GUMUSSERVI

by
Maria Angelica de Vera Umali
FADE IN:
INT. HOUSE – DAY (VIDEO CLIP)
A young Grace is sitting on the floor, playing with Barbies. Toys
are scattered around her.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Anong gusto mo maging paglaki mo,
Grace?
YOUNG GRACE
A mom.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
*Laughs* A mom?
YOUNG GRACE
I’ll marry a business man and we’ll
live in a big mansion. We’ll have a
stable.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
A stable?
YOUNG GRACE
For the horses.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Why do you want that?
YOUNG GRACE
Dad and I watched Gone with the Wind…
GRACE’S MOM
But that’s a sad story.
YOUNG GRACE
It’s okay… I won’t be stupid like
Scarlet.
GRACE’S MOM
*Laughs* Well, that’s for sure…

CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH – BEFORE SUNSET
There is an ongoing party. On the sand, a fire is set on a pit.
Small groups of people are scattered around the fire; a few
sitting along the shore, talking, laughing, and holding plastic
cups filled with beer. Stef and Grace are seated facing the fire,
whispering to each other.
STEF
Bandang kanan, yung naka-green.
Grace squints towards the shore, where a guy in a dark green
shirt is showing card tricks to a bunch of people.
GRACE
Maliit.
Stef looks around for a few seconds, then elbows Grace.
STEF
Oh!
(nods to their left)
Yung nakatingin sa phone.
Grace looks in the same direction, towards a guy busy typing at
his phone.
GRACE
(hums in approval)
Physically attractive. Pero mukhang
fuckboy. I bet tatlo-tatlong girls
ang pinagsasabay niyan kaya hindi
niya mabitawan phone niya. Probably
more.
STEF
(dragging out the words)
Okay.
Eh yung katabi niya?
Stef takes a sip of her beer, then looks sideways at Grace,
raising an eyebrow.
Grace looks at the guy wearing glasses and a button-down shirt,
talking to a couple.
GRACE
 (huffs disbelievingly)
Yan? Alam mo yan, yan yung mga tipo
ng lalake na mas iniingatan yung
sneakers nila kesa sa girlfriend
nila.
Stef looks at Grace, exasperated.
STEF
Ano ka, X-men? Tignan mo lang sila,
alam mo na agad yang mga yan?
Grace tips her head down then up.
GRACE
Yep.
STEF
(looking at Grace)
Saka, alam mo yung standards mo?
Ganito oh.
She draws a huge rectangle with both her hands.
GRACE
Grace gives Stef a blank look.
Um. Okay. Hindi ko gets.
STEF
TV screen yon I.
Kasi yung mga tipo mo? Sa mga
teleserye mo lang mahahanap.
Grace laughs and shakes her head. In the near distance, shouting
erupts. A crowd has gathered near the fire, where Robby is
standing beside an empty monoblock chair, calling everyone’s
attention.
STEF
Ugh. Eto nanaman siya.
GRACE
I swear, I don’t know half of the
people na inimbitahan niya.
ROBBY
 (addressing the crowd)
Well? Nageenjoy ba kayo?
The crowd cheers in response.
ROBBY
Syempre diba? Libreng alak. Diyan kayo
magaling eh.
The crowd laughs.
ROBBY
Anyway. Nasaan na yung birthday girl?
Grace? Where– Oh! There you are!
Grace looks at Stef and starts shaking her head as Robby
approaches. Stef only pushes her forward and Robby drags her to
the lone chair and makes her sit in it. He puts a hand on Grace’s
shoulder.
ROBBY
(addressing Grace)
You’ll thank me later.
He gestures to a guy by the stereo. The guy gives him a thumbs
up.
GRACE
(warning tone)
Robby…
Racy music starts to play and a guy in a muscle shirt, wearing
his cap backwards appear and starts dancing seductively. Robby
kisses a panicked Grace on the cheek and wiggles his brows at
her.
ROBBY
Happy birthday!
He runs off to join Stef in the crowd, who looks pleasantly
shocked. She swats him playfully on the arm.
STEF
(laughing)
Oh my god, Robby!
They start laughing and shouting as the male stripper continues
gyrating around Grace, who’s bent over laughing, her face buried
in her hands.

CUT TO:

