The Art of Never Letting Go (Book 2)

scene 4

i track the tag #TAONLG

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What are you doing? Give that script back, Maine.

It's mine. I wrote it. I have complete ownership over this screenplay, Alden.

Akin na. Your complete ownership ends at the moment you hand it over to the production.

Alden. It's for your own good. Hindi ko naman 'to inaangkin dahil gusto ko akin lang. But you haven't slept for two days already. Matulog ka na.

This is film, Maine. Walang kain, walang tulog, walang pahinga.

You don't have to sacrifice yourself. You can create a good output still.

This is not sacrifice.

Eh ano lang? Suicide? Magpahinga ka na. Matulog ka kahit two hours lang. Shoot's not gonna start until 5.

I have to imagine the whole scene in my head. How else will I be able to direct them smoothly if hindi malinaw sa utak ko ang mga shots at acting approaches na gusto ko?

Lalong masa-sacrifice ang output kung ganyan ang pinapairal mo, Alden. Rest.

You can't make me, Maine.

Do you want me to call your wife?

What?

I'm gonna ask Rodjun for her number.

Why would you do that?

Hindi ka na kasi nakikinig sa akin. Baka sakaling makinig ka kay Cass. You have to understand that I'm not doing this to flirt with you, Alden. Concerned lang ako. This is the friend in me speaking.

Okay, okay. I'm going to sleep. But I'm going to set my alarm on my own. Hindi mo na ako mapapatulog ulit kapag gumising ako.

Okay.

Why are you following me?

To make sure you're going to sleep. You're going to make an excuse, Alden. Sasabihin mo magpapaantok ka lang, babasahin mo na naman ang script, tapos hanggang sa hindi ka na makakatulog at tutunog na lang ang alarm mo. Kilala kita.

I'm going to sleep, Maine.

I'm going to stay for ten minutes.

Lalo akong hindi makakatulog.

Do I bother you?

I just need solitude.

Lay down.

Okay, okay. I'm not a kid. You don't have to look after me.

But you're allowed to look after me, gano'n ba? Oo na, ex mo na 'ko. Pero there's a friend in me who is still worried about you.

Then don't be. I'd be fine.

I feel insulted. 'Pag ikaw okay lang, 'pag ako tunog umaasa?

I did not say that.

You just implied the same thing.

I'm not arguing with you.

Sleep. I'm going to sit here, o dito sa pinakamalayong upuan, baka sabihin mo kung ano na namang iisipin ko, for ten minutes. Quietly. For the solitude you need.

I swear, Maine, if you have something in your head...

Alam mo ikaw, ang gago mo pa rin. Mukha ba akong mangse-seduce? Sa itsura kong 'to? And really? Are you the type to be seduced?

Ten minutes.

Maine.

Oh? Akala ko tulog ka na.

What are you planning?

Wala nga.

Sa buhay mo, I mean.

Wala rin.

Bakit?

I.. never found myself again.

What do you mean?

My long-time dreams were... with you. I know, I have a dream. To write my thoughts out. Eh na-accomplish ko na 'yun, eh.

And you don't have any other dreams?

Na wala ka? Wala na.

Eh anong plano mo ngayon?

I'm considering... adoption.

'Di ka magpapakasal?

Why would I bother? You're already married.

Try falling again for someone else, Maine. It will do you good.

Yeah. Kita ko nga sa'yo.

Sorry.

For?

Sorry that we didn't make it? Sorry for your wasted dreams? Hindi ko alam. I just feel sorry for you, Maine. I wish you happiness in life.

What was Calley like?

She's lovely.

Obviously. Do you think our kid would be like her, if we ended up together?

Maybe less lovely, since you're the mother?

Siraulo ka talaga. Oo na, oo na. Cass is better than me.

But you shouldn't compare yourself to my wife, you know.

Why wouldn't I? I could have been her.

Maine?

Oh?

Lampas ten minutes na.

Oo nga, eh. Eto na.

Don't.

What?

Watch me sleep.

Why?

The demons might visit me tonight.

You still have them?

Yeah.

Why?

They only go to sleep when you're around.

You carried them for years?

Yeah.

Guess they know their queen, after all. Alden?

Hn?

Is this the friend in you speaking?

No.

Eh sino?

I don't know. Do you need an answer?

No.

Then don't ask anymore.

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