gabe and pat

7/31/2019 Gabe and Pat

1/45

D - Gabe (Gabriel Que)

K - Pat (Patricia Sandoval)

premise: 2 loners travelling on a train through Europe meet, fall in love;

well, you know the drill

based in part sa movie, "before sunrise"

sorry kung mejo pretentious dahil ang totoo niyan, pretentious nga siya,

he, he.

disclaimer: mga sis, if you like it, i take all the credit. if not, kasalanan

nina sentiments, katie scarlett, ac, pikev at si dimples na rin. sila po ang

nag-prod (although indirectly) sa akin na gawin itong hindi ninyo

nagustuhan. he, he . . . (bakit ba he, he ako nang he, he?)

france ------ italy

The train is pulling away at the station in Paris, it is in the middle of its

journey through central Europe until its final stop in Rome, Italy. A

solitary man though, is trying to catch up with it, running, panting, and

calling out . . .


2/45

Gabe: Hoy! Ay mali. (hingal, hingal) Hey, wait for me!

Conductor: Precipiter, monsieur!

Gabe: (finally caught up with the train) Hay, salamat!

Conductor: Pardone moi?

Gabe: Nothing, I just said, thank God I caught up. And can you speak in

English, please?

Conductor: Certainly, sir. May I look at your ticket, sir, so I can show you

to your seat. Let's see, coach B. It's just that door to your right, sir.

GAbe: Hey, thanks

He proceeds to open the door and immediately scans the people inside.

Hmm, he thinks, kokonti lang pala ang bumibiyahe ng ganitong

panahon. he saw six people inside his coach; a Japanese couple, 3

American teenagers(the noisy bunch) and a girl with her head buried

deeply in a book. can't see the face but i believe she's asian. I think I'll

sit next to the girl, para di naman malungkot. walks towards his seat,

then struggling to fit his bulky bag in the overhead compartment, closes

the latch, narrowly missing his finger.

Gabe: Arekup! (saw that the girl across him smiled) Filipino?

PAt: (lifts her head with a smile) Yes. Are you alright? I've only been in


3/45

Europe a week but it feels like a long time since I heard that word.

Gabe: (sandaling natameme at nabighani sa kagandahan ng babaeng

nasa harap niya, and those smiles, pamatay!) Ah, yes. You're Filipino but

can you speak in Tagalog?

Pat: Oo naman.

Gabe: Hay, salamat. MAhirap na, baka maubusan, eh. Ok lang ako,

muntikan lang naman akong maging CAptain Hook. He, he, huwag mo

kong pansinin, corny. (2-second silence) O nga pala, my name is

Gabe(reaches out for a handshake), short for Gabriel.

Pat: (still smiling that lovely smile) I'm Pat, short for Patricia. Nice to

meet you, Gabe.

Gabe: Pwedeng magtanong? Is this your first time in Europe?

PAt: Paris, yes. Europe, no. I've been to Italy before, nung bata ako. May

tita kasi ako na matagal nang nakatira doon. Doon nga ako papunta

ngayon. Oops, I can't believe I did that. I just volunteered information to

a stranger.

Gabe: Ok lang yun, harmless naman ako. You're on your way to Italy,

too, right? Where, may I ask?

Pat: Napoli. Shucks, there I go again, telling you my eventual

destination!


4/45

Gabe: Wag kang mag-alala. I won't hold it against you. The reason I

asked is this, I have a huge favor. I know this train is up til Rome only

but someone told me that kailangan ko pang sumakay pa ng isang local

train papunta sa Salerno. Can you teach me where that is? At kung saan

ako sasakay, para hindi naman ako magmukhang tanga pag andun na.

Pat: Yun lang pala. I get off at Rome din naman. Sasamahan kita sa

sakayan. ANg alam ko nga, malapit na yun sa Napoli, eh.

Gabe: Naku, thank you, thank you talaga! (napaluhod pa sa harap ni Pat

na nagpapasalamat bago napaupo at sumalampak sa kanyang sariling

upuan) Whew, kakapagod din magbiyahe, ano? (halata sa mukha ni

Gabe ang pagod at stress na nararamdaman nito. napawi lang nang

bahagya nang masilayan at makausap si Pat. Hindi na niya narinig ang

sagot ni Pat at tuluyan na siyang naidlip)

Si Pat naman ay nangingiti. This man is alright, I guess. Magaan siyang

kausap, good-looking, ha! He has a kind face. I think I will get rid of the

book as a prop, for now. I just used the book anyway to drive away those

crazy American teenagers. But he must be at least seven years older

than I am. What am I doing? Why am I concerned about his age with

regards to mine? Am I contemplating a romantic relationship with this

man who I just met, had a 2-min conversation with, will eventually say

goodbye to tomorrow and probably never see again? I think I'm the one

who's insane! (author's note: pasensya na, neurotic po ata si Pat.


5/45

nagmana po sa gumawa ng character niya)

PA system: Ladies and Gentlemen, lunch is served. Please proceed to

the diner. Bon apetit!

