"Hey, Kean! Come and catch me!" A familiar voice called out, light and full of laughter.
"Hey, wait for me! Hehe!" I shouted back, chasing after her.
"Aww, this midnight morning feels so sweet for the two of us," she said, her voice soft as she glanced back at me with a smile.
"Aren't you tired, my dear? You wanna eat breakfast already?" I asked, catching my breath.
"I won't ever get tired of you," she said, her smile widening.
"Eunice, I love you till the end of tim—"
I jolted awake. My breath was slow, my chest heavy. I dreamt of her again. The feelings came rushing back, lingering for a moment before reality set in. It always fades after a few minutes… but those few minutes feel like an eternity.
A notification lit up my screen.
Kaye: Good morning~ have a good day :>
I rubbed my eyes and sat up, replying:
Kean: Heya! Good morning, Kaye! I just woke up ^^
Kaye: Great! I was waiting for your reply :>
Kean: Ohhh :>> okayy now I'm heree, what's good this morning for ya?
Kaye: Just a normal day. But I had a weird dream too—like I was arranging documents for something. Kinda strange.
Kean: Ohh, must be a sign haha. Did you see what it was about?
Kaye: Not really, but it looked like I was preparing to go somewhere… like out of the country.
Kean: Well, maybe it's a sign you're gonna travel soon!
Kaye: I mean, I'd love to, but I don't think it'll happen until I finish college.
Kean: Fair enough. I dreamt of something too, but eh… it kinda sucked T-T
Kaye: Oh? May I ask about it?
Kean: It was about my ex again. I mean, I've moved on, but dreaming about it… you know how dreams bring back those feelings? It's annoying.
Kaye: Aww, at least it was just a dream. What's your plan for today?
Before I could reply, my aunt's voice rang from downstairs.
"Kean! Breakfast is ready! Get up from your bed now!"
Kean: Okay, I'll eat now! Just staying at home today. Hey, have you eaten?
Kaye: About to go eat too! See you later, Kean~
Kean: Alright! Eat well, Kaye!
I set my phone aside and got up, stretching before heading downstairs.
"What's for breakfast?" I asked, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.
"Your favorite. Pancakes," Aunt Raquela said.
I perked up. "Okay, what a good morning."
"I bought syrup from the grocery store. And some spread for your bread."
"Thanks!" I said, grabbing a plate.
"I already ate. I'll feed the dogs now," she added. "Anyway, when do your online classes resume?"
"Tomorrow. Today's Sunday, so classes start again on Monday."
"Alright. Study well, okay? And be careful with my laptop."
"I will, I will, Aunt Raquela," I said, taking a bite of my pancake.
It felt like a normal morning… but somewhere inside, my mind was still drifting back to that dream.
After finishing my chores, I rushed to my phone, eager to message Kaye. I couldn't believe how excited I was just to talk to her again. She made my mornings feel lighter, like I had someone who truly kept me company. Maybe deep down, I was still carrying a little pain, a weight I didn't want to share with anyone—not even my friends. But Kaye… maybe she could help me forget.
Kean: I'm back! What are you up to? :>
Kaye: Ohh hello! Good morning again! :D Hehe... I'm just lying around on our balcony. It's a bit gloomy here, but the mountain view is so pretty!
Kean: Ohh! I wish I could see that kind of view! ^^
Kaye sends a picture—misty mountains stretching far into the horizon, trees swaying gently in the morning breeze, the kind of scenery that made you want to breathe deeply and just exist.
Kean: Hey, that's—ahh, that's so beautifully pretty!!
Kaye: Ikr! ^^ I've been enjoying this view for more than a decade.
Kean: I wish I was there. :D
Kaye: Wish you were here too... :>>
Kean: I still don't know when I'll get the chance to visit your city again.
Kaye: You can come anytime, and I'll be here haha.
Kean: Ohh, I'm looking forward to meeting you in person soon!
Kaye paused for a moment before sending another message.
Kaye: Hey… since I'm home alone, wanna do a video call later?
Kean: Ohh? A video call? Sure! What time?
Kaye: Maybe after lunch? We can talk about random stuff while I lie here on the balcony, haha.
Kean: Sounds good to me! Looking forward to it!
Kean: While we wait for later, let's talk about something random. What's your favorite food? :>
Kaye: Ohhh, that's easy! Ramen! I love ramen so much. I could eat it every day, hehe.
Kean: No wayyy, I love ramen too! But also, bread. I eat a lot of bread, haha.
