1. COLLEGE CAMPUS. EXT. HAPON.

Isang malaking barkada ang nakatambay. Maiiiwang nakaupo sa bench sina ANNE at TONY habang nagpapaalam sa kanila ang mga kaibigan nila.

TONYSige na babe… Bakit ba kasi ayaw mo?

ANNEEh kasi ayaw ko lang... Tsaka marami akong projects na

tatapusin... Hindi pa ko pwede. Ikaw ba walang gagawin?

TONYKasi natatakot ka? Anne, I know na magugustuhan ka nila

Mama’t Papa. Believe me... A beautiful and intelligent girl like you… No doubt.

ANNEHay nako Tony, ‘wag mo nga ako bolahin. Alam naman

nating hindi ako kasing yaman nyo. Hindi may-ari ng malaking kompanya ang parents ko.

TONYSo... economic status ba ang problema natin dito? Babe,

hindi ka man kasing yaman ko, nagustuhan kita sa kung sino ka. Tsaka, ibahin mo sila’t Mama’t Papa. Hindi sila yung nakikita mo sa mga soap operas na matapobre.

ANNEHmp, sinasabi mo lang yan kasi ikaw ang anak.

TONYHindi... Believe me Anne, you’re wonderful and I’m sure

magugustuhan ka nila.

ANNE(Mapapa-isip nang medyo matagal.)

TONYAno? Sige na babe, please… Gustung-gusto kong ipakilala

ka sa kanila. Please?

ANNEHmm... Sige na nga. But on one condition; they should like me.

TONYHahaha! Of course they’ll like you… They’ll love you!

Sunduin na lang kita bukas.

ANNEEh pap’ano kung hindi nila ako nagustuhan ‘tas

paghiwalayin nila tayo?

TONYO, where’s the determined Anne that I love? Hayy, let’s get you back to normal. Halika, ililibre kita ng ice cream.

Makikitang kabado si Anne at ngingitian siya ni Tony. Kukunin nito ang kamay ni Anne at sabay silang maglalakad.

2. RECEIVING AREA NILA TONY. INT. GABI.

Nakaupo sa sofa si Anne. Maglalakad papunta sa kanya si Tony.

TONYHey, are you alright?

ANNEYes, of course. (Ngingiti.)

TONYOkay, that’s good. Wait here, tatawagin ko na sila Mama’t

Papa.

Enter Tony with his parents.

TONYMama, Papa, meet my extraordinary girl, Anne. Anne,

these are my parents.

ANNE

(Tatayo. Iaabot ang kamay.) Nice to meet you po, Sir, Ma’am.

MAMA(Beso.) Nice to meet you too, hija. Ito naman, ‘wag nang

Sir at Ma’am, Tito’t Tita na lang ang itawag mo s’amin, okay?

ANNEThank you po for having me here Tita, Tito.

PAPAActually, noon ka pa namin hinihintay. Pap’ano, gusto

naming makilala kung sino itong nagpabago sa aming Tony.

MAMAYes hija, and besides that, we’re so intrigued by this

beautiful girl Tony always talks about. Buti na lang at dinala ka na n’ya rito.

ANNEWell, I’m very glad I’ve met both of you now. Salamat po

ulit, ha?

TONYSo, shall we get to dinner?

MAMAOh, of course, of course. I’m sure magugustuhan ni Anne

ang pagkain.

PAPAYes, because we’ve prepared your favorite dishes.

ANNETalaga po? Wow, thank you po, Tito, Tita.

Exit papuntang dining room.

3. DINING ROOM. INT. GABI.

Kumakain sila Anne, Tony, at ang parents nya.

PAPA(Pabiro.) So, ano namang nakita at nagustuhan mo dito sa

anak naming si Tony? Buti’t hindi ka nahirapan sa kanya.

ANNENako, Tito, your son is a good man. He just needs someone na mag-eencourage sa kanya to do well in everything he

does.

