Can we skip to the good part?

Here, I present to you the epilogue 1 of 'Yours From Birth'

So, I hope everyone comments and votes!!

The longest I have ever written! (8000+ words!)

Please read the note at the end!

Inline comments are love!💜

.

.

Writer's POV:

Five years later,

An exhausted sigh escaped the lips of the person walking along the river shore as the sunlight sapped his energy.

The muddy road was a little bumpy in condition, filled with potholes from the earlier rain, which made the already draining walk more difficult, causing the family of five to groan in frustration.

"Anna, wait up!" A deep voice called from the back, causing the twenty-four-year-old to pause and wait for the new adult to catch up.

Vikram turned around to see his brother running towards him, trying not to step on the puddles and grinning when he neared.

"Why does our car breaks down on every trip to our native?" Vihaan complained, his voice deep, which perplexed Vikram whenever he spoke.

Vikram chuckled in response, glancing at his brother, who ran a hand through his hair with a smile.

His hair fell above his eyes in long, soft waves that caused an urge in everyone to run their hands through them.

"I bet you are excited to see Harshi Anni after so long!" Vihaan exclaimed, glancing at him with a knowing look. Since Vihana called his darling 'Anni' in front of everyone, Vihaan started calling her Anni.

"I am." Vikram nodded, meeting his brother's eyes.

There were times Vihaan looked up to speak to him. Now, he stood at equal height, leaving Vikram to wonder if he was the same Vihaan he last saw a year ago.

"Come on, Viha, move faster! You seriously make me question if you are really my twin! You walk like a sixty-year-old instead of a twenty-two-year-old!" Vihaan laughed, eyes bright and crinkling in the corner, as he squealed when Vihana threw a stone at him as she walked behind them.

"Shut up! You don't have the right to speak when you still speak like a 10-year-old." Vihana scowled through her panting, sweat dripping from her forehead to down her face, causing her hair to stick to her neck, which she wiped every minute.

"At least my voice doesn't sound as squeaky as someone else's!" Vihaan teased, throwing a mocking glance at her over his shoulder.

That, Vikram has to admit, because when he returned from his training after a year, four years ago, Vihaan sounded so mature —well, his voice sounded deep and mature, but still spouted nonsense like he was a noisy ten-year-old.

"Want me to tell Amma about your Dhanya?" Vihana smirked, finally catching up and stepping between the brothers and winding her arms around Vikram's arm, who chuckled when Vihaan halted on his steps at her words.

"You wouldn't." His eyes grew wide with horror. His fashion diva would kill him if their relationship got revealed without her consent. He could imagine her red high heel piercing his heart as she stared at him murderously through those faux lashes she loved to wear.

"Try me!" The playful expression faded as Vihana stared at him dead serious.

Many things had changed, but his brother remained the same—the blabbermouth who 'accidentally, in his words' outed the Hari-Viha couple in front of everyone last year, which caused a tiff between the twins.

Though Vihaan revealed their secret abruptly, the elders had seen it coming because of the sudden closeness between Vihana and Hari.

Moreover, they were ready for anything their children would throw at them after Vikram and Harshitha's pregnancy scare in the past year. It happened last year when Harshitha returned from her vacation with her office team. Sakthi found a pregnancy rest while unpacking her bag.

Although the couple insisted that they didn't cross any lines and that the test belonged to her senior working in her team, the situation caused quite a mess in their household.

"Viha, I already apologized for that." Vihaan swallowed remorsefully, the teasing smile slipping off his lips as he noticed the change in her tone.

"Well, an apology doesn't change any—"

"Okay, enough." Vikram intervened, switching Vihana to his right side and walking in between before they started fighting again. He breathed a sigh of relief when his siblings walked silently for a few minutes before Vihana whined, clutching her legs.

"My arms are cramping. Can anyone carry my bag?"

Vihaan nudged his brother with his elbow and mouthed "acting," pointing at Vihana's crouching figure.

"Tsk tsk." Vihaan drawled, his eyes twinkling mischievously, as he raised his eyebrows playfully at his twin.

