Secret Message

"Are you awake?"

Isha phone screen meeda unknown number nundi message vachindi. Time 12:18 AM. Aame ignore cheyyali anukundi, kani curiosity gelichindi.

"Wrong number," ani reply ichindi.

"Sorry. Kani ippudu meeru awake ani telisindi," ani reply vachindi.

Aame navvindi. "Meeru strangers ni disturb cheyyadam habit aa?"

"Only when life confusing ga untundi."

Aa message lo edo loneliness undi. Isha random ga conversation continue chesindi. Athani peru Karthik ani telisindi. Software job, night shifts, complicated breakup.

First week lo messages light ga unnayi. Tarvatha deep ayyayi. Isha tana fears share chesindi. Karthik tana failures cheppadu. Vaallu photos exchange cheyyaledu, calls cheyyaledu. Words matrame.

Oka roju Karthik adigadu, "Manam meet avvacha? Public place. Coffee. Neeku ok aithe."

Isha long pause tarvatha "Ok" ani pampindi.

Cafe lo first time chusinappudu vaallu iddaru silent ayyaru. Phone lo easy ga flow ayina words face to face lo slow ayyayi. Kani Karthik eyes lo same kindness undi.

"Nuvvu imagine chesinattu lenana?" ani athanu adigadu.

"Better," ani Isha spontaneous ga cheppindi.

Aa one word iddari madhya wall break chesindi. Vaalla secret messages real walks ga, real coffee ga, real care ga maarayi.

Love sometimes dramatic entry tho raadu. Wrong number laga vastundi. Kani correct heart daggara aagipothundi.