EXT. BEACH – NIGHT

Grace is sneaking away from the party, a book tucked in her arm.
Stef is busy talking to her boyfriend, Josh. Robby is at the
center of a group of people. A few greet Grace a happy birthday
as she passes by. She smiles and thanks them. She keeps walking
until she’s far from the gathered party. She sits on the shore,
opens her book on the earmarked page and starts reading.
A few minutes pass. Her phone rings and she picks it up, screen
displays: “Stef calling.” She ignores it and keeps reading. She
reads until the ringing stops. Her phone beeps once. She doesn’t
look at it.
A moment later, someone sits beside her. Grace is startled. She
looks at the intruder.
GRACE
Ikaw…
BRIAN
Maganda yung view, pero, delikado sa
parte na to ng beach.
He scoots closer.
BRIAN
(in a low voice)
Nakita mo yung dalawang lalake yun?
Grace looks over at the two guys huddled together a few feet away
from them. They’re hunched towards something between them, where
a tiny flame is flickering.
BRIAN
Hindi sigarilyo yang hinihithit niyang
mga yan.
He looks back toward the cottages where a man is drinking
straight from a bottle of beer. Grace follows his gaze.
 BRIAN
Si manong tutok na tutok pa sa Red
Horse niya pero hindi mo alam kung
anong gagawin niyan pag nakakita siya
ng magandang babae.
Grace looks suspiciously at Brian.
GRACE
Sinabi ba ni Robby na sundan mo ko ko?
Brian tips his head inquisitively at her.
GRACE
Look, hindi ako interesado sa…
serbisyo mo. At, kaya ko na sarili ko.
Brian laughs.
BRIAN
Hindi ako nandito para mag-alok ng
“serbisyo.” At, hindi kita iiwang mag-
isa ditto kahit gano ka kasungit.
Grace looks disbelievingly at Brian. He reaches for the book in
her lap and looks at the cover.
BRIAN
“I care for no man on Earth, and no
man cares for me”
Grace looks even more surprised now.
GRACE
Nabasa mo to?
BRIAN
Parang gulat na gulat ka? Macho dancer
ako pero hindi lang sumayaw ng walang
t-shirt ang alam kong gawin.
GRACE
Sorry.
BRIAN
Apology accepted.
GRACE
 Hindi mo parin ako iiwan mag-isa?
Brian stretches out and props his arms behind his back, sighing
in comfort. He grins at Grace and Grace smiles and shakes her
head slightly.
GRACE
So, bakit si Sydney Carton? Bakit siya
yung kinowt mo?
BRIAN
Siya yung taong walang kwenta. At alam
niyang wala siyang kwenta. Pero kahit
gano siya kamiserable, marami parin
siyang nagagawang… tama.
GRACE
Siguro kasi nung nakilala niya si
Lucie, yung mga ginagawa niya, hindi
na para sa sarili niya.
(laughs self-consciously)
Alam mo, ilang beses ko ng nabasa tong
libro na to pero umaasa parin ako na
pipiliin ni Lucie si Sydney.
Brian raises his brows at Grace.
BRIAN
Bakit naman niya pipiliin si Sydney
Carton na sugalero at lasinggero,
samantalang nandiyan si Charles
Darnay? Gwapo… Mayaman… Edukado…
Matino.
Grace looks thoughtful.
GRACE
Sa tingin ko… may potensyal pa si
Sydney na magbago. Kung minahal siya
ni Lucie.
BRIAN
Sa tingin ko… delikadong magmahal ng
isang tao dahil lang may nakita kang
potensyal nila.
Brian looks up at Grace and she looks right back at him, a smile
forming on her lips. She extends his hand towards him.
GRACE
Grace.
Brian takes her hand.
BRIAN
Brian.
They release each others’ hands.
GRACE
Mahilig ka ba music?
BRIAN
Mahilig ka bang huminga?
Grace bursts into laughter and Brian starts to laugh too.
They talk until the sky turns a pale gray, then a dark orange,
until Grace just curls up in the sand and falls instantly asleep.
Brian just looks at her, smiling softly. He pulls out his phone
from his back pocket and looks at the time. It reads 4:07. He
puts the phone back in his pocket and sighs.

CUT TO:

INT. OFFICE – MORNING

Stef is busy typing in her desk and Grace is sitting in a chair
in front her, forehead touching the desk. Grace groans and looks
up at Stef.
GRACE
(miserably)
Binuhat niya talaga ako pabalik?
Stef nods her response, too busy to even look at Grace.
STEF
Binuhat ka rin niya hanggang sa
sasakyan.
GRACE
 Shit.
Panong buhat? Like – pa piggy-back?
Or, parang sako ng bigas? Or… yung…
She extends her hands in front of her in a cradling pose, like
she’s holding a baby. Robby appears holding a cup of coffee,
leaning against the wall behind Stef.
ROBBY
Parang sa bagong kasal. Ganon I.
GRACE
(horrified)
Noooooooo!
ROBBY
Huy. Maarte ka pa? Eh para ka ngang
lintang maka-kapit sakanya kagabi.
GRACE
(whining)
Bakit hindi niyo ko ginising?
ROBBY
Akala mo hindi namin sinubukan? Girl –
kahit yata ilublob ka naming sa dagat
hindi ka magigising.
Stef snorts. Then she shuts her laptop and looks at Grace, dead
serious.
STEF
Umamin ka. Anong ginawa niyo?
Grace looks incredulously at Stef.
GRACE
(defensive tone)
Wala. Nag-usap!
ROBBY
Pano kayo nagusap? In French?
Grace glares at Robby.
GRACE
 Napasarap lang yung usapan namin,
okay?
ROBBY
Gano ka-sarap?
GRACE
Ugh! Bakit ba ko nage-explain sainyo?
She rolls her eyes then stares at the wall for a few seconds.
GRACE
Coffee.
She gets up then storms off to the pantry. Stef and Robby look at
each other.
STEF
Sinabi mo ba sakanyang ininvite mo si
Brian sa lakad natin mamaya?
Robby smiles wickedly.