Gabe suddenly wakes up, feeling a little disoriented, then catches a

glimpse of Pat walking towards the diner. Then it came back to him, he

really is in Europa! Months of searching for his father has led him to this

place. He knew that eventually he will come face to face with the Tsinoy

sonofabitch who abandoned him and his mother when he was two years

old. "I just hope he really is in Salerno, his brother wouldn't lie, would

he?" At first, gabe was really incensed upon learning that he followed

the trail of the wrong Que. He got himself into Paris but got Angelo

instead. Angelo Que is the brother of Antonio. However, he was gratified

that while Antonio is a crook and a bastard, Angelo is dignified and

upstanding. Why couldn't he have been the offspring of the good son?

And what has he gotten himself into, thousands of miles away from his

homeland, with little money in his pocket, and with the prospect of

seeing his father's new family? For what? He actually does not

remember. If not for the calming presence of the girl that he just met,

ano na lang ang gagawin niya? Teka, tama na nga tong pagmumuni-

muni na 'to. Naririnig ko ng nagrereklamo ang tiyan ko.


6/45

Gabe enters the diner.

Pat: (sitting alone with the book on the table, probably awaiting for her

order, or Gabe, whichever comes first.) Hi (waves to him, hirap itago ang

pagkatuwa sa pagkakita kay Gabe).

Gabe: Grabe. Ang tagal rin ng tulog ko. But I don't regret it. I feel

refreshed.

Waiter: May I have your order, sir?

Gabe: (looks at the menu) saan bang presyo ng mga 'to?

Pat: Libre yan. Tignan mo, konti nga lang ang choices. Kasama na yung

presyo niyan sa ticket na binayaran mo.

Gabe: Lintek! Kaya pala muntik na akong mamulubi sa pagbabayad para

lang makasakay sa tren na ito. In that case, (looks to the waiter) I'll have

the filet mignon and cafe.

Waiter: Oui. Mada'm?

Pat: Non, merci.

Gabe: Marunong ka ng French? Hindi ka kakain?

Pat: Konti lang ang alam ko, yung mga simpleng salita lang. At

pangalawa, naka-order na ako kanina dun sa isang waiter. Ay, yan na


7/45

pala.

Waiter: Here it is, mada'm. Boisson?

Pat: non, just water, merci.

Waiter: Oui, mada'm.

Gabe: Ano yan. Nagde-dessert ka na ba? Chocolate cake lang yan eh.

Pat: Ewan ko ba, hindi talaga ako ginugutom kapag nasa labas ako, eh.

Kahit pa sabihing nasa France tayo at itinuturing siyang food capital of

the world. Hindi talaga ako magana kumain pag wala sa bahay. Isa pa,

nagpapapayat ako eh.

Gabe: Ha? Ang ganda na ng katawan mo eh. (biglang natigilan)

Pat: (natigilan rin pero napangiti) It's fine, Gabe. You don't have to feel

embarrassed. Kain na tayo. Andiyan na rin order mo.

Gabe: Hay salamat. Pero pag ako nagmukhang masiba, it's your fault.

Pat: Sige na, kasalanan ko na.

Gabe: Hayaan mo, minsan ipagluluto kita para ganahan ka naman ng

kain. Kung hindi mo naitatanong, I'm a good cook, or as they say in

France, chef, mga Filipino dishes nga lang ang specialty ko pero

nakakaluto din ako ng Italian, yang mga pasta na yan, kayang-kaya. You

should taste my sauce, hindi kasi ako gumagamit ng toamto paste.

Japanese, konti . . . . (patuloy sa pagsasalita habang kumakain)


8/45

Pat: (thinking - Did he realize what he just said? Ipagluluto ako? The

nerve! Is he aware na after maybe tomorrow, we'll probably never see

each other again. Hay, heto na naman ako, over-analyzing. Baka naman,

ipinagmamayabang lang niya na talagang magaling siya magluto; no

more, no less.)

back to their seats

Gabe: Earth to Pat!

Pat: Huh?

Gabe: Anong iniisip mo?

Pat: Ah, wala. Tinitignan ko lang yung magandang view. Alam mo bang

may stop-over tayo sa Lyon, refueling yata. Pero ang weird, di ba? Kung

may refueling, eh di dun na lang sana kung saan tayo may 8-hr lay-over,

sa Nice, di ba? Bakit kaya ganun?

Gabe: (smiling and pretending to think of a serious answer to the

question) Hmmm . . . Baka mas mababa ang halaga ng krudo sa Lyon

kung ikukumpara sa Nice.

Pat: (hitting gabe's shoulder lightly. uy, kampante na sila sa isa't-isa) Ok,

I admit, I ask the stupidest questions sometimes.

Gabe: (laughing) It's not stupid. It's not just relevant.


9/45

You're cute, you know that.

Pat: (turns silent, cute? not beautiful? not even pretty?)

Gabe: Ah, Pat, Do you want to be left alone? Kasi, I understand, minsan

kasi sobrang kulit ko na, hindi ko namamalayan.

