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- INT. DAY. SAME DAY. BUS. CAMBODIA.
PAUL is in a bus, contemplating. RED calls on his phone.
RED (soft, almost inaudible voice)
Paul, kelan ang uwi mo?
PAUL
Pabalik na ako. May pasalubong ako sa’yo.
RED
Talaga? Di mo talaga ako matitiis ‘no?
PAUL
Oo naman, ikaw pa, anlakas mo sa akin eh. Lakasan mo ang boses mo, hindi kita naririnig.
RED
Ano ang pasalubong mo sa akin?
PAUL
Surprise na lang.
RED
Alam mo naman hindi ko gusto na ako ang sinusurpresa.
PAUL
Kapag sinabi ko, hindi ka na mae-excite.
RED
Sige, aasahan ko ‘yan. Marami ka bang natutunan sa Siem Reap?
PAUL
Konti.
RED
Mabuti naman. Kahit papaano—
PAUL
Hello? Red? Lakasan mo ang boses mo.
The phone call gets cut off.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. LATER. PAUL’S APARTMENT. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
The room is an utter mess, clothes are scattered everywhere. On the floor is a broken pot of ratchaphruek bonsai (Thailand’s national flower) and a broken picture frame with a picture of PAUL, RED and IVAN’s (RED’s boyfriend) selfie in it.
RED is lying on the floor. A bit of blood is dripping from his wrist.
PAUL comes in. RED looks at PAUL with a sly smile then attempts to laugh mockingly, with tears in his eyes, but he is too weak to move.
RED
The late Apolinario Jr—
PAUL
Tangina ka, Red!
PAUL quickly gets a piece of cloth to cover RED’S bloodied wrist. He calls an ambulance. Then he lies on the floor and hugs RED.
PAUL
Kapit lang, Red.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. HOTEL. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
PAUL goes to the hotel where IVAN used to work. He is talking to another Filipino who’s IVAN’S co-worker (option: other nationality)
JAY
Ang alam ko nag-indefinite leave siya pero hindi naman sinabi kung bakit.
PAUL
Babalik pa ba siya dito?
JAY
Hindi ko alam. Ang huli niyang sinabi, magpapa-assign siya sa ibang location kung sakaling babalik pa siya. Akala ko nga alam mo na.
PAUL is hopeless.
PAUL
Sige, salamat Jay.
PAUL leaves the hotel. He walks in the streets of Bangkok, clueless with what to do next.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. LUMPHINI PARK. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
RED is sitting alone at the same bench that he and IVAN used to sit on. He is searching for IVAN’S facebook account. He cannot find it. (He’s been blocked).
He sulks again, watching the video of him and IVAN (the candle blowing). He is caressing the gifts that he gave to IVAN. He keeps repeating the part where IVAN says “I LOVE YOU, BABE”.
RED
I hate you… I hate you…
He keeps on mouthing the words while crying. PAUL looks at him from afar, hurting.
CUT TO:
- INT. PAUL’S APARTMENT. BANGKOK. DAY. ANOTHER DAY.
RED is sulking. PAUL is fixing RED’S bed. He serves RED the food that he cooked. RED refuses it. When he insists, RED shoves it away, creating a mess on the floor. PAUL patiently cleans it up.
PAUL
Ano ang point na lagi mong pinaparusahan ang sarili mo?
RED
Hindi kailangan magkaroon ng point! Hindi kailangan ng malalalim na dahilan!
PAUL lets out a heavy sigh.
PAUL
Ayoko lang na nakikitang nagsi-self-destruct ka.
RED
Hindi mo kailangang pulutin ako sa tuwing nababasag ako.
RED looks at him intently.
RED (cot’d)
Minahal ko siya, Paul. Mahal na mahal. Ang mahirap sa iniiwanan, ay ang pag-iisip kung saan ba ako nagkamali. Hindi ko ba siya minahal ng tama? Hindi ba ako ang dahilan ng mga ngiti niya? Naging masaya ba siya sa pagmamahal ko? Tatlong buwan simula nang umalis siya— binabagabag pa rin ako ng mga tanong. Ang bigat. Ang bigat-bigat na, Paul.
PAUL
May iba pang nagmamahal sayo, Red. Buksan mo lang ang mga mata mo.
RED
Being loved is overrated. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko pang magmahal ng iba gaya ng pagmamahal ko kay Ivan.
PAUL
Masyado kang nagli-linger sa pain.
RED
Dahil ang pain na ‘to lang ang pinanghahawakan ko!
