked so pretty, and today you're already down and dying."
Vikram, who had been lying on his bed with his eyes closed — more out of exhaustion than sleep — finally opened them.
Vikram: "Tara… could you at least speak softly?"
Tara (snapping): "No! I won't speak softly! These flowers are useless… and they're all wilting so soon!"
Vikram (trying to stay calm): "They're real flowers, Tara. They're supposed to wither after a while. Why are you picking a fight with them at six in the morning?"
Tara (gritting her teeth): "I'm not fighting with them… I'm just angry."
Vikram (sighing): "That's nothing new. You're always angry."
Tara (glaring at him): "Why did you even give me these flowers if they were going to wither away this quickly?"
Vikram (tired, sleep-deprived): "Fine. Next time I'll get you plastic flowers — they'll last forever. Now… please, stop."
Tara (stubborn): "I'm still not talking to you."
Vikram: "Thank you. Then just sit there quietly."
Tara (snapping): "I'm not talking to you! I'm talking to these useless flowers!"
Vikram (thinking): Seven billion people in this world… and I had to fall in love with this alien who never listens to a word I say.
He sat up, rubbing his temples.
Vikram: "Tara, just stop. I've got work. I have to go to the office, and I've got a headache already. If you don't shut up… I swear I'll make you."
Tara (mocking): "Really? You're making another mistake already — before you've even earned forgiveness for the first one. Good going, Mr. Suryavanshi."
Vikram: "Mrs. Suryavanshi… you've got nothing better to do than drive me crazy first thing in the morning?"
Tara (in her thoughts): He just called me Mrs. Suryavanshi… why does that make me so happy?
Vikram: "Stop staring at me and give me thirty minutes of peace."
Tara bit her lip, said nothing… and lay back down on the bed — turning right, then left, burying her face into the pillow as soft giggles escaped her.
Vikram watched her… (In his head)
"I'm going insane… aren't I?"
He finally walked out, heading downstairs.
---
In the Kitchen…
Vikram made himself a coffee.
One of the female staff entered, shocked.
Staff: "Sir? You're… in the kitchen? This early? You could've called — I'd have brought you coffee."
Vikram: "It's 7 AM — that's not that early. And today… I'll make it myself. Don't worry, I'll let you know if I need anything."
He sat on the couch, sipping his coffee.
Vikram (thinking): I really need to keep painkillers handy now. With everything going on… I'm going to need them.
He took a short walk in the garden before heading back to the room to get ready.
---
Upstairs…
Tara got off the bed, opened the door — just as Vikram was about to push it open. They bumped into each other.
Vikram: "Can you please walk carefully?"
Tara: "I could say the same to you. Where exactly was your attention?"
Vikram (exasperated): "When is this going to end?"
Tara: "What?"
Vikram: "This sulking… this endless fight?"
Tara (smirking): "You know how it'll end. Don't ask the same question again. And now move — I need to go downstairs."
Vikram headed to get ready for office. Tara went out into the backyard… talking to plants, flowers, the air… basically everything but him.
---
At the Office…
Vikram sat in his cabin, his head heavy.
(Thinking) How do I make this right? She won't even let me sleep beside her. And with no sleep, this headache's only getting worse… I've got to finish this "100 Sorry" mission somehow. Maybe I should just get rid of the extra bed. Then she'd have no choice but to come to mine. But what if she sleeps on the floor? Ugh… she's impossible.
A knock on the door.
Vikram: "Come in."
Manager (grinning): "Good morning, sir."
Vikram: "What's so good about it? What do you want?"
Manager: "Just wanted to check… did ma'am forgive you?"
Vikram (deadpan): "Aren't you getting a little too friendly?"
Manager: "Sorry, sir… but I'm guessing she didn't."
Vikram: "Exactly. Now go away before you add to my headache."
Manager: "If you don't mind, sir… I actually have an idea. I've been married for five years — might have a little more experience than you in this matter."
Vikram (sighing): "What now?"
