Chapter 4: Plans, Pennies, and Petty Boys

So as I already mentioned, I deliberately ditched Ryan's plan to visit his new apartment when he asked me all half-hearted like, as if I was supposed to be flattered by that lukewarm, barely-there invite. Fast-forward a few weeks, and suddenly this man texts me all dramatic like, "I'm sincerely asking you, please come to my apartment and spend some time with me." I'm like—no, darling, I'm not just going to fall for a text. I told him if he really wants me to come, he can haul his little self over and ask me in person. And surprise, he actually agreed and gave me a date—he'd visit me at college. And yes, I felt powerful. Like, I just made this clown man travel an entire hour across cities just to ask me to come over. Iconic behavior on my part.

But then—oh, plot twist—turns out he didn't even come for me. He had a mandatory film workshop nearby. Like, are you actually kidding me? I was furious. Absolutely livid. I didn't even talk to him that entire time, and he kept trailing behind me on campus like a lost puppy, trying to make conversation. It was awkward, yes—I won't lie—I was nervous too, but still, who does that? And when it was time for him to leave because, gasp, he was getting late for his precious workshop, he didn't even have the decency to say goodbye properly. So I, being the better person that I clearly am, went up to him and gave him a hug. He was totally caught off-guard, obviously, but hugged me back, and I agreed to visit his apartment that Sunday.

Now wait for the mess to escalate.

A day before, my friend Ananya and her boyfriend Kunal had the most ridiculous fight. They live together, and while out getting groceries, Kunal apparently just ditched her and disappeared like Houdini, leaving her to walk home alone. Now sure, that might sound small, but Ananya? She does not take such things lightly. She is just ... Insane! She locked him out of their apartment, refused to let him in, and when he begged and pleaded and she didn't budge because yes, she can be stubborn in the most dramatic, rude, self-righteous way and he literally broke the door down. Not a metaphor. He broke the damn door.

So now, these two idiots are stuck in a shady part of the city with no door — like, literally. Kunal isn't a bad guy though He's just… not built for romance or emotional intelligence. Zero stars in that department.

Ananya called me sobbing, saying she felt miserable, and begged me to come see her on Sunday. And being the fabulous friend-slash-therapist that I am, I said yes—because girl code. But then I remembered I also had plans with Ryan. So now I've managed to double-book myself like the hot mess that I am.

Naturally, the next morning I contemplated ditching Ananya because, let's be honest, she did ditch me last Christmas. And that is a valid reason, okay? Petty? Maybe. But justified. So I cooked up this brilliant excuse in my head, rehearsed it like a Shakespearean monologue, and told myself, "Yes, this is what I'll say if she throws a fit." Then I called Ryan to confirm our plans, and he was so excited—ugh, adorable, but also tragic.

So I left home and reached the metro station, ready for this glorified date, and guess what? This clown calls me and goes, "Can we not do this today?" Excuse me, WHAT? I was shook to my core. I asked why, obviously, because I wasn't about to let that slide and this man tells me he got a small gig that pays. And I'm like... HOW MUCH are they paying you to cancel on ME? Turns out, it was basically chump change. This man ditched me for a couple of hundred bucks. It's not even the money, it's the principle of it all.

Then he has the audacity to say, "You can just wait for 1-1.5 hours at the metro station. I'll be back." IN PEAK SUMMER, by the way. Sir, this is not a desert survival game show. I was MAD. Like, foaming-at-the-mouth mad. So I hang up and make a dramatic U-turn, emotionally and physically and call Naina. I tell her, "You know what? I was really sad for you yesterday, so I'm coming over," and she's like, "OMG you're so sweet, you didn't have to waste your Sunday for me," and I'm like, "No no, bestie duties," even though I was technically using her as a backup plan. But that's just between us.

Anyway, thank God she lived close by. I was still on the road when Ryan kept calling. I ignored his calls because I was busy being in my feelings, and then he texted, clearly panicking. He could feel that I was done with him and rightly so. I texted him, "I'm never meeting you again hahaha." It was petty and satisfying.

I reached Ananya's place. Her fight with Kunal was kinda resolved, not the door though, the door is still a tragedy. We talked for a bit, and I was on the verge of tears—but obviously couldn't tell her the full story because hello, I can't admit I was ever entertaining a guy like Ryan. I have a reputation.

We got bored, lay on her bed like dead bodies and I took a Snap. Sent it to a few people. Then Rishi—a guy from college—replied, "House meetup or what?" And I was so annoyed, I texted back sarcastically, "If I'm having so much fun, why don't you come join too?" And this man took it literally. He goes, "Yes yes, why not." I checked with Ananya, obviously, and she was like, "Yesss, that would be so fun! Tell him to bring drinks and snacks."

So the man shows up. With another friend. And we partied. And let me just say it—Rishi is hotter than Ryan. Better hair, better humor, and rich too. He was flirty, and I was tipsy—but I held myself back. I did not flirt back. I am strong. I went home around 7 PM.

But here's where the drama snowballs. Rishi took a Snap too—but this absolute idiot sent it late, like at 11 PM. And of course, he sends it to Ryan. So now Ryan is under the delusion that I spent the night at Ananya's with Rishi. The AUDACITY. He comes at me with this passive-aggressive bike-sized jealousy, and I show him the texts, the timeline, everything. And he still didn't seem convinced.

Because clearly, he was insecure—like, badly. I mean, Rishi's hotter, taller, richer—what was I supposed to do? And then I find out days later that Ryan actually held a grudge over it. He's all fake-smiles with Rishi but passive-aggressively mad at me. Classic.

So yeah. That's what happened that day. I ditched a clingy cheap guy, comforted a dramatic bestie, threw a last-minute party, held myself back from flirting with a hot guy, and caused a mini emotional breakdown for Ryan.

Honestly? Icon behavior.