EPISODE 1

I was at my graduation, listening to the chief guest’s speech — it stretched like an endless universe. I wondered, more as a scientist, if it ever had an end. Somehow, after three to five daydreams, they finally decided to distribute our degrees. Names were called department by department, line by line — an hour dragging on for each one.

Even the chief guest grew tired, his fixed portrait of a smile stretching thinner after every photo. I bet his cheek muscles cramped the next day. Our principal turned into a statue beside the chief guest, ensuring he was clearly visible in every student’s photo.

I wasn’t very close to my classmates. All I did when I arrived at my college was a formal greeting and act concerned about their lives. We asked each other, “What are you doing now?” as if we truly cared to know. I won’t say I didn’t make any friendships during college. Those I held close to my heart were far away from me, with oceans and landscapes in between. One flew away to the UK and another to Belgium for their higher studies. Yes, my friend circle is as tight as a turtle’s shell. But comfy.

While thinking about my scattered friends in the graduation auditorium, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Pulling it out wasn’t easy — graduation robes in the way, tight jeans made it even trickier.

Finally, I read the notification on the screen: “Hey….”: a message on Instagram from an unknown account.