In a cramped cyber café in Kozhikode, a group of college students huddled over a single phone. "Ten votes each from our family SIMs," Firoz announced, his thumb a blur on the screen. "For Arundathi. Did you see how Rajeev sabotaged her in the 'Otta' task?" They weren't just voting; they were dispensing justice.
Outside, in the real world, the machinery of the vote was a roaring beast.
The final two stood under the spotlight. Arundathi’s hands were cold. Rajeev’s smile was frozen.