I turned, recognizing the familiar sound of my sister squealing in excitement.

“Show me his face,” she gushed, grabbing my phone. She looked at him like she was about to eat him.

She looked at the screen, which showed Pathum hiding his face with his hands. I was glaring at her for grabbing my phone, but she ignored it. Instead, she looked at me and pouted.

“Aww.. Scarlet, he just hid his face. Show me your face, Pathum,” my sister raised her voice.

I wonder whether he likes her accent as well? If so, does he prefer her voice to be better than mine? Well I know mine is his favourite. No girl will take that place.

I contemplated those thoughts and soon regretted the decision. Because the next thing that came out of my mouth silenced everyone.

“Is her voice better than mine?”

I closed my mouth instantly but it was too late, they already heard it. My sister looked at me confused and shook her head. I didn't know what to say in defence or to get out of this awkwardness so I remained silent.

He cleared his throat and tried to say something but he just wasn’t able to do that.

Abigail grinned at both of us, mischief in her eyes.

“You’re in deep trouble mister, hurry up we all are waiting.” she said while he hid his face again like a shy kid.

“Umm both are good.”

“Nah that doesn't satisfy us. We need a satisfactory answer,” Abigail said even before I could reply, I looked at her but she avoided my gaze.

He’s going to cry if Abigail keeps talking to him.

“Well return the favour, then I’ll decide.”

“What favour?” Abigail asked raising both her brows.

“Well I said something addresing my bestie, even though that grabbed your attention I never got a say in reply,” he said, we both looked at each other shaking our heads and then it dawned on me.

You need to confess your love to him.

“Oh, I get it now,” I said smiling.

My sister looked at me and my smile got even wider looking at her clueless expression.

“Am I missing something?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I said.

“Come on tell me.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I love you too, my bestie!” I replied chuckling,

Abigail broke into laughter the second those words slipped out of my mouth.

“Well.. I love you too, Pathum..” she said.

“As a sister,” I added to which she made a face.

“I’m making sure he won't get a girlfriend,” I said in defence.

Abigail rolled her eyes and crossed her arms before smirking at me.

“Doesn't he already have one?” she replied sternly.

He already has one? What? No! It can't be!

None of us replied. Neither did his smile fade.

“Don’t act like you don't love her, Pathum,” my sister said to him. She is not going to give up on the topic that easily.

Can't she leave already? I thought, groaning inwardly.

Even though I was excited when she joined the conversation, now it's frustrating.

”Abigail, please give me my phone back and leave us alone,” I said pleadingly.

Abigail smirked wickedly and stood up, practically thrusting the phone into my hands. She went to the doorway, but stopped and turned to face me.

“Now you lovebirds can spend time together. Hallelujah!” She left once the words left us in an awkward silence.

Pathum was blushing profusely as I turned to the camera, my expression apologetic.

“I’m extremely sorry for what she said.”

To my surprise, he waved it off quickly.

“No no don't be, it was just fun, hehe…” As he stretched the last word it made him way cuter.

The atmosphere in the room quickly calmed down, and I settled in my chair, a contemplative look on my face.

“So what are we going to talk about? Are you comfortable with the video call or should we go for our usual chatting?”

“I prefer chatting usually, but we don't get the chance to video call everyday so lets enjoy the time we have for now.”

I nodded eagerly.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Roger that sir!”

“EXCELLENT ma’am,” he said.

“So what are we going to do? A staring contest?” I smiled at him.

“I was thinking about the platform we are texting. Why not shift into a newer one, haven’t you thought about it? Google Hangouts has network issues and it takes time to send pictures so I was thinking why not move into another platform. You know it might be the next step of our friendship. Don’t you think so?” he said.

I nodded after thinking it over.

“Yeah, we could try another platform. Do you have any suggestions?” I asked patiently.

I wanted to know his idea first, then mix mine later.

“I have WhatsApp, most or all my schoolmates are on that app. Also all my online classes and teachers are in that app. Whatcha think about it? Are you going to download WhatsApp?” he asked and I felt like lightning struck.

WhatsApp? Oh, I’m sorry Pathum but that’s not going to work.

“Umm.. WhatsApp? That green colour app with a phone icon?”

“Yes. It’s famous. Don't you know it?”

“I know it but mom dislikes that app, so unfortunately it might not work.”

“Tell your mom it's not a bad app, Scarlet.” I felt pity at the mention of my name.

He is cute when he pronounces my name!

