Chapter 1: The Routine

DISCLAIMER:

This story is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental. The views and actions of the characters do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, or values of the author. This work is intended for entertainment purposes only and does not promote or endorse any specific ideology, behavior, or practice. Reader discretion is advised.

NOTE:

Just wanted to let you know that this is my story, and I have worked very hard to create a storyline with thses characters. I'd really appreciate it if you don't use any part of it for your own stuff. Thanks for understanding and respecting that!

If anyone is new to this book, I suggest you read Part 1,Part 2 and Part 3, before reading this one

PART 1

https://www.wattpad.com/story/387197093?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=PraditiBhargava

PART 2

https://www.wattpad.com/story/387458998?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=PraditiBhargava

PART 3

https://www.wattpad.com/story/387565755?utm_source=android&utm_medium=link&utm_content=share_writing&wp_page=create&wp_uname=PraditiBhargava

Chapter 1: The Routine

The scene starts in the early morning hours. The sun has not risen yet, but the 'lady'... oops!!! Sorry.... 'The Man of the house' has to rise to fulfill his duties......

Cut to:

In Vikram's room:

(The sun had barely risen when Vikram's alarm buzzed softly, pulling him from his slumber.

He stretched out his arms, rolled his neck and shoulders to shake off the stiffness of the night.)

(Moments later, he slid out of bed and changed into his gym clothes, a pair of comfortable pair of track pants and a moisture-wicking T-shirt.

Grabbing his gym bag, he headed downstairs.)

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Later,

In the kitchen:

(Vikram found the bowl of soaked almonds he had prepared the previous night.

He began peeling them methodically, placing the smooth nuts in a small container.

Once done, he prepared a glass of warm water with a splash of apple cider vinegar.

He drank it in measured sips, the tangy liquid waking him fully.

On his way out, he grabbed a few soaked almonds and a ripe banana from the fruit basket and stepped into the crisp morning air.)

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Later,

At the gym:

(Vikram started with a light cardio session on the treadmill, his feet moving rhythmically to the sound of his playlist.

Once his heart rate was elevated, he shifted to strength training, focusing on compound movements to build endurance and muscle.)

(Vikram, wiped the sweat from his brow with a towel, after he finished his final set of dumbbell presses.

His breathing heavy but steady. As he stood to stretch, his trainer, approached him with an approving nod.)

Trainer: Vikram sir, aapki dedication dekh kar lagta hai ki aap sach mein apne goals ke liye serious ho!!! You're really getting back in shape now.

Vikram: (smiles, rolling his shoulders) Thank you, yaar!!! Bas consistency ka asar hai. Aur tumhaare guidance ka bhi.

Trainer: (grins, patting Vikram on the back) bas, thoda aur push karo, sir. Aapka stamina bhi improve ho raha hai, aur strength bhi!!!!

Vikram: haan... I can already feel the difference. Kal ek bahut lambi surgery thi.... (takes a sip from his water bottle) and what surprised me was that, mujhe bilkul bhi back pain nahi hua!!!

Trainer: (grins, clapping his hands together) That's great news, sir! Dekha, consistency aur proper form ka result? Ab aur zyada focus ke saath chalenge. Okay?

Vikram: (nods, a determined glint in his eyes) Haan... haan Bilkul.

Trainer: (steps aside) Perfect! Aap stretching kar lijiye, and then we'll wrap up for today.

(As Vikram moved into his cool-down stretches, he felt a newfound energy, grateful for the changes his fitness journey was bringing into his demanding routine.)

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Cut to:

At home,

In the kitchen:

(Vikram set his gym bag aside near the staircase and walked into the kitchen, where the aroma of spices greeted him.

Anuradha was already at work. She stood near the stove, expertly flipping parathas.)

Vikram: (places his bag down) Ram-Ram, Maa.

Anuradha: (warm smile) Ram-Ram, beta!!! Tumhaara protein shake bana ke rakha hai.... Drink that first.

