Chapter 3: Lipstick Lies and WhatsApp Wars

Ananya was busy putting on lipstick.

The smell of nail polish remover mixed with the coconut oil in the air as Ananya carefully traced the outline of her lips, bangles clinking like temple bells. She sat cross-legged on her bed, mirror in one hand, applying a shade so bright it could stop traffic. Bangles jingled as she dabbed at the corners, completely unbothered by my crisis.

A minute later, she replied lazily:

"There’s no mistake. You’re the one who was picked. Remember to run fast—don’t embarrass our class."

Her tone was as casual as if she was reminding me to refill the water filter. The irony was rich; she didn’t even pause to meet my eye.

I asked the other two roommates to confirm, but they both denied it in perfect unison.

The twins, Shreya and Priya, looked up from their phones, perfectly synchronized: "Yesterday it was you. Just go and do it."

"If you skip out on purpose, that’s a violation."

Priya pursed her lips, sounding more like the hostel warden than a friend.

"You know, getting a disciplinary record is hard to erase. Just tough it out and run."

I almost laughed out of sheer anger.

My voice trembled as I said, “So you all want me to become the next viral fail video, collapsing on the track? Great, thanks.” I bit back tears, frustration growing inside me like a pressure cooker about to whistle.

Making someone who just had their appendix out run 800 metres? That’s basically attempted murder.

If my parents heard about this, Amma would march down to the college herself, waving my discharge summary like a weapon.

Fitness tests are important, sure, but life is even more precious.

Everyone at home always said, “Jaan hai toh jahaan hai.” Health comes first—always.

The class prefect clearly wants me to take the fall—to be the scapegoat running the 800 for the cultural committee.

They must think I’m some kind of sacrificial goat for their committee’s records.

But I’m not about to let him get away with it.

If they wanted drama, I’d show them what real Indian drama looked like.