Early morning after all the commotion, confessions, and replacements, Ella was woken up by a very familiar ringing tone that she not too long ago blue toothed on the new cell phone. She checked the new cell phone’s ID screen and read: +00537573936. She wasn’t feeling all to well since she was still a little sleepy, but all the same…she still answered it groggily.

“Wei? Who‘s this?” she asked then.

“Huh?” the one on the other line asked. “Chun here.”

“Oh,” she gasped nervously. “Sorry, must be still really sleepy,” she bit her lower lip and was going on out about in her mind thinking of the possible reaction she might get from him once he finds out that she just ruined his phone.

“Be there at 11:45,” he randomly uttered in a rush then, probably getting ready to hang the phone up.

“No, wait!” she exclaimed, looking at the digital clock by her bedside table that read: 10:49. “Why?”

“Can I not come for a visit?” he asked then. “No, actually, I’m getting my phone back and maybe I‘m thinking I‘ll treat you out on a friendly date and discuss something with you in private.”

“Huh?” she asked in shock. “Why all of a sudden? I just woke up. Besides, what‘s there to privately talk about?”

“Please?” he asked sincerely, and convincingly.

“Fine!” she exclaimed then, smirking at the other end. She knew she couldn’t resist him anyway, so why still talk him out of it and act all that unfriendly pretending as if she still thought of him as a bother?

Hanging the phone up and finishing the conversation, she stumbled down on the side of her bed with a loud thud that made her even more awake. She then hurriedly grabbed her things randomly from her cabinet as soon as she regained her composure and rushed to the bathroom to take-a-bath.

After which, minutes later as she got downstairs, Selina was rather surprised seeing Ella up and ready to go to some place she still doesn’t know of.

“Hey, Ellie, where are you going?” she asked consciously, smiling too, as she had an idea what or where Ella was going.

“Out with Chun,” Ella replied casually like she didn’t care at all as she sat on the sofa right beside Selina. “A friendly date,” she added then, with a slight hint of excitement on her face. “He just asked me out right after I woke up. All too sudden, don’t you think?”

“Ella,” Selina started then, looking at her friend in pure confusion so. “Yesterday, you looked as if Cupid just shot one of his arrows to you declaring that you like. No, more like, love Wu Chun and now you sound so casual as if you don’t care at all.”

“Well, Sellie, must I always broadcast and let my feelings drown me too much and show it to the whole world so that I‘m proud I‘m falling in love?” she asked in question. “Actually, thinking about it now, falling in love kind of .”

“What?!” Selina looked at her friend in bewilderment. “Why so?”

“Because it really really really feels irritating,” Ella replied. “I feel as if I could already do the most insane things like what I just did yesterday that I declared I love Wu Chun to you and Hebe. It feels a little awkward, but as I thought of him last night before I fell to a deep slumber, I felt my heart beating fast. That’s not all!” she exclaimed. “My stomach was churning in and out, my brain and heart was telling me to only think of him and alone. Just lately, I couldn’t even resist his request.” she added and now hugged her friend in surprise, blush gracing her cheeks.

“I seriously don’t know what in what you just said,” Selina laughed a bit before hearing a doorbell ring. “Good luck then, Ellie. You look great, by the way,” Selina complimented Ella who was sporting a dark blue hoodie, a dark blue jean shorts that complemented the top and a pair of Nike dunks. Not all too girly, yes, but comfortable all the same. Moreover, Ella was just being herself.

--

As soon as Chun has escorted Ella to his car and as soon as they settled down, Ella curiously asked, “So, where are we going?”

“Watching Iron Man 2,” he responded with a smile.

“Ohh,” Ella then gasped, even though she found it kind of weird as to why Chun was acting this way. After which, the drive to the mall remained silent, even though at the back of Ella’s mind…she was nervously thinking about how she would break to him that she, well…kind of…ruined his phone.

As soon as they arrived at the mall, they settled down and scurried to eat at the food court. After which, according to Chun, scheduled to watch a movie.

--

On the other side of the story…

“Hebs, I’m going out in a while,” Selina said. “Something came up at home, I think I’d not be coming back in a week or so. Just tell Elle. Also, if you’re going out, be sure to check all locks or Ella might kill me for it.”

