“Mom, let me show you something,” I said, pulling out my phone and opening a video.
The video was entirely dark except for a white figure moving in the center.
Slowly, the figure became clearer, revealing someone holding a large knife.
As the person moved closer to the camera, their face came into full view.
It was my face.
સફળ વકળ વાયુનોની
I actually knew about this video being recorded. During the summer after my college entrance exams, my mom had told me an escape room was looking for actors. She asked if I wanted to earn some extra money by filming a short clip for them.
Though I had found it odd that my mom knew about trendy things like escape rooms, I assumed she had just seen an ad on the street.
2.01 AM
<
I thought making some money to help my parents would be good, so I agreed without hesitation.
But after recording it, nothing ever came of it. I assumed I just hadn’t been selected and didn’t think to ask about it again.
I never imagined this video would end up being sent to my classmates by my parents.
“Split personality?” I said bitterly. “Mom, I can’t believe you came up with such an absurd story.”
I guess because I had helped Zack that first day, he couldn’t bear to see me suffering in the dark anymore.
After much hesitation, he finally told me the truth.
He said my parents had sent private messages to every male student in our class, claiming I actually had dissociative identity disorder. My main personality was normal and came out during the day.
But my other personality would emerge unpredictably at night. Though it wouldn’t leave the room, it might harm people in close proximity. They sent the video as evidence.
“Your mom said your two personalities couldn’t know about each other, or you might have a mental breakdown,” Zack explained.
“She said they had tried to convince you to live off–campus before school started, but you refused. So this was their last resort – telling everyone not to live with you.”
“The other students were skeptical at first, but they were also scared you might actually hurt someone. So they went along with it, only daring to interact with you during the day when lots of people were around.”
“It wasn’t just our class either. The RA and that senior you lived with later all found out too. That’s why they insisted you move out immediately.”
By the time Zack finished explaining, I was completely stunned. I couldn’t believe it.
In my memory, my family had always struggled financially. We could barely afford food, let alone psychiatric care. I had certainly never taken any medication for mental illness.
Plus, hadn’t I gotten a clean bill of health from that hospital checkup? I clearly didn’t have any disorders.
And my parents loved me so much. Why would they spread such a harmful lie that led to me being ostracized? It made
no sense.
So Leo’s sudden departure was actually my doing. I had deliberately found him.
I purposely rented a shared apartment, deliberately told my parents I had a new roommate, deliberately said we were getting along great.
But I never gave my parents any details about Leo.
My mom had no choice but to track him down herself. I finally got to witness firsthand how she contacted Leo, crushing my last shred of hope.
B
2:01 AM
<
“Mom, why? Why did you do this?” I asked, fighting back tears.
Even now, I still couldn’t understand why my loving parents would go to such extremes to hurt me.
“River, you’ve always been so quiet and introverted. You never liked talking to people. Your father and I were just worried you’d get taken advantage of in the real world,” my mom said, still wearing an expression of concern.”
“So what does that have to do with telling everyone I have a split personality?” I snapped, my tone growing harsher as I became more distraught.
“We saw a video where an expert said if someone can overcome being isolated and still make friends, they’ll never be hurt by others again,” my mom explained.
“River, we thought about it for so long before coming up with this plan.”
“Your father and I can still protect you now, but what about when we’re not
ound anymore
- to.
My mom’s words trailed off as I turned and walked out the door. I couldn’t listen
reason.
angu
I couldn’t accept that all the prolonged anguish I had endured since starting college stemmed from such an absurd
“Don’t worry, the security cameras recorded everything your mom said. I’ve sent it all to your classmates. The misunderstanding should be cleared up now.”
Leo was waiting for me nearby.
I hadn’t lied to my mom about this part – we really had hit it off and become close friends.
I had told Leo everything I planned to do. The moving out scene earlier was just an act
put on for my
mom’s benefit.
“I’m sorry, but since your son discovered the tr
we won’t be paying you the remaining fees as per the contract.”
Unbeknownst to me, a man in a black suit had silently appeared beside my mother.
