Chapter 50: Two Hearts, One Escape

A Few days later,

On a Saturday morning:

(The car cruised down the open highway. Vikram sat behind the wheel, his grip steady, his posture relaxed.

One hand guided the car effortlessly, while the other rested in Naina's, their fingers gently intertwined.

The hum of the engine blended with the faint melodies playing from the car stereo, a mix of old classics and soft tunes that filled the air without overpowering the serene silence between them.

Naina leaned slightly towards the window, her gaze lost in the endless expanse of mustard fields and occasional clusters of trees that blurred past.

The warmth of Vikram's hand in hers grounded her, a quiet reassurance amidst the peaceful rhythm of the journey.

Her thumb lightly traced small, absentminded circles on the back of his hand, a gesture so subtle yet intimate.)

(Vikram glanced sideways at Naina for a fleeting moment, his expression unreadable but tender.

Her lips curved into the faintest smile, as though she had caught his glance even without looking.

Naina sighed deeply, her fingers lightly fidgeting with the hem of her kurta. She turned her head toward Vikram, her voice hesitant.)

Naina: Jaan... pata nahi, mujhe lagta hai ki, hame ghar pe hona chahiye tha. Kiara ka bada race hai, aur Kiaan ka bhi toh science olympiad hai... I feel like we're abandoning them.

(Vikram glanced at her for a brief second, his lips curving into a gentle smile before he focused back on the road.

His hand tightened slightly around hers, a gesture of reassurance.)

Vikram: Tumne woh kahaavat suni hai-once a parent, always a parent?

(He brought her hand up to his lips, pressing a warm, lingering kiss on the back of it without taking his eyes off the road.)

Vikram: (softly) Parenting ka guilt toh hamesha rahega, babe. But humne saari taiyaari, kar ke hi nikle hain, right? Kiaan aur Kiara responsible hain. Hamare bina bhi sambhal lenge.

(Naina looked at him, her brows furrowed with doubt.)

Naina: Phir bhi... kya pata unhe zaroorat pade? Unhe aisa naa lage ki hum unhe prioritize nahi kar rahe!!

(Vikram shook his head slightly, a teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.)

Vikram: Tumse zyada unhe koi nahi samajhta, Naina. Aur waise bhi, hum thodi na Hawaii ya Switzerland ja rahe hain? Neemrana hi toh jaa rahe hain! Agar emergency hui, toh bas ek phone call, aur do ghante ki drive hai.

(Her lips twitched into a faint smile, but the guilt still lingered in her eyes. Sensing her hesitation, Vikram pressed further.)

Vikram: Aur ek baat socho... ek happy parent hi, ek achha parent ban sakta hai. Tumhe bhi thoda break chahiye, Naina. Don't you think we deserve a weekend just for us?

(Naina hesitated before giving a small nod, her heart softening at his understanding tone.

Vikram turned to her again, a mischievous glint in his eyes.)

Vikram: Aur waise bhi, yeh weekend ke liye sirf 'boyfriend-girlfriend' khelte hain. Phir ghar jaake toh 'mummy-papa' khelna hi hai.

(Naina's cheeks flushed pink, and she quickly turned her face toward the window, trying to hide her shy smile.)

Naina: (murmuring) Zyada naughty mat hona, boyfriend.

(Vikram chuckled, his laughter filling the car.)

Vikram: Arrey, ab boyfriend hoon toh thoda naughty toh banta hai! Par abhi ke liye, let's make a deal. Abhi bacchon ke baare mein bilkul mat sochna. This weekend, it's just you and me. Okay?

(She turned back to him, her smile growing wider as she saw the playful determination on his face.)

Naina: Okay, boyfriend. Let's see how good you are at this role.

(Vikram laughed again, the tension in the car dissipating entirely.

He reached over to turn up the music, the sound of Kishore Kumar's 'Yeh Shaam Mastani' filling the car as they drove on, the warmth between them growing with each passing mile.)

