BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

CHAPTER 2

BLOOD DOESN'T LIE

A Story of Blood, Betrayal and Destiny

By: walidah_hm

Chapter 2 – A Secret Buried Alive

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the hospital windows.

The storm had passed.

A peaceful silence settled over Mumbai City Hospital, hiding the terrible secret born during the night.

Inside the private recovery room...

Vaani slowly opened her eyes.

Everything felt heavy.

The medicines.

The exhaustion.

The pain.

She blinked several times before whispering,

"Mahesh..."

Mahesh immediately stood from the chair beside her bed.

"I'm here."

A weak smile appeared on her lips.

"Our baby..."

Mahesh gently squeezed her hand.

"The doctor said both of you are healthy."

Just then, the door opened.

A nurse entered, carefully carrying a newborn wrapped in a soft pink blanket.

She smiled.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Singhania."

"It's a beautiful baby girl."

Vaani's tired eyes filled with tears.

"A girl..."

Mahesh looked at the tiny face sleeping peacefully in the blanket.

His expression softened.

"Our daughter..."

The nurse carefully placed the baby into Vaani's arms.

For a long moment...

Neither parent spoke.

The baby yawned softly before wrapping her tiny fingers around Vaani's finger.

Vaani laughed through her tears.

"Look at her..."

"She's holding me already."

Mahesh leaned closer.

"What should we call her?"

Vaani smiled without taking her eyes off the baby.

"Aarohi."

Mahesh repeated the name quietly.

"Aarohi Singhania."

"It suits her."

Outside the room...

Dhuraya thanked Allah silently before kissing her granddaughter's forehead.

"My little princess."

Raj smiled.

"She's beautiful."

Sakshi folded her arms.

"Hmm..."

"I hope she doesn't become too spoiled."

Dhuraya immediately looked at her.

"She's only a few hours old."

Sakshi shrugged.

"I'm just saying."

Dhuraya sighed.

Some people could never choose kindness first.

On the other side of the hospital...

Pooja slowly woke up.

She looked around the small room in confusion.

"Vijay..."

"I'm here."

He quickly moved beside her bed.

Her first question came immediately.

"Our baby..."

Vijay swallowed hard.

Before he could answer...

The door opened.

Nurse Sunita entered carrying the newborn boy.

Her hands trembled ever so slightly.

She forced a smile.

"Congratulations."

"You have a healthy baby boy."

Pooja gasped happily.

"A son?"

She reached for him immediately.

The little boy stretched in his sleep before settling peacefully against her chest.

Tears rolled down Pooja's cheeks.

"My son..."

"My beautiful boy..."

She kissed his forehead again and again.

Vijay looked away.

He couldn't bear to watch.

Pooja smiled brightly.

"What should we name him?"

Vijay stared at the child.

The child who wasn't truly his.

His throat tightened.

Finally, he whispered,

"...Deepak."

Pooja smiled.

"Deepak."

"Our little light."

Sunita lowered her eyes.

She couldn't stay another second.

She quietly left the room.

Outside...

She leaned against the wall.

Her breathing became uneven.

"What have I done...?"

Two days later...

The Singhania family returned home.

The mansion had been decorated with colorful flowers.

Servants lined both sides of the entrance.

As Mahesh carried the baby inside, everyone showered flower petals over them.

"Welcome home, little princess!"

Dhuraya held the baby lovingly.

"My granddaughter has brought happiness into this house."

Mahesh smiled.

"Mother..."

"She'll grow up knowing kindness before wealth."

Dhuraya nodded proudly.

"Just like her father."

From across the courtyard...

Vijay watched silently.

His heart pounded.

The little girl in Dhuraya's arms...

Was his daughter.

Yet...

He could never call her that.

Pooja walked beside him carrying Deepak.

She smiled brightly.

"Look, Vijay."

"Our son is sleeping."

Vijay forced himself to smile.

"Yes..."

"He is."

That evening...

Mahesh called everyone into the living room.

Servants stood respectfully near the entrance.

Among them were Vijay and Pooja.

Mahesh looked around before speaking.

"Today..."

"My family has been blessed."

He looked at the tiny baby sleeping peacefully beside Vaani.

"But blessings are not meant to be enjoyed alone."

He turned toward Vijay.

"Vijay."

The driver stepped forward immediately.

"Yes, sir."

Mahesh smiled.

"Your son and my daughter will grow up together."

Vijay froze.

Mahesh continued,

"From today..."

"Deepak's education will be my responsibility."

Pooja's eyes widened.

"Sir..."

"You've already done so much for us."

Mahesh gently shook his head.

"A child's future should never depend on his parents' income."

"He will study in the same schools as my daughter."

"The same teachers."

"The same opportunities."

The servants looked at one another in surprise.

No wealthy man in Mumbai treated his employees this way.

Tears gathered in Pooja's eyes.

"Thank you, sir."

"You've given my son a future."

Mahesh smiled.

"No."

"He'll build it himself."

Only Vijay remained silent.

His hands slowly clenched into fists.

The boy Mahesh was promising to educate...

Was actually Mahesh's own son.

Fate...

Already had a strange sense of humor.

Late that night...

Everyone had gone to sleep.

Only Vijay remained awake.

He stepped quietly into the courtyard.

The moonlight bathed the mansion in silver.

He looked toward the balcony where baby Aarohi slept peacefully inside her luxurious nursery.

Then he looked toward the small guest house where Deepak slept in a simple wooden cradle.

His eyes filled with tears.

"I did this..."

"I chose this."

"But why..."

"Why does it already hurt so much?"

Behind him...

A voice broke the silence.

"Vijay?"

He quickly wiped his face and turned.

It was Nurse Sunita.

She had come to check on an elderly relative who lived nearby.

She looked at him sadly.

"It's too late to change it now."

Vijay whispered,

"I know."

Sunita took one last look at the mansion.

"Pray..."

"Pray that the truth never comes out."

Vijay looked toward the stars.

But deep inside...

For the very first time...

He feared the truth more than poverty.

Because blood...

Never forgets where it belongs.

To Be Continued... 🩸✨