YELLOW SUNSET

Screenwriters:

Bonghanoy, Emmanuel Kyle

Espinoza, Venice
Ng, Romulo Ericson
Orillaneda, Alexa Rae
Ygot, Kaye
FADE IN:

INT. REHAB CENTER – DAY

EJ, a man in his early twenties, breathes in deeply and reaches for a door with a sign
“There is hope for YOU”. Feeling anxious, he walks back and forth and took a
second to grasp all that has happened to him in the last couple of years.

Finally, EJ opens the door to a gray-lit room only to see CARMEN dressed in her
favorite flower-patterned daster clothes smiling at him in the crowd of strangers
getting busy with each other.

MATCH OUT TO:

INT. PUBLIC SCHOOL – DAY

As the school bell rings, a YOUNG CARMEN who looks tired enters a classroom
ands prepares her schoolwork and her food, which she will sell during recess time.

CLASSMATE 1:
Hey Carmen!

Young Carmen:
Hi!
An old TEACHER enters the classroom carrying her materials around her
sun-kissed arms
TEACHER:
Good morning class.

The whole class responds with delight.

TEACHER:
Before anything else, here are your tasks before the semester ends…

Their teacher’s voice fades with Carmen’s face shows determination and worry.

YOUNG CARMEN:
(Smiles inwardly) I can do this.
EXT. SCHOOL - RECESS TIME (9:15 AM)
As the recess time approaches, the school bell rings. Everyone is out and Carmen
takes out her packs of biscuits.

CLASSMATE 2:
Hey Carmen! How much for that one (points at a biscuit)? I’ll get two.

CARMEN:
It’s 10 pesos for two.

MONTAGE

Carmen selling her basket of biscuits to her schoolmates and classmates, which sold
out eventually.

END OF MONTAGE

EXT. CARMEN’S HOME - EARLY EVENING (6:00 PM)

A happy and rugged Carmen comes home while clutching the money she earned.
Her CHINESE PARENTS who raised her since she was little greets her with a look
as if she had broken an expensive family heritage vase.

CARMEN:
Good evening mama and papa.

CARMEN’S DAD, a grumpy forty-something half Chinese man, reads a newspaper

he has been reading repeatedly the whole day didn’t even bothered Carmen’s
greeting.

CARMEN’S DAD:
It’s already past 5.

CARMEN:
I can explain dad-

CARMEN’S MOM, also a forty-something Chinese-blooded woman, comes in with

the look she had since she saw her daughter come home.

CARMEN’S MOM:
You’re late for supper, again. This would’ve been fine if this was the first time.
 CARMEN’S DAD:
(stands up) What have you been up to Carmen?

CARMEN’S MOM:
Are you doing something behind our back?

CARMEN’S DAD:
If you’re doing something that would shame our family-

CARMEN:
I swear dad I’m not doing anything wrong! If anything, I’m doing something for my
future.

CARMEN’S MOM:
Your future? Don’t you think we’re handling it just fine?

CARMEN’S DAD:
We fed you. We clothed you. We sent you to school with the money we made even if
you are not ours to begin with. Who you are right now is because of us.

CARMEN:
Dad I was just-

CARMEN’S MOM:
Enough Carmen. I hope this will be the last time you’ll arrive late.

CARMEN:
Yes mom

CARMEN’s DAD:
See to it that you do and if you don’t I swear I will disown you!. (goes back to
whatever her dad is doing)

INT. CARMEN’S ROOM - NIGHT

Carmen walks to her room looking gloomy. She reaches to her to her piggy bank
with “college funds” stamped to it. She smiles and puts her money in it.

CARMEN:
(Sighs) They still don’t understand now, but in time they will.

Carmen hugs the piggy bank and returns it to the cabinet.

MONTAGE- VARIOUS

INT. CARMEN’S ROOM- DAY

Carmen takes out the piggy bank and breaks it

MATCH OUT TO:

INT. CEREMONIAL STAGE - DAY

Carmen accepting her certificate and medal of excellence on her College graduation
ceremony

MATCH OUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL - DAY

Carmen looking for her name in the CPALE passer’s list, then taking oath as a
Certified Public Accountant

END OF MONTAGE

FADE TO:

INT. MILITARY CAMP - MIDDAY

An OLDER CARMEN works as an accountant on field meets a soldier named
LEOPOLDO, a man in his late twenties with a dark caucasian hair and stocky-build
body on a military post.