CUT TO:

INT. BAR – NIGHT

Stef and her boyfriend Josh are playing billiards against Robby
and Marcus, a guy he met a few minutes ago. Meanwhile, Grace is
sitting alone, watching the game. After a moment, she stands up
and tiptoes outside.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARKING LOT – NIGHT

She whips out her phone and calls her mom. She answers after the
third ring.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Gracia. Utang na loob.
GRACE
(laughs)
 Ganyan mo batiin ang anak mo?
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Tinatawagan mol ang naman kami kapag
wala kang makausap diyan sa mga
partyng pinagpupupuntuhan mo. Bakit
hindi ka nalang maghanap ng jojowain
diyan?
GRACE
Ayokong makilala yung magiging
boyfriend ko sa bar noh.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Edi sa café ka tumambay.
Grace sighs and shakes her head.
GRACE
Wala kang patawad ma.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Osya sya. Sabi ko naman kasi sayo wag
mo kong tinatawagan pag oras ng GMA
Telebabad eh. Oh sige, ba-bye na.
The line cuts off. Grace blows raspberries then sits down on her
heels.
BRIAN
Anong meron sayo at sa madidilim na
sulok?
Grace looks up, startled. Brian crouches down beside her.
GRACE
Pinaglihi ka ba sa kabute?
He laughs then pops open a can of soda and offers it to her. She
takes it.
GRACE
Robby?
Brian nods.
BRIAN
 May banta ng physical harm pag hindi
ako pumunta.
Grace laughs.
GRACE
Ganun siya.
Silence. Grace takes a sip of her soda and looks at Brian
cautiously.
GRACE
Um. Thank you. Kagabi.
BRIAN
Para ka palang mantika matulog.
Grace groans and covers her face with her free hand. Brian laughs
at her. His phone rings and he looks at it but doesn’t answer the
call. Grace looks at his phone screen displaying Robby’s name and
smirks.
GRACE
Hindi ka tatantanan niyan. Mabuti pa
pumasok na tayo.
She stands up and extends her hands to Brian. He doesn’t take it.
He just stares straight ahead and raises a hand.
GRACE
Bakit?
BRIAN
Cramps.
He scrunches his face. Grace laughs. Slowly, he stretches his
legs before him, one after the other. He’s sitting on his butt
now. Grace crouches in front of him.
GRACE
(playfully)
Dito ba?
She prods one of his legs. He jerks in surprise and tries to
protect his leg with both hands. Grace is laughing now.
GRACE
Dito?
She prods the other leg. Brian groans and catches her hand,
bowing his head in pain. Grace’s laughter sputters and dies,
realizing Brian is not letting go of her hand.
GRACE
Okay na?
Slowly, Brian raises his head and nods. She pulls her hand away
and stands up.
GRACE
(teasing)
Baby.
She smiles and starts off towards the entrance to the bar. Brian
shakes his head and stands up with great effort, following after
her.

INT. BAR – NIGHT

All of them: Brian, Grace, Josh, Stef, Robby and Marc are huddled
beside a pool table. They all look serious.
ROBBY
Losers have to do a dare.
GRACE
Anong dare?
ROBBY
Bahala kayo. Mag-isip kayo ng dare
niyo and we’ll think of ours. Ire-
reveal nalang pag may nanalo na.
Stef whispers something to Josh and they both laugh.
GRACE
(whispers to Brian)
Marunong ka bang maglaro?
BRIAN
(whispers back)
Tawag nila sakin nung highschool, Bata
Jr.
GRACE
 Sigurado ka diyan ha. Ayokong umuwi ng
nakahubad.
BRIAN
Pero alam mo, maganda ring magpatalo
minsan.
Grace elbows him playfully. Brian laughs, throws his cue stick
and catches it.
BRIAN
Game.
The game starts. They all take turns taking their shot. Brian as
he claimed, is very good. He teaches Grace the proper hand
position, and how to aim and strike the ball. Eventually, they
win the game. In her excitement, Grace jumps into Brian’s arms.
She realizes what she’s doing a moment later and springs away
from him. She clears her throat. Their friends go to them.
STEF
Sa susunod nga, mag-score ka nalang
Brian.
JOSH
Hindi man lang ako naka-porma eh.
ROBBY
Kaya nga! Nakakaloka ka. Hindi mo
naman sinabi samin na halimaw ka pala
sa billiards.
BRIAN
Sorry guys. Gustong Manalo ng partner
ko, kaya her wish is my command.
Stef and Robby hoots and Josh pats him on the shoulder.
JOSH
Smooth, man! Smooth!
Grace looks at him incredulously and he gives her a wink.

