A romance story, "Love and Life". Romance, suspense, Love story, short English story. Story "Love and Life" chapters 4,5,6

 

Chapter 4: Loss and Motherhood

Then came Mumbai’s monsoon, full throttle. Black clouds, thunder like the gods were bowling, rain smacking the windows nonstop. Most folks grumbled about the mess, but Lavanya was the type who found poetry in puddles. Chaos? Sure, but it made her feel alive. That morning, she stood on the balcony, hot chai in hand, watching baby Vinay snooze. Rain did its thing—soothing, steady.

 Meanwhile, Vebhav was stuck in traffic on the other side of the city, probably cursing the universe. He called to say, “Don’t wait up, roads are nuts.” Lavanya just laughed, “Yeah, yeah, get home in one piece. We’ll hold down the fort.”

And then—crash. The car spins out near Andheri and slams into the divider. The driver passed away in seconds. Vaibhav? Somehow still breathing, blood pouring down his face. Good Samaritans dragged him out and rushed him to the hospital.

He was admitted to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of the doctors, Vaibhav could not be saved.

When the cops phoned Lavanya and told her about Vaibhav, she honestly thought it was some sick joke. Lavanya was stunned and speechless when the police assured her. Her hands wouldn’t move. The mouth wouldn’t work. She remembers screaming, but whether it was a whisper or an earthquake, who knows. Neighbors found her on the floor, still clutching the phone like it was a lifeline.

 The next days? A total fever dream. Rituals, relatives, that endless parade of “We’re so sorry” while she floated through it all—feeding Vinay, washing him, rocking him, but not really there.

Twenty-four. A widow. Solo mom. Life doesn’t exactly hand out manuals for that.

Now there was no one for him in Mumbai. She packed up Mumbai, moved back to Delhi. The parents’ place was safe for her. She wanted to start a new life in Delhi. Now she wanted to live only for her son Vinay.

 

Grief stuck around, lurking in the corners, but Lavanya slowly learned to let it walk beside her instead of over her. For Vinay, she found her smile again.

Chapter 5: Old Faces, New Bonds

Honestly, autumn in Delhi kinda hits different. The sky that day was stupidly blue. It was a hot and humid afternoon. Classic Delhi vibe. Anyway, Lavanya wandered into this tiny bookstore tucked away in South Delhi, probably just wanting to escape the world for a bit.

Luckily, Aditya was also in the same bookstore that day. When fate is about to bring someone together, a coincidence happens. Lavanya's eyes fell on Aditya. She was surprised to see Aditya.

Aditya also looked at her. looking like he can’t decide if he’s shocked or just quietly happy to see her. He stood like he finally knew where he belonged. But those eyes? Same as ever, gentle and always searching, like he was half-hoping the universe would give him a sign.

“Aditya,” she whispered.

Couldn’t tell if she was about to laugh or just break down. She came to Aditya. Both of them kept looking at each other for some time. It was as if the eyes of both were complaining to each other's eyes. Aditya said, we have met after a long time, let's have a cup of coffee. Lavanya agreed without any hesitation.

They grab a table in the little café inside.

“Aditya, what are you doing these days?” Lavanya asked.

“Nothing special. After completing my Master's degree, I am working in a government research centre.” Aditya replied after sipping coffee.

"You got married, introduce me to your wife," said Lavanya.

Aditya did not reply; he just kept staring into her eyes.

Aditya gave up the idea of his marriage after Lavanya got married. He had married only his work.

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, and suddenly, he was just… there. Like, he showed up and walked with them in the park. Lavanya, who’d built a damn fortress around her heart after Vebhav died, starts cracking open the windows, letting some light in.

Aditya never stopped loving Lavanya, that's why he had not gotten married till now. Ever since Aditya saw Lavanya again, his heart started beating for Lavanya again.

One evening, seeing an opportunity, Aditya expressed his feelings to Lavanya.