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Cut to:

In the afternoon:

At the Neemrana Fort Resort:

(The open-air restaurant overlooked the sprawling hills, the soft hum of classical instrumental music blending with the rustling of the trees.

The warm afternoon sun filtered through the white canopy, casting dappled patterns on the wooden table where Vikram and Naina sat.

They were surrounded by an array of mouthwatering Rajasthani delicacies.)

Naina eyes widened as the waiter placed a massive plate in front of her)

Naina: Jaan!! Yeh thali ka size dekh rahe ho? Itni badi!!

Vikram: (grinning) Haan… aur mujhe pata hai ki, tum shuru toh mein 'thoda thoda' karogi, but phir sab kuch kha jaaogi.

Naina: (mock-offended, placing a hand on her chest) Excuse me?? Main bilkul bhi itna nahi khaati!!

Vikram: (chuckling) Haan- haan, bilkul bhi nahi.... Isliye pehle starter ke time pe tumne, do extra paneer ke pakode order kiye thay, right?

Naina: (defensive, points at him with her fork) Woh alag baat hai! Woh bahut tasty thay. Aur waise bhi, I know ki, yeh sab, aap sirf mujhe chidhaane ke liye keh rahe ho!!

Vikram: (smirking) Accha baba, mazaak band.

(Vikram picks up a bite of the rose churma and offered it to her)

Vikram: Here.... taste this.

(Naina eyed him suspiciously but leaned forward, taking the bite from his spoon.

As soon as the flavors hit her tongue, her eyes fluttered shut in appreciation.)

Naina: (murmuring) Oh my God… it’s so good!

Vikram: (watching her reaction, amused) Pata tha mujhe. Tumhara yeh 'foodgasm face' abhi bhi, waise ka waise hai.

(Naina’s eyes snapped open, and she swatted his arm, her face heating up.)

Naina: Vikram ji!! Aap na bilkul badle nahi ho!!! Stop teasing me!!!

Vikram: (laughing, dodging her playful hit) nain tumhe tease nahi karunga,  toh aur kaun karega??? (Dramatically) sirf tumhi se toh main yeh gustaakhi kar sakta hoon!!!

(Naina felt a warmth spread through her chest.

She looked away, trying to hide her smile, but he had already seen it.

And for the first time in a long time, their lunch wasn’t just about food—it was about them.

Reconnecting, rediscovering, and maybe… just maybe, falling for each other all over again.)

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Later in the evening:

(The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden hue over the ancient walls of Neemrana Fort Palace.

The grandeur of the place felt almost surreal—centuries-old stone walls, sprawling courtyards, and a view that stretched endlessly over the Aravalli hills.

The gentle breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine from the gardens, mixing with the crisp evening air.

Vikram and Naina were sitting in rhe balcony of their room, watching the amazing view.)

Naina: (softly, smiling) Yeh jagah… it’s magical.

Vikram: (smiling, watching her instead of the view): haan... aur tum bhi.

(She turned to him, rolling her eyes playfully, but the warmth in her cheeks gave her away.)

Naina: (clearing her throat) Hum yahaan relax karne aaye hain, flirty comments pass karne nahi.

Vikram: (grinning, leaning against the railing) Relax karna toh tabhi hoga, jab tum apne dimaag ka switch-off button dhundh lo!!! Mujhe pata hai ki abhi bhi tum dimaag mein bacchon ke schedule ka, ek imaginary chart bana rahi ho.

(Naina opened her mouth to protest but then sighed, knowing he was right.

She was thinking about what theynwere doing....  about whether they had eaten properly, whether Vikram’s mother was handling things well.)

Naina: (muttering) Mumma- Papa banna itna aasaan nahi hota, Dr. Vikram Sabharwal!!!

Vikram: (softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear) I know.... but like I said before.... Hame sirf mumma-papa nahi banna hai, Naina. Hame 'hum' bhi banna hai.

(She stilled, his words settling deep within her. He was right.