(Vikram spotted the tall glass of protein shake on the counter and grabbed it.

He gulped the drink down in one go.

Then, he set the glass aside, and moved towards the cooking area, grabbing a pan.)

Anuradha: Kya kar rahe ho?

Vikram: Bacchon ke liye tiffin ready kar raha hoon, maa!!!

Anuradha: Arrey, main bana deti hoon unka tiffin.

Vikram: (playfully) Nahi, Maa.... Bacchon ne, itne pyaar se, mujhe request kiya hai ki, main unka tiffin banau... toh let me do this... ismein, aap beech mein mat padho!!!!

Anuradha: (chuckles softly, stepping aside) accha Theek hai, nahi padungi beech mein!!! par zyada fancy- vancy banaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. usmein bahut time lag jaata hai!!!!

Vikram: fancy khaana banana, mujhe aata bhi nahi hai... I just try to make something tasty and healthy, bas!!!

(he then, began to rummage through the fridge for ingredients.

The kitchen was soon filled with the rhythmic sound of the knife hitting the board and the sizzle of the pan, as Vikram poured his care into the meal.)

(Once the boxes were packed, he retrieved the almonds he had peeled earlier and arranged them in two small bowls. He poured hot milk into two glasses and placed everything on a tray.)

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Later,

Upstairs:

(Vikram climbed the stairs, carrying a tray with two bowls of peeled almonds and two glasses of steaming hot milk. He first stopped at Kiaan's room and knocked softly before entering.)

Kiaan's room:

(Kiaan was at his study table, hunched over a notebook, scribbling something with intense focus. Vikram smiled, placing the tray on the desk beside him.)

Vikram: (patting Kiaan's shoulders) beta, yeh lo. Badam khaa lo aur doodh jaldi se pi lo. And please time dekhte rehna... you have to get ready for school also.

Kiaan: (looks up briefly) haan papa... aap yahaan rakh dijiye. Main le loonga!!!

Vikram: (gives him a knowing look) Beta, notes baad mein dekh lena.... Abhi finish this!!!! Okay?

Kiaan: (smiles) haan, papa!!!!

(Vikram ruffles his son's hair before heading out.)

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Kiara's room:

(He walked over to Kiara's room, pushing the door open to find her curled up in her blanket, fast asleep.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he placed the tray on her study table and moved to her bed.)

Vikram: (gives her shoulder a little shake) Kiara, utho beta. School ke liye late ho jaaogi!!

Kiara: (groans, pulling the blanket over her head) Papa, please... kal, der raat tak padhai ki thi, maine. Thodi der aur sone do naa

(Vikram's expression softened as he sat down on the edge of her bed.)

Vikram: (soothing tone) Mujhe pata hai, Kiru, tum bahut mehnat kar rahi ho.... Lekin school ke liye time pe uthna zaroori hai. (Kiara groans again) I promise you.... Sunday ko I will not wake you up only!!!! jitni marzi ho, utna so sakti ho, theek hai?? (requests) Par abhi ke liye uth jaao!!

(Grumbling, Kiara slowly pushed herself up, her tired body protesting.

Vikram chuckled, pointing toward the tray on her study table.)

Vikram: Wahaan badam aur doodh rakha hai. Jaldi brush karo, yeh finish karke ready ho jao.

(Kiara nodded groggily, stretching as she slid out of bed.

Vikram left the room with a satisfied smile, knowing he'd succeeded in waking up his sleepy daughter for yet another school day.)

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At the dining table:

(Vikram walked into the dining room, freshly showered and dressed in crisp work attire.

The faint scent of his cologne mixed with the aroma of freshly made parathas and scrambled eggs.

At the table, Kiaan and Kiara sat in their neatly pressed school uniforms, their backpacks resting by their chairs.)

Anuradha: Sab aaram se khana.... Time hai abhi... theek hai?

Kiara: haan, dadi...... mujhe ek aur paratha de dijiye!!!!