Kaye: Ohhh bread and ramen? That's a unique combo xD
Kean: Yeah, I don't know why, but I always find bread so comforting. What else do you like?
Kaye: Hmm, I also love tteokbokki! Have you tried it? :D
Kean: Ooo I haven't, but I've always wanted to! It looks so good.
Kaye: Omg, you have to try it! If we ever meet, let's eat ramen together, and I'll make sure you try tteokbokki too! :>>
Kean: Ohhh that sounds awesome! I'd love that :D
Kaye: Yay! More reasons for you to visit my city, hehe.
Kean: Haha truee. Oh, by the way, I also love burgers!
Kaye: Ooo nice! I like burgers too, but… I eat pizza with rice xD
Kean: …Wait, what?! Pizza with rice??
Kaye: Hahaha yes!! Don't judge me, it's actually good!
Kean: Haha that's so unique! I gotta admit, that's kinda cool. I wanna try it now just to see if it actually works xD
Kaye: See? You never know, you might end up liking it too :>
Kean: Haha maybeee. You're giving me too many food ideas now, Kaye.
Kaye: Hehe, what can I say? I love food~
Kean: So, what are you having for lunch? :>
Kaye: Ohh, just something simple—seaweed with rice and fish!
Kean: Ooo that's classic! Sounds good, though!
Kaye: Hehe, yeah, I love it! How about you?
Kean: Mine's spring rolls with rice! I can already smell my aunt cooking in the kitchen :>
Kaye: Ohhh that sounds yummy too! I love spring rolls!
Kean: Haha, well, if we ever get to eat together, I'll bring you some!
Kaye: Aww, then I'll bring you tteokbokki! You still wanna try it, right? :D
Kean: Yes please!! That'd be awesome! :>>
I'm smiling while chatting with her. Why do I like this feeling so much? It's comforting, like a gentle warmth easing the ache inside me. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Either way, I don't mind. The time just flies when we talk—it's almost noon already.
Before I could send another message, my aunt's voice echoed from the kitchen.
"Kean! Set the table, lunch is almost ready!"
"Coming!" I called back, glancing at my phone one last time.
Kean: Looks like I gotta go now—Aunt's calling me for lunch.
Kaye: Aww okayy~ Enjoy your meal!
Kean: Thanks, Kaye! Ahmm— am looking forward to our video call later~
Kaye: Hehe me too~ See ya later, Kean!
Kean: See ya! Eat well Kaye!
I placed my phone down, still smiling. I couldn't help but feel excited for today.
As I sat down for lunch, I could still feel the warmth of my earlier conversation with Kaye lingering in my mind. I picked up my spoon, ready to eat, when my aunt gave me a look.
"You're too focused on your phone again, Kean," she said, shaking her head. "Make some movements in the house or go outside for once."
I chuckled, taking a bite of my food. "But my bicycle is too small for me now. It's almost 10 years old, Aunt. I'd look ridiculous riding that thing."
She scoffed. "Your Aunt Divine told me she'll buy a new bike for me. You could use it when she does."
I perked up. "Alright then! I'll take the road to Mom's once I get it."
"No way," she said immediately. "It's dangerous!"
I sighed internally. My aunt always wanted me to go out, but the moment I mentioned going beyond town, she'd shut it down. It's always like this.
We finished our meal, and after washing the dishes, I slumped onto the couch, letting myself rest for a while.
As I rested on the couch, my eyelids grew heavy. I was just about to drift off when my phone suddenly buzzed. The vibration startled me slightly, but when I saw the notification, I couldn't help but smile.
Kaye: I just ate!
I sat up, rubbing my eyes before quickly typing a reply.
Kean: Me too! How are you?
Kaye: My aunt is here with me~
Kean: Ohh, that's great!
Kaye: Yeah! She's actually one of our close family friends. She's been around since I was little, and she's really close to my mom too. We're even neighbors!
Kean: That sounds nice! So is she always there? Like, does she keep you company? Do you have someone to stay with at home?
Kaye: Yes, exactly! My grandma works every day, so most of the time, I'm alone. I only have my grandma, so having my aunt visit really helps.
Kean: Oh right, right. Gotcha. Okay, wait a sec, imma go to my room.
Kaye: Okay! Me too~
I stood up from the couch, stretched a little, and headed to my room. As I sat down and set up my laptop. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Kean: I'm here in my room now, setting up my laptop. Wanna call now for the first time?
Kaye: Sure! Let's do it!