PAUL
Hindi masakit ang mag-let go, Red.
RED
Then be left behind first.
PAUL’s phone beeps. He reads a message from TANG saying “How are you? I hope you’re okay.” He ignores it.
CUT TO:
- INT. NIGHT. ANOTHER DAY. THE STRANGER BAR. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
RED is back at work. DARREN is sitting at his usual spot, flirting with RED. PAUL is sitting at his usual spot, watching RED and DARREN talk.
DARREN
Good to see you back! We all miss you here especially me.
RED
I miss giving you your sperm. Another one?
DARREN
Sure. I’m still waiting for you to join me explore the city.
RED
When I have time, I will.
DARREN
I am waiting, hottie.
RED smiles. DARREN goes to another table to flirt to other guys. TANG comes in, as if searching for someone. He is pleasantly surprised to see PAUL. He approaches him.
TANG
Hello, Mr. Paul.
PAUL is equally surprised.
PAUL
Sawadee krub, TANG.
CUT TO:
- EXT. NIGHT. LATER. STREETFOOD. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
PAUL and TANG are eating noodles at a streetfood stall.
TANG
I hope you received my messages, you didn’t reply to one of them.
PAUL
I was busy, I’m sorry.
TANG
You didn’t tell you’d come back to Bangkok.
PAUL
It was a last minute decision. And I must admit, parts of what you said helped me come to a decision.
TANG
Really? I am happy to hear that.
PAUL
It’s ironic it has to come from a stranger.
TANG
And what about it?
PAUL
Letting go, holding on. Those kinds of shit that’s been bugging me for a long time.
TANG
So I am a part of your life now?
PAUL laughs.
PAUL
You are really something. You’re too forward for a Thai.
TANG
I couldn’t get you out of my head since we met. If I won’t tell you how I feel for you, I might regret it. And I don’t want to spend my life wondering what I should’ve done.
PAUL
I wish I have the guts like yours.
TANG
I’d like to know you more, spend time with you.
PAUL
You are asking me out—
TANG
Yes.
PAUL is contemplating.
PAUL
I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve never been asked on a date before.
TANG
You’re lying. You’re too cute to be ignored.
PAUL
You love to flatter. Should I get used to it?
TANG blushes.
TANG
Will you give me the chance?
It took PAUL a long time to answer.
PAUL
Not for now.
TANG is obviously hurt by PAUL’S reply.
PAUL
I am sorry. I love someone else.
TANG is disappointed.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. ATM MACHINE. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
PAUL withdraws money from the machine. He is worried. He calls someone on the phone.
PAUL
‘Te, May alam ka bang alam na trabaho?
FRIEND
Anong klase? Dami mo kasing talent eh!
PAUL
Kahit ano.
FRIEND
Naghahanap ang kaibigan ko ng assistant wedding planner. Hindi nga lang sa Bangkok.
PAUL
Saan?
FRIEND
Vietnam.
This leaves PAUL contemplating on what to do next.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. THE STRANGER BAR. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
The bar is still close. PAUL is now an F&B staff of the bar. He is cleaning the tables and chairs. RED is outside, smoking and tinkering his phone. He changes his uniform and goes out.
PAUL
Saan ka? Baka hahanapin ka ni Cham.
RED doesn’t answer. PAUL sees that he is meeting DARREN outside.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. LATER. DARREN’S PLACE. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
RED is inside DARREN’S room. He is quite nervous and fidgety.
DARREN
Feel at home. I will just change. Where do you wanna go?
RED undresses.
RED
Let’s get on to it. We’ll end up here anyway.
DARREN starts to undress.
DARREN
Alright then.
They have sex.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. LATER. DARREN’S PLACE. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
After having sex, DARREN gives RED some money but RED refuses. RED storms out of the room.
He vomits outside and is disgusted with himself.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. PAUL’S PLACE. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
PAUL wakes up without RED in the room. He is worried. He dials his phone but RED is not answering.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. PARK. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
RED is watching the video of him and IVAN on his phone. He keeps on repeating the part where IVAN says “I LOVE YOU, TOO” but this time, RED is no longer crying and his face is already unaffected.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. LATER. PAUL’S PLACE. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
PAUL is fixing the broken bonsai. RED comes in, looking gaunt and a mess.
PAUL
Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sayo. Halos isang linggo kitang di ma-contact. Kumain ka na?
RED goes to the restroom.
PAUL
Kung aalis ka nga pala, iwan mo na lang yung renta sa bahay. Pumunta na dito si Sai kanina. Galit na nga eh.
