01-02-2026, 12:22 PM
Chapter 33: Shiny Says –Call of the Marriage!
The moment Mirna and Vikram stepped into the church compound, the air felt heavier than the humid evening. The usual calm—the soft chanting from the prayer hall, the laughter of children playing near the dormitory—was gone. A small knot of sisters and volunteers stood near the entrance, whispering urgently.
The nun who had raised Mirna stood at the center, her face tight with worry, hands clasped so hard her knuckles were white.
Before Vikram could open his mouth, the nun turned to them.
“Shiney arrived,” she said quietly. “She wants to call off the marriage.”
Vikram blinked, confused. “Who is Shiney?”
Mirna’s hand flew to her mouth. Tears welled instantly. “Call off the marriage? Why?”
The words barely left her lips when the side door opened.
Shiney stepped out.
She was in her mid-twenties, tall and fair, with sharp, intelligent features that made people straighten when she entered a room. She wore a simple cream salwar kameez, hair pulled into a neat bun, a small gold cross gleaming at her throat. She was studying medicine—final-year MBBS, everyone said with pride—destined to be a doctor.
But more than that, she had always been the protector here: the one who shielded the younger orphans from bullies, who scolded the boys when they misbehaved, who helped the nuns balance the kitchen ledger and organize medical camps. To Mirna, Shiney wasn’t just an elder sister by choice—she was the closest thing to a mother Mirna had ever known.
Shiney’s eyes locked on Mirna first—soft for a split second—then slid to Vikram.
Slow. Cold. Assessing. No smile.
“Mirna,” she said, voice firm but not cruel. “Come inside. We need to talk.”
Mirna’s fingers tightened around Vikram’s. “Akka… whatever you want to say, say it in front of him.”
Shiney’s jaw clenched. She glanced at Vikram again—longer this time—then nodded once. “Fine. Let’s not waste time.”
They moved into the small prayer hall. The nun followed and closed the door softly. Shiney stood in front of the altar, arms crossed like a judge.
“I came as soon as I heard,” she began. “Mirna, you are not marrying this man.”
Mirna flinched as if slapped. “Akka… why?”
“Because he is not right for you,” Shiney said bluntly. “No stable job. No clear background. No family. No savings. He drifts from place to place. And there are security officer records against him—framed or not, the stain stays. People talk, Mirna. The church talks. What will they say about you? About us?”
Vikram stood silent, fists clenched at his sides. Every word cut deeper than the last.
Mirna shook her head, eyes wide and glistening. “But Akka… he is a good man. He has suffered so much. People framed him, but he never did anything wrong. Mohan Anna, the nun, even the security officer inspector—they all know the truth. He is alone like me, like us. And he loves me unconditionally, Akka. Truly.”
Shiney’s expression softened for a heartbeat—then hardened again.
“And that is exactly why I’m worried,” she said quietly. “You believe everything, Mirna. You always have. Someone shows you kindness once and you open your entire heart. You see only the good. You don’t see the danger. You don’t ask questions.”
Mirna opened her mouth, but Shiney continued gently.
“You believe the stories people tell you. You don’t ask for proof. You don’t check. Right?”
Mirna looked down. Her defense was shrinking. Her lower lip trembled.
Vikram watched her—really watched her—perhaps for the first time since their night in the lodge. She looked so small. So painfully innocent. The way her eyes darted between Shiney and him, the way she clutched the edge of her dupatta like a frightened child, the way her voice shook when she tried to defend him.
Shiney stepped closer, voice dropping to the gentle tone she used when Mirna was a little girl with scbangd knees.
Not everything you heard is true Mirnaa. There could be lies.
Do you know our old watchman had three wives before he came here? All orphans. He charmed them, took their money, then disappeared. Or the man who came last year claiming he was a doctor—targeting girls from church homes to sell their kidneys. He spoke so sweetly. Mirna, you believed him too. You wanted to help him. But did you know what he did after?”
Mirna dropped her face, cheeks burning. “Are you saying Vikram will be the same?”
Shiney laughed softly—kind, not mocking. “No, calm down. I won’t say that. But you believed those stories instantly. You didn’t ask questions. That’s how innocent you are. How naive. Your heart is still like a child’s—big, open, always siding with the one who looks hurt. You don’t ask. You just help.”