They had spent so many years being parents, being exes, being two people navigating their separate lives.

But this weekend… it was just about them.)

Naina: (taking a deep breath, exhaling) Okay… fine.... No worrying about the kids.... No overthinking.... Just us.

Vikram: (raising an eyebrow, teasingly) Sirf bolne se nahi hoga. Karke bhi dikhaana padta hai, meri jaan!!!

Naina: Toh batao, kya karein?

Vikram: (grinning mischievously) Pool mein chalein?

Naina: (laughing) Tumhe pata hai mujhe swimming nahi aati!!

Vikram: Main hoon na. I promise, I won’t let you drown. (Pauses, then smirks) Lekin haan, thoda close toh aana padega.

Naina: (narrowing her eyes, trying to suppress a smile): Tum na… bilkul nahi badle.

Vikram: (softly, stepping closer): Tum bhi nahi, Naina.

Naina: (smiling, shaking her head) Chalo… pool chalte hain.

(Vikram chuckled and took her hand, leading her down the ancient stone steps toward the infinity pool that overlooked the vast landscape.

The sky had turned shades of pink and orange, reflecting in the still water.

It felt like a dream—one they weren’t ready to wake up from just yet.)

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Later,

(They wandered into the infinity pool area, lit by soft lights that mirrored the stars above. The water shimmered invitingly.)

Naina: (hesitating) Jaan, I'm not sure...

Vikram: Oh, come on, Naina. It's just us. Trust me, you'll love it.

(He extended his hand, and after a moment's pause, she took it.

They stepped into the warm water, the cool night air brushing against their skin.

As they drifted in the water, Naina leaned against the edge, her arms stretched out, completely at ease.

The pool glimmered under the lanterns, the night air carrying a sense of calm.

Naina rested against the edge of the infinity pool, the water lapping gently at her shoulders.

As she turned to face him, the faint smile on her lips caught the light, softening the expression in her eyes.

He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face.

She didn't pull back; instead, she let her hand trail lightly through the water, her fingers grazing his arm.

There was a quiet intimacy in the way they shared the space, the distance between them shrinking naturally, like the pull of gravity.

The silence between them was electric, the unspoken emotions hovering in the air.

Vikram, then brushed his fingertips lightly along her cheek. Naina's eyes fluttered shut at the warmth of his touch, her heart beating steadily yet deeply in her chest.)

(Slowly, he leaned in, giving her enough time to pull back if she wanted to. She didn't.

Their lips met softly, tentatively, the world around them fading into nothingness.

The kiss was warm and unhurried, filled with the tenderness of rediscovery.

The cool water rippled gently against them, heightening the warmth they shared.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.

Naina opened her eyes, a hint of a blush coloring her cheeks, but she didn't look away.

Vikram smiled-a small, genuine smile that reached his eyes-before he whispered against her temple

Vikram: See... it wasn't so bad!!!

(his words seemed lost in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

The night held them in its embrace, the stars above bearing witness to a love finding its way back.)

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Later in the room:

(The soft glow of the bedside lamps bathed the resort's luxurious room in a warm, golden light.

Vikram stood by the bed, methodically removing the decorative cushions one by one and stacking them neatly in a corner.

His shirt sleeves were rolled up, and his movements were unhurried as he adjusted the pillows and set aside his watch and wallet on the bedside table.

The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner and the occasional rustle of sheets as Vikram straightened the bedding.

He was absorbed in the task, unaware of the soft creak of the bathroom door opening behind him.

When he turned to grab the last cushion, his eyes froze mid-motion. Naina stood by the doorway, her silhouette framed by the dim light.

She was wearing a short, lacy black nightdress that clung to her curves, the sheer fabric hinting at the skin beneath.

Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and there was a subtle confidence in the way she carried herself, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of hesitation.

Vikram's hand fell to his side, the cushion forgotten.

His gaze traveled from her bare shoulders to the delicate lace of her dress and the way it ended just above her thighs, leaving little to the imagination.

