SARAH'S LETTER
1598 Words
INT. SARAH'S ROOM - NIGHT
The room is bathed in the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Sarah sits on the floor, surrounded by boxes and bags. Her hands move mechanically, packing away her belongings, her face pale and drawn.
She’s been crying. The tears had dried on her cheeks, leaving behind a residue of salt and sorrow.
She can’t believe this is happening.
Wang Wei’s words echo in her mind, his stern voice, his accusing gaze, his final decree.
“You can leave tomorrow.”
She’s been forced to accept her fate. She’s been forced to acknowledge the reality of the situation.
She knows that she should have listened to her gut. She should have known that this relationship would never work. She’s just a caregiver. He’s a wealthy businessman.
They’re from different worlds.
And now, she’s being forced to face the consequences of her actions.
She’s being sent back to the Philippines.
She pulls out a photograph from her box, her fingers tracing the outline of the image.
It’s a picture of her and Jan Hao, taken at the park. They’re both smiling, their faces lit with the warmth of a shared moment.
She felt a surge of sadness wash over her.
She can’t believe it’s over.
She can’t believe she’s losing him.
She can’t believe she’s going to have to say goodbye.
She closes her eyes, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill. She can’t let herself break down. She can’t let herself show weakness.
She has to be strong.
She has to accept that this is the end.
She places the photograph back in the box, her hands trembling. She forces herself to focus on the task at hand. She has to pack her things. She has to get ready to leave.
She knows she’s making a mistake. She knows she’s giving up too easily. She knows she’s letting them win.
But she’s tired. She’s exhausted. She’s broken.
She tells herself that maybe they are right.
Maybe she was wrong.
Maybe this was never meant to be.
She takes a deep breath, trying to find some strength within herself. She knows she has to move on. She knows she has to start over.
But it’s going to be hard.
She closes the box, her fingers gripping the edge. She knows that her life is about to change. She knows that everything is going to be different.
And she doesn’t know if she’s ready.
INT. SARAH'S ROOM - NIGHT
The room is dim, a single bedside lamp casting long shadows on the walls. Sarah sits at her small writing desk, her pen hovering over a sheet of paper. Her heart pounds in her chest, her hand trembles slightly.
She knows this might be the only way to say goodbye, to express her feelings, to let Jan Hao know what he means to her.
She closes her eyes, gathering her thoughts. She thinks of his warm smile, his gentle touch, the way his eyes looked at her with a mixture of longing and admiration.
She takes a deep breath and begins to write.
My dearest Jan Hao,
I don’t know how to say this. I don’t know how to make sense of this, but I have to write this.
My heart is breaking. I can’t believe I’m being forced to leave. I can’t believe I’m going to have to say goodbye.
I know you’re not here, but I need you to know this. I need you to know that I love you.
I know it’s crazy, I know it’s impossible. But it’s true.
I love you.
I loved you from the moment I saw you. I loved you from the moment I heard you laugh. I loved you from the moment I felt your touch.
You were a breath of fresh air in my life. You were a ray of sunshine in my darkness. You were the reason I smiled. You were the reason I believed in love again.
I know it’s not easy. I know it’s not simple. But I couldn’t help it. I fell in love with you.
And now, I’m being sent away.
I’m being forced to let you go.
I don’t know what to do. I don’t know what the future holds. But I know that I will never forget you. I will never stop loving you.
Goodbye, my love.
With all my heart,
Sarah
Sarah rereads the letter, tears welling up in her eyes. She knows it’s not enough. She knows it doesn’t express everything she feels.
But it’s all she has.
She folds the letter carefully, places it in an envelope, and seals it with a kiss.
She doesn’t know how to give it to him. She doesn’t know if she’ll ever see him again.
But she knows that she has to try.
She knows that she has to let him know.
She has to let him know how she feels.
INT. NAIA TERMINAL 1 - ARRIVALS AREA - DAY
The air is thick with the hum of activity, a cacophony of voices, luggage rolling, and announcements echoing. Sarah pushes her trolley through the crowd, her eyes scanning the faces, searching for a familiar one.
The weight of her situation presses down on her. She's back in the Philippines, her heart heavy with the memories of her time in Taiwan. She had left Jan Hao a letter, tucked away in his favorite coffee mug, hoping that it would somehow reach him.
But she doesn't know if it will. She doesn't know if he'll ever read it. She doesn't know if he'll ever know how she truly felt.
Suddenly, a voice calls out to her.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
Ate Sarah!
Sarah turns, her heart lifting at the sight of her younger siblings, Mia and Mark, standing with wide smiles and open arms.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
Oh, my babies!
She rushes towards them, embracing them tightly. The warmth of their hugs, the familiar scent of their embrace, brings a surge of relief and comfort.
MARK
(In Tagalog)
We missed you so much, Ate!
MIA
(In Tagalog)
We were so worried!
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.
MARK
(In Tagalog)
It’s okay, Ate. We’re just glad you’re back.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
We’ve been waiting for you.
She gestures towards the car waiting outside.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
Let’s go. We’re taking you home.
[SCENE END]
INT. CAR - HIGHWAY
The car speeds along the highway, the passing scenery blurring into a kaleidoscope of colors. The sun is setting, casting a golden glow over the landscape.
Sarah sits in the backseat, her gaze lost in the distance. She’s trying to process everything that’s happened. The sudden departure, the emotional turmoil, the heartbreak, the uncertainty.
She’s home. She’s surrounded by her family. But she still feels lost.
She still feels like she’s missing something.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
Ate, are you okay?
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I’m fine. I’m just tired.
MARK
(In Tagalog)
You’re not going to tell us what happened?
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
It’s a long story.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
We have time. We’re not going anywhere.
She gives Sarah a knowing look.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
You’re going to have to tell us everything.
Sarah sighs, knowing that she can’t keep her secret for much longer. She can’t keep her pain bottled up inside.
She has to talk.
She has to let it out.
INT. SARAH’S FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The house is cozy and familiar, filled with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the warmth of family. Sarah sits on the couch, surrounded by her siblings, her voice trembling slightly as she recounts her story.
She tells them about her time in Taiwan, about her meeting with Jan Hao, about their growing feelings for each other, and about the abrupt end to their budding romance.
She tells them about Wang Wei, his disapproval, his wife’s influence, and the harsh reality of their different worlds.
She tells them about the letter she left for him, her hopes and her fears, her love and her heartbreak.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
Ate, I’m so sorry.
MARK
(In Tagalog)
We should have known.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
It’s okay. It’s not your fault.
She forces a smile, trying to hold back the tears that are welling up in her eyes.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I’m just glad I can finally talk about it.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
What are you going to do now, Ate?
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I don’t know.
She took a deep breath, her gaze falling to her lap.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I need to find a job.
MARK
(In Tagalog)
You can work here.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
Yes, Ate. You can help Mom with the business.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I appreciate that. But I need something more.
She pulls out her laptop from her bag, her fingers flying across the keyboard.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I’m going to apply for a virtual assistant job.
MIA
(In Tagalog)
But, Ate…
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
It’s okay. I can do this. I’m good at it.
She flashes a determined smile, trying to convince herself as much as she’s convincing them.
SARAH
(In Tagalog)
I have to do this. I have to find a way to support myself. I have to find a way to move forward.
She’s not sure if she’s ready to move forward. She’s not sure if she’ll ever be ready. But she knows she has to try.
She has to find a way to make it work.
She has to find a way to be happy again.
- Writer
