Temporal Pendulum (english)

1) 05/31/16 - 10:31 am

EXT. OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL - DAY

SHENG WANG
(softly and disappointed)

"You're late again."

His voice clearly shows his disappointment at what happened.

JIANG TIAN (V.O, voice over)
I was about to respond with 'yep, again' or maybe 'if i'm not late then it's probably not me for sure,' but I decided against it. After all, I knew the words he would say... lines like, 'Doctors shouldn't be late for visits with their favorite patients,' or 'Time is gold, Doc Jiang!'

(CONT'D)

(in a gentle voice)

"Love, I'm sorry."

(V.O, voice over)
I hoped my tone was enough to earn Sheng Wang's forgiveness at that moment. I couldn't believe my face still managed to show real smiles after two heart surgeries that lasts 72 hours.

JIANG TIAN took SHENG WANG's left hand and carefully kissed each knuckle of his fingers.

(V.O, voice over)
The familiar smell of the hospital coming from Sheng Wang's skin momentarily made me dizzy, yet it also provided a strength that no amount of coffee, vitamins, or stolen naps could match.

SHENG WANG

(teasing)

"Oh come on, Doc Jiang. If you think I've forgotten the price of you being late today... you're mistaken. Just a reminder, you're the one treating for our lunch today. Is that clear?"

Sheng Wang continued, his hand on his chest mimicking the action of someone giving a shock with a defibrillator.

(V.O, voice over)
Despite his teasing, I knew he was serious about being annoyed with my repeated lateness for our lunch dates over the past months. But still, I couldn't help but laugh...

...I didn't know; I just couldn't explain the effect Sheng Wang had on me... like now, he was just standing there... sunlit... annoyed, yet still the most beautiful. I subtly embraced him and whispered,

JIANG TIAN
(begging/affectionate)
"I'm really sorry, okay?"

When JIANG TIAN felt SHENG WANG's heartbeat quickening, he tightened his embrace around him and whispered again,

JIANG TIAN
"It won't happen again... I promise."

SHENG WANG
"This is ridiculous! Let go of me, people are looking!"

SHENG WANG protested, irritated, while trying to escape from JIANG TIAN's arms.

JIANG TIAN
"Just ignore them. You know they're just jealous, right?"

(V.O, voice over)
And that's true; I know it... he knows it too.

Before SHENG WANG could complain again, JIANG TIAN formally presented him with a kiss on the lips.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
In just a few seconds, I saw a familiar face of a patient I had just two days ago due to a condition called 'butterfly rash,' but the difference with her and Sheng Wang was that he got him from the kiss of a handsome doctor, not due to an allergy. I never expected the first reason to be more dangerous than the second..

SHENG WANG
(shouting)
"You're unbelievable! Do you think I'm okay with your antics?"

Along with a strong punch from SHENG WANG to JIANG TIAN's arm (painful but he tries not to show it),

JIANG TIAN
(teasing)
"Of course not... you still want something else."

SHENG WANG was about to throw another punch when he decided to run away from JIANG TIAN, shouting,

SHENG WANG
(yelling sarcastically as he runs)
"Ha ha you bet, doctor quack-quack!"

(CUT TO)
SHENG WANG was hit by a white taxi, people nearby rushed to the scene of the accident...

MUSIC CUE
"Halik sa hangin" by Ebe Dancel

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
The sun was high, but you could still see the red neon 'for hire' sign from afar on top of the taxi.

Sheng Wang didn't pay attention to the stoplight again. He was in a hurry. A careless patient... so impatient.

Sheng Wang was quickly surrounded by bystanders and the terrified driver of the taxi. Minutes passed, but I still couldn't bring myself to approach the scene of the tragedy to give him first aid. No... I just stood where I was... thinking about why I couldn't save him at this moment when I had been doing it for... what? six? eight? years now..

'Wait, is this really happening? Ah, right! Maybe this is just a dream after I operated on my patients named Jia and Yu earlier... or maybe I managed to convince Tian Yang to postpone my meeting with the hospital heads after lunch so I could take a short nap.'

I was about to think of another possible scenario when I was interrupted by the loud sound of my watch..

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
'This isn't happening.'

(O.S, On-screen)
WRONG.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
'This isn't right.'

(O.S, On-screen)
WRONG.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
'I just need to wake up.'

(O.S, On-screen)
WRONG.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
'This isn't happening... again.'

(O.S, On-screen)
WRONG.

JIANG TIAN
(V.O, voice over)
As much as I didn't want to, I looked at the time on my watch and cried afterward... it said 10:31 am.

FADE TO BLACK