LEOPOLDO:
Hey miss.

CARMEN:
H-hi.

LEOPOLD:
You don’t look like anyone from here?

CARMEN:
What do I look like then?

LEOPOLDO:
A pretty stranger.
 CARMEN:
I bet you tell that to all the girls ‘round here.

LEOPOLDO:
Well, we could talk more over a cup of coffee. There’s a place I know not far from
here. What do you say I’d pick you up on your house on Friday?

CARMEN:
Well, that got too fast. How about I’d give you my number.

Leopoldo hands out Carmen a piece of paper and a pen, for he just remembered
that there were no phones allowed during duty.

LEOPOLDO:
Just so you know, I’ve never talked to a woman like you before.

Carmen and Leopoldo shared a giddy smile they’d hide from each other.

MONTAGE - VARIOUS

INT. MARKETPLACE - WEEKS LATER

Carmen and Leopoldo dating.

The two clicked together like peanut butter and jelly- inseparable, complementary,
and a match like no other.

INT. RESTAURANT- NIGHT- MONTHS LATER

Leopoldo proposes to CARMEN.

Leopoldo goes on one-bended knee and slips a ring out of his worn out pants, and
Carmen, who was shocked, couldn’t say a word but a delightful yes to his groom to
be. The couple hugged and couldn’t be any happier at that very moment.

INT. CHURCH - DAY - MONTHS LATER

The two have their wedding.

The two smiled as they leave the church as husband and wife on a motorcycle
Leopoldo owns with a signage “Just got married”.

END OF MONTAGE

FADE TO:
EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT - ONE YEAR LATER
Leopoldo and Carmen celebrate their first anniversary. After the glow of the
midnight, a worrisome Carmen goes out of the porch only to be followed by Leopoldo
who looks comforting.

CARMEN:
Leopoldo, I love you so much, but don’t you think it’s the right time for us to extend
our family.

LEOPOLDO:
I’ve been thinking about it too. And I think it’s about time.

Leopoldo and Carmen hug and shared a reassuring smile.

FADE TO:

INT. HOSPITAL - DAY - WEEKS LATER

After weeks of trying and always having negative results the couple decide to go to a
public hospital. A DOCTOR dressed in white and probably at the age of late forties
greet them with an unpronounced look.

DOCTOR:
I’m sorry to announced this, but there’s a problem with your uterus ma’am. You have
an endometriosis that will cause you on not bearing a child.

The couple was stunned. But Carmen was obviously in the edge of breaking down
after hearing what the doctor said.

CARMEN:
Is there any way?

DOCTOR:
Ma’am, I’m afraid not.

Carmen cried in full tears and Leopoldo comforted his wife who was beside him.

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT - MINUTES LATER

At the couple’s residence, nobody wanted to talk about what happened as evident by
the lights that were not turned on. A sobbing Carmen walks pass the living room and
goes to the bedroom, where she lays down herself hoping that all of it was just a
nightmare. Leopoldo, sharing the sadness in his face, puts his car keys in the table
and slowly walked to the bedroom door, where he saw his wife torn to pieces.

LEOPOLDO:
I think we should talk about what happened.

CARMEN:
What is there to talk about. I mean I can’t give you a child. I can’t give you a family-

LEOPOLDO:
Carmen, I love you. And. . . you know, there are other ways for us to become
parents.

Carmen looks up at Leopoldo, hoping that they may fill what is missing in their home.

LEOPOLDO:
I mean we could adopt a child… you know name him Jonel, and we could make a
room for him upstairs.

Carmen and Leopoldo chuckles in tears and hug each other

EXT. HOUSE - MIDDAY - A WEEK LATER

While the couple was busy cleaning the house Sunday morning, Carmen’s niece
named JANELLE, a twenty-two year old woman with a short hair and puffy eyes,
knocks on the door while carrying her week-old baby in her tired-looking hands.

