Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Me And The Boy Next Door - Round 5

Round 5 – There's No Way It Can Be You!



“Thank you for helping me fix the leak in our faucet, Chun.” Jae Joong said as he handed Chun a glass of orange juice. Chun smiled at his neighbor. “No problem. Just call me anytime you need anything.” he said. “We're so glad you cam into this neighborhood, Chunnie. Well, we really can't rely on the other guys like Joe and Ming Dao. They seem to be busy with something, and can't help us out.” Jae Joong said. “Or better yet, those two guys are homophobic.” Arron butted in. Chun couldn't help but let out a laugh. “I think they're just busy. Arron, you told me Ken's always away on a business trip, right? And I think Joe is working and taking up his master's at the same time. So, if you guys or any neighbor needs my help, just knock on our door. We're ready to help you.” Chun said.

“Isn't it great, Jae. We have someone who help up with our love problems, and we have someone who helps us fix everything around?” Arron said as he sat beside Jae Joong. Chun gave Arron a confused look. “Who helps you with love problems?” he asked. He seems interested, since he wants to consult his own love problem. “Ella.” Jae Joong said, smiling at him. His interest abruptly faded upon hearing her name. Never mind, he doesn't want to seek for her advice or she might use it against her in the end. “Ella?” he asked. Arron and Jae Joong nodded their heads. “Ella is the one we turn to if we need advice on something. Actually, she was the one who helped us be friends again when Arron and I fought over a guy.” Jae Joong said. Arron nodded his head in agreement. “She says the right thing at the right time. Guess that's why she is effective as a DJ who gives advises on air.” Arron said. “But the thing is, she can't seem to follow her advise. Because if she did, she and her “best friend” would have been together by now. Too bad... Sphinx and Ella really looks good together.” Jae Joong said.

It was too much information for Chun. First, he learned that Ella is a DJ. Who would want to listen to her ugly voice in the first place? Second, he thought Sphinx is Ella's boyfriend. Why is Arron and Jae Joong telling him that he is just her best friend. “Wait, wait. Ella is a DJ? And Sphinx is just her best friend?” he asked. Arron and Jae Joong nodded their heads. “Best friends since middle school.” Arron said. “If the life of our neighbors is a soap opera, Ella's story would definitely the one we would always tune in to. Imagine, she helped her best friend get back together with her girlfriend before. Not only that, when they were in college, Ella setup Sphinx with a girl he really likes.” Jae Joong said. “And to think that she is so obvious that she is in love with Sphinx! The only one who is naïve about her feelings is Sphinx himself.” Arron said. “Isn't their love story exciting? I bet one day, Sphinx will realize how much Ella loves him. Maybe in the end, he will lose her to another guy.” Arron said. “Or maybe Sphinx will realize how much he loves Ella and will go after her!” Arron said.

Jae Joong glared at his best friend. “Ella will end up with another guy. That I know. And that stupid Sphinx will regret why he never looked at Ella the way she did to her.” he insisted. Arron shook her head. “I still believe one day, Ella and Sphinx will end up together!” he said. “Will not!” Jae Joong said. “Will too.”
“Will not!”
“Will too!”
“Will not!”
“Will too!”
“Will not!”
“Will too!”

Chun found his head aching as his two gay neighbors fought about their own opinion about Ms. Piggy's love life. She never thought Ella's boring and complicated love life can be a start of a fight between two friends. “Guys, stop it. Come on, Ella's love life can't be that exciting...” he said. The two guys stopped bickering, and gave him a meaningful smile. “Oh it will. I think her exciting love life is just starting.” Arron said. Chun could only give him a confused look.

--

“Ethan!” Ella said as he entered the shop. Ethan looked up, and saw Ella coming up to him. Then, he remembered that Chun is just inside the kitchen, and that with Ella around, it will a start of another war. “Oh, DJ Angel... what brought you to our humble shop?” he asked. Ella gave him a confused look. “Ethan, I told you to call me -” before she finished her sentence, Ethan let out a loud and nervous laugh. “Oh, ha ha ha! Of course! Chocolate Eclairs and strawberry and chocolate cake, right?” he said. Ella shook her head. “Actually I want those cookies...” he said, pointing at a jar of chocolate chip cookies on top of the counter. “Of course! Cookies! No problem!” Ethan said. He took the jar from the counter, and wrapped the cookies inside a box for Ella.