“Okay, sure,” Hebe smiled, assisting Selina as she exited the residence.

Selina then immediately turned round a corner, walking fast to catch a cab by the nearest highway. Halfway through, just to make sure, she then checked her handbag for her wallet and got a couple of cash before returning it back. Looking up, she hadn’t expected to meet a familiar fellow yet again. Moreover, inside his car. He was trying to get her attention, beeping at her and all she could do was to glare at him with one of her eyebrows up.

“Monkey boy, what brings you here?” Selina all of a sudden then said, with a smirk, pretending in a nick of time that she was happy to see him.

“Hey, I thought you were mad at me?” Jiro asked, confusion written all over his face.

“Well, I never said that I‘m not, did I?” Selina asked back in reply, rolling her eyes. “Open the passenger seat.”

“What for?” Jiro asked again, uncertain if he should comply to her request.

“To hitch a ride,” Selina replied, slamming the passenger door close and buckling the seatbelt unto her.

--

“Want some popcorn?” Ella turned to Chun and asked the man who was beside her, looking right back at her direction.

“No, thank you,” Chun replied, pretending to shift his direction toward the movie even if he was still catching glimpses of the woman beside him. Amusement and entertainment was written all over her face as he looked at her as she watched, he observed.

“Popcorn?” Ella then asked for the umpteenth time, catching Chun in the act, looking at her.

“No,” Chun shook his head with a controlled smile he was holding inside. He can’t help but think that she was too cute. It was a good thing the cinema was dim. Even if he’d blush or do some strange facial expression, she wouldn’t notice.

“You keep looking at me, yet when I ask you if you want popcorn, you’re saying no and shaking your head,” Ella scolded with her softest voice, smirking at Chun.

“Look, Ella, I have something to tell you,” Chun replied then, more serious this time.

“Whatever it is, couldn’t it wait ‘til later, hm?” She pleaded. “Just look at the screen! Scarlett is so cool. This is getting better. She just sprayed pepper spray on one of Hammer‘s security guards.”

“Scarlett?” Chun asked, completely unaware.

“Chun, are you not paying attention to what we’re watching?” Ella asked back. “Scarlett. The one playing as Natasha.”

“Ohh,” Chun could only then gasp in defeat. Telling himself to just talk with her about what he wanted to talk with her right after the movie just as she’s said.

--

“Selina, we’ve been beating about the bush for a few minutes now, any signs of your destined place yet?” Jiro asked, getting tired with this adventure.

“There!” Selina exclaimed, pointing to a pink mansion.

“It’s soooooo pink,” Jiro had his eyes wide, eyeing the mansion Selina just pointed to. It’s no doubt pink, just as he’s said. He bets that even the interior of the mansion is pink. A bicycle parked by the gate is pink. There is even a car parked that is pink.

“Want to come along inside?” Selina then smiled at Jiro sincerely.

“Can I?” Jiro asked back.

“If you want to,” Selina said, her tone of voice absolutely not forcing him to if he doesn’t really want to.

“I thought you were mad at me?” Jiro then said in exasperation, slamming close the drivers door just as Selina’s done so with the passenger door.

“Repeating what I said earlier, I never said I don’t, alright?” Selina asked back. “Why do you keep touching back on that topic, anyway?”

“Because I’m curious?” Jiro asked back for the second time. “And wow, you just got me to deliver you to your pink mansion and there’s even no sign of gratitude for you.”

“I was so about to say that, not until you asked me about me hating you again!” Selina exclaimed, hands on her hips now.

“Okay, so, you’re here. Now, if I may—”

“Excuse me,” A girl, holding a toy poodle, who looked a little like Selina then approached the bickering pair.

“Kimi!” Selina exclaimed, immediately hugging the girl. “I missed you, mei mei,” she pinched Kimi’s cheeks and got the dog that Kimi was carrying to her arms. “Pinky!”

‘Great, she named her dog “Pinky” as well’, Jiro thought, smirking silently as she watched the two sisters have their sister time.

After which, Kimi scoffed, indirectly pointing at the unknown man with her elder sister.

“Oh, he’s Jiro. Nothing special,” was all Selina could say. “And he’s about to leave.”