RED sees PAUL fixing the bonsai. He angrily throws it. He is so angry he begins to be hysterical. He throws the things that he gave to IVAN. RED tries to pacify him but RED is uncontrollable until it ends with a brawl.
When RED lets out of PAUL’S force, he goes out of the room. PAUL follows him.
CUT TO:
- EXT. STREETS. BANGKOK. THAILAND. DAY. CONTINUOUS.
RED is walking fast as PAUL follows him.
RED
Please, stay out of my life! Di ako makaka-move forward hangga’t nandiyan ka.
PAUL
Red, nandito ako kasi pinili kong samahan ka. Nandito ako kahit ayaw mo at di mo kailangan.
RED
Gusto ko nang ayusin ang sarili ko! Pinilipit kong buuhin ang sarili ko paunti-unti dahil tanggap ko na. Wala na si Van! Wala na akong ibang paraan para hanapin siya! Wala na siya sa buhay ko! Unti-unti ko nang natututunan ang pagbitaw sa mga bagay-bagay na di ko kayang hawakan. Unti-unti ko nang pinipilit na tunawin ang mga pilat. Tapos eto ka na naman, pinapaalala sa akin ang katotohanan na ako ‘yung iniwan. Pinapaalala mo na naman na kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko na kayang magbigay ng pagmamahal kung hindi rin lang para kay Ivan!
PAUL
Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin ko? Sabihin mo lang!
RED
Umalis ka na sa buhay ko!
RED walks away fast.
PAUL
Minahal kita, Red!!
RED
Fuck off!
PAUL
Una kitang minahal! Minahal na kita even before Van loved you! Mas mahal kita nang iniwan ka niya!
RED stops running away.
RED
Hindi kita kayang mahalin. Hinding-hindi kita mamahalin.
PAUL starts to cry. RED is unmoved.
PAUL
I never ever asked you to love me back. Hindi ko hinihingi sayo na mahalin mo ako dahil sanay ako na ako lang ang nagmamahal… Ako lang ang nagbibigay, ang iniiwan, naghihintay! At sa paraang ‘yun ako masaya, Red. Please… wag mo namang ipagkait sa akin na mahalin ka sa paraang alam ko.
It takes a while before RED answers back.
RED
Magkanya-kanya na tayo.
PAUL is resigned to it.
PAUL
Maghihintay ako sayo, Red!
RED
Hindi mo na ako dadatnan!
RED walks away leaving PAUL crying.
CUT TO:
- INT. NIGHT. ANOTHER DAY. STRANGER BAR. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
TANG is drinking alone. PAUL and RED are not there. TANG is typing something on his cellphone.
TANG (VO)
Hi Paul — If love has borders, I don’t want to conquer them. Let me send you this boundless love, a limitless space of feelings I’ve always wanted to share with you—
CUT TO:
- INT/EXT. NIGHT. ANOTHER DAY. BUS. THAILAND.
PAUL is in a bus, alone and lonely.
TANG (VO)
My hope remains that someday when time becomes our friend, I’ll see you under one of the beautiful sunsets… Sunsets that are as beautiful as you.
He sees this text message from TANG. He reads it but is not moved by it.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. CONTINUOUS. ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA.
PAUL is at the top of the temple, watching the sunset. He shouts.
PAUL
Red! Tang ina ka! Mahal kita!
His words echo down the halls of the sacred temple. Tears fall from his eyes.
FADE OUT/IN:
TITLECARD: THE ONE WHO IS NEAR YET SO FAR
FADE OUT/IN:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. HUALAMPONG TRAIN STATION. BANGKOK, THAILAND.
In a sea of travellers and tourists, TANG is standing in the middle, outside of the train station.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. LATER. HUALAMPONG STATION, BANGKOK, THAILAND.
TANG is buying a ticket and reads manga while waiting for the train.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. LATER. TRAIN. THAILAND.
TANG is looking at the plastic bag. It is full of medicine and herbal plants.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. MEI’S OFFICE. HO CHI MINH. VIETNAM.
MEI, 28, a Vietnamese wedding organizer, is orienting PAUL with his new job. He is going to be her assistant in organizing wedding and photoshoots. She is telling him what the company is all about and his job description.
MEI
It’s your first time in Vietnam?
PAUL
Yes. I’ve always wanted to come here but I never had the chance.
MEI
At least you’re staying longer now.
They continue to talk about the job.
CUT TO:
- EXT. NIGHT. LATER. STREETFOOD. HO CHI MINH. VIETNAM.
