The First Rumor

The rumor didn’t start inside the house.

It started outside where truth doesn’t matter and volume does.

We found out during breakfast.

The host walked in late, expression unreadable, tablet held like a weapon.

“Housemates,” she said, “before today’s activities, we need to address something.”

The screen behind her lit up.

A grainy clip.

Me and Arjun. Hallway. Late night. Foreheads touching.

No kiss. No sound.

Still devastating.

The headline beneath it burned:

ARJUN MEHRA CAUGHT IN OFF-CAMERA MOMENT - CONTRACT BREACH?

The room erupted.

Someone laughed nervously. Someone else muttered, “Holy shit.”

I felt cold.

Arjun didn’t look at the screen.

He looked at the floor.

Diary Room – Day 9

I’ve lied for weeks.

This is the first time I felt exposed.

“They’re calling it unscripted intimacy,” the host continued.

“Arjun, production has received communication from your management.”

Silence.

Arjun nodded once.

“Do you want to respond?”

“Yes,” he said.

He lifted his head.

“What you saw,” he said calmly, “was two people talking. If that violates my contract, then maybe the contract doesn’t understand people.”

The house froze.

Outside, the internet exploded.

The rest of the day was suspended.

No tasks. No games.

Just waiting.

Production finally called Arjun into a closed meeting room.

Hours passed.

The house turned restless and cruel.

“Guess we know who the straight one is,” someone whispered loudly.

“Or he’s just using you,” another said to me.

I didn’t respond.

When Arjun returned, his face was pale.

“They want me to clarify my image,” he said quietly when we were alone.

“What does that mean?”

“They want me to deny… whatever this is.”

I swallowed. “And will you?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know what this is yet.”

Diary Room – Arjun

I’ve played roles my whole life.

This is the first time I don’t know my lines.

That night, the vote came early.

Suspicion sharpened into accusation.

“Either he’s straight,” someone said, “or they’re both playing us.”

Eyes turned to me.

I spoke before fear could stop me.

“If this is a strategy,” I said, “it’s the worst one possible. He’s risking everything.”

The room went quiet.

The vote passed.

Another man left.

Later, Arjun stood at the balcony, staring out at nothing.

“I didn’t mean for you to get dragged into this,” he said.

“You didn’t,” I replied. “I walked in.”

He turned to me.

“If I lose my career”

“I won’t disappear,” I said.

That was the promise.