Love and Life A romance story, "Love and Life is a Romance, suspense, Love story, short English story. Story "Love and Life" chapters 7,8,9,10

Chapter 7: Mohini

Lavanya wanted to have an abortion. She consulted a doctor, but the doctor refused, saying abortion could endanger Lavanya's life.

When Aditya came to know that Lavanya wanted an abortion, he went to her mother's house to meet Lavanya. Aditya told Lavanya that Lavanya need not worry, Aditya will raise the child to be born. The child within her developed, yet Lavanya felt no closeness to it. To her, it was a symbol of a broken promise, not a new life.

Finally, the time of Lavanya's delivery came. The antiseptic and tense odor of the delivery room hung in the air. Nurses rushed, physicians commanded, and the constant beep of a monitor echoed softly in the background.

As the cry of the infant shattered the air, Lavanya averted her face.

It's a girl," the nurse said softly. "She's healthy.".

Aditya, who had rushed to the hospital the moment he got word that she was having a baby, saw the baby all swaddled in soft pink just in time. He swept her up in his arms, his eyes brimming with tears.

"She's beautiful," he whispered. "We'll name her Mohini."

Lavanya remained silent.

A week after Mohini's birth, Aditya brought Mohini with him. He went on sabbatical leave from work to provide her with everything she required. He hired a nanny. Vinay used to come to Aditya's house once a week to meet him. Vinay loved his younger sister Mohini very much. He used to play with Mohini.

Now, only Nanny and Aditya would take care of Mohini. They would feed her milk, sing lullabies, and walk her at night. For Aditya, Mohini was not just a daughter, it was like she was a penance for his own mistake. There was a hope inside him-maybe this would rekindle some old relationships. 

Lavanya spent most of her time in the office. Vinay stayed with his maternal 

grandparents after returning from school.

Chapter 8: Vinay's Journey to London

The years passed by like the pages of a well-read book. Vinay became a bright, self-assured young man. At the age of eighteen, he had topped his board exams. His ambition, self-discipline, and unspoken strength made Lavanya and Aditya proud.

Aditya and Vinay’s bond had become something unconditioned, unforced, and spontaneous. To Vinay, Aditya was Papa, the man who had taken him through boyhood, been present at each school triumph, and listened patiently to each teenager's irritation.

On the eve of their departure to London, Vinay came to meet Aditya and Mohini. The whole family was sitting at the dinner table. Fourteen-year-old Mohini was seated next to Vinay and holding his hand tightly.

“Promise to call me on the video every weekend," Mohini pouted.

Vinay smiled and tugged at one of her braids. "I promise. And I'll bring you genuine English chocolates, not those fake ones from Lajpat Nagar."

Apart from Lavanya, Aditya and Mohini also came to drop Vinay at the airport. They hugged each other tightly at the airport. Even Aditya—so reserved in his emotions- had tears in his eyes.

You'll be okay," he said to him, placing a hand on Vinay's shoulder. "Wherever you are, we're always here.".

"I know," said Vinay. "Thanks, Papa. For everything."

London was stunning. Vinay liked the order, the heritage buildings, and the rhythm of underground trains. Campus life was exciting. He joined clubs, debated economic theories, and even learned to cook to survive sans Indian home food.

Amelia Taylor was a beautiful and smart girl. She was in his literature class, blonde ringlets tumbling over curious blue eyes, with a quick wit and a dazzling smile. Whoever meets Amelia cannot remain without being fascinated by her words and her beauty. Vinay also soon became Amelia's friend. They began as collaborators on a group project, then moved on to coffee runs and midnight walks along the River Thames.

She was unique. Self-sufficient. Creative. A single-parent household, similar to his.

Vinay was reassured by her presence. She was as tough as Lavanya and as lively as Mohini.

Months passed, and their bond evolved into love. Two years passed in their love.

When he visited Delhi for the summer holidays, he took Amelia's photos along. He talked to Aditya and Lavanya about Amelia. Lavanya inquired, and she clarified that Amelia would have to come and live in India, whereas Aditya was polite. Mohini teased him mercilessly. "So this is the girl who captured my brother?" she declared dramatically.

After reaching London, Vinay told his mother's wish to Amelia. Amelia did not wish to

 reside in India.

"I respect your family, your heritage," she told him one evening, sitting beside him on a

 park bench. "But my work, my existence, it's all here. I don't want to have to transplant 

 myself."

Vinay struggled. India was where he belonged. His mom, Mohini, Aditya, and home. But 

Amelia was part of his fate. At least, he prayed so. Vinay tried hard to convince Amelia

 but Amelia did not agree. Tears, silence, apologies, more arguments. And lastly, they 

broke. Vinay was heartbroken by the breakup. Vinay truly loved Amelia. Vinay started 

taking help of alcohol to forget that grief. Gradually, alcohol became his necessity, and 

he became addicted to it.

Vinay returned to Delhi after his last semester. Vinay did not talk to anyone much; he 

mostly remained locked in his room. He did not receive anyone's call. He was mostly 

under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol had become his weakness. When Lavanya saw

 this condition of Vinay, she felt very sad. 

