(More than claps, your time here means everything to me.🧡)

Tiny Disclaimer:

This is just for fun. I believe everyone's beautiful—yes, even those who forgot to look in the mirror before judging others. Also, I don't intend to disrespect any currency. Just using the tiniest denominations for the tiniest mindset. 😌💁‍♀️

You know how sometimes you're constantly compared to a particular person for so long that you start disliking them? Not because they did anything wrong but because they were turned into some bizarre measuring scale for your worth. And the worst part? That person ends up ruining even the name they share with five innocent people you meet later.

Flashback to college. I had a friend. Yes, "had." Past tense. Fortunately.

Back then, I thought he was kind, good at conversations, and sincerely thoughtful. That's what I thought—back then. Turns out, he was manipulative, emotionally draining, and weirdly obsessed with comparing people. And I, being the "excellent listener" (aka unpaid therapist), used to soak in all the trauma dumps he dropped like confetti on my mental health.

After unloading all his dukh bhare chapters on me, he'd feel lighter—like a helium balloon—only to switch the topic... to me. Yes. Me. And not in a "you're amazing" way. Oh no. He had a special talent for saying things that only he found funny. Not me. Never me.

But I tolerated it. Because, well, he was going through a "tough phase". And also because the moment I'd react or express I was hurt, he'd launch a full-blown guilt parade, apologizing so dramatically that I'd wish I'd just stayed silent.

One fine day, after the usual emotional venting session, he dropped this gem:

"I mean, you know how beautiful she is. Just look at her. Can anyone even match up to her? Take you for instance… do you really think you can?"

Insert audio: glass-shattering moment in the background. 🥺

Now, I don't remember exactly what I replied, but I do know this: I swallowed it. The insult, the comparison, the implied inadequacy wrapped in a fake compliment and thrown in my face. For a long time, it stayed with me like that one sticky price tag you can't peel off a new mug.

I genuinely started believing I wasn't good enough.

But now, years later, when I look back something funny happens.

I remember the girl. Yes, she was beautiful. No argument there.

But I also remember him (his face).🥲 And all I can think of is:

"Yaar…ye log athanni- chawanni ki shakal leke aise judge karte hain jaise Vogue ke cover se utar ke aaye ho."

"With a face worth barely athanni - chawanni, they judge others like they just walked off the cover of Vogue."

For my international readers, allow me to translate this precious Indian slang:

₹(rupee) is Indian currency sign.

$1 = approx ₹86.40

₹1 = 100 paise

1 Athanni = 50 paise 👉( which is less than one rupee and much less than a dollar)

1 Chawanni = 25 paise👉 ( which is less than 1 athanni, much much less than one rupee and a lot….much less than one dollar)

So,

{86.40}÷{0.25} = 345.6

Since we can't have a fraction of a coin, we round up.

👉 It takes 346 coins of chawannis to make only 1 dollar.

Basically, I'm saying: these folks with the aesthetic value of loose change somehow believe they're the central bank of beauty standards.

And the cherry on top? They're often the most insecure about their own looks hiding behind loud opinions like it's a shield.

So now, if anyone dares to compare me or "rate" my worth based on someone else's appearance, I mentally pull out an imaginary coin tray and ask:

"Excuse me, do you even have the full ₹1 to make this judgement?"

Why my comebacks are so late!? 🙍‍♀️

Thank you so much for staying till the end.🧡

📌 This story is published under Quirky Rants – a home for unfiltered thoughts, everyday oddities, and real, relatable voices. Want to share your story too? Join us here.