My Text Pal

My cellphone's beeping sound woke me up one night. Used to receiving important messages only, I grabbed my cellphone and sleepily pressed the keys and read the message.

"Hi there! Care 2 b my txtmate?"

Not knowing who the sender was, I deleted the message right away and placed the phone on my bedside table. I tried to go back to sleep. I had just closed my eyes when I heard the message tone again.

"Hi there, again! Care 2 b my txtmate?" again, the message said.

"Who the hell could this be asking for a textmate at the wee hours of the night?" I asked myself.

Again, I deleted the message without bothering to reply.

I was never a 'textmaniac' - someone who enjoys texting anyone and everyone even in the wee hours of the night, not to mention during the day. My parents who were always abroad, forced me to own a cellphone. They told me that having one was more convenient - they could monitor me even if they're miles away.

I wanted to turn the cellphone off. However, since my mother was fond of calling me at night just to check if I am safe at home, I decided not to.

Just as I was about to close my eyes and return to my dreamless sleep, the phone beeped again. It was from the same number! Such determination!

"Pls reply 2 dis msg & b an angel & save me frm dis abyss of emptiness!"

I never knew why but the message struck me. I got up and pressed the keys. I realized I was replying to the message.

"Im not an angel, n if u want som1 2 save u, Im not superman. Im just a simple person whom u woke up in d mid of d nite! Nway, do I know u?" I typed.

Seconds later came the reply.

"Nope. U don't know dis lonely soul. Nor does she know u. But I want 2 b ur frnd. I'm Sophie Kendra Lim. U?"

"Just call me Miko. How did u get my no.?" I sent back.

"Hi Miko, nice 2 meet u. Just shuffled the last two digits of mine" she replied.

That was the first and maybe the last time I met someone over the cellphone.

We exchanged messages and learned so much about each other that night. We only said goodbye when my alarm clock rang at 5 a.m.! I had to prepare for school!

And that was also how it all started. There wouldn’t be a day without a loving and thoughtful message from her. It was only then I learned to appreciate text messages and become eager and excited everytime my phone beeped, hoping it would be her.

I never knew why, but her response would send shivers down my spine.

"Value d people hu hav touched ur life bcoz ull never know just wen will dey walk out of ur lyf & nvr come back again."

I couldn't understand what I felt at that moment, but I was sure of one thing. I could not go a day without a single word from her. Even though we haven’t met personally, I became used to having her in my life. In fact by then, she already occupies a large space in my life.

I texted her back. "Dont come close if ull jst pass by; don't touch me if ull jst let me cry; dont luv me if ull jst leave me and won't stay..."

I didn't know why I sent her that message, but somehow I felt every word came from my heart. In the short span of time that we exchanged messages with each other, I knew I have reserved a place for her in my heart.

I called her once. The voice on the other end was like an angel's. It was soft, kind and full of love. Yet, there was something in it I couldn't define. We only talked for a few minutes. Before she hung up, she told me not to call again. According to her, it would be better if we would just text each other.