"Who is this?": Lady texting late brother's number puzzled as she gets response

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Mary had been texting her late brother Festus' WhatsApp number whenever she missed him, pouring out her grief in heartfelt messages

- What she did not know was that her younger sister Cynthia had somehow got hold of the phone and was on the other end, reading every word

- Cynthia's response took a wild turn that left Mary torn between tears and laughter on TikTok, where the exchange went viral

Grief finds its own quiet rituals, and for Mary, texting her late brother Festus on WhatsApp was one of them. On August 17, 2026, she shared on TikTok what happened when that private moment of mourning collided with her younger sister's sense of humour.

In screenshots Mary posted under her handle, she had opened a chat with Festus' number and begun pouring out her heart.

"Today I miss you more than ever," she wrote at 10:20 AM. "I came across your pictures, and all I could think about was how I wish I had spent more time with you before you left. Life has been so overwhelming without you."

What she did not anticipate was a reply.

When Grief Turns Into Confusion

At 10:25 AM, a response came through:

"I miss you too, my lovely sister." Before Mary could process the shock, a second message arrived: "My sister, hunger wan finish me for heaven." And then a third, blaming Angel Gabriel for not cooking.

Mary's reaction was instant. She sent back a stunned emoji followed by a blunt "Who is this????"

The answer revealed itself moments later when a message signed off with a request for money to invest in Northquest at 24% interest arrived, and Mary typed back one word in capital letters: "CYNTHIA!!!" She followed it with "You this small goat" and demanded to know what her younger sister was doing with Festus' phone.

Cynthia, unbothered, explained that she had only wanted to make Mary laugh a little, adding that Mary had been sending messages to the number every week.

Mixed Emotions Online

Mary noted in the comments that the grief behind the habit is very real. She had been sitting her exams during the period Festus fell ill and was not there to say goodbye, a regret she carries to this day.

One commenter pointed to the absurdity of being startled by a reply on a number one has been texting regularly.

@Praise | Twin Mom Life wrote: "but why the 'who is this' you've been texting the number na abi you no dey expect reply 🤣🤣 I laughed out so loud because I remember how I always use my late bro phone to flash his friends and they were always scared 🤣"

@ALOZIE 🔥 kept the joke alive: "Angel Gabriel never still cook till today ohh am just coming from that place 🤣"

@iruoma Sweto offered a sharper take: "Sometimes it's good to have evil spirit as siblings 🤣🤣🤣🤣"

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.