She inhaled deeply, eyes flicking to Vikram. I need to test him. Only after that i can say
Vikram please come with me
She dragged him into the room leaving Mirnaa out
Doors locked.
She Told him straight: I don’t know how you made her fall in love. She never showed any interest in any man or boy before.. Not just that she didn't even ask anything for her. This is the first time she asked something.. This has never happened before. I need to honor her wish..
I didnt get enough trust to handover her to you.. But if you want to marry her, stay here. Live under our eyes. Find a solid job. Drive the hospital ambulance, the church van—whatever. Until then, no marriage. I don’t trust you yet.”
Vikram was about to say something but he awaited Shiney to finish fully
She paused, letting the words sink in.
“I told him the watchman story—all lies, just to test. Even the doctor selling the kidney was lying and Mirna believed it instantly. She didn’t ask back. She just looked scared. That’s how easily someone can twist her. A kind voice. A sad story. And she is on their side.”
Vikram watched her from the glass window. Mirna stared at the floor, tears falling silently.
She wasn’t just naive.
She was dangerously trusting.
Anyone with a kind voice and a sad story could manipulate her. Anyone.
Shiney spoke to Vikram.
“She’s aged in body, but her heart never grew up. The hurt from her family, the years here serving everyone—it made her this way. She wanted to be a nurse because she believes she can heal people. She fears henchmen, bad men, dirty links. Because she was affected twice.. When her family was taken by her fathers step brothers for money the very same henchmen and destroyed them. And one more henchman when she was 15 tried to molest her… A cop uncle saved her.. She used to say she’d marry a security officer officer—one who saves the world while she saves people. A perfect love story in her mind.”
Shiney’s voice softened further.
I don't know how she loved you.. Maybe it's just not the security officer, it's their heroic side.
Speaking about which
“I don’t know what you did to make her see that heroic side in you. Saving Swathi, taking beatings, protecting love even when it wasn’t yours… maybe that’s why she fell. But treasure her, Vikram. Because if you bring shadows—if anything dark touches her—she will break. And she will still try to forgive you.”
Vikram swallowed hard. For the first time, he knew exactly what he should do.
He opened his mouth.
“I love her and she loves me back. We trust each other and that’s enough. And I have a mechanical degree. I can drive cars. I can do enough work to support my little family—starting with Mirnaa. I listened and waited patiently because you seemed to be someone she trusted. But don’t take me for granted. And don’t try to control me—that’s only Mirnaa can do.”
The answer was enough for Shiney. He took responsibility for her with a sensible response, with self-respect, without hurting her—his intention clear: to honor the person who was affiliated with Mirnaa.
She was convinced. Vikram was right for her.
Shiney stepped back, looking at him.
“I know. Let’s go out. She is waiting. Let me declare my answer there and it’s up to you two.”
She came out.
“So we have decided. Vikram will stay here—under our eyes. When he finds a solid job, he can take her anywhere. For now, here. Until then, let him drive the hospital ambulance. Prove himself.”
Mirna still had questions in her eyes, but Shiney smiled gently.
“I won’t ask to call off the marriage… Your Vikram passed the test,” she said. “He didn’t argue. He didn’t run. He listened. And he responded with one sentence that convinced me he respects you, Mirnaa. That’s a start. And he is really out here to start the family—so I’m in.”
The hall—which had been completely silent—turned into a celebration space. A sudden clap rang out. Mirnaa’s sister had approved of him. Vikram smiled.
Shiney turned to Vikram and said, “Take care of her. Sorry if I crossed any line. See this as an opportunity for you to see for yourself how naive and innocent she is. Don’t break her. Don’t be hard on her. Be gentle and treat her like your elder kid than a wife.”
Vikram nodded—but deep inside he was resolute. He should never bring his side of behavior from when he was with Sekaran anna. With Shiney warnings of what Mirnaa hates (The Henchmen Job, Darker, bad man images)
Vikram looked at Mirna—small, trembling, trusting—and felt the weight of what Shiney had just revealed.
She was fragile in ways he hadn’t fully understood.
And now he knew: anyone could break her.
Including him.