Pat: No, it's not that. You, you're fine. In fact(grins), I think you're not so

bad yourself.

Gabe: Thanks. Promise me something.

Pat: What?

Gabe: Tell me if I'm bothering you, okay? Then, I'll stop, no questions

asked.

Pat: Okay.

Respond to this message

Author Reply

AC of Chicago

(no login)

Re: Into You (a fanfic) August 23 2004, 9:26 PM


10/45

Thank you sydkid! - sinasabi ko na nga ba maraming talent na tinatago

ang mga Diettiners. Sis, watch "Before Sunset" too, it's a sequel to

"Before Sunrise."


j

(Login mjoyous31)

Re: Into You (a fanfic) August 24 2004, 1:46 AM

tnx sydkid

more mga sis...labas nyo na lahat ng talents nyo


sydkid

(no login)

part 2August 24 2004, 6:50 PM


11/45

thanks j and AC. "before sunset" naman happens in only one day, right?

maipalabas pa kaya yan dito sa pinas. baka sa video or cable ko na lang

abangan.

- 2 -

in LYON

PA: Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now in Lyon for a scheduled stop.

Feel free to see the sights of this picturesque town. Just a reminder, do

not go too far off. The train will leave promptly after forty-five minutes.

Thank you.

Gabe and Pat takes this opportunity to stretch their legs.

Gabe: My God! This is beautiful, isn't it? (all this while, stretching his

arms upwards) May naaamoy ka ba?

Pat: Naaamoy? Wala. Ang sarap nga ng simoy ng hangin, eh.

Gabe: Exactly.


12/45

Si Pat ay nangiti lang. Parati na ngayon nangingiti si Pat.

Gabe: Uy, halika, punta tayo dun sa cornerstore. Tignan natin yung

postcards. Come on.

Halos takbuhin ni Gabe ang papunta sa tindahan. Parang bata ito na

patingin-tingin sa sa magandang kapaligiran. Excited. Si Pat naman ay

humabol din. They ended up racing to the store. Siyempre, nauna si

Gabe. Pahingal-hingal sila pagdating sa tindahan.

Gabe: Ok ka lang? Grabe, noh?! Napagod ako pero di ako pinawisan.

Pat: Can I ask you a question? Why are you here? Not here, here, okay?

But why did you leave your home for Italy?

Gabe: You want a straight answer or a bull**** one.

Pat: Hmm, tough, but I'm almost certain I want the straight answer.

Gabe: I left home to see my Dad who I never laid eyes on since I was 2

years old. Nung una nga, akala ko nasa Paris siya. Yun pala, yung

mayaman niyang kapatid ang nandun. Ang sabi ni Uncle, . . . that was

weird.

Pat: Bakit?

Gabe: Just two days ago i never knew he existed and now I'm calling him

uncle. Anyway, sabi niya, he set my dad up in a farm in Italy. May bago


13/45

na rin daw pamilya. Tsk! Imagine my dad, a farmer. Eh ang dinig ko sa

mga kapitbahay namin dati sa Binondo, tamad yun eh, na ang alam lang

nun ay tumaya dati sa jai-alai. Para ngang naalala ko pa na dinala rin

ako sa sabungan nun, eh. O di ba, ibang klase tatay ko, Intsik na di

masipag at nagtatapon ng pera!

Pat: Why follow him to Italy? Anong sasabihin mo sa kanya?

Gabe: (half-jokingly) Sasabihin ko sa kanya, "Look how f------up I am!" Oh

God, sorry for that.

Pat: Are you kidding, Gabe? Give me a little credit. I'm not that fragile.

So, how f------up are you?

Gabe: Given that I'm a struggling art teacher by day and a musician at

night, and the most successful relationship I've had with a woman is

with my institutionalized mother. I guess you could say I'm pretty f------

up.

Pat: I'm sorry. I didn't realize . . .

Gabe: Sus, don't worry about it. But, enough of me. Your turn.

Pat: What do you want to know?

Gabe: What's your favorite film? (chuckles) Para maiba naman.

Pat: Casablanca.

Gabe: Sabi na nga ba yan ang sasabihin mo, eh.


14/45

Pat: Casablanca exactly?

Gabe: Not exactly. But one of those, mga tipong Gone with the Wind, An

Affair to Remember, Sleepless in Seattle. Chicks dig those kinds of

movies!

Pat: Okay 1. I haven't seen Gone with the Wind in its entirety 2.

napupundi na ako sa An Affair to Remember, tatanga-tanga pa yung

female character. Oh please, bakit kaya siya naaksidente? 3. What's

wrong with Sleepless in Seattle? It's funny and for me, more entertaining

than the movie on which it was based; and 4. I'm strongly opposed to

the term "chicks."

Gabe: So noted. (at animong may gavel siyang dala na pinukol sa isang

mesa)

Nagtawanan sila. Pat felt so relaxed with Gabe. She can't recall being

this comfortable with a man before. Gabe, on his part, can't remember

the last time he had this easy, free-flowing conversation with a woman.

