However, legal issues stalled the transplant even further. Liver transplantation involves the replacement of a diseased liver with some or all of a healthy liver from another person. “According to the rules, only a blood relative or a first cousin can become a live liver donor,” explains Anurag. “So we had to prove that we were acquaintances and needed documents to show that we stayed together in the United Kingdom. The hospital conducted a 2 hour CBI like grilling session where we had to prove that this was being done willingly,” he adds.

For Prasanna, this was hardly an issue. “They are more than friends for us. They are like family,” he says. Nirmiti adds that she even calls them bhaiyya (brother) and bhabhi (sister-in-law).  But did they not worry about the procedure? “I was not afraid because I knew I was in the hands of capable surgeons and a reputed hospital,” says Prasanna. “When you do something from your heart and if it is meant for the good of someone you love, the fear of any repercussion vanishes,” he adds.