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I sat in my room, gazing at my laptop screen. Opening Anstagram, I logged into my fake ID and lingered on the main page for a while........... wondering if it was right to approach my crush pretending to be someone else, and strategizing how to reveal my true identity without him suspecting. Perhaps those eye contacts were just my imagination, but I dismissed those thoughts as I sent a "hi" in that group of boys...
They replied, inquiring about me. I kept them interested until I received the message from the person I was waiting for. I closed the site after putting on my favorite song with my headphones.
However, my hands instinctively moved the mouse back to the site, and to my surprise, it was him, "Ayaan Mishra", who had messaged me individually. I was on cloud nine as I replied. He was sweet and smooth in texting. He inquired about me, and I responded, pretending to be a guy. I felt content during our lengthy conversation for an hour. Despite knowing I should have been studying social science instead of engaging in this deception, I found myself drawn to his sweet words, as though he was totally the ideal persona I had pictured.
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After three days, I received a message from Ayaan when I checked my inbox. He asked, "Are you a girl?" I was taken aback, shocked, and surprised. I began to shiver. I responded with a "no" and tried to maintain the facade, but he continued to insist that I was lying. His tone was not aggressive, so I finally let my guard down, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and confessed everything. I finally confessed him about my long-standing crush on him, waiting with closed eyes for his response. To my astonishment, he simply replied with 'ok'—just that, nothing more. Confusion enveloped me. I apologized for keeping him in the dark for four days. However, he reassured me, saying he understood and suggesting we reintroduce ourselves.
During our conversation, I divulged details about my studies, family, and personal background to him. Although his responses were succinct, I interpreted this as his communication style. It was a great day. I labeled it my top day as I drifted off to sleep with a smile and a blush on my face. I felt joyful and content, and I believed that he was shy, even though I was aware he was not one to be timid. But like a blind person in love, I tried to cross the road without a stick.
The next day, around 2 pm, he messaged me to meet in the field behind my school. I read that message repeatedly, questioning him why and for what purpose. Within a minute, he responded, 'I want to talk.' I blushed. It would be the first time we would meet face to face. I replied, 'okay.' He instructed me to come at 6, to which I replied affirmatively.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKU156THg7a
I told my mother I was going for a cycle ride. I wore my favorite shirt, styled my hair, got on my cycle, and went out for my first 'almost date.' I was ecstatic, happier than ever. I was so happy and blushing that I even gave my brother the chocolate I had saved from last night to eat after lunch.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMlh2jVzU9W
Upon my arrival at the designated spot, I noticed it was deserted, the once bright sky had dimmed. I secured my bicycle and scanned the area, searching for 'HIM'.
Suddenly, I heard a voice from behind - it was his. He greeted me with a 'Hi'... I was overcome with a mix of emotions in my stomach as I turned to find him accompanied by his friends. I was taken aback and a little scared, expecting him to be alone. However...
"Do you like me?" Ayaan inquired, a faint smirk on his face as he met my gaze.
I gathered my composure and nervously responded, "Hello, Ayaan."
His smile faded as he took a step back and questioned, "I just asked you something, right?"
Feeling a lump in my throat, I replied hesitantly, "Yes," attempting to avoid the gaze of all five of them.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xCGMcsDnE
He replied coldly, "I'm not interested in children," then turned and sat on his bike, facing me as he watched a show. I was devastated hearing those words, feeling as if I had seen a different trailer for a completely different movie. He was unlike the guy I talked to last night and it was like he changed his identity, or maybe this was his true self. I looked at him in disbelief, unable to speak. I tried to say something but was paralyzed, realizing that he wasn't the guy I had made him in my mind.
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"What happened? I thought you liked him so much... won't you cry now? We were here to see you cry. Ugh, you wasted our time," said his brother from the crowd as he stepped towards me.
I was still in denial as I didn't notice what he said and when he came close to me...
"Come on, shed some tears," said his friend from the crowd as they circled me, and Ayaan kept sitting on his bike enjoying the show.
I looked at him, and then looked at them. The guys who were once imprinted in my mind as 'The boys' were looking terrifying now. Finally, I gathered courage and said in a low voice:
"Sorry"
"Sorry?, well you should be, look at yourself and look at him, how dare you even mention his name," said another friend.
I looked down, trying not to cry with all my strength.
"I know you have been after him for at least a year, you should have at least looked at yourself in the mirror," said his brother.
I couldn't stop my eyes from overflowing with tears at those words... I believed it was all my fault, that I had placed myself too high and done something I should never have.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbI4tC7ewdr
"Guys, just let her be. She's not the type to be scolded like this," said Nishkarsh.
I kept looking down at my shoes, which I had worn to match my Shirt for the 'occasion', my hands clenching on my Shirt as I cried with my head down.
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"Now it's good, you should cry, you deserve it, and for your kind information, we knew it was you," said his brother, laughing.
"Yes, we knew it! You didn't win, we did," said his friend.
"You know what? When Ayaan messaged you, he knew it all along," said his other friend.
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I was stunned in my mind, unable to even keep my eyes open.
Arth, Ayaan's brother showed me his phone. "You had written that ID name and password in your notebook, and Nishkarsh found it. We even logged into it," he explained.
When those words entered my ear, I understood everything clearly. I noted down the ID's username and password in my notebook hastily as we had a revision exam the next day. The notebook, that I usually use at home, ended up in my bag accidentally that day when we had a physical check-up. Every section was called out to bring a notebook and pen for some reason. During the 600-meter marathon, I placed the notebook on the ground, and upon returning, it was missing. Despite searching for it, I found it on my desk after recess. It dawned on me that Nirshkarsh mistook my notebook for his as they had the same cover. He noticed the ID that he talked to yesterday was written in my notebook , he wondered as he copied it, logged in using the password written there. Subsequently, he likely instructed Ayaan to message me first.