Meanwhile, Chun was busy making a cake, when he heard a familiar sweet voice from his shop. “DJ Angel...” he thought. And true enough, he heard Ethan call their customer as DJ Angel. He smiled to himself excitedly. Finally, he will be able to meet his radio idol in person. “DJ Angel!” he said. He took off his apron, and stepped out of his kitchen. He was expecting a beautiful and gentle-looking girl to be inside his shop, but to his dismay, he saw Ella. He looked around the shop, and found that Ella is the only customer around. “There's no way she can be DJ Angel!” he thought. Then, he remembered the first day they moved in to their new apartment.

[Flashback]
“Hey, hey... before you finish that up, you might want to meet DJ Angel in person.” Ethan said. Chun stopped eating, and looked at him. “DJ Angel?” he said between mouthful Ethan nodded his head. “She's outside. With her cute cousin.” Ethan said. Chun swallowed everything inside his mouth, and then put the lunch box down. “OK, how do I look like now?” he asked as he composed himself. “You're OK. Ella will like you.” he said, winking at him. Ethan headed outside the house, and Chun was surprised at the name Ethan said. “Ella? DJ Angel's name is Ella? She's the namesake of Ms. Piggy...” he thought. Then, he shook his head to erase that thought, and followed Ethan outside the house.
[End of Flashback]

And then, he remembered what Arron and Jae Joong told him about Ella the other day

[Flashback]
“Isn't it great, Jae. We have someone who help up with our love problems, and we have someone who helps us fix everything around?” Arron said as he sat beside Jae Joong. Chun gave Arron a confused look. “Who helps you with love problems?” he asked. He seems interested, since he wants to consult his own love problem. “Ella.” Jae Joong said, smiling at him. His interest abruptly faded upon hearing her name. Never mind, he doesn't want to seek for her advice or she might use it against her in the end. “Ella?” he asked. Arron and Jae Joong nodded their heads. “Ella is the one we turn to if we need advice on something. Actually, she was the one who helped us be friends again when Arron and I fought over a guy.” Jae Joong said. Arron nodded his head in agreement. “She says the right thing at the right time. Guess that's why she is effective as a DJ who gives advises on air.” Arron said.
[End of Flasback]

“Ella is DJ Angel?!” he thought. She stared at the girl standing inside his shop. Ms. Piggy, the girl he hates the most, the girl who is his living nightmare. DJ Angel, the girl on radio whom he always listens to, and the one whom he admires the most. It turned out that Ms. Piggy and DJ Angel is one and the same – and that is Ella Chen. The great Ella Chen.

“You are DJ Angel?” Chun shouted at Ella as she got out of his kitchen. Ella looked at him, and gave him a confused look. “What are you doing here, chicken face?” he asked. “I own this shop, you fat and ugly girl!” he said angrily at him. Then, Ella looked at Ethan. “He is the one who bakes all of these delicious cakes?” she asked him. Ethan flinched, and slowly nodded his head. “Ethan, you knew all along that DJ Angel and this Ms. Piggy is one and the same?” Chun asked him angrily. Again, Ethan flinched and nodded his head. He is guilty. He should have told the truth earlier to Chun. He knows that his best friend is angry now, because he found out that his childhood enemy and his radio idol is one and the same. “Ethan, is this chicken face the friend you're telling me that idolizes me?” Ella asked again. Ethan nodded his head. “And is this the same girl you were telling me about? The one who hoards our pastries?” Chun asked. This time, he was glaring at Ella. “Yes. OK. I say yes to everything that you said.” Ethan said.

He looked at the two, and he could see the bolt of electricity between them as they glared at each other. “Wait... hear me out first, will you guys?” Ethan said as he stepped between the two. “Why didn't you tell me it's her?!” Chun shouted at him. “And why didn't you tell me it's him?!” Ella shouted. “Because this is the exact reaction I'm expecting from the two of you!” Ethan shouted at the two. He took a deep breath to calm himself down. “Look, you guys... you've been fighting for so long. And I realized that if I keep your identities from each other a secret, it would prevent a war between the two of you. You two appreciate each other secretly.” he said. Then, he turned to Chun. “Chun, since the day you listened to DJ Angel, you liked her, right? I want to think she's the only girl whom you listen to, which is good because you don't listen to anyone.” Ethan said to him. Chun glared at him, and then glared at Ella. “Well, if I had known before that DJ Angel is this M. Piggy, I would have get myself hooked with her radio program!” Chun said. Ethan could only sigh at him. Then, he turned to Ella, hoping he could put some sense into her. “And you, Ella... since you came to this shop, you keep on coming back because you love our cakes. And it means that you admire the one who makes the cake, which is Chun... right?” Ethan said. Ella folded her arms, and rolled her eyes. “If only I knew that that chicken face owns this shop, I would have boycotted this shop a long time ago!” Ella said.

