Midnight caller

The continuous ring of the phone echoed through the room, pulling me from the grips of sleep. Angela's soft snores continued undisturbed on the spacious bed, unaware of the loud noise of the phone. With a sleepy face, I reluctantly rose from the bed, and a loud yawn that echoed in the quiet room came out of my mouth.

The room, dimly lit by a lone lamp on the bedside table, cast soft shades that danced across the walls. Pale flower-patterned wallpaper adorned the room, giving it a simple yet beautiful charm. The furniture, though modest, showed a sense of familiarity, different from the turmoil that had invaded our lives.

As I stumbled toward the source of the ringing, the blue Samsung Galaxy phone on the wooden desk seemed to mock my desire for a peaceful night's sleep.

Its incessant ringing echoed louder, each tone cutting through the silence like an unpleasant intruder.

I couldn't help but wonder whose phone was ringing because I switched off my phone before going to bed that day.

My inner thoughts began to run wild within me – *Who could be calling at this hour? Has someone discovered our whereabouts? Is my Father after us now?" My hand hesitated over the phone, uncertainty flickering in my eyes. I wondered whether to answer the call or let it continue ringing.

I moved closer to the dressing mirror, trying to search for the phone, and just as I had suspected, it was Angela's phone. I couldn't see the name of the person who was calling her, and although I didn't mean to be a busybody, my curiosity got the better side of me, and I picked up the phone from the dressing table.

As my fingers hovered over the 'answer' button, a lot of conflicting emotions rushed through me, and I caught cold feet at once.

Angela was my sister, and respecting her privacy was important, but the continuous nagging feeling urged me to uncover who the late-night caller was.

I looked around my eyes and brain thinking of what to do.

I was caught in a dilemma, torn between my loyalty to Angela and the need to protect us from possible threats.

I stared at the phone, contemplating the consequences of my actions. Was this an innocent call from a friend, or was it the introduction of a more dangerous and disturbing journey?* I asked myself multiple times and decided to brave up.

I quickly looked at Angela; she was snoring soundly, taking a deep breath.

My hands trembled as I picked up the call. It was easy to unlock her phone because the phone was without a security code.

Unfortunately, the voice I heard shattered my heart seriously.

It was my mother's voice, filled with concern and confusion.

"Angela, is that you? I am at the hotel address you sent, but I can't enter because the hotel manager said they were instructed not to allow anyone inside!" Her tiny voice pierced my ears, echoing through the silence of the room. The weight of her words hung in the air, freezing me on the spot. I was so shocked that I didn't know what to say.

I stood there in stunned silence, the phone still pressed to my ear. The implications of Angela's actions echoed in my mind. How could she betray our pact of secrecy?

My mother's voice continued through the phone, growing more anxious with each passing second. "Angela, what's going on? Why won't they let me in? Are you okay?"

My mouth trembled as I struggled to find words. The truth dominated over me, threatening to solve the web of delusion I had woven. I had actually thought that I was safe.

But now, Angela had exposed us, and I had to face the consequences.

"Angela, answer me!" My mother's voice turned desperate.

A whirlwind of emotions swept through me – guilt, fear, and confusion.

I couldn't believe that Anita would do such a thing behind my back. I mean, I trusted her, and instead of proving herself worthy of my trust, she decided to stab me in the back. The nerve of sending our hotel address to my mother left me furious and betrayed.

Unable to contain my anger, I angrily cut the call, ignoring my mother's howls on the other end. My emotions rushed like a storm, and without thinking twice, I hit Angela hard on her back. But she didn't stir.

"What the hell, Angela? How could you betray us like this?" I muttered, my voice filled with a mixture of anger and hurt.

“Who is that? Anita, check the door, someone is trying to bully me,” Angela sleep-talked, her words hushed by the pillow, as she turned to the other side, snoring softly.

In a fit of frustration, I clenched my fists, thinking whether to wake her up gently or unleash my threat.

There must be a misunderstanding. I tried to reassure myself.

“Angela, wake up this instant, or else I will pour a glass cup of cold water on your face!” I threatened with a menacing voice, though inwardly I was wondering if I was actually going to do that to her.

My sleeping twin sister jumped up immediately, confused and terrified. She scanned the room, wide-eyed, before her gaze finally landed on me. The fear in her eyes slowly transformed into a mix of confusion and relief.

“Sister, are you alright? Why do you look so angry? Who annoyed you?” Angela fired a lot of questions at me, each one rushing out before I could answer the previous one.

I stared at her, my eyes demanding answers, and a deep frown was planted on my face.

“Do you have something to tell me? Anything to confess?!” I asked, my voice a slow, menacing drawl, the weight of doubt heavy in the air.

Angela's eyes widened in immediate shock, a mixture of disbelief and fear was across her face.

“How in the world did you find out?” Angela blurted out in alarm, raising her eyes to meet mine with a hint of confusion, trying to find out just how much I knew.

But I kept quiet, my lips twisted in distaste.