Ehan Rahman was the only son of one of the most influential business families in the city. His father ran a chain of luxury hotels and high-end real estate projects, his mother, a socialite with philanthropic appearances, made sure every dinner party and gala subtly reminded the world, and Ehan,
That their family was untouchable.
He had grown up in penthouses and private schools, where his whims were attended to without question.
If he wanted a car, a trip, or a new wardrobe, it appeared as if by magic. If he asked for attention, it was given. If he wanted admiration, it was guaranteed.
By the time he was a teenager, he had learned a simple truth:
People existed to boost his ego, not to challenge it. Classmates, even strangers, he assumed all eyes would be on him, all opinions favorable.
His entitlement wasn't just material. It was social. His circle consisted of yes, people: girlfriends who flattered him, friends who echoed him, and influencers who followed his lead, hanging on his every post. He had grown accustomed to validation being constant, immediate, and unquestioned.
The morning sun hit the glass walls of Ehan's penthouse like a spotlight, highlighting the expensive minimalism he had grown accustomed to. Every item, every piece of furniture, every angle was curated to look effortless, but like everything in his life, it was carefully constructed.
He stretched, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair, while his phone buzzed relentlessly with notifications: followers, comments, sponsorships, invitations. He ignored most of them. Attention was a constant in his life, like the hum of the city below.
"Bro, your story last night? Viral as hell," Aryan, said from across the suite, lounging on the white leather couch.
Aryan's girlfriend spoke, "like always." She didn't look up from her phone, but her tone dripped both admiration and entitlement.
"Of course," Ehan replied easily. "Everyone knows I'm trending. No big deal."
Two other influencer friends Priti and Sneha flopped onto the couch nearby, giggling and whispering conspiratorially. Every glance toward him was a mix of awe and flirtation, a constant reminder of how the world orbited him.
"Seriously," Aryan added, smirking,
"girls are dying for you. You don't even have to do anything. Just exist."
Ehan smiled faintly. This was normal. This was life. The bubble he lived in had no room for resistance, everyone performed admiration. His friends reinforced it constantly, laughing at his jokes, echoing his thoughts, agreeing with his opinions. Toxicity wasn't an accident; it was the glue that held the world around him together.
His father's voice came through a video call, clipped and cold, even from across the city. "Remember to attend the charity event today. Make sure your social media posts highlight the donation. People like seeing you give back, performative or not."
Ehan nodded, listening but not really hearing. Approval was always conditional. Applause mattered more than intention.
He hung up without saying anything.
By noon, they piled into the sleek black SUV. Aryan in the passenger seat, talking with his girlfriend, Priti and Sneha sat in the back, whispering and nudging each other whenever he looked in their direction.
Ehan reclined, sunglasses on, scrolling through notifications, listening to his friends' teasing and jokes.
"Another fan encounter today?" one friend asked. "Bet you'll get at least five selfies before lunch."
Ehan smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Quick smiles, quick pics. Keep moving. That's the rule."
The café came into view. Warm, golden light spilling into the streets, perfect for photos, perfect for attention. Ehan straightened, adjusting his jacket.
"Alright, let's do the thing," he said.
"Quick pictures, quick stories, then we're out."
His friends nodded, oblivious to the fact that today, for the first time, his bubble would crack.
As they entered Ehan was on his phone going through the details while bumped into a table..
"Can't you see?" A slightly Annoyed tone and frustrated tone made him look up.
Earlier that day,
The alarm buzzed sharply at 6:00 a.m.,
Slicing through the quiet apartment. Juni groaned, pressing the snooze button, though she knew it wouldn't help. There was no escaping the day.
Lectures, hospital rounds, and the relentless expectations from her parents.
Her bedroom smelled faintly of disinfectant from her lab coat hanging over the chair. She swung her legs over the bed, rubbing her eyes. Breakfast was already waiting, two slices of toast, a boiled egg, and a glass of juice,but her parents' presence made it impossible to eat in peace.
"Juni, did you finish reviewing yesterday's cases?" her father, Mr. Chowdhury asked from the dining room, his tone calm but heavy with expectation.
"Tomorrow's lecture presentation is important. Don't fall behind."
"Yes, Papa," she muttered, grabbing her toast and sipping juice quickly.
Her backpack was slung over one shoulder, already weighed down with textbooks and hospital notes.