For a moment, the air seemed to shift, the space between them charged with an unspoken tension.)

Vikram: (breath caught in his throat) Naina...

(Naina stepped forward, her bare feet silent against the plush carpet.

She hesitated for a brief second, her fingers brushing the edge of the nightstand as if searching for support, before meeting his gaze.

Vikram's breath hitched, his earlier focus on mundane tasks now completely overtaken by the sight before him.

She moved closer, her every step deliberate, and finally stopped just in front of him.

Her presence filled the room with an intensity that made everything else fade away.

Vikram's chest rose and fell, his heart pounding in rhythm with the silent acknowledgment of what this moment meant.

The night stretched endlessly before them, filled with possibilities that neither of them had to put into words.)

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Later,

Early in the morning:

(The first light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains of the resort room, casting a soft, golden glow over Vikram and Naina.

The room was quiet, the only sounds being the faint hum of the air conditioner and their steady, synchronized breathing.

Naina lay nestled against Vikram's chest, her head resting on his shoulder, her hand draped loosely over his torso.

Vikram's arm was wrapped protectively around her, holding her close even in sleep.

The warmth of their embrace spoke of a comfort they hadn't felt in years, a silent promise that this time would be different.)

(The serenity of the moment was abruptly shattered by the sharp ring of Naina's phone, buzzing insistently on the bedside table.

He stirred, his brows furrowing in annoyance as he reached out blindly to silence it. Naina groaned softly, burying her face into his chest.)

Vikram: (grumbling) Naina, seriously? Aaj ke din toh alarm disable kar deti. Yeh time mein bhi, punctual rehna zaroori hai kya?

(Naina stirred groggily, her eyes barely opening as she let out a sleepy mumble.)

Naina: Mere saare alarms off hain, Jaan. Yeh... yeh mera ringtone hai.

(Vikram sighed heavily, lifting his head to glance at the bedside table.

His own phone was within reach, and he squinted at the screen to check the time.)

Vikram: (frowning) saadhe chaar baj rahe hain, subah ke!!! Itni subah kaun call karega?

(The concern in his voice pulled Naina further from her drowsy state.

They exchanged a quick glance, their relaxed expressions tightening with worry as the same thought struck them-could it be about the kids?

Vikram reached over her to the charging socket where Naina's phone sat, its screen glowing insistently.

He unplugged it and handed it to her, his hand lingering on her shoulder as if bracing for bad news.)

Vikram: (softly) Dekh lo. I hope sab theek ho.

(Naina sat up slightly, swiping at the screen to unlock her phone.

Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the message notification that just popped up. There was a missed call by Purab.)

Naina: (shocked) Pogo? (confused) Pogo ka phone? Itni subah?

(Her heartbeat quickened as she saw her phone ring again and Purab's name flashing on the screen, again. Worry seeped into her voice as she answered.)

Naina: Hello?

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Author’s Note ❤️🔥

Hey, my amazing readers! 🤗

Phew! What a rollercoaster of emotions this chapter was, right? 🎢 From the long drive and Naina’s mom guilt to Vikram’s playful flirting, from their heartwarming lunch date to that unforgettable moment in the infinity pool... 🔥🥰 Vikram and Naina finally got a chance to reconnect, away from the chaos of life. But just when everything seemed perfect—BAM! 💥 A phone call at 4:30 AM from Purab! 😱

What do you think it’s about? Kiaan and Kiara? Or something completely unexpected? 🤔 Drop your theories in the comments! 👇

Also, let’s talk—what was your favorite part of this chapter? 😍 Was it Vikram’s smooth one-liners? Naina’s shy smiles? Their deep conversation on the balcony? Or maybe the foodgasm face moment? 😂 Let me know!

👉 If you enjoyed this chapter, please VOTE ⭐, COMMENT 📝, and FOLLOW 🔔 so you don’t miss the next update! Your support keeps this story going, and I love reading all your thoughts! 🥰

Until next time… get ready for the drama! 😉🔥