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

Chapter 35

Their eye lock was broken by the sound of a knock and a nurse came in. Manik got up and looked at her to which she said,

Nurse: I am here to take Ma'am for her plasters.

Manik nodded and made Nandani it with the help of the nurse on the wheelchair. He accompanied her to the doctor. They entered the room and after final checks, they got busy plastering Nandani's right hand and right foot which had some hairline fractures.

Once she was done, she was taken to Dr. Agnihotri's cabin with Manik following her. They exchanged greetings and Dr. Agnihotri asked her about her health and told her precautions regarding her ear and other plasters. As they were about to leave Dr. Agnihotri told Manik that the police were there already in Nandani's room and that once they were done registering the FIR Nandani can be discharged. Manik nodded and went with Nandani to her room. They saw the officers standing outside with Mukti and Sanket as Abhimanyu was coming behind them after talking to Dr. Agnihotri. Manik went inside with Nandani and made her sit on the bed before letting anyone come inside.

Two officers came inside followed by Sanket, Abhimanyu, Mukti, and Dr. Agnihotri, and greeted both Manik and Nandani as Manik offered them to take a seat. They politely denied, as the elder officer turned to Nandani and asked,

Officer 1: How are you feeling now, ma'am?

Nandani: Much better than yesterday, thank you.

Officer 1: Well, I guess you very well know why we are here, even though Dr. Abhimanyu told us about it in a gist we would like you to explain it so that we can take necessary actions.

Nandani nodded and took a breather and started,

Nandani: I was studying in Pune and working in Mumbai for the last 5 years. For the last 2 years I and Sanket (she said pointing to him) were living together in a rented apartment. 2 weeks back I got a promotion which, kind of asked me to join the office in Noida in sec 49.

Officer 1: Why do say Kind off?

Nandani: Well because they want me to go through a round of the interview if I want to join in there, it is the company's basic requirement. I accepted it and I and Sanket came back yesterday via flight. My parents knew that I am coming back but they had no idea that I had a job under my belt. We both reached Delhi at 6-6:15 last evening and then Sanket dropped me off at my house at around 7:45-8. I went in and all my aunts and uncles and cousins were there along with my parents and grandparents except my youngest aunt Naina Murty and her daughter Aisha Murty-Chinda as they live in London.

Officer: Do you know why your extended family was here?

Nandani: It is normal actually. In the last 5 years, I was always invited to the same scene.

The officer nodded and asked her to continue.

Nandani: I greeted all of them normally like I always do and then I went away to my room to change. After taking a bath and changing I came back down in 10-15 minutes and then sat there with them. They all were talking within themselves with my mother occasionally asking me some or the other question, I was talking to Sanket on messages.

Officer: Didn't he leave you at home?

Nandani: He did! We were planning to surprise our friends with our early arrival and we were planning the same thing.

Officer: Who all knew that you both are coming back?

Nandani: Just our family!

Officer: Then how did they end up here?

The officer said pointing at Manik Mukti and Abhimanyu.

Nandani: Abhimanyu works in this hospital and he was the 2nd doctor who attended me, whereas, for Mukti dii and Manik, I guess Abhimanyu called them along with Sanket?