"Oh God," Gabe thinks, "I sure am gonna miss her after this. I just love

the way she smiles. And look at how she touches her hair and fixes her

scarf. What I wouldn't give to be able to hold her tight right now."

Gabe: Pwedeng isa pa?

Pat: Shoot.


15/45

Gabe:Are you sure you've never been here before?

Pat: (gives that quizzical expression) Yes. Why?

Gabe: Nothing

Pat: Bakit sabi, kundi ihahampas ko sa yo itong libro

Gabe: May pagka-war freak ka din pala. Isa pa yan, bakit mo parating

dala-dala iyan?

Pat: Answer my question first!

Gabe: (looking now at the postcards) Hmm . . . baka magalit ka, eh.

Pat: Hindi.

Gabe: Okay, here it is. I could be wrong. I think, remember, just my

opinion, and I'm in no way an expert on . . .

Pat: Alright already!

Gabe: I think that you don't have anymore that sense of wonderment in

you. It's like someone who's been here before. I'm thinking, she's seen

Paris, she wants to move on. I mean, you weren't even excited. And

before, when we were inside. You said you were looking at the beautiful

view but you weren't taking it in. (looks at Pat, silently begging for her

not to get mad) Okay, I'll shut up now.

Pat: (brows furrowed at first then breaks into a smile and claps her


16/45


17/45

MOST IMPORTANT, you're not even sarcastic! The train is going to leave.

Can we just go?!

Pat just looks at Gabe.

Gabe: WHAT NOW?! Did I analyze you too much again, or the train, or

(gesturing at the woman behind the store's counter) perhaps this lovely

French woman who probably thinks that we're married (waves at the

woman).

Pat: (in a soft voice) You just shouted at me.

Gabe: Wow . . . i can't believe I'm talking to a kid.

The train sounded off again

Gabe: Ay, Langhiya! Maghahabol na naman ako ng tren niyan, eh.

He grabs a hold of Pat's hand and runs. Pat shook off Gabe's hand but is

running too towards the train. Gustong mauna kay Gabe. Nangingiti

naman si lalaki at binilisan ang pagtakbo hanggang sa mauna siya

maka-akyat sa ngayong papalayo na tren. Iniaabot ni Gabe ang kanyang

kamay kay Pat para maiangat na rin siya pero ayaw tanggapin ni Pat at

patuloy pa rin sa paghahabol. Hanggang sa bumilis ang pagtakbo ng

tren . . .

Gabe: Come on, Pat, forgive me and get a hold of my arm!


18/45

Pat finally reaches out for Gabe's arm and suddenly finds herself in close

proximity to Gabe's firm body, kind face, fiery-red lips . . .

Gabe: You're a little crazy, you know that?!

And just like that, poof! The magic was gone for Pat. (note: may konting

pagkatange din pala tong si Gabe, observant pero mejo insensitive. Is

that possible?)

Pat: (malamya) Thanks. (then leaves)

Gabe: (mutters to himself) Ang gago ko talaga.


Dimples

(no login)

Re: part 2 August 24 2004, 11:00 PM

Just thought of putting some music to keep the beat. Since the setting is

in the TRAIN, how about this "LONG TRAIN RUNNING".... Look who's

watching!!!

Gosh ABSCBN should strike while the iron is HOT.... they don't need to


19/45


20/45


21/45

Thanks sydkid !! Galing mo!


sydkid

(no login)

part3 August 25 2004, 5:20 PM

THANKS MGA SIS, FOR THE NICE COMPLIMENTS. SALAMAT DIN DIMPLES

SA PAGLAPAT NG MUSIKA. I LIKE IT!

- 3 -

Iniwasan muna ni Gabe si Pat. Ayaw niyang tuluyan nang magalit ang

dalaga sa kanya. Mag-isa niya ngayon nilakbay ang kabuuan ng tren.

Lumagi siya sa viewing deck sa likod nito kung saan andun din ang tila

isang magkasintahan na tila mga Amerikano, naghahalikan. "Sa Lyon na

siguro sumakay tong dalawang to," ang inisip ni Gabe, "ngayon ko lang


22/45

sila nakita. Hmm, parang nakakaistorbo ako dito, ah. Hmp, kala niyo

maiinggit ako."

Gabe: - inhales, then exhales. Gusto na atang ubusin ang sariwang

hangin sa bulubunduking France, ha! -

Man: There it is, love! Look at that brilliant sunset.

Woman: It's absolutely gorgeous!

Nagkamali si Gabe. Mga British pala ang mga ine! Napatingin na rin si

Gabe sa magandang tanawin sa may bandang kanan at namangha. This

is probably what people were referring to when they coined the word

picture-perfect. Know what else is picture-perfect? Pat; she with her

wide smile, with her long, slightly wavy, black hair, that lithe body, those

long legs, and her porcelain-like skin . . . I'd like to draw her but oh s---!

forgot my sketchpad at uncle's home. Atsaka, bakit ko ba naiisip ang

babaeng yun? (slaps his forehead) Snap out of it! Nga pala, I don't even

know her full name. Bakit ba? After this, makikita ko pa ba siya later on?

