Chapter 1: Confessions and Claims

At Rajpur College, the confession wall was more famous than the principal. It was the one place where secrets, scandals, and heartbreaks were served hot before the canteen chai. So when my photo appeared there the day after the new student transferred in, I knew my life was about to become public property.

[Confession wall: an anonymous online message board where students post confessions, gossip, or rumours.]

"Arrey! Is this girl dating the class topper? Why is she always hanging around the academic star? Kya scene hai, yaar? Full filmy!"

Under the pressure of college gossip, someone had scrawled a massive 'slut' in black marker on my desk. The word stared up at me, ugly and bold. My hands shook as I tried to wipe it away with my dupatta, but the stain only smudged. I glanced up at the portraits of freedom fighters above the blackboard, willing myself to breathe, to steady the chaos inside me.

No one knew who did it. Only the transfer student, Priya, kept her gaze fixed on me, her smile smug as ever.

She sauntered over, tossing her braid over her shoulder and adjusting her silver jhumkas with practiced flair—a silent challenge. "Samajh gayi na? This seat is mine."

She leaned in, voice dropping, "And so is the class topper."

The classroom buzzed with the usual morning chaos—someone in the back was fiddling with a portable radio, and the aroma of cutting chai from the canteen drifted in through the open windows. Yet, all the background noise faded away, Priya’s words ringing louder than the honking outside. My fingers gripped my bag strap tightly as my mind raced, but I refused to let my face betray my nerves. Around us, classmates pretended to be busy, but I could feel their eyes—hungry for the next big scandal to feed the hostel grapevine.