Chapter 1: The Wrong Text

David Lawson sighed as he dropped his backpack onto the floor.

It had been another long day at work. All he wanted was a shower, a hot meal, and a good night's sleep.

His phone vibrated on the bedside table.

He picked it up absentmindedly.

Unknown Number

Baby, I'm outside your hostel. Please come out before your roommate sees me.

David frowned.

He read the message again before chuckling.

"Definitely the wrong person," he muttered.

He was about to ignore it, but something made him reply.

I think you have the wrong number.

Barely a minute later, his phone buzzed again.

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry. I was trying to send that to someone else. Please forgive me.

David smiled.

No worries. Mistakes happen. I just hope your "baby" doesn't think you ignored him. 😂

Three dots appeared almost immediately.

😂 I hope so too. This is so embarrassing.

David laughed softly.

The conversation should have ended there.

Instead, another message appeared.

Since I've already disturbed your evening... what's your name?

He hesitated.

Normally, he never chatted with strangers.

But there was something honest about the apology.

I'm David.

A few seconds later came the reply.

I'm Amanda Okafor. Nice to meet you... even if it was by mistake.

Nice to meet you too.

David placed the phone on the bed and headed to the kitchen.

As he waited for his noodles to cook, he caught himself smiling.

"Why am I smiling because of a wrong number?" he wondered.

He shook his head and laughed.

Back in his room, his phone buzzed once more.

Amanda: One last question...

David: Go ahead.

Amanda: Are you always this nice to strangers?

David thought for a moment before replying.

Only the ones who apologize.

Amanda reacted with a laughing emoji.

Then I'm lucky I said sorry.

David leaned back against the wall.

For reasons he couldn't explain, the conversation felt... effortless.

Outside, the rain began to fall gently against his window.

Inside, two strangers continued texting, completely unaware that a single wrong digit had just changed both of their lives.