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

Chapter 15

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After getting off the bus the same day she walked up to her tuition straight to apply for a leave. And then went home changed and sat down to wait for her mom! Her mom came at her time and was surprised to see Nandani there! When she asked the reason Nandani just asked her to have her lunch and that after it she will talk.

While her mother got busy, Nandani deactivated all her social profiles and blocked everyone's number including Sanket's.

When her mom settled to talk she got surprised when Nandani said yes to the proposal of going to Himachal. What followed was Nandani getting ready for the final admission test. She took a week's holiday putting in sick leave in school and went to Himachal for a final test.

The result was announced when they came back from Himachal stating Nandani got in. The authorities wanted Nandani to get admitted as soon as possible as she has already wasted a month of studies which marked her last visit to her school and she couldn't have asked for more if she was being honest.

In the last week, Nandani contacted no one in school or stepped out of her house. Sometimes while standing on the balcony she would see a glimpse of Cabir after which she would head back in. There were several calls from Maya and Zoya on her father's phone but because of my strict instruction even they were informed that she was sick and not able to talk.

In all this, there was one question of Abhimanyu that kept bugging her. The day they got the call of Nandani's admission, she went to one of her corners where she hid all her diaries that she had written all these years. Rolling down memory lane it all came in front of her like a movie. Her life was no less than that!

The day she met Maya, Navya, and Zoya!

The way she fell for Manik!

The way she kept it hidden all these years!

The way she told him and he replied!

Things that she didn't even write in her diary came into her mind like a roller coaster!

All those times when she use to stare at him on the bus or in lunch period or any other time!

It felt like a millennium had passed away from the time that she fell for Manik! And honestly, she couldn't ask for more. She knew after reading her diaries that for anything in the world, she would never trade these memories these stories these feelings, for anything in the world. These diaries gave her the answer to Abhimanyu's question even.

I would never trade them for anything in the world...

Coming to her friends, and telling them this decision will be a very big step for Nandani. She knew she was going to disappoint many of her friends. She going to break the promise that she had made but there was nothing she could do about it.

On the day of visiting the school, she informed her mom about meeting the entire class, teachers, and her friends to which they went a little before the call time.

Nandani met all the teachers making sure not in coming into someone's eyes that would lead to everyone's knowledge. The teachers were sad knowing her departure not because she was very good at studies or was a topper, but because she was Ms. Ever Ready. To help her friends, her teachers, or anyone else. No matter whether she knows them or not if the teachers taught them or not.

What came, to everyone's surprise, was when Nandani came to meet them during the lunch period. When everyone asked about her well-being and the fact how much they missed her, she dropped the bomb.

The shock would be an understatement for everyone specially Sanket. He was so mad at her for the decision that he was going to leave the spot the second she told him. Nandani requested him to stay back with Maya and Zoya and left saying she has something to look for... Nandani absolutely ignored Navya and Naman making Navya guilty of her actions while Naman stood there unfazed. Navya went to class not wanting to see someone making a lifetime decision just because she made fun of her feelings and trust.

TRUST

Nandani yeeted out of her group and went to meet Manik and his group. She waved at Abhimanyu who waved back and later took her in a hug. Manik and Dhruv were surprised to see this but kept mum.

Abhimanyu: Where you were the last week?

Nandani: Well here and there being doing a lottt of work!

Abhimanyu: What possibly do you have to do when you are in 9th?

Nandani: Well I am leaving the school sooo...

Her sentence made Manik choke on his food and he started coughing loudly. He was fine after 2 min when he asked,

Manik: Leaving the school?

Nandani was surprised to see him talking but nodded,

Nandani: yeah! I am shifting to Himachal for a boarding school and got admitted there!

She said, as a matter of fact, Abhimanyu took her in a half hug and asked,

Abhimanyu: Is that what you want?

Nandani smiled at him and said,

Nandani: well after that day yes!

Manik heard her and his face visibly fell which was noticed by everyone. Cabir who was coming towards them looked at them and came closer. He met Navya upstairs who told her about Nandani and he came down to meet her. On the other hand, Abhimanyu asked keeping a hand on her head,

Abhimanyu: well then that will happen!

Cabir heard the last part and asked,

Cabir: What will happen?

Abhimanyu: Well Nandani is shifting to Himachal!

Cabir looked at her and was about to say something but Nandani stopped him and said,

Nandani: Not now Cabir! If possible say that somewhere in the future!

She then looked at Manik and said,

Nandani: I am sorry for all the shit all these years! (she turned to Abhimanyu) And to answer your question... (she looked back at Manik and said) YES! I am putting up a firm voice on this because I am sure... I will never trade this thing for anything in the world. I don't know what comes for me after this, But one thing that I know is this is something that will stay with me HAMESHA.

Abhimanyu was shocked to listen to this. He turned towards her and asked,

Abhimanyu: really?

Nandani: Can't help it! So I thought why not accept it?

Abhimanyu nodded and was about to say something but then Nandani was called out by her mom. She hugged Abhimanyu while he asked,

Abhimanyu: When are you leaving?

Nandani: TONIGHT!

Her words made Manik's eyes widen. He had no clue what to say to her.

Bid her bye? Wouldn't that be awkward?

Say nothing? That would be awkward too!

His mind settled on passing her a smile. She waved them bye and asked Abhimanyu to give Aryaman a letter she wrote and left.

She then went to Sanket and gave him a letter, hugged him, and said in his ear,

Nandani: Read it on the bus!

And left without turning, her mother had already collected the documents so they just left the school straight away. Nandani was a little teary but she controlled her emotions not wanting to answer her mother's questions.