TONYAnd that’s what Anne exactly did, Papa. She pushed me to

believe that I’m good. Nahawa na nga ako d’yan eh… so determined to get her goals. Hindi bibitawan ang mga pangarap.

MAMAWell that’s a good trait you got from her, son. Lalo na’t

someday, you’ll be managing our company. So, hija, ikaw, what do you want after college?

ANNEUmm, I’ll be applying as an accountant in several banks po

muna. Gusto ko po kasi talagang sa bangko magtrabaho.

PAPAHmm, accountancy. That’s good. Who knows we might be

needing accountants next year, after you graduate. You’re sure to have a slot hija.

ANNEThat’s very great to hear Tito. Thank you po, I gladly

accept it.

MAMASo how about your family? Kamusta naman sila?

ANNEMy mom’s a teacher in a public school, and my older

brother’s working as a manager in a fast food chain. So far, okay naman po kami.

PAPA

Looks like a very hardworking family. Actually, I admire public school teachers ‘cause my lola used to be

one.

MAMAOo, isang marangal na trabaho nga. At mukhang mana ka

sa Mommy mo. I heard you’re a scholar.

ANNEAy, opo. I very much do anything to help my family.

PAPAHow about your father?

ANNEMy father passed away when he was working in Saudi.

Bata pa po ako nung namatay sya in an accident.

MAMAI’m so sorry hija.

ANNEThat’s okay Tita. That was a very long time ago.

MAMAWell, now, at least, you have a new family. You’re very welcome here.

ANNEThank you so much Tita.

PAPAThat’s nothing hija. By the way, how’s the food? Do you like it?

ANNEOh yes Tito. I haven’t eaten something like this for a very long time. Ang galing po ng cook n’yo.

PAPAOf course, ako yata ang nagluto n’yan.

ANNEWow, kung ganon po e, I’ve found out my newest cooking teacher!

PAPAAt aba, accountant na may interest in cooking! Sige, sige

hija. Mag-set tayo ng cooking lessons if you like.

ANNEMatagl nap o akong naghahanap ng magaling magluto na

pwedeng magturo s’akin. Nobody’s a cook in our family kasi. Sige po, I’ll arrange my schedule for it.

TONYO Pa, pakainin mo muna naman si Anne. Kanina pa yan hindi makasubo eh.

PAPAHahaha! I’m so sorry hija! Sige, kain lang.

Kumakain pa rin sila.

3. TAPAT NG BAHAY NI ANNE. EXT. GABI.

Hinatid ni Tony si Anne. Kabababa lang nila mula sa kotse.

ANNEWell that went well!

TONYSabi ko naman kasi sa’yo eh. You can do it! At mukhang

very pleased are parents ko sa’yo, congratulations!

ANNEOo nga eh… It was very different from what I expected.

Salamat Tony, I couldn’t do it without you.

TONYAnd thank you, for turning my family’s world around…my

world around. (Lalapit ang mukha kay Anne, ia-attempt nyang i-kiss!)

(BOSES NG NANAY NI ANNE MULA SA BAHAY)Anne! Alam kong nariyan na kayo! Pumasok ka na dito!

ANNE

Ay ay! (Sisigaw) Nariyan na po ’nay! (Kay Toni) Sige Tony, see you bukas. It has been a great night.

Thank you!

Maiiwang nakasandal si Tony sa kotse nya, at sabay pitik ng kamay pagkapasok ni Anne sa bahay.

4. CLASSROOM. INT. UMAGA.

Nakaupo sina Anne, AMANDA, JULIET, at BECKY.

AMANDATalaga? So how was the dinner?

JULIETHindi ka naman minurder ng parents nya?

ANNEHindi ‘no, in fact they were very welcoming.

BECKYSo, okay na sila maging in-laws mo? (Tutuksuhin nila si

Anne.)

ANNEAno ba kayo? Hindi ko pa iniisip ‘yang pag-aasawa ’no.