"Vikram anna, please!" She pleaded; her eyes were bright and full of life as she looked at him with puppy eyes, the jumka on her ear swaying as she ran a hand through her thick hair, dark Mehandi-stained hands peeking through the sleeve of her dress when she forwarded her hands towards Vikram expectingly.

"Don't be so selfish, Viha. Everyone has a bag to carry, so maybe take some rest and come later." Vihaan laughed at her grumpy face as their parents reached them, causing Vikram to sigh in relief.

He was not in the mood to be the peacemaker when all he wanted was to reach their grandparents' home soon. Walking under this scalding sun is draining the heck out of him. He would use a quick shower and some hot food to replenish his energy.

And get warm hugs and kisses from someone he hadn't seen for nearly six months.

"Vihaan! Don't be mean to your sister." Siva Kumar chastised, closing his eyes regretfully for not sending one of them to his sister's car. Sakthi offered that one of them could join their vehicle when they started the journey this morning. But, he declined, telling them that it wasn't allowed before the function.

"What?! I told the truth. Everyone has a bag to carry, pa. No prince charming on a white horse is coming to carry her." Vihaan laughed, but it died down when his mother spoke.

"But an engineer in a white car is coming for her." Their mother stated, pointing at a distance where a shining white car was coming towards them.

Vihana's head snapped in the direction her mother pointed. Her already flushed cheeks from the heat reddening, even more, when the car stopped right in front of her.

"Sorry, I was late!" A deep, manly voice reached their ears as the driver's door opened. A twenty-six-year-old man stepped down, smiling at them apologetically. Vihana froze, staring at her boyfriend—oops, ex-boyfriend.

Her mother smiled at Hari, who opened the door for her. "No, no, you are not late, Hari. We thought about walking a short distance until you arrived."

In contrast to the hot weather, the cool air from the AC in the car brought a smile to her mother's lips.

Vihana watched her ex-boyfriend help her parents into the car as her brothers loaded their luggage into the trunk. Once everything was in place, her brothers hugged Hari happily and got inside, leaving them standing in the middle of the road.

Vihana's heart raced when he walked towards her slowly and reached out his hands to help her stand up.

Eyes wide, Vihana stared at him, the sun creating a halo around him from the angle where she sat. He looked like a Greek god with that golden halo around him, and that body of his was so hot that it would cause her to have a nose bleed just from a lo—

"Viha?" Her dirty train of thoughts broke from the voice above her.

"Oh!" Embarrassed, she blinked twice when he raised a brow at her flushed cheeks.

Quickly she placed her henna-filled hands on his, who pulled her off the rock she was sitting on, closing the distance between them in one step.

"Hello, Viha." Her ex-boyfriend leaned down slightly and whispered in her ears. His strong arms circled her clothed waist and squeezed her sides softly, earning a breathy hi from her. A chuckle escaped his lips when he felt her shiver from his touch.

"What are you doing? Everyone's looking." She whispered when he leaned down towards her. Her breath hitched when he came face to face with her.

As if they heard their conversation, Vihaan rolled his eyes, closing the window, "Maa, please look away!" Seeing the scene unfold, Radha turned away, giggling like a teenager while the men facepalmed at her excitement.

Whereas outside, the couple carried on their conversation.

"They will misunderstand that we are doing something inappropriate in the middle of the road." Vihana tried again, but his arms remained around her waist. She thought he would maintain a distance when he heard someone watching, but no! He moved even closer shamelessly and hugged her tighter.

"So what?" You are my wife." Hari reasoned, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. His finger lingered near her flushed cheek and caressed the hot skin gently.

"Not yet!" Her kohl-lined eyes widened when he tightened his arms around her waist and brought her to the car's rear, away from their family's vision.

"Oops, sorry. Fiancee!" He corrected, backing her against the car.

"Now you know I'm your Fiancee, but yesterday someone was so busy that they forgot to call me!" She huffed, escaping from his arms when he zoned out for a second to remember what she was talking about.

"I apologize, but it was already 2 am when I reached home. And I don't want to disturb my wife's sleep." He explained, ruffling her hair and smiling when she smiled discreetly at the 'W-word.

"But— " He drawled, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"—don't even think I'll let you sleep once we get marr—" Vihana gasped aloud, pressing her palm against his mouth to stop him from speaking more.