“Yes I know it’s a good app but something that happened recently with that app bothers us, so it might not work well but still I can ask for permission,” I smiled trying to hide my sadness.

He kept his smile even though I know he got hurt by what I said.

“Okay you can ask for permission, so should I hang up? Or are we still going to be online?”

“Oh no, don’t hang up. It’s fine,” I said even though part of me knew that it ain't going to be good since mom has a recent dissatisfaction with that app.

Nevertheless I walked towards mom, but avoided the topic I wanted to ask instead asked her how she’s doing.

“I’m fine Scarlet. Now what do you want to talk about?” She narrowed her eyes at me in suspicion.

How did she know I was here for something?

My expression betrayed me.

“I know you’re into something. It isn’t that difficult to figure it out. So tell me whatcha want.”

“Can I download an app?” I asked nervously.

“Why ask me?”

“Because it’s a social media app.”

“And?” She raised her brows at me.

“I want your permission?”

“Tell me what’s the rush all of a sudden?”

“No mom its just Pathum said he’d like to move into a new platform. Something much better than Google Hangouts. So he asked me whether I can get the app,” I explained as she listened to me calmly.

“What’s this app you’re talking about, Scarlet?”

I looked at her and then stared back at Pathum who was focused on something outside his screen. That was good. I don’t want to hurt him. I don't want him to be hurt by what she’s about to say.

“It’s WhatsApp,” I said and the moment the words slipped out of my mouth she stopped her work and locked eyes with mine. I knew I said something wrong.

She raised her brows as high as she could, like Dwayne Johnson AKA The Rock. The only difference was The Rock was less intimidating. Mom released a breath like she is about to teach me a lesson.

“Scarlet, after everything that happened and everything you heard you still think I would give you permission to use that app?”

“Mom yes or no?” I cut her not wanting to listen to her lectures.

“Of course not!”

It almost gave me a heart attack.

Pathum was still focused on something that was going around his background. Was he intentionally avoiding me or pretending that he did not heard me.

“Pathum she said no,” I said but it wasn't loud enough to grab his attention so I had to repeat the comment, raising my voice.

“What about Viber?”

“Let’s see.”

I went to ask her and still the response from mom was no.

“I’ll find another app soon, Scarlet and umm…”

“And?”

“Ah nothing.” He shook his head.

“Oh don’t be like that, now tell me what's on your mind.”

“Umm it's silly though.”

“I would still love to hear it,” I demanded much to my surprise.

“It’s just when it comes to texting I often mention the word sweetie but when it comes to speaking I rarely use that word,” he said, mostly avoiding the camera.

He is still shy isn’t he?

“That’s okay.”

“No, it’s not okay, so Scarlet sweetie thank you for being my friend. Okay?” he said with a wide grin, it's way sweeter when he pronounces those words. It's like honey on my tongue, so pleasant on the ears.

“I got you.”

“I guess it’s time to go then.”

“If you say so,” I smiled back.

“Goodbye sweetie!”

“Goodbye Pathum.”

We hung up and his smile was perfectly framed in my mind. I couldn’t just forget that smile.

He is just adorable!

I went on to do the dishes. When I came back I got a notification from him and it read that he wanted to try this app called ‘Line’. It's a social media app and it looks like WhatsApp but slightly different.

Pathum: Your Mom might like this app. I downloaded it and it looks nice. Go ask her and hurry up sweetie.

Scarlet: Okay. Give me a minute, and I will ask her.

I walked towards my mom who was busy stitching a gown.

“Mom please let me download this app, it isn’t bad,” I said, begging her to agree with me.

“You can keep talking in google hangouts like you guys did earlier.” she went back to stitching her gown.

“Mother please!” I pleaded.

“So you really want to download this app and you are certain its safe?”

“Yes mom it must be safe, the world is not as dark as we thought it ought to be.”

“Oh stop being a philosopher.” She tapped my cheeks.

Ouch it hurts.

Nonsense.

“Okay…. is that a yes?”

“Yes. You can download it,” mom said and I hugged her instantly.

“Thanks mom.”

“But only under one condition.” she said, and my heart started to beat a bit faster at her words.

“Umm what?”

“Only if you promise me one thing.” mom locked her eyes on mine.

“Oh okay, what is it mom?”

“Promise me that you would not stay late at night and that you would get an adequate amount of sleep.”

The moment she said those words, silence spread like a storm.

What am I going to say now?