In the heart of chaos

Chapter 50

The hospital corridors were eerily quiet, save for the beeping of machines and the soft shuffle of nurses going about their work. The atmosphere in the waiting room was heavy with anxiety and fear. Abhimanyu sat with his hands clasped tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure. Beside him, Manjari clutched her saree pallu, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Across from them sat Kairav, Vansh, and Suvarna, all wearing the same expression of dread.

Akshara was in labor, but things had taken a dangerous turn. Complications had arisen, and the doctors were now faced with an impossible decision—save the mother or the child.

Abhimanyu's mind was racing. His worst nightmare had come true. He had been prepared for the birth of his child, for joy and celebration, but not for this—this cruel twist of fate. His world felt like it was spinning out of control, and for the first time, he felt utterly powerless.

The doors to the operation theatre suddenly opened, and the chief surgeon walked out, his expression somber.

"Dr. Birla," he began, addressing Abhimanyu, "there have been complications in Akshara's delivery. We're facing a critical situation, and we need to make a decision. At this point, we can only save one—either the mother or the child."

The words hit Abhimanyu like a ton of bricks. He felt his world crashing around him. He looked at the surgeon, his mouth opening to speak, but no words came out. His vision blurred as panic gripped his heart.

"We don't have time. You need to decide now," the surgeon pressed, urgency lacing his voice.

Abhimanyu's chest tightened. How could he choose? How could anyone be expected to make such a choice? He loved Akshara with every fiber of his being, but he had already begun to love their child, a child they had dreamt of together. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, his heart breaking under the weight of the decision.

Just then, another figure entered the hallway. Aarohi, dressed in her scrubs, strode toward them with a determined look in her eyes. Rishi followed close behind, his presence steady and comforting.

"Aarohi," Abhimanyu's voice cracked as he stood up, his face filled with anguish. "They're asking me to choose. I—how can I—"

Aarohi's eyes softened for a moment, seeing the pain in her sister's husband's eyes, but then they hardened with resolve. "You're not making this decision, Abhimanyu. I'm stepping in."

The room fell silent. All eyes were on Aarohi.

"What?" Abhimanyu looked confused, unsure of what she meant.

"I'm taking over the surgery. I'll save both of them," Aarohi said, her voice firm and resolute.

"Aarohi, that's impossible," the chief surgeon interjected. "The situation is critical. You can't—"

"I can, and I will," Aarohi interrupted him sharply. "I've handled riskier surgeries. I'm not letting either my sister or her child die today."

Abhimanyu stared at her, disbelief and hope warring within him. "Aarohi, if there's any chance... Please."

Without another word, Aarohi turned and walked toward the operating theatre. As she passed Abhimanyu, she paused for a brief second. "Trust me," she said quietly, before disappearing behind the double doors.

Inside the operating room, Aarohi quickly assessed the situation. It was dire, but not beyond her capabilities. Years of experience, training, and determination fueled her as she gave rapid instructions to the team. She knew this was a race against time, but she also knew that she wouldn't fail. She couldn't.

As she worked, Aarohi's thoughts briefly wandered to her parents—Sirat and Naira—and her promise to be strong for her family. Now, she was faced with the ultimate test, and she would honor them by saving the two lives that mattered most to her family.

The surgery was intense. There were moments when the baby's heartbeat weakened, and moments when Akshara's vitals dropped alarmingly low. But Aarohi didn't waver. Her hands moved with precision, her mind focused entirely on the task at hand. Every second felt like an eternity, but after what felt like hours, the sound of a baby's cry filled the room.

The baby was alive.

Aarohi exhaled a sigh of relief, but her work wasn't done yet. Akshara's condition was still fragile, and Aarohi worked quickly to stabilize her. After several tense moments, Akshara's vitals normalized. Aarohi stepped back, her body finally relaxing as the situation came under control.

She had done it. She had saved both of them.

Back in the waiting room, the tension was palpable. Everyone held their breath as they waited for news. When the doors finally opened and Aarohi walked out, her face calm but tired, everyone rushed toward her.

"Aarohi?" Abhimanyu's voice was filled with hope and fear.

"They're both fine," Aarohi said softly, but her words carried immense weight. "Akshara and your baby—both are safe."

The room erupted in a collective sigh of relief. Abhimanyu's knees buckled as he sank into a chair, overwhelmed by the emotions flooding him. Tears filled his eyes as he realized the magnitude of what had just happened.

Aarohi stood there for a moment, watching the relief wash over the family. But then, Abhimanyu stood up and walked toward her, his face a mixture of gratitude and shame.

"I don't know how to thank you," he began, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Aarohi, I was wrong... about so many things. You saved both of them. I owe you everything."

Before Aarohi could respond, Akshara, still pale from the surgery but conscious, was wheeled out into the hallway. She looked at Aarohi with tears in her eyes. "Aaru... I'm so sorry for everything. I can't believe you saved me and my baby. After all the hurtful things I said..."

Aarohi looked at her sister, her heart softening at the sight of her. "You don't need to say anything, Akshu. I did what I had to. You're my sister."

Akshara reached out, taking Aarohi's hand in hers. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'll try to make things right."

Aarohi squeezed her hand gently and nodded. "We'll get through this, Akshu. Together."

For the first time in a long while, the distance between the sisters seemed to melt away. As Abhimanyu stood beside them, he too realized how wrong he had been, and in that moment, they all silently promised to start anew.

This time, as a family.