LEOPOLDO:
Honey, can you get the door?

Carmen opens the door without any hesitation.

JANELLE:
Tita.

CARMEN:
H-hi. W-what brings you here?

JANELLE:
Tita, my parents can’t know about EJ. I can’t give him the life I want him to have. My
situation is difficult and EJ can’t be in the world that I am.
Carmen in shock about Janelle’s situation and looks up at the baby who was
sleeping soundly around his mother’s arms.

JANELLE:
Please tita. Take care of EJ. Take care of him for me.

CARMEN:
W-why don’t you come in for a minute. We could talk about it inside.

JANELLE:
I don’t have much time tita. I have a meeting to catch up right now.

Janelle gives Carmen the baby. Carmen who seemed shocked of it all, received the
baby with a hospital tag on his tiny left hand with a writing “EJ / Male / 5.5 lb”.
Carmen glanced again to look for Janelle, but was unable to find her. All the while,
she only thought about the baby and how perfect he looks in her longing arms.

Door closes.

LEOPOLDO:
What is it honey?

CARMEN:
Someone has left a baby in our doorsteps

LEOPOLDO:
A what?!

CARMEN:
And I have never seen a baby as beautiful as this one.

LEOPOLDO:
It could be anybody’s! We don’t who his real parents are – they could be murderers,
psychopaths! They could be looking for this boy.

CARMEN:
Can’t you see honey? This is what we have talked about before -- that we could be
parents in other ways and this could be one of the ways.

LEOPOLDO:
But still --
 CARMEN:
This is God’s way of telling us to be parents. This boy is a miracle given to us by
God. We have to accept him and nurture him like he is ours.

Carmen looks again to the baby boy

CARMEN:
EJ, my love, from this day forward, I will take care of you, I will help you grow, and I
will love you like you came out from my womb.

MONTAGE

Carmen and Leopoldo taking care of EJ he grows to become a bright and loving kid.

END OF MONTAGE

FADE TO:

INT. ORPHANAGE - MIDDAY - YEARS LATER

A much older Carmen dressed in a daster clothes helps local charities and
orphanages by volunteering in any work possible. One could say she was one of the
hidden figures that sustain most of the charities in the community through her good
will and generosity. She uses her knowledge in operating businesses and analyzing
financial transactions to allocate budget and operating cost and for planning any
possible branch expansions.

NUN:
Thank you ma’am for helping us. We are very much grateful for volunteering.

CARMEN:
You’re very welcome sister. I’m also honored to be one of the volunteers. How are
the kids, sister?

NUN:
They’re doing quite well in school. Dan and Grace showed promising grades and I’ve
heard good feedbacks from their teachers.

CARMEN:
That’s really good to hear sister. I really want to see them grow educated because
every child deserves to.
EJ, now 9 years old, tugs his mom’s clothes to let her mother see his colorful
drawing he made the whole morning.

EJ:
Mom, mom, look what I’ve drawn, it’s us – dad, you, and me.

Carmen, having a conversation with the nun who reports to her about the charity’s
status, does not notice EJ

CARMEN:
Wait a minute, nak. I’m busy right now. I’ll talk to you later, okay?

EJ:
Okay mom

EJ turns away looking sad and disappointed. He walks back to the playroom with the
other kids.

Orphan kids ran to Carmen and hugged her

DAN:
Thank you tita Carmen for everything! I’m graduating this March because of you.

CARMEN:
You’re the reason why you’re graduating now.

GRACE:
Still tita, we owe you much because you opened this opportunity for us.

Carmen hugged the two girls tightly. EJ saw this and looked despondent as he was
looking at his family drawing.

MATCH OUT TO:

INT. SCHOOL - MIDDAY

EJ, now a high school student, looks at the good results of his exam.

EJ:
[Internally] I bet mom will be so proud of me when I get home! I got a perfect score in
our Math exam!

INT. HOUSE - EARLY AFTERNOON

EJ arrives home from school. He opens their front door and looks around inside to
see if anybody is inside.

EJ:
Mom? Dad? Anybody here?