“No, not so fast!” Kimi exclaimed. “I insist that you settle in even for just a while. “You might’ve had a frustrating time driving my sister here.”

Selina and Jiro then could only engage themselves in a silent glaring game. Selina, with her hands on hips and Jiro with his arms crossed as they were entering the so-called ‘pink’ mansion according to Jiro.

--

“That was fun!” Ella exclaimed, just as soon as they exited the cinemas. “Don’t you think so?”

Chun couldn’t help but agree more as he nodded at her in reply. Sure, his attention wasn’t entirely on the movie, but he sure had a great time eyeing Ella in every facial expression that he could clearly imagine now.

“There’s another part, right?” Ella asked randomly with her cheeky and rare smile. “I really hope there’d be a third installment and you could watch with me again,” she then shyly turned to Chun and waited if he’d agree.

“Sure,” Chun smiled. A cheeky one, at that. “I’m just a call away.”

No one dared to speak after that. It seemed as though everything was a little awkward for them. They were walking side by side, yes, the only missing thing if ever would be their hands intertwined. Chun looked like he wanted to break the ice, though. So, he popped out a very smart move question.

“So,” he started. “Should I bring you home now?”

“If you insist,” Ella replied, a bit of reluctant to have to end this day early.

“Know what, I changed my mind,” Chun all of a sudden said, thinking up of other more activities that they could do together. “Mind shooting some hoops with me?”

Ella could only smile upon what he said. Sure, she’ll say yes and that she knows all too well where he’s taking her.

--

Jiro gulped upon the feast right in front of him. He couldn’t help but think why he was eating with the Ren’s at this unexpected time of day. He knew they were the Ren’s when he saw the sign on their front door, by the way. The first thing that came to his mind was Chun. Oh, what big eater he is. One who could finish a table full of food in a go.

He seriously didn’t mind that Selina was still glaring at him for Kimi was filling him in with generosity. She told him to feel like he’s just at home. Something that a proper host in her own house would do, something that Selina should be doing instead for she was the one who brought him to this household. He wondered as to why only the two sisters were home, but he wouldn’t dare ask.

But apart from all those, he didn’t really know what would happen after this, but he sure hopes it’s something that would make Selina completely forget about the ‘monkey boy’ that he cyber(ly) was once. Taking note that he had the will and pride to drive her to her so-called ‘pink’ mansion.

--

Ella dribbled the ball with great dexterity. They were halfway through the game that they were playing - a one set game that they talked about that ends when one reaches the score of 10. Beads of sweat could be seen rolling down Chun’s pretty and handsome face, from his neck, and Ella just could keep smiling impishly to herself about being able to witness such a scene. The score was down to 8-9, with Chun leading of course. But even so that Ella Chen’s declared that she’s absolutely fallen in love with the guy, she wouldn’t let her guard down.

“Charlene,” he started all of a sudden, panting. “She’s my ex-girlfriend.”

Ella pressed her lips together, afraid to say anything else. She didn’t know why he was telling her all of these, but as soon as the name ‘Charlene’ registered on her mind, she knew it has something to do with what she asked him through text just the other day.

“Well,” she started and heaved out a sigh, passing through Chun and readying herself in shooting the ball. “Jerry’s my brother.”

With that revelation, Chun randomly closed his eyes, feeling the inner happiness in him that he wouldn’t just show her. And with that revelation as well, he let his guard down and let Ella shoot a two-point shot right at the basket.

“I win!” she exclaimed, much to her happiness.

Tending to be the reckless one though, as to jumping so much in delight, she lost balance. The catching part… let’s leave that to Chun. Expectedly, the one who handled the situation with much accuracy and observation that he looked like he knew something like this was to happen.

So, she fell to his arms, her weight dragging his face nearer to hers. The urge for him to make a move sure was there. Especially that one strong urge which is to kiss her. He leaned in then and she could only close her eyes in anticipation so. Inches apart… Centimeters apart… Millimeters apart… Almost there…

…and a ringing phone had to unfortunately distract the whole scene.

Snapping herself back to reality immediately, she pushed Chun off her a little, enough to stable herself to stand and fish out the KS360 Life’s Good mobile phone from her pocket.

