Offline Number

OFFLINE NUMBER

It was a hot Saturday afternoon, around 2:00–3:00 PM. Chiphiko opened the windows of his small room to allow the cool breeze to flow in and provide relief from the intense October heat. With no school activities to attend, he picked up his old Huawei smartphone, hoping to find something that could keep him occupied.

As he browsed through his contact list, he realized how empty it felt. Loneliness crept into his heart, so he decided to check through some old contacts he had saved over the years. Slowly, he scrolled from one letter to another until he reached the letter S.

A familiar name appeared. Susana.

The moment he saw it, memories rushed through his mind. His heart beat faster as he remembered a beautiful girl from his hometown. She was someone he had admired for years but had never found the courage to tell how he truly felt.

Susana was known for her kindness, cheerful personality, and warm smile. She had a way of making everyone around her feel comfortable. To Chiphiko, she was unforgettable. Although many years had passed, the memory of her still occupied a special place in his heart.

Holding his phone in silence, he found himself drifting back to the days when their story had begun.

A few years earlier, Chiphiko had been an ordinary boy living in Bangwe Township. While many people around him were content with simply getting by, he dreamed of something greater. He wanted to become a genetic engineer.

Whenever he shared his dream with others, people laughed. To them, it seemed impossible. Yet Chiphiko never allowed their doubts to weaken his determination.

He imagined a future where he would use science to improve crops and help solve food shortages. He dreamed of developing maize varieties that could withstand harsh conditions and survive for longer periods without losing productivity.

Although he was not the most outstanding student in school, he worked hard and remained focused. When his final secondary school examinations arrived, his efforts paid off. He scored fourteen points, enough to earn an opportunity to continue to university.

Shortly after completing secondary school, life took a difficult turn. His father lost his job, and the family’s financial situation deteriorated rapidly. As the firstborn among three children, Chiphiko felt responsible for helping his parents during the crisis.

Determined to help, he opened a small computer and photocopy centre where he earned money by providing various services.

It was during this period that Susana unexpectedly entered his life.

Almost every afternoon after school, she would visit the copy centre. Sometimes she came to buy music. Other times she simply stopped by to chat.

Whenever he asked what type of music she wanted, she would smile and say, “Anything that sounds nice.”

As time passed, their conversations grew longer. What began as simple customer interactions slowly developed into a genuine friendship.

Then one afternoon, everything changed.

Susana informed him that she would soon be leaving. She had been living in Bangwe only for school and was returning to her hometown after completing her final examinations.

Before she left, Chiphiko gathered enough courage to ask for her phone number. To his relief, she gave it to him.

“There’s one problem,” she explained. “The number is currently offline. But once I get home, it will be connected to the network.”

Soon afterward, Susana left.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months.

Every time Chiphiko tried calling the number, he received the same response: the number was unavailable.

Eventually, life moved on. Chiphiko focused on preparing for university and pursuing the dream he had carried since childhood.

Yet despite the passing years, one memory remained untouched—the memory of a cheerful girl named Susana, whose

number stayed offline long after she had gone.