The voice on the phone was warm and convincing. Her ear glued to the phone, listening intently as she stares into the abyss, fingers twirling her ponytail. She occasionally lets out a chuckle. It is as if the person on the other line has said something that amused her.
Ella has spent forty minutes on the line, speaking to none other than a stranger. Perhaps a stranger across the street; a stranger from another town; but definitely a stranger from the "Hello Friend" app. "Friends" of the app would be connected via phone call to a random "Friend" and chat about whatever is on their minds. It's like social networking but with voice call.
Ella was skeptical when she was first introduced to the "Hello Friend" app by her best friend in attempt to pimp her out. She has every right to be cynical, after all who wants to talk to a stranger via an app when you don't even talk to the person next to you on the train? And boy, she was right. Since becoming a "Friend" of the app, Ella has received dozens of phone call ranging from prepubescent boys to annoying MLM cultists to long-winded grandmothers.
Until one fine day when Ella receives a call request by a "Friend". She picks up.
"Hello?"
"Good morning! If your morning have been good, then my morning is even better. So how was your morning?"
Ella grins before responding. She could tell from the deep, soothing voice that it was a man. Thus, begins the long friendly exchange between the two. They both bonded over their love for indie music and rooftop cinemas. Oddly enough, they hung up without knowing each other's name.
Ella goes by the day as usual, drops by Starbucks for her daily coffee dose. She orders her usual drink: hazelnut latte with cinnamon on top. Ella smiles every time she recounts the conversation, feeling she had finally hit a strike with "Hello Friend".
"Ella"
She turns around as her named was called. Somehow that voice was familiar to Ella. The barista hands her the latte. Her barista has this wide grin plastered on her face.
"Good day, huh?" Ella comments.
"Uh huh... Had a long nice chat with a stranger on the phone"
The voice catches Ella by surprise. It's the same voice from the phone! And it's a SHE!