iMessage
Ollie San Martino
MON | 2:44 PM

Kai:
Hey. This is Kai. Malee gave me your number.
I have a question. It's about Milly.

Ollie San Martino:
Hey dude, sup?

Ollie San Martino:
What about Mills?
May problema ba?

Kai:
I need your help.
How did you make her feel better before?

Ollie San Martino:
Wait, rewind
Make her feel better? As in cheer her up? Why?
Is something wrong?

Kai:
I'm not the right person to tell you that. But I need your help.
I'm not good at this. I don't know what I should do to help her.

Ollie San Martino:
Does anyone?
That's the thing about Mills kasi e 😕
No one knows how to help her because she doesn't let anyone do that for her
I can count on my fingers the times that she even talked to me about her problems and I'm supposed to be her best friend

Kai:
So what did you do?
During those times she did tell you?

Ollie San Martino:
Before that
San na ba si Mills now?

Kai:
Natutulog pa.
Her mother's been calling since she came here. Ayaw niya sagutin.

Ollie San Martino:
Tita?
That's rare
Mills never misses a call but if she's asleep pa, then just let her be
Do it how she wants it
Give her space, she'll appreciate that more

Ollie San Martino:
I tried everything before, you know
Food, ice cream, fries
Those comfort food that people love to eat and recommend
I even tried taking her out on a long roadtrip with me and it kinda worked but they're just band aid solutions e
I don't think they really helped. If anything, I think it only forced her to try and feel better sooner kasi nga I'm trying

Ollie San Martino:
I guess just be you
Whatever you feel like doing, okay na yon
She'll appreciate that more

Kai:
That's difficult. I'm shit at this.

Ollie San Martino:
Haha I'm sure she knows
I don't think she's expecting anything you're not capable of giving din naman

Ollie San Martino:
But dude, just putting it out here
It means a lot to me that you asked. Shows how much you care
Take care of my mills, alright? She means the world to me and my family
Keep her safe

Kai:
I will.

Ollie San Martino:
And update me
I don't know what's going on but if she's there with you, and you actually know something's up, then it means she trusted you enough to let you know
At least I can breathe easy

Ollie San Martino:
Just be there
I think that's the best way

Ollie San Martino:
Update me

Kai:
Sige. Salamat.

INT. PENTHOUSE
KAI'S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON, 4:00 PM.

Milly stirs from her sleep. Kai pulls the blanket up to her chest and wraps his free hand around her.

Milly snuggles closer.

MILLY
What time is it?

KAI
Alas kwatro. Tulog pa.

MILLY
Four na?
Aren't you hungry yet?

KAI
Gusto mo na bang kumain? Konti lang ng kinain mo kanina.

MILLY
I don't have the appetite to eat.

KAI
Even now?

Milly hums her answer.

MILLY
What's your plan for the day? Don't you need to catch up on work?

KAI
I'm on leave. Sick leave.

Milly opens her eyes and looks at him, worried. Her hand crawls up to his face.

MILLY
You're sick?

KAI
No but you are.

Milly frowns.

MILLY
I'm not sick.

Kai strokes her hair.

KAI
But you're not feeling well either.

MILLY
Did you even sleep? Anong oras ka nagising?

KAI
Kanina lang din.

Kai closes his eyes and buries his nose on the crown of her head.

KAI
Kung 'di ka pa kakain, matulog pa tayo.
We can stay like this all day.

MILLY
On the bed? All day? Really?
You're a man who loves to work. You can do that? Lazying around?

KAI
Yeah.
Let's stay in.
O gusto mo ba umalis?

MILLY
No...

MILLY
No, this is fine...

MILLY
I'd love to stay in with you...

Milly takes a breath, contemplative.

MILLY
You know...

MILLY
I'm still not used to this.

MILLY
Not turning to sex or alcohol for comfort.
It's new to me din that I didn't even consider it. It didn't even cross my mind until now.

MILLY
I just...

MILLY
I just wanted to see you.
I thought I'd feel better if I could just see you.

MILLY
It's the first time... that I ever told anyone... how I really feel...

MILLY
I haven't cried like that in years.

MILLY
I'm sorry for letting you see that side of me.
I didn't want you to but I needed you.
I just knew I had to get to you.

KAI
Why are you apologizing for that?
Mas gusto kong sinabi mo sa 'kin.
Kung 'di sa 'kin, kanino pa? Tama lang na ako.
Ako 'tong kasama mo.
Ako 'tong araw-araw naghihintay sa 'yo.
Ako 'tong laging nag-iisip sa 'yo.
Kung pa'no ka.
Kung pa'no tayo.
Tama lang na sa 'kin.
You did the right thing.

MILLY
Really?
You think of me like that too?

MILLY
I didn't realize you've been putting too much thought into this din pala. You've always told me to take it easy.

KAI
I did tell you that because you were stressing over us.
I'm not.
It's not the same.

Milly chuckles.

MILLY
You were constantly thinking about me.
That's not stressing?

Kai's relieved to hear her laughter again.

KAI
No.

KAI
It's just second nature to think of you.

KAI
In case you forgot, I'm not over you, remember?

MILLY
(teasing)
You mean you're crazy for me?
Down bad crazy?

KAI
Same difference.

Milly smiles a little.

MILLY
You and your honesty.

A beat.

MILLY
But I'm madly crazy for you too...

MILLY
(even softer voice)
Baby?

KAI
Hm?

MILLY
Do you really mean it? As in really really mean it? When you said we'd be family?

KAI
Yes.
Do you doubt it?

Milly closes her eyes and relishes the feeling of his warmth seeping into her skin.

MILLY
No...
I just wanted to hear you say it again...

KAI
Kahit ilang beses pa. 'Wag mo lang pagdudahan.

Another beat of silence.

MILLY
It's not eleven yet, but can I make a wish?

KAI
Tell me.

MILLY
I won't be the easiest to deal with. I'm complex and I have a lot of issues and baggages but can you promise me?

MILLY
That you'll stay no matter what? You won't get tired of me?

MILLY
You won't change your mind and regret it?
You won't want someone else?
You won't leave me?

KAI
Yes.

KAI
I'm here, Milly. For the long haul.

KAI
I'm here now.

KAI
I'm still here tomorrow.

KAI
And I'll still be with you even after that.

KAI
You can count on that.

MILLY
I know.

MILLY
I don't know about anything else but I know.

MILLY
That you mean every word you say and I can trust you.

MILLY
You're not the type to go back on your words. Like what your cousin said before, you're stubborn like that.
I trust you.

KAI
Now that you know, sleep.
Dito lang ako kaya matulog ka pa.

MILLY
I'm scared though.

KAI
Of?

MILLY
Of waking up alone. I hate being alone.
I hate the silence.
I hate the cold.

KAI
That won't happen.
Dito pa rin ako hanggang sa paggising mo.
Kaya magpahinga pa tayo.

To prove his point, Kai nuzzles her cheek, cuddling her close.

Milly smiles in relief.

MILLY
Kai...

KAI
Hm?

MILLY
I...

MILLY
I...

Kai kisses her head.

KAI
I know.

KAI
You don't have to say anything.

KAI
I already know.