Chapter 16 When the Past Refuses to Die

The ghosts of 2022 had long been buried — or so Janani thought.

But some wounds don’t heal. They wait, in silence, for the right time to reopen

Anonymous Instagram accounts started appearing — posting indirect captions, resharing old photos, whispering old rumours in new words.

Janani froze the first time she saw one.

That tone… that language… she knew.

> “It’s them,” she whispered. “Ram and Leela.”

Even after three years, they still hadn’t let her go.

This time, they didn’t just want to hurt her — they wanted to isolate her.

Slowly, stories spread across campus. Subtle accusations. Half-truths.

People who once stood beside her — her friends — began to change sides.

Rishi never came. He didn’t even ask what happened back then.

He watched from a distance, maybe with guilt, maybe with relief — but never with courage.

When she needed him the most, he chose silence.

But Janani wasn’t alone this time — at least, not at first.

Her close friend Kayal, and her brother-figure Nainar, stood with her firmly.

They believed her when others doubted. They spoke for her when she couldn’t find words.

For a while, that strength held her together.

But even strength can shatter under constant whispers.

Days later, everything turned.

The same classmates who once supported her now accused her.

The same hands that clapped for her now pointed fingers.

The same mouths that spoke for justice now murmured,

> “Maybe Janani is the problem.”

She watched, helpless, as the ground beneath her shifted —

truth becoming rumor, kindness becoming politics.

Each day felt like reliving 2022 — the same fear, the same loneliness, the same helpless question:

> “Why me again?”

But this time, something inside Janani was different.

She didn’t collapse. She didn’t beg anyone to believe her.

She just stood still.

Her eyes no longer searched for sympathy.

Her voice no longer trembled.

She had learned — silence can be power too.

> “I survived once,” she whispered to herself.

“I’ll survive again. Let them talk. The truth always waits — patiently.”

And in that moment, Janani was no longer the same girl who once cried into her pillow.

She was quieter, yes — but stronger.

Not because the world became kind,

but because she finally stopped expecting it to be.