Including someone far worse.
He should treasure and protect her.
The moment Mirna and Vikram stepped into the church compound, the air felt heavier than the humid evening. The usual calm—the soft chanting from the prayer hall, the laughter of children playing near the dormitory—was gone. A small knot of sisters and volunteers stood near the entrance, whispering urgently.
The nun who had raised Mirna stood at the center, her face tight with worry, hands clasped so hard her knuckles were white.
Before Vikram could open his mouth, the nun turned to them.
“Shiney arrived,” she said quietly. “She wants to call off the marriage.”
Vikram blinked, confused. “Who is Shiney?”
Mirna’s hand flew to her mouth. Tears welled instantly. “Call off the marriage? Why?”
The words barely left her lips when the side door opened.
Shiney stepped out.
She was in her mid-twenties, tall and fair, with sharp, intelligent features that made people straighten when she entered a room. She wore a simple cream salwar kameez, hair pulled into a neat bun, a small gold cross gleaming at her throat. She was studying medicine—final-year MBBS, everyone said with pride—destined to be a doctor.
But more than that, she had always been the protector here: the one who shielded the younger orphans from bullies, who scolded the boys when they misbehaved, who helped the nuns balance the kitchen ledger and organize medical camps. To Mirna, Shiney wasn’t just an elder sister by choice—she was the closest thing to a mother Mirna had ever known.
Shiney’s eyes locked on Mirna first—soft for a split second—then slid to Vikram.
Slow. Cold. Assessing. No smile.
“Mirna,” she said, voice firm but not cruel. “Come inside. We need to talk.”
Mirna’s fingers tightened around Vikram’s. “Akka… whatever you want to say, say it in front of him.”
Shiney’s jaw clenched. She glanced at Vikram again—longer this time—then nodded once. “Fine. Let’s not waste time.”
They moved into the small prayer hall. The nun followed and closed the door softly. Shiney stood in front of the altar, arms crossed like a judge.
“I came as soon as I heard,” she began. “Mirna, you are not marrying this man.”
Mirna flinched as if slapped. “Akka… why?”
“Because he is not right for you,” Shiney said bluntly. “No stable job. No clear background. No family. No savings. He drifts from place to place. And there are security officer records against him—framed or not, the stain stays. People talk, Mirna. The church talks. What will they say about you? About us?”
Vikram stood silent, fists clenched at his sides. Every word cut deeper than the last.
Mirna shook her head, eyes wide and glistening. “But Akka… he is a good man. He has suffered so much. People framed him, but he never did anything wrong. Mohan Anna, the nun, even the security officer inspector—they all know the truth. He is alone like me, like us. And he loves me unconditionally, Akka. Truly.”
Shiney’s expression softened for a heartbeat—then hardened again.
“And that is exactly why I’m worried,” she said quietly. “You believe everything, Mirna. You always have. Someone shows you kindness once and you open your entire heart. You see only the good. You don’t see the danger. You don’t ask questions.”
Mirna opened her mouth, but Shiney continued gently.
“You believe the stories people tell you. You don’t ask for proof. You don’t check. Right?”
Mirna looked down. Her defense was shrinking. Her lower lip trembled.
Vikram watched her—really watched her—perhaps for the first time since their night in the lodge. She looked so small. So painfully innocent. The way her eyes darted between Shiney and him, the way she clutched the edge of her dupatta like a frightened child, the way her voice shook when she tried to defend him.
Shiney stepped closer, voice dropping to the gentle tone she used when Mirna was a little girl with scbangd knees.
Not everything you heard is true Mirnaa. There could be lies.
Do you know our old watchman had three wives before he came here? All orphans. He charmed them, took their money, then disappeared. Or the man who came last year claiming he was a doctor—targeting girls from church homes to sell their kidneys. He spoke so sweetly. Mirna, you believed him too. You wanted to help him. But did you know what he did after?”
Mirna dropped her face, cheeks burning. “Are you saying Vikram will be the same?”
Shiney laughed softly—kind, not mocking. “No, calm down. I won’t say that. But you believed those stories instantly. You didn’t ask questions. That’s how innocent you are. How naive. Your heart is still like a child’s—big, open, always siding with the one who looks hurt. You don’t ask. You just help.”