AMANDABut you two look so serious!

ANNEDo we? We’re just doing the normal things couples do.

BECKYOkay, if you say so. So, kamusta nga ang dinner?

ANNEMasaya, we talked while we eat. At ang Papa nya ang

nagluto! Actually, we’ve arranged a cooking session.

JULIET

(Patukso.) Getting to know the parents! Susunod n’yan crocheting session with Tony’s Mama!

BECKYSusunod n’yan, getting to know the family’s business.

ANNEAno ba kayo! That’s not it. I like Tony that’s why I go out

with him.

AMANDALike? Not love?

ANNEDo we really fall in love at this age?

JULIETGood point. But make sure to love him… Mukhang seryoso sya sa’yo. You know how he is naman di ba?

AMANDAWell, that’s some kind of bad news. You know how

competitive Tony is. Hindi magpapatalo yun.

BECKYTama yan, but the good news is that when he marries you,

you also own the family business. Not to mention, sya ang nag-iisang tagapagmana ng lahat ng assets nila.

ANNEWell that sounds like it. But to be married and get settled

isn’t my dream right now. Gusto ko munang mag-grow sa career ko. Tumayo sa sarili kong mga paa kumbaga.

AMANDAYeah, and knowing you… Hindi ka pa ba independent sa

lagay na ‘yan? At isa pa, you actually don’t get settled! I mean, you love changes, ang dami mong goals.

BECKYAy teka, ‘san nga pala kayo mag-a-apply for jobs?

ANNE

Ganito, sama-sama tayong maghanap sa Makati.

JULIETTama. Pero, I’m sure meron ka nang papasukan n’yan

Anne.

ANNEHa?

AMANDADon’t tell me hindi ka inalok for a job ng parents ni Tony.

ANNEActually, they did, and I accepted it. Pero I could decline,

right? Gusto kong humanap ng iba pa. At isa pa, hindi ko gustong nasa isang lugar lang ang love life at career. It’s too much to concentrate on.

AMANDABut do you have a choice? It seems like you accepted it na.

ANNETingnan natin. Maiba nga, gutom na ko. Kain na tayo.

JULIETOo nga, halika na. Gutom na rin ako.

BECKY‘San tayo?

5. COLLEGE GROUNDS STAGE. EXT. UMAGA.

Graduation nila Anne at Tony.

EMCEELadies and gentlemen, our only Cum Laude for this year,

Miss Anne Buenaventura.

ANNEThank you, thank you! It’s great to receive this reward,

yet, it’s even greater to give this to the one who deserves it most – my mom. ‘Ma salamat po sa lahat,

you are my hero, this is for you. And of course, to the one who has been one of my dearest inspirations, you know who you are, I share this with you. Thank you!

Babalik sa upuan nya si Anne, sabay sisikuhin ng mga kaibigan nya.

6. COLLEGE GROUNDS. EXT. UMAGA.

Pagtapos ng graduation ceremony nila Anne.

BECKYAnne, congrats! Keep up the good work!

JULIETOo nga. Sige, see you somewhere in the corporate world!

ANNEThanks! Congrats din! Mami-miss ko kayo! Magkita tayo

ha!

AMANDAAnne! Congratulations!

ANNEThank you! Ikaw din, congrats! O, san ka na pupunta?

AMANDASa bahay, may handaan. Sama ka? Sama mo na rin sina

Mama at Kuya mo.

ANNEAy sige, sige. May nauna na kasing nangimbita eh.

AMANDA(Gives the “something’s fishy here” look.) Oh, got it. I

understand! Sige, sige, enjoy lunch with your future in- laws!

ANNEHuy, ano ka ba! ‘Wag kang maingay, baka marinig ka nila

Tony!

TONY(Pasok.) Babe, the car’s waiting, ikaw na lang hinihintay.

Are you done?

