That night, I didn't message him.
Not because I was scared.
Because I didn't feel the need.
That was new.
I brushed my teeth, changed clothes, and lay on my bed.
No buzzing phone.
No instructions.
I almost missed it.
Just as I was about to sleep, my phone vibrated once.
Unknown Number:
Why did you stop asking?
I stared at the message.
Because you told me to look at myself, I typed.
I'm still doing that.
There was a long pause.
Longer than usual.
Then:
Unknown Number:
And what did you find?
I thought.
I really thought.
Then I typed slowly.
That I wait for permission a lot.
Three dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Then:
Unknown Number:
That is the right answer.
I frowned.
There was a right answer?
No reply.
The next day at school, something small happened.
The teacher asked for a volunteer.
No one raised their hand.
The silence felt heavy.
I raised mine.
My heart beat fast, but I did it.
When class ended, my phone buzzed.
Unknown Number:
You didn't wait.
I smiled.
At lunch, I saw the other boy again.
He waved this time.
I waved back.
Nothing dramatic.
But it felt… chosen.
At home, one last message came.
Unknown Number:
Soon, you will ask the wrong question.
I stared at the screen.
There are wrong questions now?
No reply.
I placed my phone down.
Wrong or right—
I knew one thing.
I wasn't done asking.