EJ sees a note on the table that says,

“EJ, nak. I’ll be home late today because there is a meeting in the church. There’s a
viand in the ref. Just reheat it nalang for dinner. Love you – Mom”

EJ shrugs off and looks disheartened. He lets go of his test paper and walks away.

INT. SCHOOL - DAY

At the school lobby, EJ encounters his friend from grade school, who seems to
change drastically from the last time he remembered him. Immediately, both
recognized each other and talk for a while.

FRIEND 1:
Yo, dude pare chong, kamusta? How are you?

The old friends made their fist bump back in grade school.

EJ:
Same as usual bai.

FRIEND 2:
Why the long face?

EJ:
Eh—it’s nothing *shrugs*

FRIEND 1:
You know what you look sad? What about we meet up later. I’ve got something to
make you feel better.

EJ:
Uh no, I’m busy—

FRIEND 2:
What? Again? I won’t take no for an answer.
 FRIEND 1:
We’ll see you later at five. You still know our usual spot?

Their usual spot was a junkyard three blocks from their school which they found out
years ago when one of their friends went missing for a day only to find him staying
with his grandparents.

Their usual spot was out from extraordinary, but the kids made it a soccer field or a
hide and seek venture - a place where they could play all day long without anybody
knowing.

EXT. JUNKYARD - AFTERNOON

EJ seemed anxious while waiting at for his friends at the place they agreed upon.

EJ:
Where are they? I have to be home in an hour.

EJ’s friend arrives with two other people. One is girl wearing a tight skirt and
probably a lower year than him, and the other is a boy with a gray bonnet and
distinct red puffy eye bags that is reminiscent to a person having no sleep for
weeks..

FRIEND 1:
Dude pare chong! I knew you would come!

EJ’s friend engages in a body bump with him. But he seems to be unfamiliar with it.
Reluctantly, he thought maybe it’s a new one. An indication to his becoming a part of
his friend’s so-called squad.

FRIEND 2:
Here is something that could make you feel better

His old friend pushes the girl to EJ in a playful manner. All the while, the girl that EJ
thought out to be unfocused, smiled at him as if it is her purpose to make men feel
alright in a way EJ thought to be bad. And so EJ, with his arms, held the girl in her
shoulders and away from him as far as possible. All he knew at that moment is that
he is scared and he doesn’t know what he has gotten himself into.

EJ:
Dude, I—I don’t do this kind of shady things. I won’t touch a girl just to make me feel
happy.
 FRIEND 1:
What?! No man! You’ve got it all wrong. She’s our supplier, dude!

EJ:
Supplier? For what?

The girl slips a sachet of drugs out of her pocket

GIRL:
Here you go. Now give me the money.

The boy gives the girl an incomplete payment.

GIRL:
Hey! *glares at friend 2*

FRIEND 2:
Ugh fine. Here you go.

And just by that, the so-called supplier girl walked away as if it was just a random
transaction, which looked like she’d done a lot of times.

FRIEND1:
Alright! Let’s get this party started!

EJ:
Dude, I gotta go. I can’t do this. This is just wrong!

FRIEND 2:
Dude, just try it once! I guarantee you, you will forget all your problems right away!

EJ, with all the curiosity in his mind, was persuaded to try his friend’s way of feeling
happy. At that time, he didn’t think about anyone, but he only thought that it will just
be a one-time thing. And that’s it. His friend along with the other guy start sniffing
drugs and getting high.

CLOSE UP TO:

EJ’s face doing the same thing - getting high.

INT. HOUSE - NIGHT - MONTHS LATER
The thing about drugs is that you think you will only do it once and you can just cut it
off easily. First time users feel on that trap as well as EJ.

After that afternoon, EJ was never the same. His once bright face suddenly looked
like it was lifeless as if a sole-bulb was removed from a house’s ceiling and nothing
lights it up anymore. His behavior became aggressive. He sought of drugs after that
and the next and happen for several month now. It was slowly eating him alive. But
he didn’t mind. For him, it is an escape from the pain and loneliness he felt. And he’d
do it again just to feel numb and forget everything for a while.

EJ:
[Approaches his parents with a very tire look] Good evening MA PA

LEOPOLDO:
[Reads news] It’s already past 7.