ANNEYes, yes. Sina Mama at Kuya, nandoon na?

TONYOo at mukhang masarap nga ang chikahan nila ni Mama.

ANNEHay nako, baka kung anong masabi ni Mama sa Mama mo! Halika na!

Hahatakin ni Anne si Tony patungong kotse.

7. MAKATI. ISANG BUILDING. EXT. UMAGA.

Nag-aapply ng trabaho sina Anne, Amanda, Juliet, at Becky. Palipat-lipat sila ng mga building. Makakabangga nila si Tony.

ANNEO, ‘san na tayo ngayon? Nakaka-tatlo pa lang tayo.

AMANDA(Tuturo.) Doon tayo.

BECKYOuch! Watch where you’re going!

TONYSorry, sorry. Miss, sorry. Here, let me help you.

BECKYTony? Anong ginagawa mo dito?

TONYBecky? I was just meeting a client. (Titingnan silang lahat.) Amanda, Juliet… Anne? Anong ginagawa n’yo dito?

ANNETony! Wala, namamasyal lang.

TONYNamamasyal… with short brown envelopes? Anne?

ANNEAmanda, sige, mauna na kayo.

AMANDASige, sige. Tony...

TONYAno ‘to?

ANNEWe’re just...

TONYApplying for jobs? Bakit kailangan mo pang

magsinungaling s’akin Anne?

ANNEPwede bang sa ibang lugar tayo mag-usap, ‘wag dito.

TONYHindi ba’t tinanggap ka na ni Papa sa kompanya? Bakit

kailangan mo pang mag-apply sa iba?

ANNEYes, at kaya ako nagsinungaling dahil d’yan. Ayaw kong

biguin ang Papa mo, kaso I want to start my career on my own.

TONYBakit mo tinanggap?

ANNEDahil Papa mo s’ya. Ayaw ko namang tanggihan ang

inaalok n’ya.

TONYBut now you’re applying for jobs? Ano ba talaga Anne?

ANNELook, kaya ko tinanggap dahil Papa mo sya, at ayaw ko

namang tanggihan dahil baka akalain n’ya na there’s a better company that I want to be in than yours. I just saved myself from humiliation.

TONYAnne… you could have said it. There’s nothing to worry

about Papa.

ANNEWell, kinakabahan ako noong mga oras na ‘yon.

TONYBakit hindi mo agad sinabi s’akin?

ANNEI couldn’t.

TONYAnne, lahat, pwede mong sabihin s’akin. Okay?

ANNEOkay.

TONYWhy? Is there something wrong? Ayaw mo bang

magkasama tayo sa trabaho?

ANNEWell, that’s not it Tony. Gusto ko lang talagang tumayo sa

sarili kong mga paa.

TONYI see. I’ll tell Papa about it. But if you have no other choice, remember that you’re still welcome in the company, okay?

Sige, kailangan ko nang umalis. May kikitain akong kliyente.

ANNEOkay. Salamat, Tony.

TONYI love you. (Halikan sa noo si Anne.) Bye. (Naglakad na si

Tony.)

ANNEI... Bye.

Maiiwang nakatingin si Anne sa likod ng naglalakad na Tony.

Note: Ang gwapo gwapo ni Tony! Hahahaha! :D Ross, ikaw na sa kasal nila. Kita namang unsure pa si Anne about Tony. Hindi pa nga love, like stage pa lang sya. Si Tony, love stage na. Naisip ko, pwedeng biglain ni Tony si Anne sa pagpropose nya. Pwede mo silang pag-awayin at paghiwalayin tas magkakabalikan ulit. Pwede ring umoo agad si Anne pero disaster na agad yung life nila. Basta makita na lumalago yung character ni Anne as self-determined. Alam mo na yern. Haha! Ü (IRA)

8. BAHAY NI ANNE. INT. UMAGA

Phone rings. Bababa si Anne sa hagdan papunta mesang nasa tapat ng hagdan na pinagpapatungan ng telepono at sasagutin ito.

