Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Screenshot Season

Anaya should’ve known better.

In fact, she did know better. Never trust family gatherings, group selfies, or your sister’s overexcited thumb near a camera button.

But still—there she was—caught in a selfie with Ishaan Malhotra.

And worse?

Her mom had already hit “Send” in the group chat.

Mom (In Group Chat):

“Look how nice Anaya and Ishaan look together! Mashallah 😍✨”

Anaya stared at the notification like it had personally betrayed her soul,ruined her reputation, and borrowed money without returning it.

And right beneath that—

Simran:

“STOP 😂😂😂 I’m crying.”

Anaya wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream, laugh, or just delete herself from existence.

And then it happened.

The unthinkable.

The start of Screenshot Season.

Cousin Rahul:

Sends zoomed screenshot of just Anaya and Ishaan

Caption: “New ship unlocked 🚢🔥”

Followed by—

Grandmother’s Blessings:

“Very beautiful couple. Made for each other ❤️”

Made for each other? MADE FOR EACH OTHER?

Her ears burned. Her soul packed its bags and left for a remote village with no Wi-Fi. Somewhere around “made for each other.”

Beside her, Ishaan tried—and failed—to hide his amusement.

His stupid, stupid dimple even showed up for the occasion. Traitor.

“You’re enjoying this,” Anaya hissed under her breath,cheeks heating faster than a pressure cooker on full blast.

“Just letting the people have what they want,” he murmured, leaning closer.

“It’s called public service.”

Public service?! Oh, she was two seconds away from launching a meme so savage it’d break three aunties’ Wi-Fi.

“Relax,” Ishaan added, voice lower now, only for her.

“It’s just a selfie.”

Just a selfie. Right.

Just like he was just an ex.

Just like this was just a dinner.

Just like this wasn’t turning into her personal nightmare in HD quality.

Why was it suddenly getting harder to breathe?

Before she could snap back with something clever and probably regrettable, her phone buzzed again.

Simran (Private Chat):

“BTW… I’m leaking this to Insta. Bye.”

No. No. NO.

But it was too late. Notification after notification popped up on her screen as the cursed photo spread faster than her last office rumor.

Comments started rolling in on Simran’s story.

@auntykiller99: “Are they back together? 👀🔥”

@masalaqueen: “EX GOALS.”

@dramachef: “Waiting for this Wedding.”

Anaya wanted to scream. Or block everyone related to her by blood, marriage, or poor life choices. Preferably all three.

“I hate you,” she muttered at Ishaan, barely able to hold back the panic clawing up her throat.

His soft laugh next to her ear didn’t help.

Neither did the fact that his voice went all annoyingly gentle when he said:

“You’ll live,” he teased. “You always do.”

Oh, he was impossible. And infuriating.

Slightly… closer than she remembered.

Why was he standing so close?

Her heart betrayed her for just a second with a stupid flutter.

Focus. Focus, Verma.

Revenge first. Confusing heart feelings later.

One viral selfie. Zero escape routes.

And suddenly—Anaya’s phone buzzed again. This time, not a notification.

A call.

Caller ID: Ishaan Malhotra.

_____________________________________

Bye bye lovelies. 👋 See you in the next Chapter to know what happens in Anaya’s life.

Will she answer the call?

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