Hell, no. She's probably a girl of privilege, anyway. And who am I? Just a

down-on-his-luck dude.... oh well

Samantala, papunta na rin sana si Pat sa viewing deck nang namataan

niya na andun na pala si Gabe. Natigilan siya at hindi na tumuloy.

Instead, she opted to go back inside the carriage and there she


23/45

managed to take a peek at the beautiful sunset. "Oh," thought Pat, "if I

was only born to be not easily offended all the time. It would be easier

for me, wouldn't it? I really like Gabe. If he could just approach me

again, dear God, I promise not to be an onion-skinned bi*** to him

anymore. oops, sorry Lord, sometimes I just don't know what I'm saying.

But you know what? Why don't I be the one to make the first move? It's

not that difficult. I could apologize and then he will apologize for his own

misdeeds. But what if he doesn't? Where does that leave me? I really

like him pa naman. Dear Lord, please cleanse me of all my anxieties.

Amen." (note: napi-picture ko si Tin dito nung hinihiwa niya yung turle sa

VU, yung humihingi ng tawad kay Lord)

A couple of hours later, they arrive at Nice.

PA: Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at Nice for an 8-hour lay-off.

Please be guided by your tickets on where you will be billetted for the

evening. Take all your bags or baggages with you. The French Transit

Authority will not be responsible for any . . . . . . . . . (then, as the usual,

repeats this in French)

Pat awoke with a start. She didn't realize na naka-idlip pala siya. She

found herself clutching her ticket. She looked at it, but wait, what about


24/45

Gabe (uy, parati nang hinahanap)? Where is he? She opened the

compartment above Gabe's seat. It was empty. Bigla nang nanlumo si

Pat. Will she ever see him again? Hay naku, Pat argued, I shouldn't

flatter myself. Ang daming problema nung tao tapos aalis lang nang

ganun-ganun ng dahil sa akin. Hindi siguro. I'll probably see him in the

morning. But I wish I could see him now.

At an inn called Amante Hotel, room 17

Binuksan ni Pat ang ilaw sa kanyang kuwarto at sinalampak sa sahig ang

kanyang mga bagahe. She then threw herself on the bed. Matigas pala

ang kama.

Pat: Ow! What the --

Nang biglang may kumatok at isinilid ang isang sulat sa ilalim ng pinto.

Dali-daling kinuha ni Pat ang sulat at binuksan ang pinto. Wala siyang

nakita. Bumalik siya sa loob ng kwarto at binuklat ang hawak na maliit

na papel, na parang pinunit lamang sa isang notebook. But in fairness,

ang ayos ng pagkakapilas, huh. At binasa na nga ang nilalaman ng

sulat.

"Dear Pat,


25/45

I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. I guess I was trying hard to

impress you, to communicate to you that I already know you. Because to

me, it just feels like that, that I already know you from before. The way

we speak with each other freely of what we feel, seems like I've known

you forever. With you, I thought we could just be ourselves and not care.

I thought that if I keep in mind that you and I existed before Paris, then

to me it wouldn't be so sad to let it go to waste after tomorrow. Can you

give me another chance? Please let me bug you one more time. You're

an extraordinary woman. And I realize now, that the waste would lie in

not spending more time with you even when I had the chance.

So into you,

Gabe"

(Gabriel Que)

Pat suddenly saw a tiny drop of water fall on the paper. "Oh God," Pat

thought, "it's the most-heartfelt letter she has ever received. Well Mr.

Que, is it? I just think you won me over completely." And then she

smiled. Another single knock at the door was heard. Pat hurriedly wiped

her tears and opened the door.


26/45


ET

(no login)

another scriptwriter of TDL! August 26 2004, 7:28 AM

Salamat Sydkid! Ang galing na script. Sana mabasa ito ng ABS.

Maraming gagaling ng mga future writers dito sa TD Land. Saludo ako sa

inyong lahat.


sydkid

(no login)


- 4 -


27/45

Of course, who else but Gabe clutching wild flowers in one hand, was

standing in the doorway. But now, gone are the drab gray turtleneck

sweater, the blue jeans, and the black bonnet that he wore over his

head all the time. Instead, he's now wearing a crisp, white polo with long

sleeves and khaki pants to match the mood of the place(the inn is near

the seaside). Although clean-shaven, his not-so-short hair is a little

windswept. And just as Pat opened the door, he was caught fumbling

through his hair with his fingers(charming ang effect nito).

The effect on Pat of the vision before her was electric, to say the least.

She thought Gabe was good-looking before but now, he's simply

magnificent. All she could utter was, "Gabe." But really, what she

wanted to do was go to him and hug him tight and probably run her

fingers through his hair.

Gabe: I see you've read my letter . . . . (handing the flowers) These are

for you. They're just wild flowers, I just picked them up near the station,

inisip ko, baka magustuhan mo.

Pat: (comes closer to Gabe until both can already feel each other's

breath) Thank you. They're actually very pretty.