PAUL is eating alone at a noodle stall amidst the sea of tourists and locals.
CUT TO:
- INT. NIGHT. LATER. PAUL’S PLACE. HO CHI MINH. VIETNAM.
PAUL’s place is a studio-type room, too small a space for him to move around. We see the bonsai that RED gave IVAN displayed near his bed. He falls asleep without changing his clothes.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. GRANDPA’S HOUSE. THAILAND.
TANG arrives at a small wooden house. An old man is sitting outside. He runs to him, hugs and kisses him dearly. (They speak in Thai).
TANG
How was your day, Grandpa? Today, I saw the brightest star in the sky. Then suddenly, it exploded and became a rainbow. Can you see that (pointing outside)? That’s him smiling at us.
He hands him the medicine and the note he wrote in the train.
TANG
I was able to get a 2-day off so it’s going to be a long weekend for us.
TANG
Have you seen my grandson TANG? Tell him he is too busy to visit me here. Tell him I miss his cooking.
TANG can’t help but be touched and cry a little.
GRANDPA
These chocolates are bitter. Tell TANG to bring me sweet chocolates next time he visits.
TANG
Its bitterness will make you live, Grandpa.
Grandpa throws his meds.
GRANDPA
Sonta… Sonta…
TANG shakes his head. He puts a picture in front of his Grandpa. It’s a worn out picture of a young woman carrying a baby.
TANG
Decades and counting, Grandpa. And I still haven’t found her.
TANG’s grandpa looks away, sad.
TANG
Please, Grandpa. Come with me to Bangkok. I can take care of you better there. The hospitals there are better.
GRANDPA
Sonta… Sonta…
TANG
Yes, I’ll try to find Grandma.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. GRANDPA’S HOUSE. THAILAND.
TANG is alone, writing. He occasionally glances at his grandfather sadly.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. PARK. HO CHI MINH. VIETNAM.
MEI is directing a photoshoot as PAUL is assisting her and the photographer. If he gets the chance, he also takes snapshots of the photoshoot.
PAUL
It’s always a vision of happiness, these wedding photos.
MEI
It comes naturally, I guess.
PAUL
They never think it might end up sadly.
MEI
They won’t marry if they believe they won’t stay together forever.
PAUL
Ever afters. That’s a sad concept.
MEI
You are so cynical, Paul. You don’t seem to believe in love. A wedding coordinator has to believe that love exists. That’s the root of our business!
PAUL
I do believe in love. I just don’t believe people who feel it.
The wedding coordinator gives him a half-smile. PAUL takes photos.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. ARANYAPHRATET. THAILAND.
TANG’s Grandpa is asleep on TANG’s lap while he is humming a tune. He slowly puts him to bed and then leaves the house, heavy-hearted. He gives money to his cousin, BANK.
TANG
I will be back on the weekend, ok? You know where the medicines are.
BANK
Yes, I will.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. PUBLIC TOILET. CAMBODIA.
RED goes to a public toilet. A guy flirts with him. He goes inside the cubicle then the guy follows him. They have sex inside. After having sex, the guy leaves RED as he vomits on the toilet bowl.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. ANGKOR WAT LAKE, CAMBODIA.
TANG is biking around Siem Reap then goes to Angkor Wat. He sits at the lakeside, writing a letter (in Thai characters).
TANG Dear Grandma — (VO)
If spoken words are eternal, allow me to whisper them to the wind and carry them to you. So you’ll know you’re a part of us we’ll always sorely crave. Let grandpa live, for you are his life. Tell the wind to bring you back to our fold.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANGKOR WAT, CAMBODIA.
TANG whispers on the letter that he wrote then puts it inside a stonewall. RED walks past him who takes a second look at what he is doing.
CUT TO:
- INT. NIGHT. LATER. CLUB. SIEM REAP. CAMBODIA.
RED is partying alone.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM.
PAUL and Mei are doing some preparations for an upcoming wedding.
PAUL
How long have you been doing this?
MEI
10 years.
PAUL
And still happy?
MEI
It sustains my hope.
PAUL
Of?
MEI
That someday, I’ll be able to arrange my own wedding.
PAUL
Hopeless romantics deserve to be shot by a firing squad.
MEI
It’s funny how you’re trying hard to be a skeptic, Paul. Without much success, I tell you.
PAUL
Oh well…
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. STREET. BANGKOK. THAILAND.
TANG is on his way to the office. His phone rings.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. GRANDPA’S HOUSE. THAILAND.