Chun folded his arms, and smirked at him. “And why do you still come to this shop?” he asked. Ella folded his arms, and smirked at him. “And why do you still listen to my radio program” she asked. Chun took a deep breath, and glared at her again. “Then I will stop listening to your program!”
“Then go and stop listening to my program!”
“You think you're good at giving advises? Then let me tell you this. Your advises suck! You can never be a love expert!”
“And you think you're the world's greatest chef? Then let me tell you this, chicken face... your pastries suck!”
“Oh! Really now? Is that the reason why you keep on coming back to our shop?”
“Then I will stop coming to your shop. There are other nice bake shops in town whose cakes tastes better that yours!”
“Fine! Stop coming to this shop. You'll give me a peace of mind if you do that.”
“I sure will, you stupid chicken face.”
“Then leave. Now!”
“I am leaving! You stupid chicken face... I hope not to see you ever again!”
“And I hope not to see you again, you ugly Ms. Piggy! Good riddance.”

Ella stuck a tongue out on him, then, she turned her back and stormed out of the shop. “Don't ever let that arrogant and stupid Ms. Piggy to set foot inside our shop ever again. Do you understand, Ethan?' Chun said. Ethan looked at him worriedly. “Eh, Chun... you let Ella go. She haven't paid for the cookies she took.” he said. Chun's eyes widened at what he said. “She didn't pay? Why that thief!” he said angrily. “She was about to when you came out of the kitchen...” Ethan explained. “How many cookies did she took?” he asked. “Ten pieces...” Ethan answered. Chun sighed and shook his head. “Never mind. May her tummy ache because of the cookies she took.” he said. Then, he went back inside his lair.

--

“I'm back!” Ella said as she got inside their apartment. “Finally... you're here.” Selina said. “Hey, Ellie... you bought the cakes I asked you, right?” Hebe asked. Ella smiled at the two, and nodded her head. “Of course I did.” she said. She placed the box of cake on the table. As Selina looked at the label of the shop, she realized that it wasn't from 'Something Sweet' “Eh, I told you to stop by Ethan's shop and buy the cake. You don't have to go a long way to buy this cake from the other store!” Selina said to her. Ella sighed as she took her seat. “I am not to set a foot inside the damned shop, Selina.” she said. Selina and Hebe exchanged glances. Hebe could only shrug her shoulder. “Why?” Hebe asked. “Because I realized that the owner of that shop is that chicken face who lived across us. And besides, if he found out that I will be buying cake from him, he might poison that cake to kill me!” Ella said. Her two friends just laughed at her. “Man, I don't think Chun would do that, Ellie! You're thinking too much!” Hebe said. Selina nodded in agreement. “You don't know that chicken face the way I know him. And besides. I don't ever want to see him again.” Ella said. “Even if you don't want to see him again, you know that eventually, you will see him. He just lives across us.” Selina said.

Ella folded her arms, and looked away from them. “I will never ever set foot in his territory. I swear to God, until the day I live, I will never ever buy a cake from that chicken face!” she said. Selina and Hebe could only sigh. “Fine. I just hope this cake tastes much better than what Ethan and Chun makes.” Selina said. Just as she opened the box of the cake, Sphinx came in, carrying a bag of food. “Hey, guys. Ready?” he asked. Ella smiled at him, and nodded his head. Then, he looked at the box of cake on the table. “Hey, who bought the cake?” he asked. Ella raised her hand. Sphinx gave her a bewildered look. “I thought you'll buy from the usual store where you buy the cakes?” he asked. “Forget about it, Sphinx. That shop is owned by the chicken face who lives across us.” she said. Sphinx frowned as he eyed on the cake again. “It doesn't look as tasty as the one you usually buys...” he said.

Selina stood up from her seat. “Aiyo! I don't like the cake, Hebe doesn't like the cake and Sphinx doesn't like the cake. If you don't want to set foot in Chun's shop, then I'll do something so that we could get a tasty cake. I won't let you ruin Hebe's birthday!” Selina said. Then, she took the phone from her pocket, and dialed a number. Then, all of them saw Selina smile sweetly. “Hello? Hey Ethan dear! It's me, Selina... yeah... could you bring us a chocolate here at our apartment? Pretty please?” she heard Selina said. While Sphinx and Hebe are laughing at Selina, Ella just let out a sigh of frustration.

