Love, Elie

VALENTINE'S ALONE

INT. CINEMA - VALENTINES DAY - NIGHT

We open on ELIE, a young woman in her mid-20s, sitting alone in a dark theater. The glow from the screen reflects on her face. She's laughing softly at a scene from a ROMANTIC COMEDY movie, her smile genuine, but there's a hint of sadness behind it.

ON SCREEN
(A couple shares a comedic, lighthearted moment. The audience chuckles.)

Elie takes a bite of her popcorn, her laughter fades as her gaze drifts around the theater. Couples surround her, all lost in their worlds—leaning on each other, holding hands, sharing popcorn.

Her eyes land on a couple beside her. They're feeding each other popcorn, whispering sweet nothings. Elie frowns, rolls her eyes slightly, and stuffs more popcorn into her mouth, her mood visibly souring.

ELIE (INTERNAL DIALOGUE)
(sarcastic)
SANA ALL

She slumps back into her seat, sighing heavily, and glances back at the screen, though her mind is now elsewhere.

FLASHBACK. EXT. CITY STREET – A FEW DAYS AGO

INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY

We see ELIE, late 20s, sipping a coffee while scrolling through her phone. She's your typical modern single girl—independent, smart, but visibly tired of the same questions from everyone around her. She sighs, leans back in her chair, and narrates in a voice-over.

ELIE (V.O.) (sighing)
"Life is not fair; get used to it." - Bill Gates.

She chuckles to herself bitterly.

ELIE (V.O.)
But honestly? Life is REALLY unfair. 

She looks around the café, seeing happy couples, and then takes another sip.

ELIE (V.O.)
Every. Single. Day. It's the same. People around me, like they're all programmed to ask the exact same thing...

CUT TO:

MONTAGE - ELIE BEING ASKED THE QUESTION

INT. OFFICE PANTRY - DAY
CO-WORKER 1
(smiling too much)
Kailan ka magkaka-boyfriend, Elie?

INT. FAMILY DINNER - NIGHT
TITA MARITES
(winking)
Kailan ka magkaka-boyfriend, iha?

EXT. PARK - DAY
FRIEND
(whispering)
Kailan ka magkaka-boyfriend?

Back to the café. ELIE rolls her eyes, exasperated.

ELIE (V.O.)
If it's not that, it's the other kind of question. You know the one...

FLASH CUT: ELIE'S AUNT, leaning in close, whispering suspiciously.

AUNT
Baka naman... babae din ang gusto mo?

ELIE covers her face with her hand, embarrassed and annoyed.

ELIE (V.O.)
Can you just... not? Even I don't know when I'll find "The One." And no, I'm not... tiborsyada. Bakit, ikakamatay ko ba ang pagiging single?

She pauses, watching a couple sharing a piece of cake a few tables over. She tries not to look too envious.

ELIE (V.O.)
Is it such a crime to enjoy my own company? To go to church alone, eat at a restaurant by myself, shop solo, travel, watch movies, sleep, whatever. Can't we singles just be happy, waiting for "The One"?

Pause. She smirks.

ELIE (V.O.)
Or, you know... waiting for crush to break up with his girlfriend?