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

Chapter 17

It has been 3 years since Nandani left her home. She never came back, be it on holidays or any special occasions. Her family used to come and meet her in Himachal for a day or two and that was it. She had no connection with any of the school friends but as per her mother, Cabir use to come regularly and drop a letter that she has kept safely in one of Nandani's drawers.

Nandani often use to think what would they be doing? How was their life after she left? Where are they happy? Sad? Disappointed?

Even though the questions were raised a lot of times she had no power to search for the answers. Naman's words use to haunt her still. She never thought that a simple line can make such a bad impression on anyone.

After coming to Himachal, she never tried to make friends except with one of her roommates. They both use to be together almost all the time. In mess, in classes, in projects, and otherwise.

It was Nandani's last day in her Boarding school. She gave her finals and as she expects she will pass with flying colours. She was waiting at the Manali station for her train to Delhi. As she was sitting with her luggage she took out her diary which she kept with her all these years. Hardly 5-6 pages were filled that she wrote at the time of her results.

She turned to a new page and started writing.

Dear Diary,

This is not a result entry but I am still writing to you means it's important to remember. I want to remember this discomfort, this restlessness forever.

It is finally the day when I am leaving for Delhi. Back home, my family and maybe my friends. Sometimes I use to think how good or bad this decision was... Coming to Dehradun, never talking to them never going back... and to be honest, I have no answer for this.

I have had sleepless nights, zoned-out days, and many such things thinking about it.

How different would it be if I was there?

Suddenly she heard the announcement of her train. She took her belongings and left for her train. She put things in her place and sat down in the lower compartment. Soon a young couple, maybe 6-7 years older than Nandani came and sat opposite to her.

They passed her a smile which she reciprocated and got back in her diary...

Now there is no point running these questions in my head, and no point running for my past! I am pretty sure half of them would have forgotten me! They never gave a shit about me then and they will never give a shit about me now!

I am gonna live the life of my dreams which I can still fulfill.

She closed her diary and looked out while the couple kept talking in a hushed tone.

Soon her phone pinged, and she looked at it to see her mother messaging.

Mom

Did you take the train?

Me:
Where else should I have gone else?
Of course, I have taken the train!

Mom:
Okay, I am just making sure!
I and dad will come to pick you up!

Me:
HUH
I don't even expect anyone else to come!

There was no reply from her after that even though she read the message. Soon it was night, Nandani got her food took her phone and browsed through YouTube while she was eating from one hand.

She was soon distracted by a song, more like the singer...

She looked at the couple and then asked them softly,

Nandani: excuse me! If you don't mind me asking what are you listening to?

Lady: well this is a school-going girl who covers songs! She is quite good at it!

Nandani: oh! What's her name?

Lady: NAVYA NEVELI!

Nandani: Navya Naveli?

Nandani kept looking at the couple who just gave her a weird look

Nandani: is this on YouTube?

They nodded. Nandani thanked them took her earplugs and searched on YouTube. She saw she was the first search that came. She kept browsing her profile...

200K subscribers...

Some of her videos touched a million...

The entire night Nandani heard her songs looked at the comments and felt proud of her friend. It was early morning when she slept but woke up by the sound of the alarm. She again started browsing for some time she looked at the time it was almost 6 pm. She will reach Delhi in 2 hours if there is no delay.

She kept all her things at their place and went to use the restroom. She looked at her reflection and said to herself,

EVERYTHING GONNA BE CHANGED