She answered a phone call from her own number.

With a trembling voice, she whispered, “Hello?”

On the other end, she heard her own voice.

Calm. Steady. Resolute.


"Hi. I know, you’re scared. You’re frightened. How is this even possible? And yet, it is. I am you. A different you. I’m your answers. I’m the voice you long to hear but keep silencing.

I’ve tried so many times to speak to you, but you shut me down. I came to you as signs, and you ignored them. I came as thoughts, and you chased me away. I came in dreams, and you woke up. I even came through the mouths of your friends, and you walked away. This… was the only way left. Irrational. Impossible. Unthinkable. Because you need me. Because I need you — more than ever — to keep existing, to reach you before I vanish. Before you lose me."


She could only listen. Frozen in place.

The blood in her veins stood still. Her mind, her heart — all frozen.

“How can this be?” That was the only thought echoing inside her.

Then her own voice spoke again...


"Don’t question it. Don’t be afraid. I am you. And I’m calling from that place we once shared. The place where we felt whole. The place you left me behind.

You didn’t really want to leave. You just wanted to take a walk. To breathe. To come back. You just wanted the doubts, the fear, the pain — to stop.

I made the mistake of letting go of your hand, just for a moment… and you sank. You were terrified of everything you were feeling.

Terrified of what he feels... or doesn’t.

Why, my love? Why? Don’t we both know — what you feel is enough? Don’t we know that Love is ours alone to give, never to demand?

Remember… You loved him, and you shone. You painted him with stars in your sky. You smiled into his darkness, and let your light show him the way. You didn’t care if he’d follow.

You didn’t care if he came to you now, or ever. You loved him for what he was.

Not for what he could be.

He may know what he is — and fear it. He may not know yet. He may never know…

But you do.

You saw him.

What changed?

What scared you?

It wasn’t him.

He lives inside you. Inside me.

Whole. Raw. Alive. Beautiful.

Does it matter if he sees it?

You saw him!"

She listened. Just listened.

Listened to her voice — her thoughts — with a certainty she had forgotten she ever had.

With a Love that had once lived in her not long ago.

And as she listened, she returned.

Returned to the feelings that made her feel alive.

Returned to the blissful place she had built the moment she met him.

Her voice continued:

"Remember?

You’d built such high walls around you, worn such heavy armor, that you were sure you could never love again.

Remember what we used to say to our friends?

That we’d lost the ability to love.

And it was true — back then.

And then… He came.

And with one breath, he shattered your walls.

His light warmed you so deeply, you peeled off the armor.

He stripped you bare.

He set you free.

And you told him so. Remember?

You were happy. I was happy.

And then something changed. You left me.

You said you’d return.

But you’ve taken too long.

And I’m cold. I’m freezing.

If you wait any longer, I’ll fade.

That thing he awakened in you — the thing you embraced — will disappear.

Come back…

Come back to the place where we feel joy, and Love.

Without expectations.

Only open arms.

Come back…

You need me… but I need you more, so I don’t vanish again.

And he… he’s the only one who could ever wake you like this.

There’s no other like him.

He is One.

Unique.

That’s how we loved him —

Just as he is..."

Suddenly — silence.

The call ended.

She remained still for a moment.

Then, as if waking from a long dream, she rushed to check her call history.

And there it was. Her own number.

She smiled.

Tapped Call.

“Hey… Can you hear me?

I’m coming back. Just like I left — bare.

Packing only a few tears… and I’m on my way.”