Chapter 3: Written Out

So, that’s how it is.

I sank into the old club office chair, the battered one with peeling rexine. The rexine stuck to the back of my thighs, Mumbai humidity making everything clammy. The air was thick with the smell of instant coffee and cheap air freshener. So this was my story’s twist. My so-called destiny, written in a barrage of faceless opinions.

When the barrage first appeared, I thought I was hallucinating from working too many days in a row.

Maybe I was just tired, seeing things. Sometimes, exhaustion makes even the impossible seem real, like the time I hallucinated my physics teacher scolding me for gaming all night.

But now I can pretty much confirm it: I’m the leeching side character in an e-sports novel.

It sounded ridiculous, but with every passing moment, the truth settled in heavier, like the humidity before the Mumbai monsoon.

Now that I’ve helped the male lead become league champion, it’s time for me to be discarded.

I almost laughed. If this was a daily soap, my role was about to get written out. The heroine had arrived, and my time as the loyal, supportive girlfriend was done.

[Arjun, stop worrying about the doosri ladki. She’s always putting on a show. Go to the bathroom—Priya’s waiting for your autograph!]

[Yeah, yeah, if you don’t go, the little crybaby will start bawling again.]

I could almost imagine the barrage as nosy neighbours, like the aunties in our building, always peeking through curtains, ready to judge or offer unsolicited advice. Peeking over the balcony with binoculars, whispering, 'What’s happening there, beta?'

Arjun, still in his DFC team jersey, stood in the crowd. He gave me a cold glance and was about to leave.

His face was unreadable, a mask of confidence that made me want to rip it off and find the boy who used to chase after me for notes.

I asked out of habit, "Where are you going? We’re taking photos soon."

My voice came out sharp, brittle. Even the staff looked over, sensing the tension like a bad smell in the air.

[Uh-oh, is the doosri ladki about to stop them from meeting? This is their chance to exchange contact info!]

[Girl, I’m in a bad mood today. Don’t make me roast you.]

I could hear the imaginary crowd, ready with popcorn, waiting for the next scene.

"Bathroom."

He didn’t even bother to meet my eyes. The word hung there, flat and final.

I nodded, turning away without another word.

Inside, a battle raged. But on the outside, I was calm—maybe too calm. Old me would have argued, but now, what was the point?

The barrage was shocked that, for once, I didn’t try to ruin the mood.

Maybe, out of pride, I should have stopped them from getting close right in front of me.

But on second thought—

Three years of feelings can’t keep a wolf at bay. Fine, let it go.

My naani used to say, 'Beta, if a man’s heart is wandering, no chain in the world can hold him.' It was time to stop being the security guard of someone else’s dreams.

After all, if I could nurture the league’s number one jungler, I can nurture a second one.

In this e-sports world, the one thing we don’t lack is talent.

If anything, this was India—the land of jugaad, resilience, and hidden gems. For every Arjun, there were ten waiting in the wings.