(Kishori, torn between love and duty, hides her pain from Manav and leaves for her uncle’s house. But there she discovers a darker truth—her sister Ketki is being forced into marriage with a powerful man, and her own name is next. When Kishori dares to seek justice at the police station, she learns the inspector himself is corrupted. Betrayed by her uncle, silenced, bound, and dragged away in the night, her spirit refuses to surrender. Just as despair closes in, a roaring jeep blocks their way, throwing fate wide open—ushering Kishori into a battle she can no longer escape. Now ahead)
Crying without tears
All faces froze in terror.
The door of the jeep opened, and out stepped Jyan Singh himself. His towering frame cast a shadow that swallowed the car.
“Where are you going at this hour?” His voice cut through the night like a blade.
Uncle stammered, unable to answer.
Jyan’s sharp eyes fell on the struggling figure in the back seat. He moved closer, frowning.
“Untie her. Now.”
Everyone froze.
Ketki, tears streaming down her face, rushed to obey. With shaking hands, she ripped away the cloth from Kishori’s mouth and untied the knots. Kishori gasped for breath, collapsing into her sister’s arms.
Jyan Singh’s voice rumbled low, dangerous. “What nonsense is this? She is not to be treated like an animal.”
Uncle’s face drained of color. He tried to speak, but no words came.
Kishori clung to Ketki, her eyes blazing with confusion and rage. She had expected Jyan to be her enemy—so why was he protecting her?
---
Jyan Singh strode closer, his boots thudding against the earth. He stopped right in front of Ketki, his deep voice laced with authority.
“What’s going on here? Why are you treating her like this?”
Before Ketki could answer, Kishori burst out, her voice tearing through the silence.
“Don’t act like a saint! How dare you force my sister into marriage?”
Jyan froze for a moment—then threw back his head and laughed, a booming sound that echoed across the night. He leaned toward Kishori, eyes glittering with mockery.
“What? Force? Who filled your ears with that nonsense?”
He turned to Ketki, smirking.
“Oh darling… didn’t you tell your little sister the truth?”
Ketki lowered her eyes, her silence heavy.
Jyan spread his arms, mocking innocence.
“The marriage wasn’t demanded by me. It was offered—by your uncle.” His gaze sharpened as he shifted it back to Kishori. “And your precious sister here… she pleaded with me to accept.”
Kishori staggered back, as if the ground had been pulled from under her.
“What…?” Her voice cracked. “No… that can’t be true.”
But Ketki slowly nodded, her eyes glistening, confirming the nightmare.
Uncle and Aunty stood frozen, their lips sealed, shame and fear written across their faces.
Kishori’s chest heaved, but no words came. Numb, betrayed, hollow, she turned and stumbled back into the house. Without looking at anyone, she climbed to her room and slammed the door shut.
Inside, her hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest. For the first time, she felt like she belonged to no one—not to her family, not to her sister. Her world was breaking apart.
Outside, Jyan Singh gave a cold, satisfied smile.
“The marriage preparations should be grand,” he declared. “If money is required…”
Ketki quickly interrupted, her voice weak. “We… we will manage.”
“Good.” Jyan adjusted his coat, his jeep rumbling to life. He cast one last look at the silent household before driving off into the darkness.
.....
Kishori packed her bag and stepped out of the room.
Aunty asked softly, “Oh dear, are you leaving now?”
“This is exactly what you all wanted,” Kishori replied, her voice trembling.
Uncle tried to reason with her, “At least stay for your sister’s wedding.”
Kishori gave a bitter smile. “You may enjoy your daughter’s grand marriage. I can’t.”
Without another word, she walked out of the mansion with tears in her eyes and headed toward the bus terminal.
The house fell into silence. Everyone wept, but that night’s sorrow weighed heaviest on Kishori’s heart.
......
Kishori was sitting quietly in her room. All the girls around were chattering and laughing, but their voices reached her ears like distant murmurs, empty and meaningless.
Just then, a message flashed on her phone:
"Oh dear sister, please be happy. I know I hurt you, but believe me, this marriage is the only solution to our problems."
Kishori’s eyes welled up. Her fingers trembled as she typed back:
"Which problem, Di?"
But no reply came.
She stared at the screen for a long moment, then forced a faint smile and walked out of the room.
Kishori was on her way to class when suddenly a voice floated through the air.
It was Manav—singing.
The melody wrapped around her heart, pulling her away from everything else. Almost unconsciously, Kishori drifted towards the garden where his voice rose like magic.
A small crowd had gathered, clapping and cheering, completely enchanted. Manav stood at the center, singing with such ease that time itself seemed to pause.
Kishori walked straight up to him.
Manav stopped, his eyes meeting hers. He smiled gently.
And before she could stop herself, Kishori threw her arms around him.
The crowd gasped. Manav froze, blushing as whispers spread all around.
“All are watching us,” he murmured nervously.
But Kishori only tightened her hold and whispered fiercely—
“Marry me.”
Manav’s heart skipped a beat. He stepped back, stunned.
“What? What did you say?”
The spell broke. Kishori blinked as if waking from a dream. She let go at once, face burning.
“Sorry… your song… it was so romantic… I just—”
She couldn’t finish. She turned and ran from the garden, vanishing before Manav could react.
He stood frozen, still hearing her words echoing in his heart.
.....
1. Did Kishori truly mean her impulsive proposal to Manav, or was it just the cry of a broken heart?
2. Will Manav take her words seriously—or will this moment push their fragile bond into deeper turmoil?
3. As Ketki’s wedding nears, will Kishori find the courage to fight back against the dark forces controlling her family?
Want to know what happens next? Keep reading WHISPERS OF HEARTS"
