The Necklace Scam (Or Is It?)

Meet Ira.

Age: 27.

MBTI: INTJ.

Average-looking (whatever that means). No makeup. Loves comfy clothes. Too cool to care.

Works in a company for sales and advertisement design.

Lives alone in an apartment, enjoying the peaceful single life—or so she tells herself.

Ira is done with love. Every guy she dated had the dumbest excuses for dumping her:

"My mom doesn’t approve."

"Astrologer said our stars don’t match."

"I’m not ready for commitment." (Later, he gets engaged within a month.)

Meanwhile, her friends are getting married one by one, and now her parents won’t stop nagging her.

Present day-

Ira is walking through a busy street, minding her business, when her phone rings.

Mom (excitedly): "Ira! Your little brother has a girlfriend now! They might get married soon!"

Ira stops in her tracks and after 2 min silence she start walking.

Ira: "…My younger brother? Before me?"

Mom: "Yes! When are YOU getting married? You’re getting old!"

Ira (deadpan): "Oh wow. Love is now like milk—expiring by the day."

Mom: "Ira, I am serious!"

Ira: "Yeah, yeah. Bye, Mom." – Hangs up.

She sighs. Great. Even her little brother is securing a relationship before her.

Lost in frustration, Ira barely notices where she’s walking. When she looks up, she realizes…

She has no idea where she is.

A colorful tent catches her eye. The sign outside reads:

"Find Your Soulmate – If You Have One."

Ira squints.

Sounds like the beginning of a scam… but hey, what’s life without a little entertainment?

She steps inside.

A mysterious old lady with piercing eyes sits behind a dimly lit table.

Old Lady: "You seek love but cannot find it, right?"

Ira (raising an eyebrow): "Let me guess, my face screams 'single and desperate'?"

Old Lady: "No, but your aura does."

Ira: "Great. Even my aura is laughing at me."

The old lady pulls out a glowing necklace.

Old Lady: "Wear this tonight while sleeping, and you shall meet your soulmate—IF you have one."

Ira: "Sounds like a scam."

Old Lady: "Then stay single forever."

Ira rolls her eyes. Nice marketing strategy.

She reaches for the necklace—

Old Lady (😁grinning): "That’ll be 5,000 rupees."

Ira: "…EXCUSE ME? FIVE THOUSAND?? ARE YOU SELLING A NECKLACE OR A FULL HUSBAND PACKAGE?!"

Old Lady: "Your choice, dear."

Ira grumbles, but hands over the money anyway.

Ira (pointing a finger): "If this doesn’t work, I’m filing a police complaint."

Old Lady (smirking(⁠^⁠^⁠)): "Sure, dear."

The moment Ira blinks—

She’s back on the street.

--

Ira stands frozen.

Ira: "Wait… what the hell? Was I dreaming? Did I just zone out??" 😭

She looks up at the sky.

Ira: "God, I am so single, I’m HALLUCINATING love scams now?? Just send me my soulmate already!"

A kid nearby overhears and bursts out laughing.

Kid (mocking): "Hehe, aunty is talking to the sky about her boyfriend!"

Ira (glaring): "Mind your business-_-", tiny human!" AND I M NOT A AUNTY!!!

She power-walks home in embarrassment.

Back in her apartment, Ira lets out a deep breath.

Ira: "That was weird. Whatever. Time for a shower."

As she takes off her earrings—

She notices something shimmering on her neck.

She freezes.

Slowly, she touches it.

It’s the necklace.

The same one.

It’s real.

Ira (whispering): "No way…"

Her stomach drops.

Ira: "SO THAT WASN’T A DREAM?!"

She grabs her head in frustration.

Ira: "Damn. My 5K."

I GOT SCAMMED!!!!

TO BE CONTINUED…

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