INT. OFFICE – DAY

Grace is sitting on her desk, sipping coffee when Robby and Stef
walk inside the office. Robby is wearing a dress paired with high
heels and Stef is wearing a jersey and baggy pants. Upon seeing
them, Grace chokes on her coffee.
STEF
Masaya ka na, Gracia?
Grace is bowled over in laughter now.
ROBBY
Actually feel na feel ko tong outfit
ko ngayon.
STEF
Ewan ko sainyo. Magsama kayo.
Stef starts walking away. Grace runs toward her and Robby,
holding her phone up.
GRACE
Wait! Picture! Please… Sige na Stefi,
isa lang…
Stef stops arguing and looks at the camera blankly. Robby, on the
other hand, is making fierce poses.
CUT TO:

EXT. MCDONALD’S – NIGHT

Grace, Robby and Stef are sitting on a table.
ROBBY
So ano ng score?
GRACE
Magkaibigan lang kami. Wag kayong
malisyoso.
STEF
Wag ka ding echusera. Halata namang
type mo si Brian.
GRACE
Wag ka ngang–
Grace looks around furiously.
GRACE
 (to Stef)
And you know what, galit parin ako
sayo… We agreed na tutulungan mo ko
bukas. I don’t know anything about
plants!
STEF
Sorry na Grace… Babawi ako, I swear.
Grace turned to Robby with pleading eyes.
ROBBY
Noooo. Wag ako!
Grace stuck out her tongue at him. Brian and Josh arrive at the
table with their order. Brian puts food in front of Grace and
then Robby.
ROBBY
(sweet voice)
Thank you, Brian. You’re so sweet
talaga. Diba, Grace?
Grace glares at Robby.
GRACE
(to Brian)
Thank you.
BRIAN
Maaga yata kayong natapos sa work
ngayon… Buti inabutan mo pa kayo.
GRACE
Bakit ka pala napadaan?
Brian shrugs.
BRIAN
Papalagpasin ko ba yung chance na
makita si Robby na naka-dress?
ROBBY
Sabi ko na nga ba ako talaga yung
type mo dito eh…
They all laugh.
 ROBBY
So Brian…
Brian looks at him.
ROBBY
May gagawin ka ba bukas?
BRIAN
Um, bakit…?
STEF
May alam ka ba sa mga halaman?
Grace looks at her incredulously.

CUT TO:

EXT. GARDEN – DAY

Brian and Grace are sitting on the ground, a gardening pot in
front of them. A bag of soil, a stem of plant, two spray bottles,
a wrap of paper towels, and a small bucket of water, scattered
around them. They start potting the plant, Brian showing Grace
how to do it properly. Once they’re finished, Brian hands the
spray bottle to Grace.
BRIAN
Do the honors.
Grace sprays water on the plant once. Brian taps the pot.
BRIAN
Galing kay Stef?
Grace nods.
GRACE
Kay Tita Marcie, actually. Yung mama
niya. Sinabi ko lang minsan na
magaganda yung mga halaman niya and
now she’s trying to give me a green
thumb.
Brian puts both his hands on either side of the plant, like he’s
covering non-existent ears.
 BRIAN
Wag kang magsalita ng ganyan baka
isipin ni Frank, napipiitan ka lang na
alagaan siya.
Grace laughs.
GRACE
Sabi ko na nga ba may sayad ka eh.
He looks at Grace, giving her a self-satisfied smile. Grace
sprays him with water. She laughed, seeing his face drenched in
water.
BRIAN
Ah ganon ha…
He picks up the other water bottle and Grace starts to scrambles
away from him. They start spraying each other with water. Grace,
as she was trying to get away from Brian, slips and falls butt-
first into the ground. Brian hurries to her side, removing his
gloves.
BRIAN
(worried)
Ayos ka lang?
Grace tips her head to the side, like she’s straining to hear
something.
GRACE
Ano yun Frank?
(to Brian)
Tsk. Disappointed si Frank sayo dahil
inaapi mo ako.
Brian looks at her face.
BRIAN
Mamimiss kita bukas.
Grace turns serious.
GRACE
Aalis ka?
BRIAN
 May out-of-town kaming gig.
GRACE
Oh.
Grace tries to smile.
GRACE
Pasalubong ko ha?
Brian laughs, then flicks Grace’s nose. Grace scrunches her face.
BRIAN
Syempre. Malakas ka sakin eh.

EXT. GRACE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Grace opens the door from outside. She just got home from work.
She removes her shoes by the door then enters the house. She sets
her keys down on top of a drawer and tossed her bag on the sofa.
She proceeds to the kitchen, takes a glass and fills it with
water. She goes to the fridge and opens it. It’s empty save from
a few leftovers. She closes it. She goes to the living room,
turns on the TV, switches channels, then turns it off. She sits
back on the sofa, reaches for her phone in her bag and scrolls
through her Facebook feed. She looks at her friends’ My Day
stories. After a while she tosses the phone beside her and tilts
her head up to look up at the ceiling. She stares at it for a
minute, then she sits up and sighs.

CUT TO:

INT. GRACE’s ROOM – NIGHT

Grace has changed clothes for bed. She’s watching a movie on her
laptop when her phone beeps. She reaches for it.
BRIAN (TEXT)
Gising ka pa?
Grace smiles. She types a reply.
GRACE (TEXT)
Ineexpect mo ba na magrereply yung
taong tulog?
Phone beeps again.
BRIAN (TEXT)
Hindi. Alam ko naming gising ka pa.
GRACE (TEXT)
*Raised eyebrow emoji*
BRIAN (TEXT)
Hindi. Bukas pa yung ilaw sa kwarto
mo.
Grace scrambles out of bed and peeks out her window. Outside,
Brian is leaning against a car. He looks up from his phone and
raises a hand in greeting. Grace becomes panicked. She hurries
out the door, doubles back and looks at herself in the mirror.
She tries to fix her hair, makes a face at her reflection, then
walks out the door.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRACE’s APARTMENT – NIGHT

Brian is standing on the other side of the gate when Grace opens
it.
BRIAN
Nagdala ako ng food.
He holds up a brown paper bag.
GRACE
Ah. The magic words.
(Solemnly)
Makakapasok ka.

