BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

CHAPTER 1

BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

A Story of Blood, Betrayal and Destiny

By: walidah_hm

Chapter 1 – The Night Blood Was Stolen

The rain had not stopped since sunset.

Lightning flashed across the Mumbai sky, followed by a deep rumble of thunder that shook the windows of Singhania Mansion.

Inside the grand house, servants hurried through the hallways, carrying towels, umbrellas, and cups of hot tea.

The atmosphere was tense.

From upstairs came a cry of pain.

"Ahh!"

Vaani Singhania clutched her swollen stomach as another contraction swept through her body.

Mahesh Singhania immediately knelt beside her.

"Breathe, Vaani. I'm here."

She forced a weak smile despite the pain.

"Our baby is impatient."

Mahesh gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

"Just a little longer."

The bedroom door opened.

Dhuraya Singhania entered, prayer beads moving slowly between her fingers.

Mahesh's mother.

Her worried eyes immediately went to Vaani.

She raised her hands in prayer.

"May God protect both mother and child."

"Ameen," Mahesh whispered.

Another contraction hit.

Vaani gripped Mahesh's arm tightly.

"I... I think it's time."

Mahesh immediately turned towards the door.

"Prepare the car!"

The servants rushed into action.

---

Not far from the mansion...

Behind the main house stood two modest guest quarters.

One belonged to Vijay Mandal, Mahesh's trusted driver.

Inside the small room...

Pooja sat on the edge of the bed, breathing heavily.

Both hands rested protectively over her stomach.

"Vijay..."

"I can't bear it anymore."

Vijay hurried to her side.

"It's alright."

"We're going now."

Pooja looked at him through the pain and managed a small smile.

"Our baby..."

"I hope..."

"He or she grows up happy."

For a brief moment...

Something dark crossed Vijay's face.

Happy.

That single word echoed painfully inside him.

Happy...

Unlike him.

Unlike the childhood he had known.

He remembered going to bed hungry.

Watching his parents work endlessly just to survive.

Being mocked because they were poor.

His eyes moved towards his wife.

Then towards the tiny room they called home.

His jaw tightened.

"My child..."

"...will never live this life."

Pooja noticed his silence.

"What are you thinking?"

Vijay quickly forced a smile.

"Nothing."

He picked up the small blanket they had prepared for the baby.

"Let's go."

---

Mumbai City Hospital

The hospital glowed brightly against the stormy night.

The emergency entrance became crowded within minutes.

One luxury car pulled up.

Then another smaller vehicle.

Mahesh jumped out first.

"My wife is in labour!"

Almost at the same moment...

Vijay rushed inside, supporting Pooja.

"My wife too!"

Nurses quickly brought two stretchers and moved both women towards the labour ward.

A doctor approached Mahesh.

"Who is Mr. Mahesh Singhania?"

"I am."

"We'll take good care of Mrs. Singhania."

Mahesh nodded.

Then his eyes moved towards Vijay.

"And his wife too."

The doctor looked at him, slightly surprised.

"Sir?"

Mahesh's voice remained calm.

"They're family."

"No difference."

The doctor's expression softened.

"Of course."

"I'll personally make sure both mothers receive the care they need."

Vijay lowered his head.

"Thank you, sir."

Mahesh simply nodded.

He had always believed one thing:

Money should never decide who deserved kindness.

---

Outside the labour ward...

Dhuraya slowly moved her prayer beads through her fingers.

Her lips moved silently in prayer.

Nearby, Raj placed a comforting hand on his brother's shoulder.

"They'll be alright."

Mahesh gave a small nod.

"I know."

A few chairs away...

Sakshi sat with her arms folded.

She glanced impatiently towards the labour ward.

"I just hope all this waiting ends soon."

Dhuraya turned towards her.

Her expression hardened.

"This is childbirth."

"Not a business meeting."

Sakshi looked away without replying.

---

Inside the delivery room...

Vaani cried out as the doctors encouraged her.

"One more push!"

"You can do it!"

Moments later...

The cry of a newborn filled the room.

A loud, healthy cry.

The doctor smiled.

"The baby is healthy."

Before anyone could say another word...

A young nurse hurried into the room.

"Doctor!"

"We need you in Ward Seven!"

"A patient is in critical condition!"

The doctor's expression changed immediately.

"What?"

He looked towards the baby.

Then towards the nurse beside him.

"Clean the baby and take her to the nursery."

"I'll be back."

Without wasting another second...

He hurried out.

The baby's identity had not yet been announced to anyone outside.

---

Minutes later...

In another delivery room...

Pooja cried out in pain.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I can't..."

"You can," another doctor encouraged gently.

"Just one more push."

Pooja gathered what little strength she had left.

Then...

A tiny cry filled the room.

The nurse smiled.

"The baby is breathing well."

Before the doctor could say anything else...

Another staff member rushed into the room.

"Doctor!"

"Ward Seven needs more hands!"

The doctor sighed.

"I'm coming."

He turned towards Nurse Sunita Verma.

"Finish everything here."

"I'll return shortly."

"Yes, Doctor."

Within seconds...

The room became quiet.

Only Pooja's exhausted breathing could be heard.

She had already drifted into sleep.

---

The nursery was almost empty.

Rain tapped softly against the windows.

Two newborn babies lay peacefully in identical hospital bassinets.

One wore a blue identification band.

The other...

Pink.

Nurse Sunita Verma stood beside them, checking their files.

The door opened quietly.

She turned.

"Vijay?"

He stepped inside.

His clothes were soaked from the rain.

His hands trembled.

"Please..."

Sunita frowned.

"You shouldn't be here."

His eyes moved towards the two babies.

His breathing became uneven.

"I know which one is mine."

Sunita's eyes widened.

"No."

"Don't even think about it."

Vijay stepped closer.

"My daughter..."

"She'll grow up the way I did."

"Hungry."

"Poor."

"Without a future."

Sunita shook her head.

"This is madness."

"This is a crime."

Vijay's eyes filled with tears.

"And what has honesty ever given people like me?"

Sunita stared at him.

"You'll destroy two families."

He lowered his voice.

"I'm trying to save one."

Sunita looked at the sleeping babies.

Her conscience screamed at her to walk away.

But Vijay's desperate expression reminded her of countless poor parents she had seen over the years.

Slowly...

Painfully...

She closed her eyes.

When she opened them again...

There were tears in them.

"This will haunt us forever."

Vijay said nothing.

With trembling hands...

They exchanged the babies.

The little girl was placed in the bassinet marked for the Singhania family.

The little boy...

In the one meant for Pooja.

Silence filled the nursery.

Only the sound of rain remained.

Sunita covered her face.

"What have we done?"

Vijay looked at the sleeping children.

His voice broke into a whisper.

"Forgive me..."

"...one day..."

"...blood will tell the truth."

---

Outside the nursery...

No one knew.

A wealthy family celebrated the arrival of a daughter they believed was theirs.

A poor couple prepared to welcome a son they believed was theirs.

And somewhere beyond the storm...

Destiny had already begun writing a story no one could stop.

To Be Continued... 🩸✨