It took eight seconds.
Eight seconds of a one-hour campus conversation.
A student had spoken about pressure, loneliness, and wanting to disappear.
Ananya had listened.
Responded gently.
Off camera.
But someone clipped the moment she said:
"Sometimes strength is choosing to stay."
And posted it alone.
Out of context.
By evening, it was everywhere.
Some called it powerful.
Some called it shallow.
Some called it irresponsible.
"Who is she to talk about mental health?"
"Another influencer playing therapist."
"Big shot attitude already."
Ananya stared at her screen, heart slowing in a way that scared her.
This wasn't attention.
This was judgment.
The media office called.
"We need a statement," they said.
Her hands were cold.
She went back to the hostel.
Room 407 didn't joke.
Didn't distract.
They listened.
Then Meher said, "Welcome to power."
Ananya looked up.
"It doesn't come with applause," Meher continued. "It comes with interpretation."
Nandini added softly, "And people project their own pain onto visible faces."
Pihu took Ananya's phone.
"Say nothing tonight," she said. "Sleep. You answer tomorrow as you, not as noise."