EJ:
I can explain dad-

CARMEN:
(comes in) You’re late for supper, again. This would’ve been fine if this was the first
time.

LEOPOLDO:
[stands up] What have you been up to EJ?

CARMEN:
Tell us son.

LEOPOLDO:
If you’re doing something that would harm our family-

EJ:
[In a defensive but laid back tone] I swear dad I’m not doing anything wrong!

CARMEN:
Don’t lie to us EJ--
 EJ:
I was just with my friends doing projects.

CARMEN:
You could’ve called or texted me or your father.

EJ:
You’re not even at home most of the time mom! You won’t even bother if I am at
home or not.

Carmen was surprised to hear that from his son as EJ walks to his room.

CARMEN:
EJ let’s talk, please.

LEOPOLDO:
Leave him be Carmen.

EJ slams his door shut. He looks stressed. He took his bag and take out drugs and
sniffed it once more.

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - MIDNIGHT

LEOPOLDO:
I don’t even know what’s going on with that kid’s mind anymore.

CARMEN:
[brushes her hair] He’s going through something. It must be school. But whatever it
is, I’m going to help him. [sees a substantial amount of her hair fall]

LEOPOLDO:
If he is going to let you.

CARMEN:
I’m still going to try.
FADE TO:

INT. HOUSE - DAY

Leopoldo needs to leave his family again for his military mission. Carmen hugs
Leopoldo for she knew she will miss her husband’s company again.
 CARMEN:
I’m going to miss you.

LEOPOLDO:
I know.

LEOPOLDO:
I have to go.

CARMEN:
See you in 6 months.

Leopoldo leaves and Carmen felt a pain in her body, but still ignores it. Carmen went
inside to tell EJ about her working late to finish some papers for the church and
orphanage.

CARMEN:
Nak, I have to work tonight and I might be home tomorrow.

EJ:
It’s okay mom. I’ll be home all day.

CARMEN:
Are you sure?

EJ:
Yeah, it’s not like it’s the first time you’ve done this.

CARMEN:
I’m sorry nak. I’ll make it up to you.

EJ smiles mischievously.

EJ:
(internally) I better invite my friends over.

EJ invites and texts his friends saying :

“hey guys, my parents won’t be home. Session ta na.”

INT. CARMEN’S HOME - NIGHT

EJ’s friends arrive and the doorbell rings. EJ opens the door.
 FRIEND 1 :
Aye! EJ my man!

FRIEND 2:
I brought the jingle jangle.

FRIEND 1:
And… a special guest for tonight! (pats the girl that’s their supplier)

FRIEND 2:
Now we got unlimited supply for tonight my bros!

EJ: Cut the chitchat and let’s get this party started!

The group went inside EJ’s house and into his room.

INT. CARMEN’S WORKPLACE - NIGHT

Carmen plans to go home early and keeps her things to be with her son.

COWORKER:
Hey Carmen. Don’t you have to work over time?

CARMEN:
I know. But I have to go home. I’m planning to take my son out for dinner since we
haven’t had quality time together for so long.

COWORKER:
Your son must be glad about that.

CARMEN:
I hope so.

As Carmen packed her things, she felt weak and dizzy, but she ignores it as she
thinks she is just stressed out lately with the work and Leopoldo’s departure. While
driving back to their house, she felt so excited to see her son and to surprise him to
make up for the lost mother-and-son bonding like they used to..

INT. CARMEN’S HOME - NIGHT

Back in the house, EJ is having a great time with the house all to himself and with his
friends doing their usual drugs session.
 FRIEND 1:
Whoo! Can I have more of that?

EJ:
Yeah sure bro (hands him the drugs)

FRIEND 2:
Hey EJ try this (hands him a new pair of drugs)

EJ:
[takes a hit] Damn bai that was good!

EJ saw his phone ringing with his mom’s number on screen.

GIRL:
Hey EJ, can you show me where the bathroom is?

EJ: Yeah sure.

EJ switched his phone off and went with the girl.

Meanwhile, their neighbor outside, stops at their house only to find out that the
people inside is doing drugs. Their neighbor immediately calls the police to report.

