"I can vaguely remember being pushed around by Shalini only to be led to a series of embarrassments. An awkward fall led to the most humiliating wardrobe malfunction. It all happened in front of the entire school assembly, and after that, every time I looked at someone, it seemed as though they were still mocking me and judging me for something I feel I had no control over. I hated them all. I couldn't dare to follow anyone I knew on Instagram either. One day, surfing through the social media, I checked my direct message requests and got into a conversation with an unknown guy who claimed to be from a town nearby."
"I desperately needed someone to talk to. All my friends had ghosted me after the disaster, and he seemed the perfect person to befriend and share my woes with. I felt very comfortable every time I talked to him. We shared an inexpressible connection. Everything he shared seemed relatable, and I couldn't resist *rofl-ing* to every meme he sent me. Gradually, I started spending hours talking to him altogether. I would go to school everyday thinking about him every passing moment, and eagerly wait to come back home and chat with him. It all just felt perfect. And soon, we thought that we were in love."
"I had never met him or seen him, yet I loved and trusted him more than anyone in my life. I guess, this was what loneliness and depression did to me. Soon enough, we were in a relationship--at least, that's what we called it. After a few months, he started asking pictures from me. I guess, you know of what kind.I was embarrassed at first, but curiosity of why he needed what he wanted from me, led me to sending them to him. I thought that it was normal, at least till we meet."
"Little did I know, what would happen next, would change whatever I thought we had."
"The next day, while I was walking through the school corridor, my phone buzzed and everyone started staring at me, all of a sudden. I checked my phone. It was the picture I sent him. Posted on the school's unofficial Instagram account was me, exposed to the whole world to see."
"I felt like it was the end, and I did what I thought was best. And that's what happened, doctor," she said, staring at the deep, self-inflicted cut on her wrist as the doctor treated her.
It's easy for a person to find refuge in anyone, or anything, especially after an emotional breakdown. What that person doesn't understand is, there are more wolves in a sheep's clothing than one could fathom.
Photo source: Stylist UK