"A Message Away" by dreamy girl

"A message away " By Dreamy Girl On i********:, there was a “random GC” the kind that exists in every friend-of-a-friend scene. Memes, voice notes, someone’s random" personal story, and in between, pointless jokes. Zainab had joined that group too, through a mutual friend. From the very beginning, her way was different. She didn’t talk much. If someone asked a question, she’d reply briefly, drop a laughing emoji, or just send a reaction. One habit of hers was noticed by everyone right away. She spoke very little. Even in messages, her replies were short, and she didn’t think it was necessary to give an opinion on everything. At first, everyone labeled her “shy” and moved on but slowly, that very thing became a topic of mockery. That night, everyone was laughing over a new meme in the group. Zainab just dropped an emoji and put her phone aside. Then suddenly, a boy’s message popped up: “Zainab, why don’t you talk? Or is there some tax on typing?” Another guy said, “She’s probably here just to spy-taking screenshots of us.” A third one added, “No idea if she’s even real or just someone’s fake ID.” Laughter echoed through the chat. Zainab’s fingers froze on the keyboard. She wanted to say something, but the words felt stuck in her throat. She was just about to turn off her phone when a new message popped up. Saad Ibrahim A slightly older member of the group. In his profile picture, there was a natural smile, confidence in his eyes, and his clothes suggested he knew how to stand out in every gathering. His first message was direct and serious: “Do you guys always judge people for not talking? Or is today a special occasion?” For a few moments, the chat went silent. Then he typed another message: “Some people don’t talk much because they know words aren’t cheap. Maybe learn to value that.” “Oh come on, we were just joking you got all serious,” Ali said, and everyone agreed with his message. In the end, he tagged Zainab and said: “Stay as you are.” For the first time, Zainab smiled from her heart at something said in that group. She had never imagined that someone would see her silence not as a flaw, but as something beautiful. °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°° It was seven-thirty in the morning. Soft sunlight filtered through the narrow streets of the village. Somewhere, smoke rose from small tea stalls, and people heading toward the bus stop hurried their steps. Zainab adjusted one corner of her dupatta on her shoulder, picked up her bag, and stepped out of the house. Her village was near Multan, and it took an hour to reach the university. As usual, she sat on the window seat of the morning bus, from where fields, canals, and dirt paths slowly slipped behind. With the bus’s jerking movements, Zainab’s mind was tangled in memories of the previous night. Saad. That confident way of his and that line that had gone straight to her heart: “Stay as you are.” Zainab took a light breath. Her mind said, “It was just an online chat. No need to think too much.” Her heart said, “Send him a DM and say thank you—after all, he stood up for you in front of everyone.” But there was hesitation too. She questioned herself: “Was he serious, or did he just say it casually? What if I’m overthinking?” Outside the window, mustard fields glowed in golden sunlight, but Zainab’s eyes felt a little blurred. She couldn’t decide what her heart wanted. The bus entered the outskirts of Multan city; the noise of traffic and horns filled the air. Zainab took out her phone, opened i********:, opened Saad’s profile. Her finger paused on the “Message” button then slowly, she locked the screen. “No… not yet.” °°°°°°°°°°°° To be continued…