The Guy I Never Met

Can I Call You?

CHAPTER 4: CAN I CALL YOU?

Morning.

Benghazi was bright.

I was in my room, tidying up. Bed made, things in place. I had already taken my bath and put on my uniform. I was having breakfast before I started work for the day.

My phone buzzed on the table beside me.

Ola.

I picked it up and smiled.

_Good morning_

_Did you sleep well?_

I replied with a voice note while I ate.

Good morning. I slept well, thank you. How are you?

He replied quickly.

I’m good, he said. Just heading out for my internship. Had a long night but I’m fine.

That’s nice, I typed. Don’t stress yourself too much, okay? And hope you have a great day today.

I won’t, he said. Promise.

We kept chatting through the morning. Short texts. A voice note here and there between my chores.

It felt easy. Like this was already what we did.

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Evening.

Work was done. The house was quiet.

I was lying on my bed, scrolling through my phone. I had just finished practicing some Korean words in my notebook.

My phone buzzed.

Can I ask you something?

Yes?

Can I call you?

I stopped scrolling.

Can I call you?

My chest got tight. I don’t think I'm ready yet for call. Without a second thought.

Umm... NO. I typed.

Another message came in.

Is there a problem?

I took a deep breath and replied.

No, there’s no problem, I said softly. I’m just... I’m a bit shy on calls.

He replied almost immediately.

Oh, it’s okay, he said. We don’t have to. We can just keep chatting like this.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

Really? I asked. You don’t mind?

I don’t mind at all, he said. I like talking to you either way.

And that was it. No pressure.

So we kept chatting.

He told me about his internship. About debugging code and the small tasks his supervisor gave him.

I told him about my day. About how tired I was but how peaceful the evening felt after work.

We laughed.

We sent voice notes.

We talked about libyan culture.

I told him about the Korean drama I was watching. He said he’d try it someday if he had time.

Then he said something that made me quiet.

You know, you’re really strong, Kemi.

I’m not, I replied quickly.

You are, he said. Working, studying on your own, planning to go back to school... that’s not easy. But you’re doing it. I see it.

I didn’t know what to say to that. So I just whispered,

Thank you.

The night went on like that. Light. Easy. No awkwardness.

Just talking.

When I told him I was getting sleepy, he said,

Okay. Rest well, Kemi.

We’ll talk tomorrow?

We’ll talk tomorrow,I said.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, Ola.

I put my phone down and looked at the ceiling.

This morning I was having breakfast, preparing for work, wondering if he’d text.

Tonight, he asked to call me... and when I said no, he stayed anyway.

The guy I never met...

Wanted to hear my voice.

And respected me when I wasn’t ready.

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TO BE CONTINUED...