CUT TO:

INT. GRACE’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Grace and Brian is at the living room, their feet propped on a
coffee table, food on either side of them. Grace is holding a
sundae on one hand, a plastic spoon on the other. Brian is
picking at fries.
GRACE
So, anong ginagawa mo pag wala kang
gig?
BRIAN
Web design. Minsan photographer.
(Clarifies)
Sa mga wholesome na events.
Grace laughs then looks at him appraisingly.
GRACE
Marami ka palang talents.
BRIAN
Natuto na kong dumiskarte sa buhay,
bata palang.
GRACE
Nasan na yung… parents mo?
BRIAN
Ilocos. Um, actually hindi ko sure.
He laughs but it was empty. Grace looks at him.
BRIAN
Lumayas ako sa bahay nung 15 ako.
Nakitira kung kani-kanino, hanggang
nakilala ko sila AJ.
(he clarifies)
Yung mga kasama ko dati sa bar.
GRACE
Bakit ka naglayas sainyo?
BRIAN
Magulo yung pamilya ko Grace.
He looks at Grace.
 Hindi na ko sumasayaw sa bar ngayon
pero yung mga nakasama ko dun, sila
na yung pamilya ko.
GRACE
San ka na nakatira ngayon?
BRIAN
Nagrerent na ako ng sarili kong
apartment. Mahirap tumira sa isang
bahay na puro macho dancer ang
kasama. Walang… privacy.
He laughs a little, then bumps Grace’s shoulder.
BRIAN
Ikaw? Mahirap bang mag-isa?
GRACE
Ha?
BRIAN
Dito. Sa apartment.
GRACE
Minsan…
Brian looks at her, waiting for more. She sets down her sundae
and plays with the hem of her sweater.
GRACE
Meron yung mga araw na sobrang late na
ko nakakauwi. Yung pagdating ko lang
wala ng palabas sa TV, tulog na lahat
ng pwede kong tawagan. Tapos, gising
na gising pa ko. Ta-try kong magbasa o
kaya manood ng movie pero… nandun
parin yung feeling na parang mag-isa
na lang ako sa mundo.
She pauses.
It’s scary. To feel that alone, and
helpless.
A beat of silence.
GRACE
 Ito na ba yung part na sasabihin mo
sakin,
(dramatic voice)
You won’t be alone anymore…
Brian laughs. He takes her hand and twines his fingers with
hers.
BRIAN
Ito na yung part na hahawakan ko yung
kamay mo and I won’t let it go.
GRACE
That’s just as cheesy.
Grace looks at him then at their joined hands.
GRACE
We’re friends, right?
Brian still doesn’t let go, but he smiled sadly at her.
BRIAN
Right.

EXT. OFFICE – DAY

Grace and Robby are drinking coffee.
ROBBY
Manonood ka ng sine. Later. Kasama si
Kevin.
He looks at Grace.
ROBBY
Tama ba yung rinig ko?
GRACE
Inaya niya ko and I said yes.
ROBBY
(confused)
Sandali ha. Hindi ko maintindihan.
GRACE
 Basta, yun na yun okay? I’m going.
ROBBY
No, Grace. You can’t just go out with
Kevin! You don’t even like him! And
most especially, pano si Brian?
GRACE
(annoyed)
Sabi ko naman sainyo, magkaibigan lang
kami.
ROBBY
That’s bullshit, and you know it.

Robby gives her a knowing look.

CUT TO:

INT. CINEMA – NIGHT

Grace is waiting for Kevin, who is buying them tickets. Her phone
beeps.
BRIAN (TEXT)
Are you busy?
Grace frowns, then types a reply.
GRACE (TEXT)
Manonood ng sine, and then home.
*smiley face*
BRIAN (TEXT)
Anong papanoorin niyo nila Robby?
*smiley face*
Grace hesitates.
GRACE (TEXT)
I’m with Kevin, yung kaibigan ni Josh.
She waits for a full 2 minutes but Brian doesn’t reply. Kevin
arrives.
 KEVIN
Are you okay?
Grace gives him a smile, then nods. They start towards the
entrance to the cinema. Grace checks her phone again but there’s
no new notification.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET – NIGHT

Grace is walking home. She keeps checking her phone, looking at
her conversation with Brian. He still hasn’t replied to her. As
she arrives at her gate, she notices Brian sitting at the cul de
sac, head down.
GRACE
Brian?
He looks up, startled, then stands up. Grace approaches him.
GRACE
(worried)
Anong ginagawa mo dito?
He doesn’t answer. Grace looks up at him. He just looks miserably
back.
GRACE
(worried)
Ayos ka lang ba?
BRIAN
Ikaw nalang laman ng isip ko, Grace.
Hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. I
miss you all the fucking time.

Grace looks dumbfounded.