"My parents and brothers are in the car!"

"Oh, don't start with me! Vikram and Harshi speak even dirtier!" He countered back.

"How did you know!? Did you eavesdrop? Ew!" Her face scrunched up in disgust while he laughed at her expression.

"Your husband is a gentleman, but your brother is not. He was not discreet while speaking dirty to my sister, thinking, I was sleeping!" Hari laughed when her eyebrows relaxed. But soon, her face changed when she heard what he said next.

"As I more of the action guy than speak, I can show you a trial of what's coming up for you once we marry. Shall we try something today?"

[W/N: I volunteer, sir🙋🏽‍♀️]

"Shut up!" Vihana exclaimed, hiding her blushing face in his chest.

"Come on." He pressed a discreet kiss on her blushing cheeks and led her towards her seat. Everyone gave them a knowing look once they settled inside the car, causing Vihana to hide in her mother's arms, who embraced her tightly with a giggle.

.

.

Hari hadn't even turned off the car yet Vihana, like a bundle of joy, climbed out of the car, and ran towards their grandparents and hugged them happily.

Vikram got out of the car and walked forward to get blessings from the elders. Just as he was about to touch Harshitha's father's feet, Krishnan stopped him and hugged him warmly with a smile.

"Epdi iruka, marumaganeh?" Krishnan asked, his eyes glistening with happiness as he looked at him from head to toe.

(How are you, son-in-law?)

"I'm good, maama!" Vikram replied with a smile and thought. 'I'll be even finer if you let me meet your daughter soon, but viduvigala? Illala!'

" How are you, and how's the business going?" He continued as he hugged his aunt, who raised a brow at his tattoo peeking through his sleeve on the wrist. He shook his head and winked at her slyly, mouthing, 'Your name,' to which she smacked his shoulder playfully.

"I'm good, good! How will I not be good when you young people make us happy with all the achievements you achieve." Krishnan laughed, looking at the hardworking young gentlemen proudly.

The way Vikram carried himself, how he treated everyone with respect, and his gentle smile won over Krishnan's heart again and again.

His daughter's choice has always been right. Vikram is the perfect gentleman who would treat his daughter with respect and love.

[W/N: *cough*gentleman*cough* More like a wolf in a gentlemen costume!]

"Did your transfer get approved?" Krishnan inquired him about the transfer. He had been trying for about a year, but it got canceled every time for some reason.

"Yeah! I'm excited to be back with all of you." Vikram replied. Though his mouth answered the other questions, his eyes flickered continuously from side to side, searching for his darling.

"More likely, excited to finally live with Anni." Vihana coughed, earning a knock on the head from Vikram playfully, but he didn't deny her words. What she said was true, and he fucking can't wait to start his life with her.

Suddenly the cooker whistled, bringing the aroma of spices and content presented in the vessel to the front door.

"Sakthi, how many whistles have come?" Lakshmi turned towards her daughter, who looked at her guiltily as she tried to remember.

"Sorry, ma. I forgot to count." Sakthi apologized sheepishly, scratching her neck.

"You're old enough to have grandkids, yet you don't count the whistle on the cooker when I ask you!" The older woman huffed, walking towards the kitchen hurriedly.

"Is that the mutton curry I smell?" Vihaan wondered out loud, unleashing his inner gourmand as he followed her towards the kitchen with Vihana on his toes to see who would have a taste first, causing everyone to laugh.

'Glutton!' Hari inwardly chuckled as he watched the twins fight for the spoon that their grandma offered.

Everyone took a seat in the living room as their house help Sundari brought water and refreshment to replenish their energy.

When he was about to place the glass on the floor, Vikram heard his grandfather's voice from behind.

"Don't place the glass on the floor, brat!" Ganesh scowled, signaling him to take the glass off the floor.

"He just came back after a long time! Why do you have to scold him, pa!" Sakthi reprimanded as she took a seat beside Vikram.

"Why is the baby-proof tile spread throughout the living room? Did Prathy akka's family come?" Vikram touched the soft yet grippy textured tile and asked, raising his brows in confusion.

In response, Ganesh coughed as his eyes avoided everyone's curious eyes.

