Chapter 4: Offline War

4

I thought posting that Insta story would at least clear up some things for the fans.

I didn’t expect an apology, but I figured they’d at least stop cursing me so viciously.

But all the comments were attacks:

'Everyone knows Priya di was just putting on a show. You’re the one who can’t handle losing, spewing filth and nearly making our Priya cry.'

'Yeah, Priya’s so soft-tempered. We’re not that easy to bully.'

'People like you deserve to get flamed. We’re just fighting fire with fire.'

'Stop talking and just apologise.'

Priya, whom I tagged, soon reluctantly posted on Insta:

'Sorry for causing you trouble. I didn’t know my fans would cyberbully you. But I don’t want to dwell on this anymore. Let’s just pretend it never happened.'

My eyelid twitched hard.

Pretend it never happened?

So I got cursed out for nothing?

I immediately replied:

'Just because you say it didn’t happen, it didn’t? I’m the one getting cyberbullied and doxxed. They’ve seriously disrupted my life. Aren’t you going to stop them?'

Priya replied from afar:

'But I didn’t say anything. They’re just worried I’d be wronged. Don’t blame them.'

With Priya defending them, her fans went even crazier.

By afternoon, my Insta was completely paralysed from the hate.

Some people even found out what college I attended.

They went to our college forum, openly insulting me and demanding I apologise to Priya.

The news spread through the campus like a monsoon flood: people whispering in the canteen, exchanging glances in corridors, the guy at the chai tapri near the main gate nodding knowingly as girls scrolled through the latest posts. My own batch group on WhatsApp was now flooded with screenshots and memes at my expense.

5

Apologise? Not a chance.

And Priya blocked me on Insta too.

Since no one would listen to reason, I could only go offline for a while and ignore the rumours.

But I didn’t expect—

During evening self-study, as soon as I entered the classroom, two girls sat down in front of me, glaring:

'Yashu, are you really that stubborn? You won’t apologise to Priya?'

'It’s bad enough you spew filth online, now you’re ruining our college’s reputation too.'

'While the college still doesn’t know you cursed Priya, you’d better apologise on Insta—or don’t blame us for exposing you.'

One of them adjusted her dupatta, eyes narrowed. The other tapped her phone, as if ready to record any drama.

I slowly packed up my books, then looked up: 'Didn’t you see my explanation on Insta?'

'So what? Priya streamed the whole thing. We know her better than you. Who’d believe your side?'

'If you don’t believe me, then stop bothering me.' I sneered. 'Careful, or I’ll curse you too.'

The two of them: '……'

They clearly didn’t expect me to be so tough.

They left with dark faces, pulling out their phones.

I figured they’d just go flame me on the forum for being ungrateful.

Other classmates who wanted to talk to me gave up after seeing how fierce I was.

Just when I thought I’d finally get some peace—

A basketball suddenly slammed onto my desk.

My glass water bottle shattered instantly, hot water spilling all over my books and hand, scalding me so badly I yelped.

The hot water stung, and I sucked in a sharp breath, blinking back tears. Someone in the back muttered, “Ab toh scene ban gaya.”

I looked up angrily.

I saw Kunal stalking over with a cold face.

'Yashu, get on Insta and apologise to Priya right now.'

A hush fell over the classroom, the sound of my water dripping onto the floor the only thing cutting through the tension. Somewhere in the back, someone muttered, “Drama ho gaya, yaar.”