BRIAN
 I’m sorry, Grace. Hindi ko kayang
itrato ka na parang kaibigan lang.
She looks up at him.
GRACE
(whispers)
Me too.
He steps closer then puts a hand to her cheek. He brings his face
extremely close to hers, their noses touching.
GRACE
(whispers)
Anong ginagawa mo?
BRIAN
Pinapatagal ko para mas dramatic.
Grace exhales a laugh. Then, their lips touch, eyes closed. After
a moment they pull apart, their foreheads touching.
BRIAN
Pwedeng isa pa?
GRACE
Pwedeng pumasok muna tayo? Ayoko mag-
PDA sa kalsada.
BRIAN
So san tayo pwede mag PDA?
Grace elbows him. He laughs, then slings an arm over Grace’s
shoulder, kissing her forehead.

CUT TO:

SERIES OF SHOTS (GRACE AND BRIAN)

1. Eating ice cream on a park
2. Brian playing guitar while Grace is reading
3. Just talking on a balcony. Frank, the plant, with them
4. Walking on the beach
 CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE – DAY

Stef is leaning on the kitchen counter looking at her phone and
Grace is rummaging for food in the fridge. Grace peeks at Stef
from behind the refrigerator door, grimacing.
GRACE
Hotdogs nalang ang meron.
Stef scrunches her nose.
STEF
Umorder nalang tayo?
GRACE
Okay.
Grace closes the fridge and goes to Stef. She leans on the
counter too.
GRACE
What do you think of Brian… and me?
Stef thinks of an answer.
STEF
Does it matter?
GRACE
Of course it does…
STEF
Actually, nagulat ako. I mean, obvious
naman na gusto mo siya but… kilala
kita Grace. You’re the poster child
for idealistic. And yet… here you are
in a relationship with a stripper. I
mean, I don’t care because what’s
important is he genuinely cares about
you. Pero… it’s not about what we
think, it’s about what you think.
GRACE
 I still don’t know what to think,
Stefi. Nakakalimutan kong gamitin yung
utak ko when it comes to him. It feels
like I crossed a boundary and the
lines are all blurred.
STEF
Can I say something?
Grace looks at her, then nods.
STEF
You’re confused because hindi mo ma-
incorporate yung Brian na macho
dancer, from the Brian na nakasama mo
these past few days. They’re the same
person, Grace… Hindi mo pwedeng piliin
kung aling part lang ng pagkatao niya
yung mamahalin mo. You have to decide
whether you accept all of him or not.
Grace doesn’t answer. She looks conflicted.

CUT TO:

INT. CLUB – NIGHT

Brian and Grace walks in, holding each other’s hands. They walk
to a spot in the back where a few guys are sitting. One guy waves
a hand to them. Brian leads Grace to their table. As they reach
the table, AJ, the guy who waved, stands up to meet them. He and
Brian embrace and clap each other on the back. Brian gives a
salute to the rest of the guys seated on the table. He reaches
for Grace and puts a hand on her waist, introducing her to each
guy on the table. They sit down and the chatting begins. Drinks
are passed to Brian and Grace, who refused it. At one point,
Brian gets up to go to the restroom.
BRIAN
Punta lang ako CR.
Grace nods and he kisses her forehead.
GUY 1
Alam mo ibang iba si Brian ngayon.
Sobrang wild niyan nung nagsisimula
 palang kami. Every week yata, iba-iba
girlfriend niya.
GUY 2
Nagtagal naman sila ni Justine.
The guys laugh at this.
AJ
(to Grace)
Si Justine yung ex niya. Well, isa sa
mga ex niya.
Grace nods.
GUY 2
More like presidente ng Brian Marcelo
fan club.
GUY 1
Naaalala niyo pa ba nung minsang
monthsary nila?
(to Grace)
Pumasok ako sa kwarto ni Brian para
kumupit sa stash niya ng Snickers
diba? Tapos, nandun si Justine, and
she was only wearing a bathrobe. Akala
niya yata ako si Brian so tinanggal
niya yung bathrobe pagbukas ko ng
pinto.
The guys are laughing as he’s telling this story. Grace has a
forced smile on her face.
GUY 1
Man. Sa sobrang gulat ko, I just stood
there and stared at her boobs.
AJ
Nagising ata buong barangay sa sigaw
niya.
GUY 2
Meanwhile si Brian, iniwan namin sa
bar na may kasamang ibang chick.
 AJ
Nagbago naman na siya ngayon. Kung
wild siya dati, dinaig naman niya
ngayon yung mga seminarista. Pag
lumalabas kami, alas onse palang gusto
niyan nakauwi na siya.
Brian returns to the table and slings an arm over Grace’s
shoulder. He notices that she’s quiet.
BRIAN
Okay ka lang?
Grace gives him a tiny smile.
Later on, Grace is standing in a corner while Brian and the rest
of his friends are dancing on stage. She watches their
performance quietly. Two young women approach her, giggling.
GIRL 1
Ikaw yung girlfriend ngayon ni Brian
diba? Bakit hindi na siya sumasayaw
ngayon dito?
GRACE
Um…
GIRL 2
Totoo bang malaki?
Girl 1 elbows Girl 2 and they both start laughing.
GIRL 1
Sorry, walang filter tong kaibigan ko.
The two girls start to walk away, their attention caught by
something or someone in the crowd. Grace’s expression is stoic
now. Another group of girls tries to talk to her about Brian but
she zones out. Not hearing anything.

