I SHOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY

28 MISSED CALLS

I went to class after the conversation with them. They gave me their numbers and added me to the group. I was really happy; I couldn't contain how I felt. “I can't wait to tell Daddy,” I thought.

After lessons, the school bell rang and classes ended. I quickly arranged my books in my desk, locked it, and put some in my bag. Honestly, today was the happiest day of my life.

After arranging my stuff, I left the class and headed outside to wait for my driver. While waiting, other children were already leaving. I just sat down on the waiting bench at the school car park, still waiting for the driver’s arrival.

Then suddenly, to my deepest surprise, the three Golden girls walked towards me. My heart sank as I quickly jumped up. I felt chills from within.

“Hii,” I stuttered.

“Hey Judy,” Nancy said, smiling.

“Hey Judy, I saw you from afar. Just wanted to check if everything was alright,” Jessi said warmly.

“Yes, it is. My driver hasn’t arrived yet. It’s rare though—it doesn’t happen this way. But I know he’s on his way already,” I said, stammering uncontrollably, trying to keep my balance.

“Oh, okay, I see. Should we wait with you until he comes?” Jessi said warmly with a smile.

“Yeah, I’m in support. Let’s wait with you,” Nancy added.

“No, no, it’s fine. You don’t have to. He’ll be here before you know it. You don’t have to wait,” I said quickly, trying to convince them.

Jessi just smiled and hugged me. “Bah, we’ll wait with you. We are your friends, remember?” she said aloud.

“Yeah, of course. We are friends. Let’s wait,” Nancy added as she sat on the bench.

I was surprised. I never thought they’d go this length. They are really nice girls.

I smiled brightly, holding Jessi’s hands. I was lost in the warmth she gave me.

“I’ll be in the car,” Maya, who had just stood watching the whole time, got annoyed and left coldly. But before she left—

“Judy, always remember, I never welcomed you here,” she concluded as she left with her headset on.

I just stared at her. “Why does she hate me?” I murmured.

“She’s just jealous of you, Judy. We love you, that’s why,” Jessi said, grabbing me and pulling me to sit on the chair.

I smiled, really happy to have them around.

After a few minutes, my driver arrived. They all waved at me as they watched me zoom off. It was really heartwarming. Honestly, I’ve never had anyone do that for me.

I smiled brightly as I kept watching them till I wasn’t able to see them anymore.

I was really happy today.

When I got home that same night, I quickly prepared for the night. Nancy said I should be online by 10pm. I was really excited.

After taking my bath and eating dinner Mrs. Laura prepared for me—she was my cook. During this time, Daddy was not in the country. I don’t have a mom or siblings; it was just me. I only had Mrs. Laura taking care of me since Dad travelled, but I always called Daddy every night before going to bed.

Well, I told Dad about everything that happened—my new amazing friends and all that. He was really happy for me. I really missed Dad’s presence. He was busy with his company activities, but he promised when he’s done, he’ll come home and stay with me.

After I was done with everything else, I went online, but it wasn’t 10pm yet. I just stayed online in case they started so I could join in. I scrolled through some reels on the internet when suddenly a message popped up on w******p.

I quickly clicked to check it. It was an unknown number.

It said “Hi.”

“Who is this?” I thought within.

“Hey, hi,” I texted back.

It replied, “Hey Judy, how are you doing?”

I was surprised.

“I’m fine,” I replied. “May I know whom this is?” I added.

There was a sudden silence.

After a while, it replied, “It’s me, Maya.”

Immediately, my heart sank.

I took a deep breath. “Maya? Why is she talking to me?” I thought aloud.

“Oh hi Maya, didn’t expect you to talk to me,” I texted.

She suddenly dropped a laughing emoji.

“Yes, I’m not supposed to talk to you. I just want to warn you again. You need to stop now or you won’t be able to leave. I’ll keep warning you till it’s too late, and then I’ll stop,” she said.

I was confused.

“What are you warning me about?” I asked curiously.

“Well, I won’t tell you. Just heed my warning now or you’ll regret it later,” she said again.

I paused for a moment.

Jessi and Nancy are nice to me. They won’t hurt me, I thought.

“I’m sorry, but I won’t leave. I want to be with them,” I texted boldly.

She dropped another laughing emoji.

Then suddenly—“Alright, good night. Let’s talk tomorrow night. Don’t tell them about this conversation. Good luck with your new friends.”

She went offline immediately before I could say another word.

I paused again. I couldn’t understand what she was warning me about.

Jessi and Nancy are nice to me—but why is she uncomfortable with it?

I thought hard and went offline. I lay down, closed my eyes, thinking deeply… and before I knew it, I blacked out and fell asleep.

A loud scream burst into my ears as I opened my eyes with a deep breath. It was my alarm clock buzzing loudly.

I quickly turned it off with one hand as the noise ceased. My heart calmed.

I lay back on the bed to go back to sleep.

“It’s just 5:00am,” I said softly.

My alarm always rang at that time. It was Dad who set it that way. I promised him never to change it.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

Suddenly, thoughts ran through my mind.

With my eyes still closed, I stretched my hand to the table beside my bed to pick up my phone—but I couldn’t touch it.

I searched around, moving closer and closer, but still couldn’t find it.

I opened my eyes quickly and sat up to look for it—but my phone wasn’t there.

I was shocked.

“Where’s my phone?” I thought aloud.

I got up from the bed to search properly, but it wasn’t there.

“Huh,” I murmured as my heart sank in fear.

“Did Mrs. Laura take my phone?” I gasped.

Suddenly, I heard a faint sound from underneath my bed cover.

I quickly lifted it—my phone fell out onto the bed.

I picked it up and sat down.

“Whoa, I slept off with my phone on my bed. Oh no, Daddy warned me about it. How is this possible? I don’t want this to get bad,” I murmured as I turned it on.

“Oh, thank God, it’s still working,” I said calmly.

Suddenly, messages popped up.

I tapped it.

I saw 28 missed calls.

Immediately, my body went cold.

I screamed aloud.

They were calls from Nancy and Jessi.

“Oh no, oh no, I’m dead,” I said, shaking.

My phone rang 28 times—I was in deep shock.

“Oh God, I missed the meeting. Oh no,” I said, almost in tears, shaking.

Both my hands got wet. I was in deep fear.

“I’m dead… I’m dead… oh no, they are going to kill me,” I murmured, frustrated.

I didn’t know what to do.

I went online to check the group, but surprisingly, there was no message.

I was confused.

“I don’t understand… no message from the group? But why?” I said, my heart pounding heavily.

I sat down, trying to think.

I looked around my room like I was going mad in frustration.

“Maybe they tried calling me to come online, and since I didn’t, they didn’t bother to stay on,” I thought.

“They are going to be mad at me. What am I going to do? How did I sleep off?”

I kept thinking hard.

I lay straight on the bed, switched off my phone, and stared up, lost in thought.

I kept thinking. It felt like my brain was going to burst.

I lay in one position, frozen like a statue, breathing steadily.

I started thinking about what to do and say when I see them today. No matter what excuse I thought of, I couldn’t come up with a proper one.

I was frustrated.

Then suddenly, a thought came to me.

I quickly sat up.

“Nancy and Jessi are punctual. If I can come before them, maybe I can settle things with them,” I said aloud, taking a deep breath.

I nodded continuously.

I made up my mind—this was a good idea.

At least before the students arrive, we can settle the whole issue.

After a long thought, I lay back on the bed.

“All I have to do is be early to school,” I concluded.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep immediately without realizing.