It's 6 pm in the evening. Ian was waiting for the bus at the bus stop. After a long tiring day, he craved nothing more than a refreshing sleep. He was dozing on the chair while waiting. He woke up to the sound of heavy thunder and in a few minutes the rain started, people were running down the street. After half an hour the bus arrived. The rain had stopped when he reached home but he was completely drenched. He freshened up and rushed to his bed. His mom was calling him for dinner but he was too exhausted to get up and have dinner.

Ian is a final year student in the department of psychology. He is the only child of his parents. He is very introverted, shy and tends to keep to himself. He often avoids social interactions. He have a limited social circle and prefers to have deep connections with a few close friends rather than many acquaintances. The next day he awoke with a clear and refreshed mind after a restful sleep. He got out of bed, freshened up, and joined his parents at the breakfast table. Ian was scrolling through instagram and watching stories of his friends. Suddenly he saw one of his friends story. That was one of his best friends and her name is Yumi. She uploaded a couple picture with a guy and they wore matching orange hoodies. Ian stood up and banged on the table with his fist. His parents stared at him in shock and was trying to ask him what happened?

In a rush, he hurriedly made his way to the university. He told his friends about it. Sam and Reiko are very close friends of Ian. He shares almost everything with them.

Sam: I have warned you so many times. Now see! I knew it. She changed her color faster than a lizard. She was playing different roles. She was acting like a mushy mushy girlfriend who wants nothing but your attention in phone calls. But she always seems so uninterested in texting. She played you for a fool. 

Ian: Yes. She made me look like a clown in front her friends. You know how embarrassing that is .Though I figured it out later. She was talking to me because she had no one to talk to at that time. I was just a substitute for her.

Reiko: The more you think the more it will make you suffer. Stop thinking about this, enough of this drama and try to focus on future. Most importantly focus on yourself more. And yes exams are coming so please end this chapter.

Ian: I think I have already moved on. I was thinking maybe she might change her mind again, and I'd get to see my old best friend again. I just wanted our old friendship back. It took me months to realize that I'm no longer her bff. After today's morning it seemed that my once intense feelings towards her had faded away in a second, leaving me with a complete lack of interest. In fact, I even developed a distaste for her.

Sam: Wow Thank God. Congratulations I'm so proud to have our old sassy Ian back.

Reiko: Good for you. Let's go we are getting late for class.

After the class Ian was scrolling through his Instagram and suddenly he saw a notification.

He saw a girl started following her and her username was @psychosoju. He said, " weird username" . Then he again started to scroll down and he noticed something, so he scroll back up to see and it was Yumi's post with her new boyfriend. The caption was "YOU are the only star in my eyes". Ian felt so disgusted and said " God knows how many stars do you have Yumi? Because you said the same nonsense to me also"

He immediately removed her from instagram.

Ian was playing games on his computer. He heard a notification sound so he checked and saw a dm from Psycho Soju.Her display name was Lia

Lia: Hey hi! My name is Lia.

Ian: Hi

Lia: How are you?

Ian: Fine. Do we know each other?

Lia: No. Not yet but we are going to introduce ourselves.

They talked for over half an hour. Suddenly he came to his senses. He was wondering why he was talking to that stranger this long? He threw his phone on the bed and started to play games again.

The next day Ian went to an amusement park with his friends. He had so much fun with his friends. Sam was driving on their way back home, and they were having conversations on various things. Suddenly Ian got a dm from Psycho Soju.

Lia: Hey! I think I saw you today at the amusement park. You were there with your friends.

Ian: Really? Then why did you not call me?

Lia: We just talked yesterday. I thought you might get uncomfortable.

Ian: ohh

Ian saw she posted a story and he replied to that story.

Ian: Hey! This is one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands. Do you listen to metal?

Lia: Yes I am obsessed with metal songs. I listen to Slipknot, Iron Maiden, Mega death, Children of Bodom , Judas Priest, Lamb of God , Eluveitie and so on.

Ian : Wow ! That's crazy. I also listen to them.