CUT TO:

EXT. SIDEWALK – NIGHT

Grace and Brian are walking.
 BRIAN
Grace? Grace.
May problema ba?
GRACE
Wala.
. BRIAN
Kanina pa kita tinatanong. Kanina mo
parin sinasabing “wala,” pero obvious
naman na meron.
Grace just stares ahead for a few seconds, then
she speaks.
GRACE
How do you stand it?
Brian is surprised by her question. He stops walking and turns
toward Grace.
BRIAN
What do you mean.
Grace motioned with her hands toward the bar.
GRACE
Yun. Kung pano ka pagkaguluhan ng mga
tao, like you’re a party trick.
Brian doesn’t answer for a few seconds.
BRIAN
Akala ko hindi na big deal sayo yung
trabaho ko…
GRACE
Big deal sakin, seeing how you were
treated like a piece of meat. Big deal
sakin yung mga babaeng lumalapit na
hindi ko kilala, asking me how good
you are in bed. Na parang nagiinquire
sila tungkol sa isang gamit bago nila
bilhin.
BRIAN
 Ano gusto mong gawin ko? Hanapbuhay ko
yun. I don’t need you to make me feel
bad about it.
Grace shakes her head.
GRACE
Doesn’t it bother you?
BRIAN
I only care about us, Grace. Wala
akong pakialam sa sinasabi nila.
GRACE
Well, I care.
BRIAN
Gusto mo bang mamili ako?
GRACE
No! I would never ask you to do that…
BRIAN
(quietly)
Dinala kita dito kasi gusto kong
makita mo tong parte na to ng buhay
ko. Gusto ko makita mo lahat. Even the
ugly parts. I hoped na maiintindihan
mo. But now you’re looking at me na
parang kating-kati ka ng layuan ako…
Grace is crying now.
GRACE
I’m sorry, Brian… I’m just so confused
right now.
BRIAN
Macho dancer na ko when you met me.
What were you expecting?
Grace shakes her head.
GRACE
(small voice)
 I don’t know. Ang alam ko lang, gusto
kita. I don’t know about the rest…
Alam ko part na to ng buhay mo before
you even met me… At magiging part
parin to ng buhay mo after me–
BRIAN
What do you mean, after you?
GRACE
(small voice)
I’m saying… I don’t want you to
choose. Ako nalang yung aalis.
Brian tries to reach for her but she’s already walking away.
BRIAN
Grace…
Brian just stands there, looking at her with a pained expression.
Grace doesn’t look back. She just keeps walking. Tears clouding
her eyes.

CUT TO:

INT. STEF’S HOUSE – NIGHT

Stef and Josh are watching a movie when they hear a knock on the
door. Josh elbows Stefs and she gets up. She opens the door to
find Grace, looking miserable.
STEF
Grace?
A sob escapes from Grace and she embraces Stef, already crying.
Stef is taken by surprise.

CUT TO:

EXT. OFFICE – DAY

Robby and Stef steps outside of the office. They see Brian
leaning against a wall. Upon seeing them, Brian approaches.
BRIAN
Si Grace?
ROBBY
Wala siya dito ngayon…
Robby looks at Stefi…
STEF
Gusto mo munang pumasok?

INT. OFFICE – DAY

Brian, Stef and Robby are gathered inside the office.
BRIAN
Manila? Anong ginagawa niya sa Manila?
STEF
Supposedly, may training seminar ako
na aattendan for work. Pero kagabi,
nakiusap sakin si Grace na siya nalang
ang pumunta instead of me.
BRIAN
Gano katagal?
STEF
A week.
BRIAN
A week…
ROBBY
Anong bang nangyayari? Si Grace,
pumasok dito kahapon na mukang
namatayan. And now, look at you…
Robby gestures at Brian’s appearance. Brian removes the baseball
cap he’s been wearing then runs a hand through his hair. He props
his hands on his knees and shakes his head. Robby sighed
dramatically.
ROBBY
 Gusto niyo ba ng coffee? Ako,
kailangan ko ng coffee…
Robby sashays out of the room.
STEF

STEF
Did you know na mahilig magdrawing ng
maps si Grace? Nung highscool kami,
she wanted to be a cartographer. She
wanted everything to be mapped out.
Even her life. And you… you were a
fork in the road na hindi niya na-
anticipate. She’s finding herself in a
situation na hindi niya inaasahan and
she doesn’t know how to navigate
around it…

CUT TO:

INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT

Grace is eating takeout at the foot of the bed. She’s on a
conversation with her mom on the phone. The call was on
loudspeaker.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Magiingat ka diyan ha, hindi mo
kabisado ang Maynila.
GRACE
Dito-dito lang naman ako sa hotel ma…
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Kamusta na kayo nung Brian?
GRACE
(surprised)
Pano mo nalaman?
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
 Chinika lahat sakin ni Robby. Mabuti
pa siya, naisipan akong i-update sa
love life mo. So, bakit ka
nakipaghiwalay?
Graces closes her eyes tightly.
GRACE
(to herself)
Humanda ka sakin Robby…
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Dahil ba macho dancer siya?
GRACE
Sinabi din niya yun?
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Oo… Gracia, walang nakakahiya dun.
Pwera nalang kung bugaw siya. O kaya
receptionist. Alam mong may galit ako
sa mga receptionist… Mayayabang sila.
Grace turns quiet.
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
Alam mo Gracia, nung bata ka, maipilit
mo ang gusto mo. Kapag hindi namin
binili yung gusto mong laruan,
magwawala ka… Sa harap ng maraming
tao. Yung papa mo, naiistress pag
nagkakaganon ka. Sa totoo lang ang
sarap mong hambalusin pero hinahayaan
lang kita. Kasi, ibig sabihin nun,
pinaglalaban mo kung anong gusto mo.
Wala kang pakialam kung anong
sasabihin ng iba. Gusto ko maging
ganon ang diskarte mo sa buhay…
Grace is crying silently.
GRACE
Nasaktan ko siya ma… Hindi ko alam
kung pano ko babawiin yun…
GRACE’S MOM (O.S.)
 Umpisahan mo sa pagsosorry. Ganun lang
kasimple. Magpakatotoo ka sa
nararamdaman mo… Maglupasay ka sa
harap niya kung gusto mo…
Grace snorts.

CUT TO:

EXT. BAR – NIGHT

Grace arrives at the bar. She looks for Brian inside but with no
luck. She sees AJ, and she runs up to him.
AJ
Grace? Anong ginagawa mo dito?
GRACE
Nandito ba si Brian?
AJ
May sakit siya… Ilang araw na.
GRACE
Anong… sakit?
He notices Grace’s expression and laughs.
AJ
Trangkaso lang naman, pero kung gusto
mo siyang kamustahin mabuti pa
puntahan mo nalang. May spare key sa
ilalim ng welcome mat.
Grace nods.
GRACE
Thank you…
AJ
Sige, maiwan na kita.
AJ turned and left.

CUT TO:
EXT. BRIAN’s APARTMENT – NIGHT
Grace enters Brian’s room. He’s sleeping, bundled up in blankets.
Half-eaten fast food on the bedside table. Grace sits on the bed
and just looks at Brian. After a moment, she picks up the
discarded food and goes to the kitchen. She goes back to Brian’s
room with a bowl of warm water and a towel. She sets it down on
the bedside table. She hissed as she touched his forehead. He
opened his eyes, only half-awake.
BRIAN
(in a trance)
Grace?
Grace doesn’t answer. Gently, she swept back the hair on his
forehead. She dipped the towel on the water and squeezed it, then
laid it on Brian’s forehead, Brian just looking at her.
BRIAN
Namiss kita.
Grace doesn’t say anything.
BRIAN
Bakit ka umiiyak?
She looks at him.
GRACE
Kasi nagdedeliryo ka lang ngayon.
Bukas, maaalala mo na dapat kang
magalit sakin.
Brian exhaled a laugh.
BRIAN
Assuming ka parin.
They look at each other for a few moments.
BRIAN
Anong favorite mong word?
GRACE
Gumusservi.
Grace pauses.
 GRACE
It means, moonlight shining on water.
BRIAN
Bakit yun?
GRACE
Kasi… it reminds of when we first met.
Hindi yung sinayawan mo ko.
Grace laughs and wipes at her face.
GRACE
But when you sat with me on the beach
to keep me company. Kahit sinungitan
kita.
Brian takes her hand in both of his. He adjusts his position on
the bed.
GRACE
I’ve always felt out of place… I’m an
only child, pero most of the time my
mom and dad has a world of their own…
Stef has Josh. Robby… he belonged
anywhere. Ako? Minsan hindi ko alam
kung san ako lulugar. Until you came…
You made me feel like I belong
somewhere… And I’m sorry it took me a
while to realize that that’s all that
matters.
She looked at Brian who was now asleep, still holding her hand.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIAN’S APARTMENT – MORNING

Brian wakes up. He sits up in bed with great effort, then walks
to the living room.
BRIAN
Grace?
Grace isn’t there. He goes to the kitchen, pausing on the
threshold. Grace isn’t there either. He limped to the dining
table and sat on a chair. He stared at nothing for a long while.
Then he hears a car outside.

EXT. BRIAN’S APARTMENT – MORNING

Grace opens the gate while balancing a potted plant on her other
arm. Brian emerges from inside the house. Grace walks over to
him.
BRIAN
Akala ko umalis ka na naman.
GRACE
Mag-isa sa bahay si Frank, saka gusto
ka niyang dalawin kaya…
She lifted the potted plant a little. Brian just looks intensely
at her. She starts to grow nervous under his stare.
BRIAN
Ano kamo, Frank?
He squatted, putting his hands on his knees, and turns his ears
toward the plant. He acted like he was listening, then he nodded
and straightened up.
BRIAN
Sabi niya gutom na siya kasi antagal
mo kaming iniwan… Gusto daw niya ng
sinigang with fried rice. At fish
fillet. Ha?
He strained his ears towards the plant again.
BRIAN
(to Frank)
Pati pancakes?
He looked at Grace and shrugged. Grace looked back at him,
fighting a smile. Then she hefted the plant a little firmer to
her side and started to walk towards the house. Brian turned to
look at her, smiling. Then, he catches up to her.

FADE OUT:
THE END