ANNE:Hello? (silence) Yes, speaking. (Silence. Matitigilan at mabibigla) Okay ma’am. Tomorrow. Thank you so much ma’am. (Ibababa ang telepono tapos mag-dadial ng panibagong numero.) Hello Tony! Tony! Tony!

TONY: Hey, what’s the matter?

ANNE:(sasabihin ng tuloy-tuloy) I’ve got some big news to tell you. But i can’t tell right now. But this is really really huge and I dont know how am I suppose to feel, I need to see you right now Tony –

TONY:Hey, breathe! Hahahaha! You know, I was about to call and ask you out tonight –

ANNE:Great! So let’s meet! See you later?

TONY:(chuckles) You really seem so happy.

ANNE:Overjoyed kamo.

TONY:Hahaha. Right. Okay I’ll see you later.

ANNE:

Bye. (ibababa ang telepono)

TONY:I love – (mapuputol ang linya ni Anne; ilalabas ni Tony mula sa kanyang bulsa ang isang maliit at itim na kahon, tititigan niya ito ng 3.5 segundo habang nilalaro ito ng kanyang mga daliri pagkatapos ay ibabalik na muli sa bulsa)

9. RESTO. INT. GABI

Nakatayo si Tony sa entrance ng lobby ng restaurant. Katabi niyang inaantay si Anne ang guest assistant nila para sa gabing ito. May malamlam na ilaw at mabagal na tempo ng tugtugin sa lugar. Pormal at romantiko ang pakiramdam. Makikita ang pagkakaba ni Tony sa mukha habang paulit-ulit na tumitingin sa orasan sa kanang braso at ipinapasok ang kamay sa bulsa na tila may kinakapa dito. Dadating si Anne sakay ng taxi at sasalubungin siya ni Tony kasabay ang guest assistant sa likod niya.

TONY:You look great.

ANNE:Thanks!!!

GUEST ASSISTANT:This way sir, mam.

Susundan nila Anne at Tony ang guest assistant sa table nila. Habang naglalakad:

ANNE:(Titingnan yung paligid, makikitang masyadong pormal ang lugar) Bakit pala dito tayo? May okasyon ba?

TONY:(Titingin din sa paligid) Wala naman. Akala ko ba may malaking balita ka?

ANNE:Oo nga, dahil dun kaya mo ko dinala dito?

TONY:Hmm, let’s just say baka may balita din akong sabihin sayo.

ANNE:(Magugulat at titingin kay Tony) Balita? You never mentioned anything at the phone. Did i missed something?

Mapapatigil si Anne dahil lumakas ang pagtugtog. Lumabas sa frame ang guest assistant. Nabawasan ang ilaw sa set. Romantic instrumental music playing.

TONY:No. (Titingin sa paligid. Imumwestra ang kamay na nag-aaya sumayaw) Mukhang sayawan na o.

ANNE:(Ibibigay ang kamay kay Tony) I bet, you’re gonna ask me to dance.

TONY:(Ngingiti) What made you think that?

ANNE:(Magtataka) Well, wont you?

TONY:No. (Hihilahin ang hawak niyang kamay ni Anne) Coz’ I’m gonna ask you to hold this. (Ipapatong sa kamay ni Anne ang itim na kahon na naglalaman ng singsing)

ANNE:Ano to’? (Bubuksan ang kahon at makikita ang singsing na laman nito. Titingnan si Tony)

TONY:Let’s get married?

Hindi sasagot si Anne. Iiwas siya ng tingin kay Tony.

TONY:Why?

ANNE:You’re asking the wrong question Tony.

TONY:I don’t know what else to ask.

ANNE:

Okay. Alam mo ba yung sasabihin ko sayo ngayon? (titigil para antayin na sumagot si Tony pero hindi siya sasagot) J Son Company called me this morning.

