25 YEARS LATER

SOLIS CASA - THE SUN HOUSE

"I asked you to paint this wall in blue! Didn't I?", The voice of Akshat Suryavanshi echoed in the mansion. He was an image of his father, with a unique feature of blue eyes that supposedly changed colours according to his mom.

"But sir-"

"Brown suits it, Mister Suryavanshi.", a feminine voice said as Akshat turned to find his business rival, and his father's favourite Nayantara Singh Rathore smiling at him sarcastically. Nayantara's parents had passed away in an accident and she lived with the Suryavanshis much to Akshat's displeasure.

"Who even asked your opinions? Today is-"

"Today is mom-dad's twenty fifth marriage anniversary so we should cut your unending war for a day, please.", Varshika Suryavanshi interrupted the duo. She had inherited her mom's eyes and her father's charming smile. 

She turned towards Akshat, "Akki today I have an important meeting so I will have to go, I will be back in an hour.", she said.

"But Di.. like you can skip for one day, can't you?", Akshat asked, clearly unhappy. "The clients will have to leave tonight.. so I've got to go. Just manage the preparations, and for God's sake don't fight with Nayantara.", she said as Akshat gave an annoyed look to Nayantara and nodded.

Up, in Vikrant and Simran's room the former was busy selecting his clothes from the cupboard. He had aged like old wine. His beard was neatly trimmed, and not a mark of age was yet visible on his face. He rummaged through his cupboard in search of the perfect tuxedo for his twenty fifth wedding anniversary. 

"Ranisa! Find me something na!", he called out to his wife who was busy selecting the perfect jewellery to match her saree. "Twenty five years, and my darling husband is still messed up with his clothes.", she said smiling to herself. Simran too had barely aged physically, she looked to same - to Vikrant though she looked younger than ever.

"Yeah fine, I can not choose my clothes, now help me..", Vikrant said looking back into  the cupboard.

"Where is the golden word?", she asked smiling mischeviously.

"Please..", Vikrant said with a sigh.

This had started when Varshika and Akshat were young, Simran had told Vikrant to use please whenever he wanted her to do something so that the kids learnt to use it too - and Simran made sure her husband continued using it all his life. 

"That's like a good boy.", she said wearing her earrings and walking down to him, her mischievous smile intact. He took a step back as she walked up to the cupboard. She wore a red colour saree with gold jewellery that suited her perfectly. Vikrant wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her from behind. 

"And what is this childish behaviour, Sher Khan?", she asked, blushing slightly. "What childish? Can I not even show some love to my beautiful wife?", he asked , inhaling her fragrance, he could never possibly get over that. "Ah ha, so much love even after twenty five years and two grown up kids?", Simran asked as she pulled out a wine colour tuxedo.

Vikrant released her as she turned towards him. 

"You know right, that nothing in this world can reduce our love.. not even time..", he said softly. She placed a hand on his chest, "Obviously, this love is forever.", she replied.

He softly kissed her forehead. 

"I love you.", he said as she smiled as she kissed his cheek, "I know and I love you too.", she said looking into his eyes. Their eyes locked for a moment as Simran broke it, blushing deeply now.

"Now, now, go and get ready. Anyways you take more time than women.", she said suppressing her laughter. The last line was said by Akshat when Vikrant had taken a whole hour in selecting his suit for a party in Simran's absence. 

"Yeah whatever.", Vikrant said making a face as he headed to the bathroom.

Simran looked at him, smiling to herself. 

.....

It was evening. All the guests had arrived, and so had Varshika. 

She stood in front of her parents' room and was about to knock when her phone rang. Being the Chairman of Suryavanshi Group of Industries and Hotels was surely not a joke. Especially when the CEO, her dad, was on a day off. 

"Yes?", she asked over the phone. 

"Ma'am the painting you had ordered is complete. Should I bring it inside?", the guard asked. "Did Aditya Rana bring it? If he did then ask him to come in along with it. I am sure mom dad would want to meet the artist.", she said.

"Sure ma'am.", the guard said as the phone hung up.

Varshika drew in a deep breath and knocked at the door. Her mom opened the door. "So can we come downstairs?", Vikrant asked from behind, wearing his watch.

"Yes, you guys look so good!", she said looking at her parents looking absolutely amazing.

"Varsha when do you think your mom doesn't look good?", Vikrant asked. 

"No amount of buttering will help, you have diabetes and you will get only one slice of the cake.", Simran announced walking out of the room.

"Hey!", Vikrant said immediately as he too walked out, "Varsha, your mom is never going to stop torturing me.", she said following Simran as they walked down to the staircase.

The guests had already arrived, and the hall was decorated beautifully. The wall that had been painted in brown was now adorned with blue flowers which had a painting hanging over it. The painting was hidden under a red silk cloth. 

"Akshat's done a really good job, I must say.", Vikrant said. 

"Look whose son he is, Sher Khan, also he is the chairman of Beauty Walls after all.", Simran said proudly. Vikrant looked at her. 

"Now lets go downstairs, shall we?", he asked placing his hand before her to take. She clasped it as they walked down the staircase covered by a red carpet. 

Guests came down to wish them. After it was done Varshika took the microphone and announced, "Now, Mister and Missus Suryavanshi will unveil our anniversary gift to them."

Vikrant and Simran smiled as they walked down to the painting. Vikrant stood to it's left, while Simran stood on it's right. Vikrant nodded as both of them pulled off the cloth together.

The painting was beautiful, it was a family portrait,  Vikrant and Simran were painted in the centre with Varshika on Vikrant's side and Akshat on Simran's. It had been two years ago when Vikrant and Simran were discussing about having such a portrait made so that it could be put up in their palace in Rajkot. 

Vikrant looked at it as if mesmerized.

"This is so beautiful, Varsha and Akshat..", Simran said as her "munchkins" came and hugged her.

"Who made it?", Vikrant asked.

"This is made by Aditya.", Varshika said as Vikrant noticed the man, Varshika had been writing about in her diary - and intentionally keeping the diary on his desk so that he could read. Vikrant looked at Varsha who blushed and looked away. He walked down to Aditya and shook hands, "Really well done. I am amazed, that the Ranas also have some art in them.", he said.

"Thank you so much, sir.", the handsome man replied.

"Now, can we please have the cake cutting done?", Akshat said, "Oh, sure.", Simran said.

The cake was brought in as Simran picked up the knife, and Vikrant held her hand, "You look stunning.", Vikrant said in a whisper, "Sher Khan, not more than a slice of cake for you.", she replied instantly, "Ouch, that hurt.", Vikrant replied smiling away. She looked up at him, "Okay we will negotiate to two slices.", she said smiling at him.

Varshika and Akshat walked down to them and stood beside them just the way the painting showed.

"I am touched by your generosity, my Lady.", he replied as they finally cut the cake followed by cheers. Simran picked up the slice and fed Vikrant who took the cake from her hand and fed her.

"Everyone! Say cheese!", Nayantara said with a DSLR in her hand, as the Suryavanshi family looked at the camera with a smile.

"Happy twenty five years of us.", Simran said after the photograph.

"Happy forever to us.", Vikrant replied.

                                                                      ꧁⸻⸻꧂

Finally! Finally we end the journey of Vikrant and Simran. Thank you so so much for journeying with them, I hope you enjoyed, because I totally did! Do let me know your views about this journey! Who was your favourite? And which scene touched your heart? Did you enjoy the conclusion? Let me know in the comments section! ❤

Lots of Love!

Asmita