Whispers of Heart (Part 1 of the Hallway Love Series)

Chapter 4

Nandani was now in a fix about the entire situation. She cannot lie because Cabir already heard her talking about the crush... And the truth has to be kept hidden... FROM EVERYONE...

She was still thinking about what to say but before that, she heard Cabir saying,

Cabir: And please don't lie to us! You are hesitating so much that it clearly means that there is someone.

Now she grew was even tenser. She looked at everyone and said,

Nandani: Well why don't I put it this way? I had a crush! HAD a crush!

She shrugged her shoulders but everyone started asking her who is it and giving her different names.

Nandani: Stop it guys!! I am really not comfortable telling his name and why does it matter now?

Everyone shrugged and made faces while Navya, Maya, and Zoya chuckled under their breaths making Nandani glare at them. This all was noticed by Cabir, Dhruv, and Abhimanyu. Dhruv and Abhimanyu left the matter but Cabir was hooked on it.

Later that day Cabir started talking to Navya and Maya both were quite shocked but still did not say a word thinking it was NORMAL FRIEND TALK which was happening a lot these days because of the play practice that was going on. After the day ended, Nandani was returning to her bus when she saw Manik coming. She diverted her eyes and continued walking, but looks like god was not in her favour so she ended up walking beside Manik making it hard for her to ignore him.

She looked beside her and it was all "mein tenu samjhwa ki na tere bina lagda jee. Tu ki janne pyaar mera mein kara intezaar tera, tu dil tu yu jaan meri."

She was thankfully distracted by a child from her bus and she left from there without saying anything. It was not like Manik was waiting for her to say anything, hell he didn't even notice her walking beside him.

A week passed and it literally felt that Cabir was not ready to leave the topic of Nandani's crush. He tried to ask all of her friends while in a discussion but he came to know nothing.

One day, the class had a free period so there was a big round of truth and dare going on in the back. After a lot of truths, dares and situations it was Nandani's chance. Cabir asked her the same question. But before she could give him an answer she heard a girl saying,

Girl: Arre why do you keep asking her the same question? Everyone knows she likes MANIK MALHOTRA! (she looked at Nandani and said) he is kinda hot by the way.

Nandani's eyes bulged out of her sockets so did Cabir's. He looked at Nandani who looked at him back before saying,

Nandani: What? Have you lost it? I don't like Manik Malhotra.

Girl: Nandani! Is that a statement or a question?

Nandani: bro that's a statement! Why do you think that I like Manik?

Girl: because I heard you talking to Zoya about him in the washroom.

Nandani went red in embarrassment. She literally had nothing left to say but she still confidently replied,

Nandani: You have lost it, bro! All of my friends only talk about Parth Samthaan nowadays,

Girl 2: oh!! You watch Kaisi yeh Yaarian? God, I love that show...

And that's how the entire conversation was shifted, the boys left the group slowly, but Cabir still was not able to get over it. He had no idea how to react to it. And more than that he was confused about the fact that whether he should tell Manik about it or not.

But that was not the only problem Nandani had in her life at that time. It was 2 weeks after that truth and dare session in the class and as it felt it looked like every person in the 7th section knew about Nandani and her crush. Random girls who she never knew existed would give her looks or would embarrass her in the washroom in front of the seniors. This let some people in Manik's sections know about this.

A month later things got so out of hand that Nandani was frustrated with all of it so she took a decision.

Nandani, Navya, Maya, and Zoya all were standing near the stage exactly opposite Manik and his entire group. The play was done the last week so things were pretty back to normal now,

Nandani: Navya you have to go and tell Manik that I want to talk to him. It is already that I have a very bad image in front of him, I just can't let it get worse. She said looking at Manik.

Navya nodded listening to her and agreed to her plan. Her entire friend circle has been asking her and convincing her since last year to tell her about the crush thing with Manik but Nandani was not ready to do that. And no when the time has come they don't her to wait for more. Like they said tell him and get in a relationship or tell him and get over with it.

This happened on Monday, the next day, Tuesday, was a holiday, Nandani was on a leave on Wednesday and Thursday was again a holiday which means that she will talk to Manik on Friday.

As planned, Navya went on Wednesday, to the group. After the entire "slap" incident Navya was pretty close to all of them, at least close enough to go and initiate a conversation.

She greeted everyone while Cabir looked at her with a weird look. Navya looked at Manik and said,

Navya: I wanted to talk to you!

Before Manik could reply Cabir replied to her,

Cabir: About what?

Navya: When did I say Cabir I want to talk to you. And when did you start getting so sticky?

Others smiled at their banter and Manik stopped it right there taking Navya a few steps ahead of them.

Manik: Yeah, tell me.

Navya: Actually, Nandani wanted to talk to you.

Manik: Nandani?? Yellow house Nandani?

Navya gave him a look and then nodded. Manik nodded at her and asked,

Manik: that's what you wanted to tell?

Navya nodded again. Manik nodded and went back to the group bidding bye to her.

As soon as he reached others Cabir asked,

Cabir: What did Navya say?

Seeing his restlessness everyone was confused. Manik looked at him and asked,

Manik: why are you getting so worked up? Is there something you want to tell me?

Cabir: NO! What did Navya say?

He asked again. The three of them chuckled at him and then Manik said,

Manik: Nandani! The Van Nandani! She wants to talk.

Cabir asked again,

Cabir: About what?

Manik: how would I know?

Cabir: so go and ask her na Bhai!

He whined! Manik looked at him irritated!

Manik: What is it Cabir? Why should I go and ask her? If she wants to tell me something she could have told me herself no?

He scolded him making his mouth shut while Abhimanyu and Dhruv just stood looking at the brothers still confused.

Soon the lunch was over and they all went back to their classes. As soon as cabir entered the class he went toward Navya's seat and asked her,

Cabir: What is it that Nandani wants to talk about?

Navya: How would I know? She wants to talk to Manik! Why should I come in between?

She shrugged the topic making Cabir more irritated, having no other choice he left from there after glaring at Navya.

Now it was Nandani's time to come up and shine! 

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