Gabe: Uh, Pat, I'm sorry again for what I did. Hindi ko sinasadya. I was


28/45

just mouthing off, you know. If you just give me another chance, I

promise to . . . .

Then, Pat places a finger on Gabe's lips to shut him up, saying, "Shhh.

You know what your problem is, Gabe."

Gabe: What?

Pat: (smiling) You talk way too much.

And just like that, she planted a kiss on those lips.

Gabe: Does this mean you forgive me?

Pat: Shut up.

And so Gabe did as he was told. He kissed Pat again; gently at first but

slowly deepening. He snaked his arms around Pat's waist and pulled her

close. Pat's hands meanwhile were just at the back of Gabe's neck and

furiously working their way up his hair.

But then, both had the good sense to realize that this might be taken

further than they wanted. And so, they started to slow down until Gabe

placed one light kiss on Pat's lips.

Gabe: Let's go! I have a surprise for you. It's not much but . . .

Pat: Wait, hindi man lang ako nakapagpalit. Ang daya-daya mo.

Gabe: That's fine, you're still beautiful. And you still smell good.


29/45

Pat playfully hits him on the shoulder.

Gabe: Ow! . . . Halika na, baka mawala pa dun, eh.

Pat: Sa'n ba tayo pupunta?

Gabe: Dun, malapit sa beach. Let's go!

At nakarating na nga sila sa isang maliit na tent malapit sa dagat. Sa

ilalim ng tent na ito ay may nakalatag na kumot na naglalaman ng isang

bote ng cheap wine at crackers. May nakalagay din na isang gitara.

Isang bata na may sampung taon gulang ang nagbabantay doon at pati

na rin sa apoy na nagniningas sa harap ng tent.

Gabe: (gives a coin to the boy) Merci, merci. Pat, I'd like you to meet

Pierre here. You know I actually met him on the train. He's the

conductor's son. They just live near here. And fortunately for me, he

speaks very good English.

Pat: Nice to meet you, Pierre. So, you're the little helper, I presume.

Pierre: Yes, mada'm. You know, Monsieur Gabe here really likes you and

he's going to be very sad if you go away . . .

Gabe: Okay stop, it's embarrassing. Thank you very much. Now go play

with your friends, if you have any. (As Pierre runs away, Gabe playfully

kicks some sand towards him.)


30/45

Gabe: So . . . shall we? (they sit on the blanket)

Pat: You're amazing. You thought to do all these things. At may

kinontsaba ka pa.

Gabe: It's not much but somehow, I knew you'd like it.

Pat: It's perfect.

Gabe then grabs the guitar and starts to play, hums at first, then sings

with a melodious, cool voice ang makabagbag-damdaming, "Is it okay if

I call you mine"

Is it okay if I call you mine?

just for a time

then I would be just fine

----------

---------

If I ask of you, is it alright?

If I ask you to hold me tight

On a cold and dark night


31/45


32/45


gandame

(no login)

Re: Is it Okay if I call you MineAugust 27 2004, 2:45 AM

aba sykid gulat naman ako sa iyo. lumabas na rin ang talent mo sa

pagsulat. ang ganda!!eeeeeeeeeee!!


sydkid

(no login)


THANKS DIMPLES FOR THE SONG. MAY PAGKA-GENIE KA RIN PALA, PARA

BANG MY WISH IS YOUR COMMAND, =).


33/45

HINDI PA PO PALA ITO ANG KATAPUSAN, BAKA BUKAS PA. MY

APOLOGIES IF THIS PART IS A BIT MEANDERING. IT WAS TOO LATE WHEN

I NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH

MYSELF! LOL

- 5 -

It was already deep into the night but still, you can still see two figures

sitting on the cool sand, arms around one another, listening to the

rushing of the waves, and staring up at the moonless sky filled with

stars. They were savoring every moment that they were together. No

one was saying anything until Pat spoke (still with her back against Gabe

while Gabe's arms were wrapped around her)

Pat: You know before, I used to fancy myself attending one of those film

festivals being held here. You know Cannes is just around the corner.

Gabe: Really?

Pat: I would picture myself being here while Tom and Nicole, Spielberg,

or Catherine Denueve crossing the Riviera. Then the next night, people

like Tarantino, Zhang Ziyi, and Sharon Stone would be gracing the red


34/45

carpet, waving to their fans and the papparazzi.

Gabe: Tell me, in your imagination, how did you happen to be in

Cannes?

Pat: Well, I used to think I would make this great documentary film

about Ninoy Aquino, a real in-depth one, too. I would present it here in a

director's forthnight or something. My film would talk about how Aquino

moved people in different ways. I would also include there some of his

speeches, he's really very articulate and . . .

Gabe suddenly changes his position so he could see Pat's animated face

Pat: Am I boring you?

Gabe: Au contraire, mademoiselle. Aren't you aware that you arouse a

lot of passion in me. (he then kisses Pat hard and pulls away looking at

her eyes. Gabe thought he could look into those deep-set eyes all night

and never feel an iota of anger again; towards himself, his father, and

the world)

So, what happened?