"Don't ask that old man Vikram! He is babyproofing the whole house." Laksmi answered, gently knocking her guilty-looking husband on his head and sitting beside him. Her old man is acting more and more like a child as he ages.

"Excuse me? Who is having a baby?" Vikram blinked, his eyes flickering to Vihana's face and her stomach in doubt.

Guessing what might be he thinking, Vihana quickly shook her head negatively and exclaimed, "I'm still young!"

She gave a fleeting glance toward Hari and blushed when he winked at her suggestively.

"Take your mind off the gutter, Vikram. You are making my Finacee shy!" Hari laughed, pulling Vihana to sit beside him, to which she obliged shyly.

"Your grandfather has renovated this whole house, Vikram! If you are not so into searching Harshi, you would have noticed the changes!" Sivakumar laughed at his son's dumbfounded expression.

Vikram looked around to see the furniture that had sharp edges had changed into rounded edge furniture. The marble staircase now had carpet draped across it, and the railing was grips proofed.

The color of the wall has now changed from dark blue to soft pink, giving an airy and romantic look.

Their childhood photos still decorated the walls, but one of the sides was left empty to fill up by the next generation.

"When did it happen?" Vikram questioned, referring to the renovation, as he looked at their photo. Just as he was about to sit back down, his eyes caught a beautiful picture at the very corner. He strode towards the wall, getting lost in memories.

.

.

"Macha! Pass the ball!" A fourteen-year-old shouted from a distance when he noticed his dear friend who went to pick up the ball frozen at the ground entrance. Gokul frowned when his friend dropped the ball and ran outside the ground without a word.

"Dei!" He called his friend, following him after informing their football coach, who warned them to be back in five minutes.

"Dei Vikram!" Gokul breathed through his mouth as he ran fast to catch up with his friend, who ran as if a tsunami was coming. He stopped on his track when he saw his friend hide behind the pillar, wiping the sweat off his face and combing his hair neatly.

Gokul smirked, having an idea what was happening but still felt the need to play with him. So, he walked towards him silently and whispered in his ears from behind. "Vikram, what are you doing?"

The teen Vikram gasped, dropping his comb to the ground when he heard his friend's voice. "Fuck! Can't you come, announced?"

"No, now answer my question! What are you doing here? Our tournament is next week, and we have to win the cup. Instead of practicing, you are escaping at this time daily without informing anyone." Gokul crossed his arms across his chest and questioned his friend.

"Is there anything you are hiding from me? And why are you in the walkway to the 8th B classroom! You know if we get caught, we would get punished." Gokul panicked when he finally noticed his surroundings. They were standing in the hallway leading to the 8th B classroom, which class had Ms. Malathi, aka the devil, as their tutor. She was so protective of her class girls that she ordered that boys above 8th grade must not enter this hallway without her permission.

"I'll explain it to you briefly afterward, now shush!" Vikram ducked him under the staircase when they heard a couple of footsteps above their heads.

Gokul held his breath when he heard the devil tutor's voice as she walked past the staircase they were hiding.

"De—" Gokul opened his mouth to ask what was happening, but Vikram shushed and smiled like a freak when a soft whistle echoed through the hallway.

"That's my call." Vikram pointed out, breathing deeply to relax.

"What call?" Gokul blinked in confusion.

"My darling's call!"

"Darling?"

"Yes, do you have your phone with you?"

"Yup, but tell me, who is she?!"

"If you want to know everything, help me capture some candid now! I'll explain everything to you briefly!"

Gokul gasped when his friend walked towards the sound, sporting a huge grin that freaked the hell out of him as this was the first time he saw Vikram have this love-sick expression.

Vikram slowly climbed the stairs, stopping on his track when he saw her. His darling, who was he wooing for three months, and who always kept him on his toes by not giving him a proper answer.

His breath hitched when she turned around and greeted him with a smile. Her eyes formed crescents as she smiled, her bangs flickering lightly, her ponytail swaying as she ran towards him.

That smile made him realize that all the risks and the waiting were worth it.

"Hi, Vikram!" Her sweet voice greeted, warming his heart. His heart skipped a beat when she moved closer to him and ran a hand through his hair, messing his just combed hair and murmuring how messy hair looks good on him.