She inhaled deeply, eyes flicking to Vikram. I need to test him. Only after that i can say
Vikram please come with me
She dragged him into the room leaving Mirnaa out
Doors locked.
She Told him straight: I don’t know how you made her fall in love. She never showed any interest in any man or boy before.. Not just that she didn't even ask anything for her. This is the first time she asked something.. This has never happened before. I need to honor her wish..
I didnt get enough trust to handover her to you.. But if you want to marry her, stay here. Live under our eyes. Find a solid job. Drive the hospital ambulance, the church van—whatever. Until then, no marriage. I don’t trust you yet.”
Vikram was about to say something but he awaited Shiney to finish fully
She paused, letting the words sink in.
“I told him the watchman story—all lies, just to test. Even the doctor selling the kidney was lying and Mirna believed it instantly. She didn’t ask back. She just looked scared. That’s how easily someone can twist her. A kind voice. A sad story. And she is on their side.”
Vikram watched her from the glass window. Mirna stared at the floor, tears falling silently.
She wasn’t just naive.
She was dangerously trusting.
Anyone with a kind voice and a sad story could manipulate her. Anyone.
Shiney spoke to Vikram.
“She’s aged in body, but her heart never grew up. The hurt from her family, the years here serving everyone—it made her this way. She wanted to be a nurse because she believes she can heal people. She fears henchmen, bad men, dirty links. Because she was affected twice.. When her family was taken by her fathers step brothers for money the very same henchmen and destroyed them. And one more henchman when she was 15 tried to molest her… A cop uncle saved her.. She used to say she’d marry a security officer officer—one who saves the world while she saves people. A perfect love story in her mind.”
Shiney’s voice softened further.
I don't know how she loved you.. Maybe it's just not the security officer, it's their heroic side.
Speaking about which
“I don’t know what you did to make her see that heroic side in you. Saving Swathi, taking beatings, protecting love even when it wasn’t yours… maybe that’s why she fell. But treasure her, Vikram. Because if you bring shadows—if anything dark touches her—she will break. And she will still try to forgive you.”
Vikram swallowed hard. For the first time, he knew exactly what he should do.
He opened his mouth.
“I love her and she loves me back. We trust each other and that’s enough. And I have a mechanical degree. I can drive cars. I can do enough work to support my little family—starting with Mirnaa. I listened and waited patiently because you seemed to be someone she trusted. But don’t take me for granted. And don’t try to control me—that’s only Mirnaa can do.”
The answer was enough for Shiney. He took responsibility for her with a sensible response, with self-respect, without hurting her—his intention clear: to honor the person who was affiliated with Mirnaa.
She was convinced. Vikram was right for her.
Shiney stepped back, looking at him.
“I know. Let’s go out. She is waiting. Let me declare my answer there and it’s up to you two.”
She came out.
“So we have decided. Vikram will stay here—under our eyes. When he finds a solid job, he can take her anywhere. For now, here. Until then, let him drive the hospital ambulance. Prove himself.”
Mirna still had questions in her eyes, but Shiney smiled gently.
“I won’t ask to call off the marriage… Your Vikram passed the test,” she said. “He didn’t argue. He didn’t run. He listened. And he responded with one sentence that convinced me he respects you, Mirnaa. That’s a start. And he is really out here to start the family—so I’m in.”
The hall—which had been completely silent—turned into a celebration space. A sudden clap rang out. Mirnaa’s sister had approved of him. Vikram smiled.
Shiney turned to Vikram and said, “Take care of her. Sorry if I crossed any line. See this as an opportunity for you to see for yourself how naive and innocent she is. Don’t break her. Don’t be hard on her. Be gentle and treat her like your elder kid than a wife.”
Vikram nodded—but deep inside he was resolute. He should never bring his side of behavior from when he was with Sekaran anna. With Shiney warnings of what Mirnaa hates (The Henchmen Job, Darker, bad man images)
Vikram looked at Mirna—small, trembling, trusting—and felt the weight of what Shiney had just revealed.
She was fragile in ways he hadn’t fully understood.
And now he knew: anyone could break her.
Including him.
Including someone far worse.
He should treasure and protect her.
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