It felt like that all along I was filling a bottomless pot, I was watering a rootless plant as I realized that I was being played in my own game.
"Now you understand? It was a well-thought-out plan," Arth said.
As they all chuckled at me, darkness descended, mirroring the somber mood that enveloped me.
I glanced at Ayaan from the corner of my eye, finding him gazing intensely at me. He then proceeded to retrieve some Coca-Cola bottles from the bike's trunk, distributing them to everyone while saying, "Hydrate yourselves, guys," before turning his gaze towards me.
With a heavy heart and a sense of guilt etched upon my face, I made my way towards my bicycle.
"Where are you off to, shortie?" inquired Aadish, his friend whose name I had come to know through years of research.
"I-I....should go".....I tried to speak but I was timid and was shaking in fear.
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They all were looking at me all five of them
"Thanks for the drink Bhai "said Arth as he opened the bottle cap and came closer to me and threw that drink on me ...76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnsmDDRvVe
........................(silence)
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Arth’s cruel act hung in the air, the cola dripping from my drenched shirt. I met his eyes, my own brimming with unshed tears, but I couldn’t find my voice.
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“What?” Arth’s defiance cut through the silence. “She deserves it. At least this.”
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My favorite blue shirt clung to my skin, the scent of cola mingling with my sadness. I stepped back, my heart pounding, and turned to leave.
“What should we do now?” Aadish’s voice broke the stillness. “Should we share this juicy tidbit with your class?”
I was horrified at even the thought of it.
“Of course,” Ritwik chimed in. “Nishkarsh, give us the number of someone from her class. Let’s make her the talk of the town.”
"No, Stop it guys and Arth she is a girl, how can you? "said Nishkarsh in a worry tone as he stepped forward and stood in front of me.....
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I was still afraid soaked but I still looked at Ayaan as he narrowed his eyes when Nishkarsh came out. But he didn't said a word it was like he was only there to watch.
“Dude, are you defending her because she’s in your school?” Ritwik’s irritation sliced through the tension.
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Nishkarsh’s reply was firm, though his worry remained. “No, just tell me,What will you say, that the Nerd Vyakhya confessed to our friend Ayaan so we are now harrasing her? I wouldn't have tell you the truth if I knew we were going to do this.
Ritwik scoffed. “So what? Those Girls won’t spare her so Let’s just have some fun. Call that guy from Nishkarsh’s class—the football player. He’ll give us her friend’s number.”
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Nishkarsh’s anger flared. “Whom are you calling morons? And how is this fun?”76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2KdA9jwds
Ritwik ignored him, dialing a number. The phone rang, echoing in the charged silence. Ayaan’s gaze bore into me, unyielding. He said nothing, but his presence weighed heavily.
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“Hel—” came the voice from the other end.
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“Hang up,” Ayaan ordered, his tone cutting through the room.
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Ritwik obeyed, confusion etching his features. “Why, Bhai?”
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Ayaan’s eyes shifted from Nishkarsh to me. “Get lost,” he said, boredom dripping from his words. The cracked glass pane shattered as I stumbled toward my bicycle. Arth followed, pushing me, and I fell hard
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"Didn't you hear what he said?" Nishkarsh shouted, irritation evident in his tone.
I couldn't bear it any longer. I stood up, picked up my bicycle, sat on it, and didn't look back as I began to pedal furiously. I was drenched in cola, with blood trickling down my knees, tears streaming down my face as I made my way home. It was a hell of a ride.76Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmza7ImSXeM
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Meanwhile at the ground:
Ayaan: "Arth, it's my choice how to handle the situation with her. You have no say in it."
Arth: "But Bhai, she lied to us, and she stalked you."
Ayaan: "She stalked 'me,' not 'you.' We don't even know her, she's a stranger. Let's keep our distance."
Nishkarsh: "Yeah, it's not like she'll do it again."
Ritwik: "But what if Pankti and the others find her? They'll probably beat her up since she stalked her "gonna be bf."
Aadish: "They must have already found out by now."
Ayaan: "I don't care. It's not my problem. Let's go home now."
I came home and locked myself in my room as I cried the anger and misery out of me I buried my head into my pillow as the blanket hugged me. I was disappointed in myself the most, that I couldn't say anything to those morons and let them humiliate me like that. My mind was convinced that Ayaan is no good but damn the stupid heart. I laid in bed, crying myself to sleep, and upon waking up, I immediately got into an argument with my mother. She insisted I go to school, even though my eyes were red and swollen from crying. My father, thinking I had eye flu, took my side and allowed me to stay home. I didn't want to face Nishkarsh, but my conflicted feelings towards them made me question myself even more. Despite hating the whole group, I couldn't deny the lingering affection my heart held for one of them - possibly Ayaan. I hated them with all my guts but did my heart know that?
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"Fuck your heart girl!......... How the hell can you like someone when they wasted a whole Cola on you "
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"Are you kidding me Tis?"
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"Haa!" He scoffed
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You were at fault too but they did it way worse.........but still, it isn't something that will make you cut your wrist like that! " Tis said
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" A lot happened after that" I sighed and said as a green envelope surrounded us.
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"Wo-Woah.....what's that ?" I asked in a hurry
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"Oops! I guess it's time for you to go back , we successfully wasted today! "He said giggling
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"What?" As I stood up and ran towards my house to my surprise I was again running on air as I went back inside my house.
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That night felt like a dream, I flew in the sky and finally opened my wings which were rusted for so long and I opened them in front of someone who came as the key of my cage.
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