And for the first time in years, Aarav’s 11:11 wish came true.

Riya found herself laughing alone in her room. She started noticing things: the way her day felt incomplete without his “Good morning, did you eat?” The way her heart raced at three dots appearing.

Every night at 11:11 PM, Riya would message: “Make a wish.”

She woke up to 347 replies. Most were creepy stickers, a few laughing emojis, and one that said: “Only if you promise not to ghost.”

This is just friendship, she told herself. Online friendship.

Riya never intended to post that status. It was 2 AM, her phone screen was cracked, and her thumb slipped.