(Anuradha smiles and places a paratha in Kiara's plate. And then sat down with them with her own cup of tea.)

Kiaan: (chewing on his food) Papa, kal school mein there is a small debate competition. I am participating in that.

Vikram: (raising his brows in delight) Wow!!! That's good, Kiaan!!! Topic kya hai?

Kiaan: (shakes his head) On the spot denge, Papa.

Vikram: (impressed) Wow!!! That's interesting!!!! Mazaa aayega!

(Kiara, eating her scrambled eggs, jumped into the conversation with a grin.)

Kiara: I'm confident ki Kiaan hi competition jeetega.... (laughs) I mean; he literally practices for debates every day with me!!!

Vikram: (laughs) Woh toh hai!!! Tum dono ki chhoti-chhoti nok-jhok hi practice ban jaati hai.

(Kiara wiped her hands and leaned back slightly.)

Kiara: Aur papa... aaj main aapko abhi, pehle se hi inform kar rahi hoon... aaj mujhe aane mein late hoga. Manav sir has asked me to stay back for extra practice... so, dinner ke liye mera waut mat karns, main baad mein aake kha loongi!!!

(Anuradha, who had just taken a sip of her tea, froze for a moment and then made a disapproving face.)

Anuradha: (shaking her head) Accha khaasa yeh engineering ke liye ready ho gayi thi... par Naina ne sab barbaad kar diya.... Ab pata nahi ki iske sar se, yeh racing ka bhooth kab utrega??!!

(The cheerful mood at the table dimmed. Vikram put his glass of water down and looked at his mother with surprise.)

Vikram: (calmly) Maa, mujhe laga tha ki aapko, uske racing ko lekar, ab koi problem nahi hai.

Anuradha: (with a sigh) Mujhe laga tha ki 11th aur 12th ki study pressure ke wajah se, yeh racing ka idea khud hi chhod degi. Par nahi... yeh toh aur serious ho gayi hai!

(Kiara glanced at Vikram, her face a mix of frustration and helplessness. Vikram, sensing her unease, tried to reason with Anuradha.)

Vikram: (calmly) Maa, Kiara apne academics aur racing, dono ko accge se balance kar rahi hai. Uske marks bhi affect nahi ro rahe hain. woh jo bhi kar rahi hai, uss mein woh khush hai.

Anuradha: (shaking her head) Haan, marks theek hain abhi. Par yeh sab kab tak chalega? Agar engineer nahi ban paayi, toh kam se kam banking ya finance ki taraf toh jaa sakti hai. Ek respectable career toh hoga!

(Kiara frowned, her fork clinking against her plate as she set it down.)

Kiara: (muttering) Dadi, racing bhi ek respectable career ban sakta hai.

Anuradha: (firmly) Woh sab filmon aur TV shows mein hota hai, beta. Reality alag hai. Family ki izzat bhi sochni padti hai.

Vikram: Kiara ke liye kya best hai, woh ussay aur mujhe pata hai, Maa. Aap chinta mat kijiye.

(Anuradha sighed, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to argue further.)

Anuradha: (grumbling) Dekho Vikram, main toh sirf samjha rahi hoon. Aaj kal ke bachche, apne pair pe khud kulhaadi maarte hain. Bas dekh lena.

(Kiara's lips pressed into a thin line as she lowered her gaze. Vikram reached out, lightly patting her hand.)

Vikram: (smiling) Kiara, tum apni practice karo. Jo tumhe best lagta hai, wahi karna. Papa hamesha tumhaare saath hai.

(Kiara nodded slightly, comforted by his words, while Anuradha sighed in frustration, muttering under her breath about priorities.

The moment passed, but the tension lingered as everyone finished their meal.

Just then, Vikram glanced at the clock.)

Vikram: chalo.... Time ho raha hai.... quickly, finish up!!!

(Kiaan and Kiara nodded, hurriedly polishing off the last bites of their food.