Her mother entered, tablet in hand. "Did you update your rotation logs? And don't forget to review the cardiology cases tonight. You need to be prepared for your exams."
Juni nodded, biting back a sigh. Her parents weren't unkind, they just measured love by achievement. Success was affection. Discipline was care. Emotions were irrelevant.
A soft ping on her phone broke the tension.
It was Sithi. "Where are you? I'm waiting outside the lecture hall. We're grabbing coffee after class!"
Juni smiled faintly.
Sithi was the only person who could pull her out of this rigid schedule without making her feel guilty.
"Coming," she typed back quickly.
She glanced at her reflection in the mirror while brushing her hair. Tired eyes, pale cheeks, uniform slightly wrinkled from late-night study sessions. She straightened her shoulders and took a deep breath.
Sithi called again, cheerfully impatient. "Juni! Move! Don't make me wait too long, or I'm dragging you out myself."
Juni laughed softly, grabbed her bag, and left her apartment, stepping into the chaotic city morning. Each step toward the lecture hall felt heavier than the last, but she reminded herself:
This is just a day. Another day. You survive. You manage.
Finally, after a grueling lecture, she met Sithi outside. Sithi's grin and playful chatter were like a burst of color in her otherwise gray morning.
"About time!" Sithi said, looping her arm through Juni's. "Five hours of anatomy and you still look alive. I'm impressed."
Juni smiled faintly. "Barely."
Sithi grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the café.
"Relax for once. I promise, no lectures, no pressure, just coffee. And maybe I'll force you to complain about your parents, fair trade?"
Juni laughed quietly. "Deal."
And so, they walked together, the weight of expectations easing slightly with each step, completely unaware of the encounter waiting for them just a few streets away.
The café buzzed with clinking cups, soft music, and murmurs of conversation.
Juni and Sithi slipped inside, leaving the noise of the street behind.
"Finally," Sithi said, plopping onto a chair. I swear, if I have to go through one more exam, I'll explode."
Juni smirked. "Someone has to keep the GPA up."
Their drinks arrived,a latte for Juni, black coffee for Sithi, and the two settled into their usual rhythm of teasing, venting, and quiet understanding.
"I swear, Juni, you need to loosen up sometimes," Sithi said.
"What's the point of life if you can't enjoy a stupid little café trip with me?"
Juni rolled her eyes. "I enjoy it. I just… don't want to spill my life all over a table."
Before Sithi could respond, a collision jarred the table.
Juni stumbled slightly as someone brushed past her shoulder. Her coffee wobbled dangerously.
"Can't you see?" Juni snapped, frustration flaring. She looked up, and froze.
Juni's jaw tightened. Recognition flickered. "Oh," she said, hiding surprise, "aren't you—"
Ehan. Polished, confident, surrounded by his entourage.
Aryan and his other friends leaned casually on the counter, phone already lifted.
"Lol, bro, another fan," Aryan said, laughing, eyes rolling at him.
Sithi's eyes went wide. "Oh no. No, no, no. This isn't happening," she muttered under her breath, grabbing Juni's arm.
Juni didn't hesitate. "I wasn't asking for a selfie," she said, calm and sharp.
Sithi whispered, half teasing, half serious,
"Do you know what they all are? A bubble of yes-people who think the world exists to flatter him. Don't let them annoy you."
Juni smirked faintly. "Trust me, Sithi. I have exactly zero plans to flatter him."
Aryan raised her phone slightly, smirking. "Quick selfie, bro. Let's make it fast before we head out."
Juni's eyes narrowed. She stepped closer, voice steady and cutting:
"You're not a celebrity," she said, eyes locked on Ehan. "You're a rich brat with a camera and an ego. You don't influence anything that matters. Do you do anything for anyone besides yourself?"
The laughter of his friends Aryan and his friends felt uneasy now.
Sithi's eyes sparkled with pride. "Yesss," she mouthed silently.
Before Juni could continue, Sithi tugged gently at her arm. "Come on, let's go. Don't give them the satisfaction of a full tantrum."
Juni allowed herself to be led away, stealing one last glance at Ehan. He stood frozen, caught off-guard, staring at the girl who hadn't flinched or performed. The bubble he had relied on for years had begun to crack.
Walking down the street, Sithi nudged her. "You were brutal."
"I didn't have to be," Juni replied faintly smiling. "I just… wanted him to know the
truth."
Sithi looped her arm through hers. "Good. Now let's get dessert before I force-feed to you."