--

It was late in the evening, and Chun was on the couch, reading his favorite book. He heard his phone ring, and as he looked at it, he saw Bianca's number flashing on the screen. He smiled as he answered the call. “Hey, Bianca.” he said as he answered the call. “Hey, Chun!”
“What made you call me at this hour? Aren't you supposed to be asleep by now?”
“I know I should, but something really great happened to me tonight that I want you to be the first person to know all about it.”
“Hmmm, with the tone of your voice, you seem really happy and excited. Tell me what happened?”
“Matthew proposed to me!”

Although he could hear Bianca's happy voice on the other line, he wasn't too happy about it. He knew how Bianca have been waiting for this moment, but then even if she is happy that her boyfriend finally asked her to marry him, he feels the opposite, because it means that he have totally lost his chance with her. “Chun, did you hear what I said? Matthew finally asked me to marry him!” Bianca said. He smiled sadly, and nodded his head. “I... I heard it, Bianca. I did...” he said sadly. “Aren't you happy for me?” she asked. “I... I am... sorry... I'm just too shocked with your news. O-of course, I'm happy for you, Bianx...” he said. “I know you are, Chun! God, I can't believe that Matt and I are getting married soon! He said he'll let me take care of the wedding. Chun, don't forget to come here on our wedding day, OK? You're my best man.” he heard Bianca said. Chun nodded his head. “I will, Bianca. Don't worry, I'll be there on your special day...” he said. “I know you can't resist me, Chunnie. Anyway, I have to go now. I'll email you the whole story tomorrow. Bye!”

He heard Bianca put the phone down. He ended the call, and then he stared on his phone. His wallpaper was a picture of him and Bianca during their days in the Culinary School. “It's my fault..” he thought. “Why can't I have the courage to tell her that I love her? Now it's too late...” he said to himself. He was such a sissy for not being able to tell Bianca how he feels for her, because he was scared to be rejected by her. Since they met, Bianca only treats him as a friend as her little brother. He was hoping that Bianca would see her differently, but when he tries to tell her about his secret love for her, she would take it as a joke. He was waiting for the right moment to confess his love her, but then Matthew came into her life, and now, Bianca is marrying him.

He leaned on the couch, and let out a sigh. He closed his eyes, trying to hold back the tears that was about to fall. “I lost her... I lost her without even fighting for what I feel for her...” he thought. For him, Matthew is a lucky guy, for he have something that he have always wanted – Bianca's love. Guess he will never have that chance to tell her how he really feels...

--

“Chun, thanks for going with me to the university.” Nicholas said as he got inside Chun's car. “No problem, Nic. You're new here, so I should accompany you.” he said. As Chun started the car, Nicholas turned the radio on, and the first thing Chun heard is Ella's voice. He sighed with irriation. He had a bad night, and he doesn't want his day to be ruined because of that Ms. Piggy. “Let's change the station, OK?” Chun said. Before Chun could reach the buttons, Nicholas stopped him. “No way! I want to hear this one! That DJ have a really nice voice, huh? And listen... she gives love advises!” Nicholas said. Chun paused, and listened to Ella as she speaks.

“Sometimes, we are too scared to tell the people we love how much we love them. We are scared, because we don't want to hear how they will answer us back when we say those three words to them. But then, you need enough courage to tell how you really feel, and you need to do it soon. Who knows, one day, when you have mustered enough courage to say it aloud, they have already find the comfort hearing those three words from another person.”

Chun could feel a pain in his heart with those words the Ella said. For the first time, he agrees that she's right. With what Ella said, he suddenly remembered Bianca. What she said on air is exactly the situation he is in right now. “How can she be so right? How can she say those things at times I am in a rather difficult situation? How can she know what I'm feeling right now?” he thought. He heard a love song fill the air. He put his hands away from the radio, and leaned back on his seat, looking outside the window. “Chun, is there anything wrong?” Nicholas asked. Chun looked at him and shook his head. “Actually, I'm not supposed to listen to that radio program, but I guess I couldn't help it at all...” he said. Nicholas became confused by what he said.

All he needs right now is DJ Angel's advise. Yes, she may be Ella, his number one enemy, but he needs to hear everything that she says about love. He needs it at most now, especially since he is brokenhearted. “Nic, I can always trust you with my secret, right?” he asked. Nicholas nodded his head. “Of course. I know the last time I almost blurted out your deepest and darkest secret, but you know I always keep your secrets.” he said. Chun smiled at him, and nodded his head. “Then, no matter what happens, no one should know that I am still listening to that radio program.” he said. Nicholas gave him another confused look. “Why? What's the big deal?” he asked. “Because that DJ you're listening to is Ella...” Chun said. “And it just so happens that I need to listen to her right now... because of the pain inside my heart... I need to listen to her to ease the pain away...”

Labels: fan fic, Me And The Boy Next Door