They stood up, grabbing their backpacks and walked out of the main door. Vikram followed them.)

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Cut to:

Outside,

In the car:

(Then the kids rushed out to meet Ravi, who was waiting by the car.

Vikram joined them, settling into the passenger seat while the twins occupied the back.

The ride to school was filled with the kids' chatter about their day ahead. Ravi dropped them off first before continuing towards the hospital.)

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Cut to:

At the hospital:

(Vikram's demeanor shifted into professional mode.

He swiftly made his way to the operation theatre, where he scrubbed in for the first surgery of the day.

Hours passed in focused precision until the surgery concluded.)

(Discarding his scrubs, he stopped by the cafeteria for a quick cup of tea.

With renewed energy, he headed to his cabin, where a line of patients awaited consultation.

Afterward, Vikram conducted his routine rounds, checking on admitted patients and ensuring their treatment plans were on track.)

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Later,

In the car:

(By evening, Vikram's exhaustion was palpable. On the drive home, he leaned back in his seat, nearly dozing off as Ravi navigated the familiar roads. When they arrived, Ravi gently woke him.)

Ravi: (speaks softly) Vikram sir.... Ghar aa gaya!!!!

Vikram: (murmurs) oh.... Thank you, Ravi!!!

(He accepted the car keys before watching Ravi leave on his two-wheeler. Then he walked over to the main door and rang the doorbell.)

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At home:

(Anuradha opened the door, her expression a mix of concern and familiarity. Vikram gave her a weak smile before walking into the living room.

He sighed deeply and sank into the sofa. Anuradha returned shortly with a steaming cup of chai, which Vikram gratefully accepted.)

Vikram: thank you, maa!!!

Anuradha: koi nahi, beta!!!! accha but, chai peene ka baad, ek kaam kar doge?

Vikram: kya hua, maa?

Anuradha: chath pe kapde sookh rahe hain.... please utaar ke neeche le aaoge??? Maine dopahar mein, Sheetal ko kaha tha, lekin woh bhool gayi hogi.

Vikram: (nods his head) main le aaunga, maa!!!!

Anuradha: theek hai!!!

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Later, Upstairs:

(Vikram entered his room, unbuttoning the first 2 buttons of his shirt as he walked in.

He changed out of his formal work clothes and slipped into a comfortable t-shirt and jeans, sighing in relief at the switch.

Running a hand through his hair, he decided to check on Kiaan before heading downstairs.)

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Kiaan's room:

(He made his way to Kiaan's room and gently knocked on the door before pushing it open.

Inside, Kiaan was seated at his study table, a textbook open in front of him.

Beside him, a small plate of neatly sliced apples was already halfway empty.)

Vikram: (smiling) Kiaan, sab theek hai? Kuch chahiye toh batao.

Kiaan: (glancing up briefly, still chewing on a slice) No, Papa. Dadi ne fruits already de diye hain. I'm good!!

Vikram: (nodding) Okay, par agar kuch aur chahiye.... chai, coffee ya even hot chocolate, toh mujhe bata dena.

Kiaan: (grinning) Haan, papa!!! Main bataa doonga, thank you.

(Vikram ruffled Kiaan's hair as he walked past him toward the door.)

Vikram: (with a smile) chalo.... You study, main ab zyaada disturb nahi karunga. I'll call you when I get free with the clinic work.

(Kiaan gave a thumbs-up without looking away from his book. Vikram chuckled softly and exited the room, content that his son was focused and well-prepared.)

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Author’s Note:

Vikram has really stepped up, hasn’t he? He’s taken on most of the load and is definitely changing. 💪

Do you like this new Vikram? Or do you still think he has a long way to go? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you’re enjoying Vikram’s journey (or even if you still want to shake some sense into him!), tap that ⭐ vote button! Your support means everything and keeps me going with faster updates. Don’t forget to drop a comment—I’m waiting to see what you all think! ❤️