INT. CARMEN’S HOME -NIGHT

As Carmen approached their house in the late evening from work, she wonders why
there are so many people inside their house banging with loud music and smoke.
She followed the loud music only to find out that it was from EJ’s room. Carmen
swam in the crowd pooling in her front yard. She opened the door and met EJ’s red
and puffy eyes. She immediately grabbed EJ’s hand and cut-off the music. In the
moment of silence, Carmen bursts into anger and had a conflict with EJ.

Carmen violently slaps EJ across the cheek. EJ staggers for a moment then holds
his hand across the cheek where he was slapped.

CARMEN:
EJ… How could you?

EJ only bowed his head.

CARMEN:
What are you doing?! I treated you as if you were my own! All I’ve done and worked
for is for your future! And this is how you repay me?

EJ:
Future? What future?!(scoffs) As if you care. I spend everyday without your presence
mom! [sarcastically laughs] And you suddenly think you can dictate your way to me?!
How many times have I begged for your time and attention mom huh?! Basically, all
my life! And how many times have you listened?! Not even once! You never know
how it feels to be like me: to be alone, to be neglected! What will it take for you to
see I am in pain? Manhid ka ma! Sometimes, I, even cry myself to sleep, because I
can’t feel anything! So tell me again about my future ma. [cries in full tears]

CARMEN:
You don’t understand what I am doing right now! The only thing is, this is for your
future. You will understand me someday when you will have your own family.

EJ:
No mom! You are just selfish enough to give all your time to those charities and your
work!

CARMEN:
I am doing this because I love you very much my son.

EJ:
Love? What kind of love? Money? You only love money more than anything else!
Mom! I did everything for you to appreciate me as your son but you don’t!

Carmen starts to breathe heavily and collapses

But before she closed her eyes, the last thing she saw was EJ in the hands of the
authorities along with his friends. Other people gather around her and try to help her
up.

MONTAGE

The capturing of EJ and his friends and bringing them to the car.
Arriving in the rehab house and walking to his room.

END OF MONTAGE

FADE TO:
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NOON
Carmen wakes up, dizzy and delirious. She looks around, confused. She notices she
is lying down on a bed and is connected by on the arm by series of tubes into a
machine beside her. The door opens and the doctor (the same one as the previous
doctor-scene before) enters. He looks at her solemnly but caringly and says:

DOCTOR:
Good afternoon, Ma’m. I see that you’re awake.

CARMEN:
Doctor. . . Where am I. Wh--what happened to me?

DOCTOR:
You collapsed, likely due to stress or extreme shock.

Carmen remembers what happened the night before. Eyes wide and mouth agape,
she exclaims. . .
CARMEN:
My son! EJ! What happened to my boy!?!

Carmen struggles to get up, but the doctor calms her and holds her still.

CARMEN:
What happened to EJ!?!

DOCTOR:
Ma’m, calm down. PLEASE. You were brought here on a stretcher. . . And there’s
more I have to tell you.

The doctor settles her down, takes a deep audible sigh then slowly takes the stool
placed next to Carmen’s bed and sits.

DOCTOR:
Ma’m, we just finished screening you, and you have been diagnosed with Bone
Cancer. I’m sorry.

CARMEN:
(shaking in disbelief) What? --Why? How can that be?

DOCTOR:
Symptoms include: bone pain, swelling, fatigue, unintended weight loss. Maybe you
might have had heavy stress recently. Have you experienced any of these?
Carmen recalls the past few months, about her work and the stress she felt, the
pains at her side, and all that has happened so far...

CARMEN:
Yes, I--I might have. . .

DOCTOR:
Ma’m, the cancer is treatable but serious. At best, you have four to five years. At
worst, a few months.

CARMEN:
But, why? Why so soon? I still have so much to do. . .And my EJ, he--

Someone knocks on the door audibly. A nurse’s voice is heard:

NURSE:
Doctor, someone’s here to see the patient.

DOCTOR:
Who is it?

NURSE:
He says he’s her son. His name’s EJ

CARMEN:
EJ!!!

DOCTOR:
Alright, let him in.

EJ enters the room followed by two policemen. He walks up to the side of the bed
and the Doctor offers him the stool. EJ obliges and sits.