Manager: "Why didn't ma'am forgive you?"
Vikram: "Because I printed 'I'm Sorry, Tara' on all the cards… and apparently, she wanted them handwritten. You tell me… who writes 100 cards by hand?"
Manager (laughing): "100 sorrys??"
Vikram (growling): "Laugh one more time and you're fired."
Manager: "Sorry, sir! But I know someone with excellent handwriting… one of our employees. She can write them for you. You can send them along with something else… flowers didn't work, so maybe try chocolates?"
Vikram (smirking): "Not bad. Get it done. And don't mess this up."
---
Evening — Suryavanshi Mansion
Chocolate boxes started arriving at the mansion.
Dadi: "What's going on… first flowers, now this?"
The staff carried the boxes to Tara's room.
Staff: "Ma'am, where should we put these? Your room's already filled with flowers…"
Tara (to herself): Let's see what you're trying now, Mr. Suryavanshi.
Tara (to the staff): "Just place them by the side… and take the flowers to the garden. Don't throw them away — just set them down somewhere nice."
After the staff left, Tara opened the boxes.
She pulled out the cards… and froze.
---
Back at the Office…
Vikram leaned back in his chair, satisfied.
(Thinking) This has to work. She'll forgive me now for sure.
---
Night — Suryavanshi Mansion
Vikram entered the room, looking confident.
He spotted empty chocolate boxes on the floor and Tara sitting on the bed with a pile of cards beside her.
Vikram: "I wrote those myself. Now, will you finally forgive me?"
Tara (sweetly): "Wow… I didn't know you were this talented, Mr. Suryavanshi."
Vikram: "Talented? What does it take to write 'I'm Sorry'?"
Tara: "Come, sit. I'll show you your talent."
She picked up the first card.
Tara (reading): "'I'm sorry, sweetheart.'"
Vikram: "Wait… what?"
Tara: "Next… 'I'm sorry, baby.'"
Vikram held his head in his hands.
Tara: "Third… 'I'm sorry, my moon.' Fourth… 'I'm sorry, love of my life.' Fifth… 'I can't live without you, please forgive me.' Sixth… 'I'm so sorry, my heart.' … and so on…"
Finally…
Tara: "'I'm sorry, sunshine of my life.'"
Vikram (groaning): "What the hell… I only told them to write 'I'm Sorry'!"
Tara (grinning): "Oh, and let's not forget the calligraphy… hearts, swirls, little doodles… I had no idea you had these hidden talents."
Vikram: "Tara… listen—"
Tara (narrowing her eyes): "So… what's your explanation tonight?"
Vikram (exhausted): "I've been working all day… I didn't even sleep last night… this isn't easy, Tara. This '100 sorry' demand… it's insane."
Tara: "It's not about the number, Vikram sir… it's about you meaning it. You've been buying sorrys with money instead of actually saying one that comes from the heart. Maybe even one sincere sorry would've been enough if you tried."
She walked out of the room.
Vikram (to himself): "She's right… I haven't really tried from the heart."
---
At Dinner…
They ate quietly.
Back in the room, Tara once again went to her own bed.
Vikram (softly): "Alright… I admit… I didn't really try. But I will. Please… at least sleep on our bed tonight."
Tara said nothing.
Vikram: "Fine. Tomorrow I'm getting this other bed out of here."
Tara: "Mr.Suryavanshi Don't try to be smart. I'll sleep on the floor if I have to."
Vikram: "Mrs. Suryavanshi… don't push me. I'll join you on the floor. And I'm serious… I can't sleep without you. Understand?"
Tara's heart raced.
Vikram: "Alright. I'm coming to your bed."
He lay down beside her.
Vikram: "Would you… maybe… come a little closer?"
Tara: "No."
Vikram: "Okay then… I'll come to you."
He wrapped an arm around her from behind in a soft back hug.
Vikram (whispering): "Please… let me sleep. I can't work all day if I don't rest."
Tara didn't move… didn't protest… and didn't pull away.
---