A Message in the Inbox

...Chapter 1 – A Message in the Inbox...

Ananya had been scrolling through her nursing college study group app for nearly an hour, pretending she was studying but actually procrastinating. The anatomy notes looked like some alien language, and the only thing keeping her awake was the endless chain of memes her classmates shared.

She sighed, pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, and tapped on the “Suggested Friends” tab. Most of them were fellow students, but one profile caught her eye.

Username: ShadowWalker

Profile picture: a blurry city skyline at night.

Bio: “Not here to impress. Don’t bother.”

“Oooh, edgy,” Ananya muttered, biting her lip to hide a grin. What kind of guy puts something like that?

On impulse, she clicked the message button and typed:

“Hi, ShadowWalker. Why so mysterious? Are you Batman?”

She giggled at her own boldness and tossed her phone aside. He probably wouldn’t reply anyway.

Ten minutes later, the phone buzzed. Her eyes widened. He had replied.

ShadowWalker: “Not Batman. Don’t waste your time.”

Ananya blinked, then burst out laughing. What a rude reply! But also… interesting.

Without hesitation, she typed back.

Ananya: “Wow, someone’s grumpy. Don’t worry, I have plenty of time to waste.”

There was a pause. She imagined him staring at the screen, debating whether to reply. Finally—

ShadowWalker: “Find someone else to chat with. I’m not interested.”

Most people would’ve taken the hint. But Ananya was not “most people.” She smirked.

Ananya: “Too bad. I already decided you’re my new friend.”

Another long pause. No reply. She shrugged, thinking maybe she pushed too much. But the next day, when she woke up, there was a notification waiting.

ShadowWalker: “You’re persistent.”

Her heart leapt. She typed back instantly.

Ananya: “Of course. Someone has to melt that icy heart of yours. Challenge accepted.”

For Ruhan—aka ShadowWalker—it was supposed to be a one-off. A random girl trying to strike up conversation. Normally, he’d block and move on. He didn’t do chit-chat. Not in his line of work, and certainly not with strangers online.

But for some reason, he hadn’t blocked her. Maybe it was her ridiculous Batman comment. Maybe it was the way she replied without hesitation, unafraid of his cold tone. He didn’t know.

And now, instead of reviewing mission files, he found himself staring at the chat window, waiting for her next silly message.

“Good morning, Shadow! Did you have breakfast?”

Ruhan frowned at the screen. Why is she asking about my breakfast?

He typed back, short and precise.

ShadowWalker: “Yes.”

A minute later—

Ananya: “What did you eat? Don’t tell me it’s just coffee. That’s not healthy!”

He sighed. Why does she care?

ShadowWalker: “Omelette.”

Ananya: “Okay, fine. I’ll allow it. Barely.”

Ruhan rubbed his temple. Who even talks like this? And why was he… smiling?

Over the next few weeks, her messages kept coming—bright, bubbly, and annoyingly cheerful. She sent memes of dancing cats, jokes about medical students’ lack of sleep, even voice notes where she laughed at herself.

And every time, against his better judgment, he replied. Just short sentences, nothing revealing. But she made sure the conversation never died.

One night, she sent:

Ananya: “You know, you never laugh in texts. Not even a ‘lol.’ Are you secretly a robot?”

Ruhan stared at the message. For a second, he actually chuckled. The sound startled even him.

ShadowWalker: “Maybe I am. You wouldn’t know.”

Ananya: “Pfft. If you’re a robot, then I’m your software update. Version: Fun 2.0.”

He shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. This girl… she was trouble. Sweet, sunshine-colored trouble.

And though he didn’t admit it yet, Ruhan knew one thing for sure:

He wasn’t going to block her.

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