EJ:
(dejected) Mom, I’m sorr--

CARMEN:
EJ! What’s going on!?! Who are they?

POLICEMAN 1:
 [Stepping in closer] Ma’m, we’re the police, and we’ve put your son on drug rehab.
We came to inform you alone, but when he heard you were hospitalized he begged
to come too.

EJ:
Mom, I know about the cancer. . .I’m so sorry. I was so stupid. [Choking back tears]
All this time, I was only thinking about myself, about how I felt. But I never thought
about how you were struggling for me. . .I’m so sorry.

Carmen, eyes wet, begins to breath heavily and more quickly. The Doctor motions to
ease her, but then she bursts into tears.

CARMEN:
[wiping her eyes with her sleeves and her hands] EJ. . . All this time. I’ve only wanted
what was best for you. I love you, anak. I LOVE you. And I’m sorry I can’t be there
for you from now on.

EJ:
Mom. . .

The two hug each other, both crying. The policemen and doctor step back farther
away, allowing them space.
EJ:
Mom, I promise I’ll do better this time. I won’t disappoint you ever again. And when
you’re better, we can spend more time with each other, like before.

CARMEN:
EJ, from now on I want you to be strong. Do what is right. . .And hopefully that time
will come soon, son. Soon. . .

The two embrace even longer.

FADE TO:

A few months later...

*Revealing EJ has a baby. and baby being given by ____ to Carmen for
safe-keeping.*

FADE TO:

INT. REHAB HOUSE - RESTRICTED ROOM

Inside the rehab house, Ej was sitting down looking outside the window and
contemplating about his life and mistakes. A few moments later, one of the guards
called his attention.

GUARD:
Flores! You have a visitor.

The guard brought him to the visiting area where his Auntie and daughter is waiting.

INT. REHAB HOUSE-VISITING AREA

As Ej walked towards the table where his auntie and daughter are sitting from, EI
was happy to see Angela hurriedly ran over to him.

ANGELA:
Papa!

EJ:
Angela!

Angela tightly hugged Ej and he hugged back his daughter. Afterwhich, they walked
towards the table where her auntie awaits.

AUNTIE:
EJ…

EJ:
Auntie, how’s mom? Is she doing fine?

AUNTIE:
That’s why I’m here, to tell you… that Carmen has passed away already.

EJ:
What?! No! That’s not true! She is still alive, she should be!

His aunt holds his hands tightly, giving him comfort. Angela, on the other hand,
tightly hugs EJ.

EJ cried as his aunt hands him the letter that was written by Carmen.
His auntie and Angela continuously comforted EJ and afterwards left. EJ walked with
a heavy heart in grief of Carmen’s death. He started to open Carmen’s Letter.

Carmen’s Letter: [Voice over during montage scenes]

Son,
If you are reading this, then things did not go well. I'm sorry, I tried my best to beat
this terrible disease but I guess, God had other things for me to do. Please don't be
mad, bad things happen in life and we have to learn to deal with it no matter how
much it hurts. I want you to be happy and use the gifts God has given you.
Remember that I am still with you and still just as proud of you as I always have
been. Keep God in your life and never be ashamed to let others know that you love
God.

Love, Mom

MONTAGE

EJ doing so well in the rehab center.

He sometimes thinks about his mother.
EJ stares at the blankness.
EJ can’t sleep at night.
EJ finally got his parole.

END OF MONTAGE

INT. CEMETERY-AFTERNOON

After he got out the Rehab House, he then directly go to Carmen’s tomb. His eyes
were melancholic, full of regret and longing. He sat down and stared at the tomb
where Carmen’s name was written on it.

EJ:
Mom, I did it. . . I know it might be too late, but--I did it. [quickly wiping away slight
tears] I wish I had known better (sigh) that I was a better son. . .to you.

I loved you, mom. I still love you. (looking up to the heavens, clenching his fist to his
heart) I hope you’re proud of me. Thank you--for everything!

Angela runs up to EJ, AUNTIE tailing behind more slowly.

ANGELA:
 Papa!

EJ:
(After slowly embracing his daughter, he looks back at the tombstone, smiling
melancholically)
I love you, mom. Goodbye.

FADE OUT