TANG is rushing as he goes inside his Grandpa’s house. He is relieved to see his Grandpa, sitting on his chair, still alive and well.
TANG
What is the emergency, Grandpa?
GRANDPA
I miss you.
TANG
You made me nervous, Grandpa.
TANG embraces his Grandpa. He silently prepares the medicines.
GRANDPA
Have I told you about your grandmother? She was a khluist (flutist), a very good khluist. I first saw her at my cousin’s wedding playing the klhui, beautifully… caressing it like her own breath. Our eyes met, as if she was playing only for me. I wrote her letters. We wrote each other letters…
TANG
Is Grandma your greatest love?
Grandpa nods.
TANG
How did you know?
GRANDPA
Because she’s worth chasing after.
TANG smiles.
GRANDPA
I see that you are chasing after someone now. Enjoy it while it lasts, TANG. You can go after anyone you want but not every one is worth the chase.
TANG
I will remember that, Grandpa.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. PARK. HO CHI MINH. VIETNAM.
MEI is on the phone, fidgety.
MEI
How you can you get another job when you know we have an schedule this afternoon! I don’t care! Get your ass in here. Now!
PAUL
So where is he now?
MEI
Still stuck in traffic! How dare he accept another job when he knows we’ve booked him! These photographers are divas!
PAUL
That’s so unprofessional of him.
MEI
Paul, we need to start or we’ll lose this couple! Get the other camera and take their photos.
PAUL
Me? What? No!
MEI
Do as I say!
PAUL
But I don’t know—
MEI
Do as I say! You’ve seen Ding operate the camera so you can do it.
PAUL has no choice but take the photos.
CUT TO:
- INT. DAY. ANOTHER DAY. PAUL’S PLACE. HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM.
PAUL is preparing himself. He chooses to wear a formal set of clothes. When he’s finished dressing up, he gets out of his room nervously, bringing with him a bouquet of flowers.
CUT TO:
- EXT. DUSK. LATER. CHILLSKY. HO CHI MINH. VIETNAM.
Chillsky is the only bar located on top of one of the highest buildings in Ho Chi Minh. RED is standing at the edge, watching the sunset. PAUL gets nervous when he sees him.
PAUL
Happy birthday!
RED turns behind him and is surprised to see PAUL. He smiles as PAUL smiles back. PAUL gives him the bouquet of flowers.
RED
Salamat!
PAUL
Alam kong hihintayin mo siya dito.
RED
Oo, umaasa ako na dadating siya.
PAUL
Sinasaktan mo lang ang sarili mo, Red.
RED
Hindi na. Tapos na ako sa pananakit sa sarili ko. Iba na dahilan ko kung bakit ako nandito. Nagbabakasakali na sana sumipot siya dahil gusto ko na ng closure, Paul. Sa nakalipas na anim na buwan, unti-unti ko nang nabubuo ang patlang na iniwan ni Ivan sa buhay ko. Mahirap pero nagagawa ko.
PAUL
Nasa Bangkok ka pa rin ba?
RED shakes his head.
RED
Kung saan-saan na ako nakarating. Bagay na di ko nagawa nung kami pa ni Ivan kasi ibinuhos ko ang lahat ng meron ako para sa kanya. Huli man pero napagtanto ko na sana nagtira ako ng kahit konti para sa sarili ko. Masaya pala ang maging malaya ano?
PAUL
May balak ka bang pumirmi?
RED
Malawak ang mundo. Maraming naghihintay sakin na sasalubungin ko.
PAUL
Ang typical na Freidrich Garcia “center of the solar system” syndrome.
RED
Hindi ba?
PAUL
Sanay ka lang kasi na laging binibigyan ng atensyon ng lahat. Na laging nakukuha ang mga gusto mo.
RED
Hindi ko naman hinihingi yun. Tandaan mo, at ikaw na ang nagsabi, Paul. Dalawang klase lang ang tao sa mundo.
PAUL
Ang nagmamasid at ang minamasdan.
RED/PAUL
Ang umaalis at naiiwan.
PAUL goes to RED. He sees that RED’s eyes are closed. He pretends as if he’s touching RED’S face. They both dance individually, lost in each own thoughts.
PAUL hugs himself, as if hugging RED then he opens his eyes.
He watches RED sadly. RED stops dancing, opens his eyes then smiles at him.
PAUL
Mas gusto ko ang dating Red.
RED
Mas gusto ko ang Red ngayon.
They stand there for a long time just watching the sunset, not speaking to each other.
CUT TO:
Part 3 will be in separate post.
