The Next Day…
Maria:
• I'm going out with Max. See you later.
Julie:
• I'm going out with Leo.
Julia:
• And I'm going to sleep.
Maria:
• But it's still early. Is something wrong?
Julia:
• No, nothing.
Maria:
• Alright, see you later.
-
Few minutes later ..
Maria:
• Come on, let's not be late.
Max:
• Okay, wait a second. My dad is calling.
Maria:
• Alright.
Max:
• Come, talk to him with me.
Maria:
• Sure.
Max:
• Hello, Dad.
Maria:
• Hello, Uncle.
John:
• Hello! Maria?
Maria:
• You know me?
John:
• We've met before. I welcomed you into my home, remember?
Maria:
• Yes, I remember now.
John:
• How are you, dear?
Maria:
• I'm fine.
(As they continued talking, John paused and said:)
John:
• Can I tell you something?
Maria & Max:
• What?
John:
• Maria's mother and your mother, Max, were friends. Do you remember the story I told you, Max? About your mom's friend's daughter?
Maria is Eliana's daughter.
Both (shocked):
• What?!
Max:
• But… how do you know?
John:
• I went to the hospital where Maria was taken after the plane crash. The moment I saw her, I felt something familiar, so I started digging into her background… until I confirmed it.
Maria (choking up):
• H-How? Please… tell me more about my family.
My mom used to mention her friend—
(she pauses, overwhelmed)
John:
• Your father was my close friend. And your mother? She was my wife's best friend.
(Then John told them everything…)
Maria:
• You know, Uncle, when I first hugged you, I felt something warm—like a piece of the love I've been missing.
John:
• I told you before… you can call me Dad. Though I know no one can replace a real parent.
Maria:
• I miss them so much…
John:
• Missing those we shared our best memories with is the hardest kind of pain.
(Maria started crying. John continued softly:)
John:
• Please, Maria, don't cry. Your parents made me promise—if anything happened to them—never let you shed tears.
(Turning to Max)
• And you, Max? Why are you so quiet?
Max:
• I just can't believe all this…
John:
• I'm sorry if you're overwhelmed. It's my fault for not telling you sooner.
Maria:
• Don't say that. Even if we hadn't found out today… it would've come to light someday.
John:
• You're right.
Maria, can I ask—where are you staying now? Do you have a job?
Maria:
• I'm living with two girls—Julie and Julia. They treat me like a sister.
As for a job, not yet. I want to finish uni first.
I was supposed to go to Mexico to handle my university paperwork because I plan to live in Paris…
But somehow, I ended up here.
John:
• Then it's a blessing you came to Bali.
Maria:
• Why?
John (smiling):
• So you could meet my son.
(She laughed, while Max blushed.)
John:
• I'll let you two go now. We'll talk later.
(After the call ends…)
Max:
• So… you're Maria?
Maria:
• And you're Max.
(They both laughed until Max said:)
Max:
• I'm truly thankful you're in my life.
Maria:
• Why?
Max:
• Without you, I think I would've stayed lonely.
Maria:
• What about Leo and Matthew?
Max:
• I'm grateful for them too. But I've always been an introvert… closed off.
Because of you all, I feel different.
Maria:
• I'm actually the opposite. You'll see, once you know me better.
Max:
• What do you mean?
Maria:
• That I'm annoying.
But I became quiet after losing my family.
Max:
• You'll find your way back to the old you again.
Maria:
• I hope so , Hey, what do you think about screaming out loud? Just to release all this emotion?
Max:
• Let's do it!
(She grabbed his hand.)
Maria:
• 1… 2… 3!
(They screamed into the air, laughing afterward.)
Maria:
• Listen, if you ever feel the urge to scream again—come here.
You might find me doing the same.
Max:
• And if we go back to Paris?
Maria:
• Then we'll find a new place there.
Max:
• Maria?
Maria:
• Hmm?
Max:
• Will our friendship end once we return?
Maria (frowning):
• Are you crazy?! Of course not!
You're my closest and favorite friend now.
(Max laughed at her reaction and hugged her before realizing it.
Just then, Julie called, and they quickly broke the hug.)
Maria (on the phone):
• Hello?
Julie (shouting):
• Do you see the time, Miss Maria?!
Maria:
• Don't yell, I see it!
Julie:
• And when do you plan on coming back?
Maria:
• Right now.
Julie:
• I'm counting to 20! If you're not here, I'm locking the door and you're sleeping outside!
Maria:
• No, no! I'm coming! I'm near the resort!
Julie:
• 1, 2, 3…
Maria:
• Okay, okay!
(She hung up. Max laughed and carried her as they ran back to the room.
At the door…)
Maria:
• Goodbye! Thank you for everything.
Max (smiling):
• Goodbye.
(Julie opened the door, grinning.)
Julie:
• 20! Just kidding. Come on in.
To be continued…
-
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