Pat: To what? (mejo nararamdaman pa yung after-effects ng halik ni

Gabe)

Gabe: To the great Filipino dream, you know, coming to Cannes, armed


35/45

with an award-winning film and all that

Pat: Ah, right. It's still there, just in the backburner. Ang tagal ko na

ngang hindi iniisip yun, eh. I think I've become a realist. I don't know if it

will ever happen but it's not in my agenda anymore. Hopefully, a year

from now business graduate na ako. (says this half-jokingly) So the next

time you see me, I'll be a bland and insecure young executive of my

father's company.

Gabe's face suddenly turns serious.

Pat: Uh, right. We don't even know if there'll be a next time, right? I

mean, after this trip. We may never see each other again. So, forget

what I said, okay . . .

Gabe: Pat, it's not that. You know before, I was a realist, too. I even

called myself too young, yet too jaded. I had a lot of angst. I was always

too angry, mostly at my absentee father. And it showed, in my art and in

my music. I didn't allow myself to dream because that would mean . .

Pat: . . . that you're only setting yourself up for a disappointment.

Gabe: Yes. But you know, one day, I was visiting my mother, and for one

lucid moment she uttered the first words that came from her mouth in

about a year. Sabi niya sa akin, "Puntahan mo siya." At first, I thought,

who? Jesus? God? Am I gonna die? Was she hallucinating?


36/45

Pat: Seriously?

Gabe: Seryoso nga ako. I realized, she probably meant my father

because right then napansin ko na hawak-hawak niya ang isang lumang

letrato ng tatay ko.

Pat: Oh, Gabe (lightly touches his cheeks)

Gabe: I'm telling you this because since that time I permitted myself to

dream, to see my father again; I ran into the most unexpected gift that I

could ever know. And it's you.

Pat could feel her tears swelling up inside. Gabe removed Pat's hands

from his face and took a hold of them.

Gabe: It's okay to be a realist, Pat. But allow yourself to let in some

happiness, too, even if sometimes the cause of it can only be in your

dreams. (kisses the back of Pat's hands)

Pat: I don't know what to say

Gabe: Just promise me something

Pat: What is it?

Gabe: Don't ever give up on yourself. Because I won't give up on you.

Pat: Gabe . . .


37/45

Gabe: Shhh

Pat: I promise

In the stillness of the night, Pat and Gabe are locked in a passionate

embrace, never wanting to let the other go. If only they could avoid the

inevitable.

Sydkid, ang galing talaga. I'm at the edge of my seat reading your

story. Parang ayaw ko siyang matapos. Gawin mo kayang telenobela

'to...para isang taon kaming may babasahin! Siguro puwede ka nang

suwelduhan ni Madame Garie pag nagkataon.

Saludo ako! -

Muntik ko pang makalimutan; thanks Dimples for the music. Bilib ako sa

'yo. Para kang may magic baol ng mga kanta.


sydkid

(no login)


last stop, Rome


38/45

Pat and Gabe are on a cab that's going to take them to the bus

station(note: I changed this from train to a bus. I guess a bus is more

logical instead of another train). Neither of them is talking while they

hold hands. Pat is looking out the window while Gabe gazes at her

profile. Gabe leans closer into Pat and whispers into her ear . . .

Gabe: Look at me

Pat did as she was told and upon seeing the forced smile of the man

before her, it was all that she could do just to hold back her tears inside.

Pat: (wiping away her own tears and then laughs a little) Alam mo bang

it's been awhile the last time I cried this much. Yung huli pa yata ay

habang nanonood ako ng pelikula.

Gabe: Ano yun?

Pat: Huwag kang tatawa ha, but it's Fellowship of the Ring (Gabe is

trying to contain his laughter) O, tumatawa ka, eh. Hindi ka ba naiyak

dun?

Gabe: Nakaka-touch yung pelikula but I wouldn't go as far as to say that

I cried. Curious lang ako, saan ka naiyak dun?

Pat: It was towards the end when Frodo decided to continue the journey

on his own, nung nagkahiwa-hiwalay na sila. And then, you could see


39/45

Sam running after him, in fact, he almost drowned trying to catch up.

Gabe: Ah, yes.

Pat: Sam told Frodo that he promised to be there with him always, kaya

hinabol niya 'to. Frodo naman kasi thought na he could go on his own

just so no more harm could come to his friend.

Gabe: I agree, very moving. (smiling) But don't you think it's so gay?

Pat: (lightly pushes away Gabe) Why do you have to spoil it?

The two of them laugh and for about 10 seconds, they forgot their

looming separation.

Gabe: Pat, I know that I'm not in any position to ask favors from you but

can you grant me just this one.

Pat: It depends, madali lang ba yung ipapagawa mo sa akin?

Gabe: Kayang-kaya mo.

Taxi Driver: Miss, Mister, bus station

Pat: What is it?