When Aditya and Mohini came to know about this, they met Vinay and tried to make

 him understand. Aditya said, "Life doesn't end if someone leaves you."

Nothing had any effect on Vinay. 

Chapter 9: Crisis and Sacrifice

One night, Vinay started having a stomachache, and his stomach was also bloated. He 
started writhing in pain. Hearing his voice, Lavanya woke up. Lavanya told Vinay to go 
to the hospital immediately. As soon as Vinay woke up, he vomited blood and fell 
unconscious. Lavanya got scared. She got Vinay into the car with the help of her mother 
and father, then took him to the hospital.

The hospital admitted Vinay. The doctor told him to get some tests done. At night, the nurse put the drip to Vinay, which gave him relief. 

In the morning, Lavanya sat next to Vinay's bed, cradling his lifeless hand in hers, 

praying silently while machines beeped and nurses hurried by. Aditya and Mohini also 

arrived at the hospital.

The test report had come. The diagnosis was quickly made—acute liver failure, probably
 caused by alcohol poisoning and stress.

He requires a transplant, the physician informed him somberly. “He is suffering from 
liver cirrhosis. He requires a transplant quickly. Or he'll die.”

The words reverberated in Lavanya's mind like thunder.

She immediately volunteered to give a segment of her liver. She was taken in for a test, 

but the news was awful: no match. She got scared. 

Aditya stepped forward next. He was healthy, willing, and eager to save the boy who was 

his son. He was taken in for a test, but again, no match.

Hope was slipping through their fingers. Lavanya became disappointed; there were tears

 in her eyes.

I would like to do it," Mohini said.

Lavanya turned and looked at her, shocked. 

"No, beta. You're too young." Aditya said.

I'll do it for my brother," she persisted, even though she was so young. "Please. Let me

 have a go.".

They ran the tests. And to their surprise, her blood group and tissue matched with Vinay. 

She was a perfect match. But there was one colossal snag: Mohini was just seventeen.
She was a minor. Legally, she was not allowed to give an organ without court leave.

The next few days were a blur of judicial appeals, sleepless nights, and desperate court 

hearings.

Aditya stood in front of the judge's chambers with Mohini beside him. 

"You can change your decision even now," he whispered. "I'll find someone else." 

He further said.

" No, Papa, I've decided," Mohini declared. "He's my brother. He gave me the only family

 I've ever had. I'm not going to let him go."

Lastly, upon expert advice and psychiatric assessments, special permission was granted 

by the court.

The surgery was scheduled for the very next morning.

While Mohini was brought into the OT on a trolley, Lavanya clutched her daughter's hand 

hard.

 "I'm sorry," she cried. "I'm sorry I didn't love you first. I was afraid. I was selfish."

Mohini smiled faintly. "You're my Mom. That's all I ever wanted."

The process took five hours.

Doctors moved with careful steps. Lavanya and Aditya sat outside in silence, fists 

clenched, hearts

 pounding.

Finally, the O.T. door opened, and a surgeon came out. His face was calm.

“Everything is fine. The transplant was a success." He said.

Lavanya's eyes welled up with tears. She was relieved, and Aditya bowed his head, 

praying softly.

Mohini was smiling while lying on the nearby bed. I guess I finally paid you back for all those chocolates you brought me," she said with a smile. Vinay also smiled, but he grasped her hand, his eyes brimming with tears.

Something had passed between them unspoken—gratitude, love, the type that comes through sacrifice.

And Lavanya stood with her back pressed against the doorway, and finally knew what it meant to be complete.

Chapter 10: Healing Wounds

Vinay was still stuck in recovery. He came back from the dead. Sometimes, he’d just stare at Mohini through the open doorway and mumble, “She saved me. My sister actually saved me.” Like he couldn’t quite believe it.

The news of Mohini's sacrifice spread like wildfire in the entire family. Relatives, neighbors, doctors at the hospital - everyone praised her in their own way.

Lavanya was sitting on Mohini’s bed one morning, serving up sliced fruit. Mohini blinked awake, all bleary-eyed and confused.

“You’re here,” Mohini croaked, her voice all scratchy.

Lavanya just smiled, sweeping a lock of hair off Mohini’s forehead. “I should have always been with you, beta. But now… I’m actually present. Really here, you know?”

Her eyes shimmered, and she squeezed Mohini’s hand like she was never letting go.

Mohini managed this tiny, wobbly grin. “You’re my Mom. That’s all I ever needed.”

“If you were not there, it would have been difficult for Vinay to survive. Maybe this is why God has sent you to earth.” Lavanya said.

“It's not like that, he's my brother. How can he be harmed?”

“I have realized my mistake. After Vinay is discharged from the hospital, we will stay together at our home like a family.”

Aditya was also listening to Lavanya's words while standing near the door. He smiled.

As per the promise, Lavanya came to Aditya's house with Vinay and took charge of the house. Aditya-Lavanya's relationship also started blossoming again, without any conditions. Sometimes even broken things become more beautiful than before.

                                                                 The end