Chapter 18

Over the past few weeks, Tara and Vikram fell into a steady rhythm. Each morning, she helped him with his exercises, often adding small challenges to build his strength. In the evenings, they'd stroll around the garden or sit on the patio, sometimes saying little but finding comfort in each other’s presence. The air between them was shifting—what had once felt like duty was turning into something warmer, something that wrapped Vikram in a peace he hadn’t felt in years.

This morning, as per Dr. Sharma's advice, Tara and Aditya decided to increase the intensity of Vikram’s exercise routine. They both knew he had come far, but there was further to go. Tara guided Vikram through gentle stretches, focusing on his arms and shoulders, making sure each movement counted. Aditya joined them, guiding him through resistance exercises, small weights, and seated leg raises to strengthen his legs. As Vikram pushed himself, Tara offered encouraging words, her gaze unwavering, silently cheering him on. And though the exercises grew harder, Vikram found himself pushing through, powered by her faith in him.

After finishing, they went inside and joined the family in the living room. Laughter filled the air as they all talked, sharing stories and teasing each other. But even as they laughed, Vikram found his gaze drifting toward Tara, catching her gentle smile and the way her eyes sparkled in the light. She seemed to radiate warmth and life, and he found himself drawn to her, something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in a long time.

Later that night, after the day’s bustle, Vikram and Tara retired to their room. As they settled in, Vikram watched her from the bed, transfixed as she sat in front of the mirror, carefully braiding her hair. He had always admired her beauty, but tonight, with her hair spilling over her shoulders, he found himself captivated. In his mind, he couldn’t help but think of how beautiful she looked with her hair down, soft waves framing her face in a way that was enchanting yet effortless.

Once she finished, Tara lay down beside him, her presence close, calming. She turned to him, meeting his gaze with a soft, patient look, sensing he had something to say.

“Tara…” he began, his voice quiet yet determined.

She looked at him, a gentle curiosity in her eyes. "Yes?"

Vikram took a breath, feeling the weight of his words. "I want to do this, Tara. I want to heal. I know it won’t be easy… there will be challenges. But I’m ready to face them."

Tara’s face lit up, and he could see tears gathering in her eyes. She smiled, that radiant smile that had become his anchor. “Vikram, I’m so happy,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you… thank you for believing in yourself.”

Vikram held her gaze, a new warmth filling his heart. There was something unspoken, a truth he hadn’t yet voiced, even to himself. He wasn’t just doing this for himself. In his heart, he was doing this for her, for her happiness, for the future he saw reflected in her eyes. Somewhere deep within, he felt himself opening, letting go of his past pain, and realizing that he was ready—ready to start over.

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The next evening, when Vikram and Aditya returned from the office, Vikram immediately noticed that Tara was nowhere to be seen. He looked around the living room, feeling a flicker of unease, then turned to his sister.

“Avni,” he asked, trying to sound casual. “Where’s Tara?”

Avni gave him a reassuring smile. “She went out. She said she had somewhere important to go.”

He nodded, trying to suppress the slight pang of disappointment. Just then, he heard the soft jingle of her bangles and the delicate sound of her anklet bells. He turned, and there she was, standing in the doorway, looking at him with a smile that seemed to make the whole world brighter.

“Ready?” she asked, her eyes shining as she gestured toward the garden for their evening exercises.

He nodded, following her outside, and as they started his exercises, he couldn’t help but glance at her. He watched as she adjusted his stance, her movements graceful and natural.

“Tara,” he said, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

She looked at him, her expression open, waiting for him to continue.

“Where were you today?” he asked, his curiosity genuine.

Tara’s face softened as she thought of her afternoon. “I went to visit someone,” she replied, her voice carrying a gentle affection.

“Someone important?” he asked, his voice a touch hesitant.

She nodded. “Yes. Very important.” She looked at him, her gaze holding a touch of nostalgia. “When I was younger, I used to visit an orphanage with my parents. The caretakers, Harsh and Meera—they became like family to me. I hadn’t visited them in a while, so I went to see them.”

Vikram listened, a new understanding settling over him. He saw the way her face softened when she talked about them, the way her eyes held a quiet sadness.

“Do you miss them?” he asked, his voice gentle, sensing the depth of her loss.

She hesitated, knowing he was referring to her parents, then nodded. “Yes, I miss them a lot. Especially when I was with… my uncle’s family.” Her voice grew quiet, and Vikram felt a pang of empathy for the hardships she had endured.

“And now?” he prompted, wanting to know more, to understand her.

Tara took a breath, her voice steady but tinged with lingering sorrow. “I still miss them,” she admitted. “But not like I used to.” She paused, then looked up, her eyes meeting his. “It’s different now.”

Vikram sensed there was more, a weight behind her words. He found himself asking, “Did you miss them on our wedding day?”

She looked at him, surprised by his question, but then nodded, her voice quiet. “That day, I missed them more than ever. I kept thinking that if they were here, none of this would be happening… that I wouldn’t have been forced into this marriage.” She hesitated, a thoughtful look crossing her face. “But now, looking back…”

He waited, his heart thudding as he sensed her words would carry a truth he wasn’t ready for.

Her gaze softened as she looked at him. “Maybe I wouldn’t have met you, Vikram.”

Something inside Vikram cracked—a wall he had built around his heart, one he had thought would always protect him. He felt it crumble, his heart opening in ways he hadn’t thought possible. For so long, he had kept himself closed off, but with Tara, everything felt different. She had become his strength, his hope.

With a voice heavy with emotion, he said, “You have us now. Maa, Papa, Avni, Aditya, Nisha… Gautam. We’re all here with you.”

Tara smiled, nodding as she glanced down, her fingers tracing the delicate embroidery on her dress. “I know,” she whispered. She looked up at him, and for a moment, he saw a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “But Vikram…”

“Yes?” he asked, his heart pounding, feeling her next words would carry an unspoken truth between them.

“Do I… do I have you?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper. “Are you mine?”

He felt her words like a gentle but powerful wave washing over him, breaking through his last defenses. Just as he was about to answer, Avni’s voice called out, breaking the moment. Tara quickly stood, her cheeks flushed, giving him a small, nervous smile.

“Let’s go inside,” she said, and he watched her walk away, the delicate sound of her anklets echoing in the quiet night. And as he followed her, he knew something had shifted between them, something that could not be undone.

For the first time in years, Vikram felt like he was finally home.