TONY:So what are you trying to say Anne?

ANNE:What am I trying to say? Alam mo naman ang priorities ko diba?

TONY:Can't you set them aside for me... just this once?

ANNE:I can’t...marry you, Tony. I’m sorry. (mag-wowalk-out from the scene)

TONY:(Hahabulin si Anne hanggang sa maunahan at tatayo sa harapan ng nobya) Anne. I’m sorry. You know that....I’ll be waiting for you...even if it would take me a lifetime...because I couldnt choose another woman...I...I...

ANNE:Thanks, Tony.

TONY:I love you, Anne. Do you love me?

ANNE:W-well, I couldn’t choose another man either.

TONY: I –

ANNE: I need to go.

TONY:I’ll take you home –

ANNE:I can go home by myself Tony. Goodnight.

Lalabas si Anne ng restaurant. Kasunod niya lumabas si Tony. Liliko si Anne sa kaliwa si Tony naman sa kanan from the point of view ng pinto ng restaurant. Scene fades.

10. J SON COMPANY. INT. UMAGA

After two years maeestablish si Anne at Tony sa careers nila. Papasok si Anne sa entrance ng building. Dadaan siya sa isang desk.

CO-WORKER 1(JANE):Good morning ma’am.

ANNE:Good morning, Jane. Dumating na ba si Ma’am Amanda mo?

CO-WORKER 1:Yes ma’am. She is at the meeting room right now.

(Didiretso si Anne sa meeting room. Makikita niya si Amanda kausap ang kanilang boss na si MRS. SON kasama pa ang isang lalaki na galing sa ibang kumpanya. Makikita ni

Amanda na pumasok na si Anne)

AMANDA:Ma’am, Anne has arrived.

(Lalapit si Anne)

MRS. SON: Oh, Ricky I want you to meet Anne. Anne, this is Mr. Ricky Co, he is Marketing Supervisor of our new sister company.

ANNE:Ma’am, sister company?

MRS. SON:Well, it was a very quick but deliberate decision of the board. Wala naman masyado magbabago on some departments including yours so you were give a late notice. But they are requesting representatives from our company. You and Amanda will be having your offices on New Life Company now, though you are still under J Son.

(Magkakatinginan sina Anne at Amanda)

11. CAFETERIA. INT. TANGHALI

Nakaupo si Amanda at Anne sa isang mesa at kumakain ng lunch.

ANNE:I dont know what to feel Amanda.

AMANDA:That’s called excitement dear. Makakasama mo na ang finace mo sa iisang company!

ANNE:It’s more of like anxiety. And he still isnt my fiance.

AMANDA:C’mon, what could go wrong with you both working together? At sa kumpanya pa na pagmamay-ari ng fiance mo!

ANNE:Anything could go wrong Amanda. You know that I always want to step up using my own resources. I dont like being given favors.

AMANDA:There goes your pride again. And dont you consider Tony a “resource”? He’s your fiance!

ANNE:He’s not my fiance...

AMANDA:...yet.

ANNE:He hasn’t proposed yet...

AMANDA:...or you’ve been rejecting him?

(Anne rolls her eyes)

12. NEW LIFE COMPANY (ANNE’s OFFICE). INT. TANGHALI.

May pinag-aaralan si Anne na accounts sa mesa niya. Kakatok at papasok si Tony. Lalapitan siya sa mesa ni Anne at uupo sa upuan sa harap ng mesa

TONY:(patuksong sasabihin) How’s the new busy executive?

ANNE:(Pasaglit na titingin kay Tony) Busy.

TONY:Even for lunch?

ANNE:(Nagsusulat) I need to finish this Tony. I can’t go out with you now.

TONY:(Tatahimik sandali. Mag-iisip) Hmm, how about dinner? Mama asked you to come. hmmmm

ANNE:(Matitigilan.Titingin kay Tony.)Alright. I’ll come for tita.