Without hesitation, we both set up the call immediately. My heart pounded slightly as I clicked the call button, waiting for her to pick up.
I clicked the call button, and within seconds, Kaye's face appeared on the screen. It was the first time we were seeing each other in real-time, and for a moment, we both just stared.
Kaye immediately covered her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise, as if she hadn't expected what she was seeing. Her reaction made me chuckle. At the same time, I couldn't help but notice how stunningly cute she looked—her soft features, the way her hair slightly framed her face, and her genuine expression of surprise.
I let out a small laugh. "Hey, you left your aunt there! Haha."
Kaye giggled. "Don't worry, she doesn't mind. She's just using her phone now, totally ignoring me."
She then adjusted her camera slightly and smiled. "Anyway, I didn't expect you to look so nice even in a live video! I thought I was gonna look funny next to you."
I shook my head and smirked. "Hey, you look so cute, Kaye."
Her eyes brightened at my words. "Really? Thanks, hehe."
The conversation felt warm and natural, like we had known each other for a long time.
Kaye rested her chin on her hand, her expression softening. "You know, I really miss my whole family being complete. My grandpa is in the U.S. with my uncle, and sometimes it feels weird not having them around."
I nodded, leaning back a little. "I get that… I miss it too—when my family was always complete. It's different now, and sometimes I just wish things could go back to how they used to be."
Kaye sighed but then suddenly perked up. "Oh, speaking of something funny… you actually remind me of someone!"
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who?"
She giggled. "My former classmate back in junior high. You kinda look like him!"
I chuckled. "Oh no, I bet he's cuter than me."
Kaye quickly shook her head. "Nope! You look way nicer. And I hope you're nothing like him because, out of nowhere, he unexpectedly raged in front of us one time!"
I laughed. "Wait, what? Why?"
Kaye covered her mouth, laughing as she remembered. "He was trying to defend me during an argument. It was kind of sweet, but also kinda scary at the same time."
I smirked. "So you had your own personal bodyguard, huh?"
Kaye rolled her eyes playfully. "Pffft, more like an unexpected attack dog that I didn't ask for!"
We both laughed, the conversation flowing so naturally that I almost forgot we were on a video call for the first time.
As we continued talking on the video call, our laughter filled the quiet space around me. I rested my head down on my table, my eyes fixed on the screen, watching her face as she spoke. But somehow, I found myself getting lost in the moment, barely registering her words.
"Hey! Are you even listening?" Kaye suddenly called out, snapping me back to reality with a playful laugh.
I chuckled. "Yes, of course! I'm not like Shan, who just listens and says 'okay' without actually paying attention, haha."
Kaye giggled but then yawned softly. "Ahh, I'm getting sleepy… I usually take naps in the afternoon."
I smiled. "Oh, then you should sleep now. I might take a nap too."
Kaye hesitated for a second before shyly suggesting, "Alright… but, umm… let's just turn off the camera and—uh—sleep together? Haha."
I grinned at the idea. "That actually sounds nice. It's kinda comforting to have company even while sleeping. Sure!"
With that, we both turned off our cameras, letting the call stay connected as we drifted off into a peaceful nap together.
After their afternoon nap, Kean slowly opened his eyes, his head feeling unusually heavy. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light in his room. The screen of his phone lit up with a notification—Kaye had ended the call a few minutes ago. He checked their chat.
Kaye: You're so deep asleep! Imma clean around now 'cause my grandma's almost home! I had a good time sleeping! But my head feels light a little.
Kean smiled and quickly replied.
Kean: Aww, cute. Alright then, I'll go down now to do house stuff too.
Kaye's typing bubble appeared.
Kaye: Okay! Talk to you later!
Kean: Okay, ttyl!
---
Skipping to the night…
As the evening settled in, Kean and Kaye found themselves chatting again, their conversations flowing effortlessly like always.
Kean: Kaye, why are you inactive on other platforms?
A slight pause before Kaye responded.
Kaye: Ohh, I became inactive because I've been through so much in the past… Can't talk about it yet, though…
Kean: Hey, it's fine! I'm here for you if you ever want to talk to someone, alright?
Kaye: Thanks, Kean. You really fill my moments with happiness since I met you.
Kean felt a warmth spread through his chest.
Kean: Same with me. Umm… Can I hug ya?
Kaye: Aww, hugs!!
Kean: Why does this feel nice even if it's just virtual? Haha. Hugs :>>
Kaye: You're cute. Have a good night, Kean!
Kean: You're cuter. Have a good night, Kaye :>>
---
To be continued…