Gabe: Later. (to driver) How much? (Gabe then hands the taxi fare and

proceeds to open the door while pat is left hanging)

Come on! Didn't you say before that I'm going to be late for my bus if we


40/45

don't hurry?

Pat: Yes, yes, I know I said that but that was before I knew na bibitinin

mo lang pala ako. (gets her bags and follows Gabe)

Pat: See bus no. 7. It says there Salerno. Now, did your uncle give the

exact address and specific directions?

Gabe: I think so.

Pat: Well, don't worry. Provincial folk are usually very friendly. If you get

lost, don't hesitate to ask.

Gabe: You tell me not to worry pero ikaw yata ang nag-aalala para sa

akin, eh.

Pat: Well, yes. I care about you. Don't you know that by now?

The bus engine starts to rev up, signalling that it is ready to start its

journey.

Gabe: About my favor.

Pat: Yes, don't think I've forgotten. What is it?

Gabe: Don't forget about me.

Pat; You didn't need to ask me that one, Gabe.

Gabe: Don't forget about me (he then removes Pat's scarf from her neck


41/45

and kisses her one last time) ause you know, I'll come back for you.

Have faith.

Pat: But . . .

And just like that, Gabe hurriedly steps onto the moving bus, turns to

face the one he's leaving behind while breathing into the scarf. Gabe

had a wide smile on his face when he left. It's as if he's in possession of

a big secret. But Pat was left wondering. As she was waving goodbye,

she was thinking that, "How would he ever find me? I didn't even have

the chance to mention where I live. Stupid me!"

And so it was, not a day has passed in the first 2 weeks that Pat spent in

Italy that she didn't think of Gabe. "Maybe he will look for me in Napoli,"

Pat hoped. "Maybe he would have such a good time at his father's after

all that he decided to stay there. Oh no! Am I selfish? What is happening

to me? I want to be near him. I want to stay close to him and never be

far from him ever again. . . . . " Pat has been this way ever since she

arrived at her aunt's that her cousins had been calling her 'autistic.' It's

like she was lost in a world all her own, a world in which she and Gabe

are the only two people on earth.

However, little by little, she finally learned to let other people in. She


42/45

enjoyed the remaining days she had in Europe. Sometimes, she and her

cousins would go on a trip to Rome and even Sicily. Many times, Pat

attempted to suggest Salerno as a destination but something in her

would hold back.

Time flies fast. Pat has found herself again in Manila. "Back to a

humdrum life," she thought. As she opens the door to the condo unit

that she shares with her younger sister, she called out, "Mia, I'm here!

Your happy days are over, gone, kaput!" Just then, Mia emerges from a

bedroom.

Mia: Leave it to my sister to inject a word with multiple meanings. (goes

to her sister and hugs her)

Pat: Hi. Nakaka-miss din pala yang kakulitan mo!

Mia: Ows? Talaga?

Pat: Oo naman. Bakit? Parang . . .

Mia: Ah, wala. Buti pa tawagan mo na sila dad, sabihin mo andito ka na

at kanina pa tawag nang tawag sa akin.

Pat: Ay, oo nga, hand me my cellphone.

Mia: Andyan sa side table o, kunin mo na lang, the one beside the lamp.

As Pat came close to the table, she saw a familiar object, the scarf! It's

the same one that Gabe took from her neck!


43/45

Pat: I-Is someone else here? D-Did somebody . . . (her voice trailing off

as she touched the scarf again)

Mia: What's wrong? Para ka namang nakakita ng multo. Gusto mo yang

scarf? Binili ko yan sa Shangri-la last week. Ang ganda, no? Kasi I might

be able to go on this trip to . . .

Parang nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Pat. Sabi niya sa kanyang

sarili to stop hoping, pero heto na naman siya. But she could have sworn

that it's really hers! Her heart skipped a beat and she knew . . . and then

that familiar tune followed

it's just the things that happen to me

when i'm reminded of you

like when i hear your name

or see a place that you've been

or see a picture of your grin

or pass a house that you've been in

one time or another

it sets off something in me i can't explain


44/45

and I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN

oh babe, i love your love

It was Gabe! He sang with his guitar. Pat is a picture of happiness as she

ran into Gabe's arms. She looked at Mia, grateful.

Mia: Ahem, I think that's my cue to exit. I'm gonna stay with mom and

dad tonight. I'll make kuwento, he, he. Gabe, be good. Love you, sis.

Pat: Love you too, sis.

As Mia goes out . . .

Pat: How long have you been back here?

Gabe: A week

Pat: So, how did it go with your dad?

Gabe: Surprisingly, it was good. I forgave him already. In fact, he

promised to come visit us on Christmas. Did you ever lose faith?

Pat: Never. How did you find me?

Gabe: Thru the internet, of course(laughs).

Pat: Seriously?

Gabe: Seriously? I guess I followed my heart.


45/45

Pat: Good answer, Gabe (smiling as she comes closer to Gabe's face).

Gabe: You know that I am so into you, right?

Pat: I love you too, Gabe.

And so, they seal their pronouncements of love to one another with a

kiss.

THE END

gabe and pat

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