Ayesha sat at the bus stop, feeling super tired from the long day. The moment she got inside the bus, she put on her earphones and played some songs. Not too long after, her eyes started to feel heavy, and she fell asleep.
When she woke up, the bus had already stopped. She quickly got off and walked home, still half-asleep.
"I'm home," she said, closing the apartment door behind her. The house was quiet. She rolled her eyes.
"Oh right… I'm alone"
Her mom cheated on her dad. Then her dad passed away. Sometimes, her mom would visit her apartment, but rarely. Even if she did, Ayesha never considered her as a mother anymore.
She threw herself on the bed. "Ugh, I'm so tired. What time is it? What should I eat?" She reached for her phone—but it wasn't there.
Her eyes widened. She searched everywhere: her bag, her bed, her pockets. Nothing.
"Shit…" She sat down, trying to think. Then it hit her. The bus. She must've dropped it there when she fell asleep.
She smacked her forehead. "I'm so dumb!"
But then she remembered—the spare phone. The one her mom gave her. She didn't use it because her old phone was from her dad, and it was special. She couldn't afford to lose it.
She grabbed the spare phone and dialed her number. First call—no answer. Second. Third. Finally, on the fourth try, someone picked up.
Her heart skipped. "Hello?" she said nervously.
Silence. For a while she thought no one was there—until a boy's voice spoke. "..Hi"
Ayesha sat up. "You have my phone, where did you found it?"
"I found it on the bus," he said. His voice was calm, almost too calm.
Relief hit her, but she still didn't feel safe. "Can you just leave it at the station office? I'll get it there."
The boy gave a small laugh. "They won't keep it safe. Better if I give it to you myself."
Ayesha frowned. "Why should I trust you?"
"You don't have to," he answered simply. "But if you want it back… tomorrow. Seven p.m. Same bus stop."
Before she could say anything, the call ended.
She stared at the phone in her hand. Something about his voice… it felt strange. Familiar in a way she couldn't explain.
The next day, she couldn't stop thinking about it. Should she really go? What if it was some creep? But deep inside, something was telling her she had to.
At exactly seven, she arrived at the bus stop. Her hands were shaking. The streetlights flickered above her.
Then she saw him.
A boy leaning against the bus stop post, holding her phone.
Her heart dropped. She knew that face.
She froze, whispering the name she never thought she'd say again.
"Kai…"