TONY:I’ll pick you up! (Excited na lalabas ng kwarto)

(Nakangiti, susudan ng tingin ni Anne si Tony habang lumalabas ng kwarto hanggang sa maisara niya ang pinto. Titingnan niya ang damit niyag suot. Scene fades to black)

13. KWARTO ANNE SA BAHAY NILA. INT. GABI.

Ipapakita na nakaharap si Anne sa salamin at magtatry magsukat ng iba’t ibang damit hanggang sa nakahanap na siya ng damit na tingin niya ay bagay sa kanya. Maririning ang busina ng kotse ni Tony. Magmamdali si Anne na bumaba.

14. INSIDE TONY’s CAR. GABI.

TONY:So, how have you been doing?

ANNE:Great. Kamusta sila tita?

TONY:They’re great. Namimiss ka na nga daw ni mama e.

ANNE:Really? Namiss ko din sila.

TONY:What more ako?

ANNE:Ha?

TONY:Wala. (Ititigil ang kotse.Bababa at pagbubuksan ng pintuan si Anne.)

MAMA:Hello hija. You at you still looking great!

ANNE:(I-bebeso ang mama ni Tony) You look great too tita. Thank you for inviting me tonight.

MAMA:Well it was Tony’s big idea.

TONY:Ma –

MAMA:Ah! C’mon inside. Your tito’s been waiting.

15. DINING ROOM AT TONY’s HOUSE. INT. GABI.

Nakaupo silang lahat sa isang mahabang dining table, nasa dulo ang papa ni Tony; nasa kanan niya ang asawa; magkatabi naman sina Tony at Anne sa kaliwa, nakaupo mas malapit sa kanyang papa si Tony. Patapos na kumain.

MAMA:So kelan ninyo ba balak magpakasal?

TONY:Mama –

MAMA:Why, is it wrong to ask? Matagal na rin naman kayong magkasama and you each have established careers lalo na itong si Anne...I don’t think it still inwise for you to consider settling together...right Anne?

(Mapapatingin si Anne sa mama ni Tony, pagkatapos kay Tony. Wala siyang masasabi.)

PAPA:(kay Tony) I thought you already have proposed to Anne, Tony?

TONY:I...uhm...haven’t given a thought on that yet (titingin kay Anne).

MAMA:Well I think you already should by this time. Baka naiinip na si Anne si sayo.

ANNE:Wow tito, did you cook? This fish tastes really good.

PAPA:Ya I haven’cooked since the past months na sunod sunod ang business trips ko. Kaya buti nag-arrange si Tony ng dinner tonight. And its good you liked it.

(Anne smiles)

MAMA:Anne, how have you been doing at J SON’s?

ANNE:Well, they have taken care of my career since day one.

PAPA:Well, just know that you could be given more opportunities at New Life. And the board has agreed that you would be a great assest to the company. So I want you to consider it. I know that you liked venturing into new heights, Anne.

MAMA:

Hija, kapag nagpakasal na kayo, it would only follow that you’ll be part of the company. So it would be good kung ngayon palang....

TONY:Mama..

ANNE:It’s alright Tony. Uhm, alright tito, I’ll think about it.

16. SA KOTSE NI TONY. INT. GABI.

Walang nagsasalita at parehong nakatingin sa kalsada sina Tony at Anne.

TONY:(Patukso kay Anne) Since when did you like fish?

ANNE:Just recently, and I thought dinner was tita’s idea huh?

TONY:Hahahaha. But they thought it was a great idea.

(silence)

TONY:Paki buksan naman yang cabinet sa unahan.

ANNE:Ha? Uhm... ito ba? (bubuksan ang cabinet, makikita niya ang nag-iisang laman–engagement ring kapareha nung ibinibigay ni Tony noong unang proposal niya)

TONY: (Nakatingin sa kalsada) It ‘s been 2 years Anne. I just want you to know that what I promised you last time’s true – that I will be waiting...

