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

Chapter 20

The next morning Nandani woke up at her usual time and her eyes went to her phone kept upside down reminding her of her now impulsive act. She sighed and just went to freshen up. The entire time while doing her business she couldn't help but think of all the possible messages she might be having on her social platforms.

After she was done she went down to see the same scene as the day before. She made a cup of tea after wishing everyone a good morning who were busy talking about the functions that are gonna start the same day in the afternoon.

The first function was Haldi and Nandani sighed thinking of all the things that are gonna take place in the next few days. She was already tired of all the travel and coming back to her place when she was given the surprise of THE WEDDING and relatives OF COURSE. The only thing that was keeping her head in place was meeting her maternal grandmother. Nandani sighed as she put the tea in a small portable cup and after informing everyone... awake everyone... she stepped out to the park which has become her peace bearing for the last 2 days.

Usually, there was no one at 5:30 in the morning, so she was surprised by the company. A figure sitting in the same place she was sitting for the last two days. Nandani quietly entered and passed the place from behind glancing at him a little and sat at a distance. She looked at the stranger but couldn't make out who it was as he was wearing a cut-sleeve hoodie. She sat there silently looking around at the birds when she saw from the corner of her eyes the figure i.e THE boy getting up and coming towards her. Nandani sat there ignoring him when her entire body turned stiff feeling him sit beside her.

She mentally revised all the moves that she was taught as self-protection in her hostel and waited for the stranger to make a move. Not feeling him move an inch she looked beside her confused when she heard him say,

Boy: well I thought that you sit there!

The boy said pointing towards the bench where he was sitting a couple of minutes back. Nandani mind realized the voice but she kept quiet until she saw him removing the hoodie when she said,

Nandani: Manik.................................................................................. Bhaiya!

Oh my god, Nandani not again!

She thought to herself while Manik just waved to her.

Manik: I didn't know you were back!

He paused for a second and said again while Nandani just sat there looking at him with a shock-driven face. This was the last thing she was expecting this morning and her mind well it went completely white!

Manik: Actually scratch that! I knew you came back but I didn't know it was you... here... In the morning... You know what I mean?

Nandani: Uh-huh... Then how did you know? I mean...

Manik: You updated a story or something on some social site yesterday if I am not wrong! (Nandani nodded) Yeah so Navya saw that and told Cabir and he told us! Also, I thought I saw you a few days back but I just scratched it thinking it to be my imagination.

Nandani nodded again at his explanation, gulping and well registering his words in her mind as if she was writing on a typewriter and also expecting some calls today. She then looked back at Manik when she heard him saying,

Manik: It was you na?

Nandani: When?

Manik: The day before yesterday?

Nandani: where?

Manik: In the morning!

Nandani: where?

Manik: You passed my house right?

Nandani shrugged and said,

Nandani: Maybe! I don't remember your house that well!

Manik nodded looking at her mentally noting the longest line she said until now. They both sat in silence while Nandani kept drinking her tea. When she heard him say again.

Manik: Navya and cabir will be happy to have you back!?

He said trying to make a conversation when he heard her say,

Nandani: And what about you?

Manik looked at Nandani and said,

Manik: HUH?

Nandani: What about you? Are you not happy to have me back?

Manik: I am actually! Ever since you left there have been... (he took a long pause and said) SILENCE!

Nandani looked at him and nodded. She smiled to herself as Manik kept glancing at her every now and then. When Nandani finished her tea she took out her phone and saw the time to see it was almost 6:15 am. She got up and said to Manik,

Nandani: I will take a leave now! Nice meeting you!

She passed him a small smile and left while Manik kept looking at her and sighed before putting back his hoodie and he started jogging. On the other hand, as soon as Nandani left the park boundary and released her breath she didn't know she was holding as she calmed down herself. She kept walking towards her house as she remembered how peaceful the silence was! She reached home kept the glass in the kitchen and went upstairs passing her mother on her way.

She took out a diary and then started writing,

Hello again miss Diary!
I hope things are fine on your side of the world because here... IT'S A MESS!
You won't believe who I met today at 5:30 in the morning!
It was Manik! One of the reasons is because of why I left Delhi-- if we exclude my family. We sat in a comfortable silence after a small talk and it was so healing that I can't get the image out of my head. Just us, sitting on a bench, silence prevailing around us, and the only thing that we can hear are the birds chirping, some cars or bicycles moving and my heartbeat.
He has changed now! Just a bit! He is no more the angry Hulk I have known all my life! He is more calm and organized! His aura gives that away. He is fit now, cause those triceps were screaminngggggg the hard work they have to go through!
He is more confident now! Not that Manik, who was a quick decision-maker.
He told that everyone knows now that I am back! Thanks to my impulsiveness last night! Well, we can expect some calls or messages today! We have to do it someday!
Let's see what life have for me now!

She closed the diary as her eyes went back to her phone. Sighing she picked it up and switched it on. She was waiting for it to turn on when her mother came in and asked her to take a bath as later all the washrooms might be full owning the number of people actually in the house.

She kept her phone on charging and then went to take a bath and came back after 20 mins in casuals. She went down after that and had her breakfast after which everyone was instructed to get ready for the first ceremony which was the Haldi. Nandani went to her room and changed in her dress, did minimal makeup wore her earrings which she selected the last day, and then got out of her room to see her mom waiting for her.

Mom: Wow you look, great baby!

Nandani: Thanks!

Mom: let's go! Your grandmother is here!

Nandani nodded before going down and was closely followed by her mother. She saw her grandmother sitting in a corner and was covered by one of her aunts! She went to her and greeted her before hugging her and getting a similar reaction. She smiled at her and got busy talking when her head went back to her phone which she left on charge. She was about to excuse herself and go to fetch it when she heard someone calling her out. She turn towards the voice and her eyes widened in surprise to see the source!

Her eyes held tears as she opened her arms...