Much to her dismay, she found out that it was none other than the all-known ‘wrong number’ type of call.

“Who was it?” Chun asked in a smirk, obviously irritated with the fact that their almost-kissing scene had to be interrupted.

“Wrong number, heheh,” Ella softly laughed and hurriedly put her hands to her back, remembering right at the time that the phone she was holding wasn’t that one Chun exchanged with her days back.

“What’s that you’re hiding?” Chun asked, much to Ella’s dismay that Chun still had time to notice what that was she’s hiding.

“Nothing,” she said as she bit her lower lip in nervousness.

“People tend to tense when they lie,” Chun said. “Their hands get all red too,” and that was a lie. Although, what he meant to say is ‘red-handed’. Successfully, though, he had Ella put her hands stupidly right in front of her just as she held the mobile phone.

“There,” he said, getting the phone out of her hand without her aware as she was still taking her time looking at her so-called ‘red’ hands.

“You tricked me!” she exclaimed, crouching down in impish irritation and covering her ears in the process in preparation of whatever hateful words he would be saying now that he’s found out that she’s using not his phone.

“Where’s my phone, Ella?” he crouched down right beside her, gently prying her hands off to cover her ears.

“I…” she started. “I…” she repeated. “I… sorry!” she exclaimed, her lips in a pout just like how she looks like when she‘s guilty of doing something wrong. “I was at an adrenaline rush the other day and I kind of ruined it when it slipped on the floor. It also hit hardwood.” she said all those too fast for his liking, but he understood it all the same.

“I didn’t quite catch what you just said,” he lied, getting himself and Ella to stand up.

“I said—”

And even before she could continue her speech, he’d gotten his lips to take over her pouty ones that he was itching to kiss minutes ago and his hands popping out of nowhere capturing her pinch able cheeks.

Pulling out, he said, “Very well.”

“You’re not mad?” she asked, almost on the verge of crying.

“Nope,” he shook his head. “Promise!” he swore, raising his right hand as if saying a pledge.

“I’m not mad,” Ella then randomly said.

“That’s so random,” Chun laughed hysterically. “About?”

“You kissing me,” Ella replied.

“I know,” he said, the signal to a second go kiss he received from her before he fully kissed her again.

--

6 months later…

Ella stood still at a place that Chun told her to come to. Chun then called her, saying that she look behind her back without hanging up the call. There, she saw Chun with a stem of rose who then said, “Have you got something to say?”

”Thank you for bearing with all my immaturities?” she sounded half meant, replying on call.

”You’re welcome,” he then said, walking a little bit nearer her. “Anything else?”

”Thanks for all the digital knowledge,” she laughed.

”Just that?” he asked. “How about our digital love? Moreover, love itself?”

”Can I just start saying all those confessions on our wedding day instead?” she asked back.

”You’re thinking about that too?”

”Well, obviously?” he then smiled upon her reply, knowing full well that she doesn’t just adore him or is just merely thanking him for the digital knowledge he’s taught her. Actually, he knew there was a deeper meaning when she discussed about the digital knowledge. It was actually their digital love and all the digital proofs being her constant ‘Goodnight, I love you’ texts and that she doesn’t just adore him, but love him all the same that he does. And that for a fact, she was mocking him, because he’s told her of the exact same thing before, just in a different context and excluding the marriage thing. She smiled then, walking up to him as she ended the call even if he hasn’t told her not to.

--

“Sel,” Hebe gasped.

"What?" Selina said in frustration. "Say whatever you want to say now, I've got a date with Jiro."

“Someone I don’t know texted me,” Hebe said, ignoring her best friend's kind-of rude remark.

“Oh? What does it say?” Selina enquired then, forgetting all about her date the second Hebe told her about the mystery texter.

“It reads: ‘Can I see U?’” Hebe read out aloud, spelling every other word as to how it was sent.

“Hebe, do you think this calls for another digital love?” Selina questioned all of a sudden.

“No, I don’t think so,” Hebe muttered. Well, at least, that’s what she thought. Until she found out that it was someone she knew from before: Mike He, forming her own digital love.

And that’s digital love.

fin.