They ended up having a chat about their favourite things and pet peeves. As time went on, they grew closer and closer, becoming the best of friends day after day on instagram. One day Ian shared the story of his falling out with his former friend Yumi.

Lia: Oh no! That's really too bad. She was playing with your emotions. You had some faults too.

Her sweet and affectionate words had you completely smitten as well. You also made a flower garden with full of butterflies but she destroyed the garden. Right? Hahaha

Ian: I know it was one-sided but did not realize our friendship was also one-sided.

Lia: Ok. Change the topic. Let's talk about something else.

Ian: Something is burning.

Lia: What?

Ian: Nothing. Let's meet tomorrow. No more excuses. You're constantly finding ways to avoid meeting or hanging out whenever I mention it, always coming up with excuses. Why?

Lia: Hey don't get mad. Well I'll come. Just let me know where we're meeting up. Alright?

Ian: O my God! Finally! You tell me when and where we're going to meet.

Lia: Ok. There's a cafe near my house called Bora café. 

Ian got so excited. He couldn't believe when she finally agreed to meet up after countless requests. So he woke up the next morning and made his way over to the café. 

As he entered the café, a whole new vibe hit him, causing a mix feelings he couldn't define. The café was empty except for the barista. The café was like stepping into a whimsical world, with bizarre decorations scattered about in every corner. He sat on a table. Ian was eagerly waiting for Lia.

However, as minutes turned into an extended period of time, it became apparent that she was not going to come. He left the café in a hurry, feeling a mix of frustration and sorrow. When he reached home, he quickly typed out a message to her, asking why she hadn't come. But he got no response. Ian sent her so many dms, waiting for her to reply back. But she didn't reply, which made him confused. As time passed, he started feeling annoyed, and then angry, because he couldn't understand why she was ignoring him. It's been a whole month and there's still no word from Lia. 

Ian started to isolate himself, always zoning out in class or when hanging out with friends. One day Sam noticed and asked what happened.

Sam: You seem a bit anxious. Is everything alright? Is something stressing you out?

Reiko: Yes I also noticed. You look very tense. 

So Ian opened up and shared everything with them.

Sam: Maybe she doesn't want to talk to you anymore. Boy you met another Yumi.

Ian: Shut up!

Reiko: What shut up? Ian you don't socialise that much, but if you do, you always get attached to people very deeply. But why even virtually? You are literally stressing over an online relationship or friendship. Boy I have nothing to say.

Sam: Let me see for whom you are losing your senses again. 

Ian showed them the instagram dm and started to scroll up.

Ian: See she used to talk to me like this everyday, but now I feel so lonely.

Sam and Reiko were left speechless, with their eyes and mouth hanging wide open. Because Ian was actually talking with her own self in instagram. There is no girl named Lia.

People can find their own inbox while staying in the same account by searching their usernames or display names in the search bar of dm list. 

So Ian was basically texting with himself for more than 5 months. He was replying to his own texts.

Ian made an imaginary character named Lia and he developed her personality according to his ideal type.

After this incident Sam and Reiko immediately informed Ian's parents and his parents decided to take him to a psychiatrist.

After 3 months Ian is much better now. He went through so much suffering and experienced all those bizarre things. But he decided to keep going and try to be better.

One morning Ian was waiting for the bus. He was getting late for the class. As soon as the bus arrived, he hurriedly got on the bus and joined his friends who were already sitting. All of a sudden, a girl appeared and sat beside him. Suddenly she asked Ian, "Hey are you from psychology department?". Ian replied, " Yes but I never saw you before ". She said, "I'm a fresher and hi my name is Genelia" .They briefly talked about their department and university. As they arrived at the campus and got off the bus, she was about to leave but she suddenly turned back and asked, "Hey, can we follow each other on social media?"

Ian said, "ok what's your username on instagram? I like instagram more that's why I'm always active there 24/7 "She replied hurriedly, " it's @psychosoju and you can call me Lia that's my nickname, bye for now I'm getting late for my class , I think I have to run , see you later ". 

Ian was totally freaked out, it left him in state of shock and completely traumatized. 

The End