ANNE:(Nakasuot na ang singsing sa daliri niya at tinitingnan ito. Magsisimulang magsalita ng seryoso. Magiging pabiro ang tono sa huli) Well I am thinking...if...bagay ba itong singsing sakin or should I reject you again to buy me another...?

TONY:(Biglang ititigil ang sasakyan at titingin sa singsing sa daliri ni Anne) But it already looks perfect (titingin sa mukha ni Anne).

(Ngingit sila pareho. Mag-yayakapan. Scene fades to black)

17. NEW LIFE COMPANY. INT. UMAGA.

Papasok sina Anne at Tony sa lobby. Sasalubungin sila ng parents ni Tony.

PAPA:Dumating na pala kayo.

ANNE:(hahalik sa papa) Papa.

MAMA:Did you enjoy na cruise hija?

ANNE:(hahalik sa mama) Yes mama.

TONY:Anne decided dito na kami dumretso.

ANNE:There are so much work to do.

PAPA:(sa asawa niya) It seems hindi tayo nagkamali ng mamanugangin. Well, tama lang na dito kayo dumeretso. You’re just in time for a formal announcement.

TONY:An announcement?

PAPA:Anne’s promotion.

ANNE:(Gulat) But....papa. I dont think...

MAMA:Hija, you are part of the family and the company as well. Don’t think that it’s because you are Tony’s wife that you’ll be give this favor.

PAPA:You know that you have been a great asset to the company and you’ve proven yourself worthy of promotion.

TONY:(Nagulat.Kay Anne:) Ya, you definitely deserve this.

ANNE:Thank you so much tito, tita. I’ll prove myself worthy.

(Ipapakita na hindi masyado masaya si Tony. Something is bothering him. Pero ipapakita pa rin niya na masaya siya para sa asawa niya.)

18. NEW LIFE COMPANY. INT. UMAGA.

After some weeks, naipakita naman ni Anne na karapatdapat nga siya sa posisyon. Sa loob ng board meeting room, nasa harapan si Anne at nagrereport ng bagong financial investements ng kumpanya. Makikita na sumasang-ayon ang mga board members sa proposals niya. Nakaupo ang papa ni Tony sa dulo ng long table. Papasok si Tony sa loob at uupo sa upuan sa gitna. Titingnan siya ng papa niya at iiling ito. Makikita ito ni Anne at mapapatigil siya.

BOARD MEMBER1:So should we risk for an investement like this?

BOARD MEMBER2:What about the losses?

ANNE:This financial investment will cause the break for the company. Any loss would be regained after a while but there could never be another opportunity for this investment I am proposing. The results are worth the risks. (titingin kay Tony.hindi titingin si Tony who is absent-mindedly looking at the paper reports.) Thank you ladies and gentlemen. (palakpakan)

BOARD MEMBER3:(kay papa) You’re lucky to have her as a daughter, sir.

(Maririnig ito ni Tony. Lalabas siya ng kwarto. Makikita ito ni Anne pero hindi niya ito susundan.)

19. KWARTO NINA ANNE AT TONY. INT. GABI.

Nasa banyo si Anne. Maririning ang pagduwal niya sa loob. Lalabas siya at uupo sa kaliwang gilid ng kama na nakatalikod sa pinto. Dadating si Tony pero hindi magsasalita.

ANNE:Tony...

(hindi sasagot si Tony)

ANNE:(haharap kay Tony)Tony would you talk to me?

(hindi pa din sasagot si Tony)

ANNE:(Tatayo at lalapit kay Tony) You haven’t been talking talking me for days. Ano bang problema?

(hindi pa din sasagot si Tony)

ANNE:Ano ba?

TONY:(Uupo sa kama) Ako. Akong may problema. He is not pleased with me yet he is very fond of...

ANNE:(Tatabihan si Tony sa kama) You’ll prove yourself to him...

TONY:Salamat.