“Lavanya… all these years apart, I kept thinking about you. Seeing you again, I realized something: I never stopped loving you.”

She stared at her coffee, white-knuckling the mug. “I loved Vebhav,” she said, voice barely above a whisper. “And I don’t regret it. But that’s done." She took a deep breath and she continued. “Aditya, I am different now. I am a mother and a widow too. I can’t afford to mess up.”

Aditya just shrugged. “I’m not looking for perfect. I want this. I accept you the way you are. I want to start a new life with you and Vinay.”

"Aditya, it is not that easy. What will society say? What will people say?"

“I neithet care about people yesterday, nor today. I care only about you,”

She doesn’t answer. She left there.

A week later, Lavanya invited Aditya in a coffee shop.

She finally said, “Okay. I agree to get married, but one thing.”

Aditya concentrated on her words.

“No more kids,” she said, steady as ever. “Vinay is my world. I can’t risk more children. You’re with me, you’re his dad, too. He will be our only child. That’s the deal.”

Aditya was stunned after hearing Lavanya's condition. He thought for a while and then said. “I get it. I’m in.”

Now, Aditya's parents and family were not happy. A widow, a child, and an inter-caste marriage. Aditya tried to make them understand, but his parents lost their temper. Aditya packed his things and left the house. Now he did not care family. He was determined to marry Lavanya.

The wedding was tiny, just family, a few friends, a quiet temple. Lavanya looked beautiful in her wedding sari. Vinay sat next to her, smiling. The priest recited the mantras, and both took rounds of the sacred fire. The wedding was over.

"You are my family now. Your every happiness and every sorrow is mine," Aditya said.

Chapter 6: An Unplanned Twist

One year passed like a gentle breeze.
Aditya took Vinay as his own son. Whenever he came back from the office, he used to play with him and also take him for a stroll in the market. Vinay would be very happy to see Aditya. Lavanya was also happy with Aditya's behaviour.

Aditya and Lavanya got Vinay admitted to school. Aditya would report to the office, and Vinay to school. Lavanya would be at home by herself. Lavanya had applied to a media house at the behest of her father. Lavanya had been employed.

Lavanya's sole stipulation, no more children, was met. Lavanya and Aditya had discussed this seriously. Whenever they made love, Aditya took every precaution to avoid pregnancy. He knew well enough how fragile Lavanya's trust was. He would never risk it.

But fate, as it so frequently does, had other plans.

Aditya and Lavanya went to a friend's engagement party in Noida that night. The house lights twinkled, the laughter was infectious, and the sparkling wine glasses sparkled. Lavanya, unencumbered and happy, danced freely for the first time in years.

Aditya observed her from a distance, her heart overflowing. After everything they had been through, hearing her laugh like this was like a triumph.

They returned late, still reeling from the excitement of the evening and the alcohol. They gave way to a spontaneous outburst of passion. They had sex, no protection. In those days, Lavanya got more involved in her office work. She was working on a corruption story. Lavanya felt excessively tired a few months after. Her appetite was altered. She felt sick in the mornings.

Initially, she did not pay attention to all these things; she considered it a result of workload and stress. She started eating dry fruits on his mother's insistence. When his nausea and vomiting did not stop, he went to the doctor. The doctor got a pregnancy test done. The report was positive.

She was shocked to hear all this; she could not believe her ears. She thought Aditya had betrayed her.

Aditya remained frozen when he heard the words she spoke. "It happened only that one time," he breathed. "It was a mistake."
"A mistake?" Lavanya's voice trembled; there were tears in her eyes. "I married you on the condition that I didn't want any more children. You had said that you would do whatever I want. You had promised me. You did not keep your word."

"It was not intentional," Aditya said with his eyes down.

She was crying. While crying, she decided that she would not stay with Aditya anymore. Aditya tried to restrain her, but she did not that night. She left Aditya's home with Vinay. She remained with her parents once more, not speaking much.