Int.
Lights are illuminating the block of the street where there are huge mansions. The street is filled with people from an open gate. The moon is shining brightly as it illuminates the darker parts of the street. People who are wearing black suits and black dresses steps out of the cars, the CAMERA CRANES inside the house. Inside of it we find….
Ezekiel Reyes, age 25, is sitting beside an old figurine of Santa Claus. Dressed in pure black coat and pants, His eyes are closed thinking deeply.
Ezekiel (V.O.) : Ever since when I was a kid, I like being alone. It is the only way for me to think is to be alone, and now that my father is gone, all I feel is nothing, for it was the same as he was still here.
Zeke opened his eyes, get his cell phone and rise up in his seat.
Ext. Reyes residence- night
A large house filled with Christmas decorations, the surrounding areas is well planted with decorations and ornaments. The gate is open for when you enter you will find a lot of people seating in their chairs with a black coffin in front. Zeke is standing next to the coffin, a woman, dressed in black approaches him.
Ezekiel (Zeke): I can’t believe he is gone forever.
Catherine (Mom): Don’t worry darling, I know that he is on the safe place.
Zeke: I don’t worry if he is safe or not, I didn’t even felt his presence even when he is still here.
Catherine: Don’t say that, he loves you very much! He sacrificed a lot for you; he worked for years just to make sure you will have a great future!
Zeke walks out of the gate and made his way to his car, Catherine followed him. Zeke looks at her with blank eyes.
Zeke: I don’t need money; I just need his presence, his care! There are a lot of times when I am jealous of my classmates when they had their fathers during family days at school, when they are fetch by their fathers not just by their nannies after school. Catherine, let’s face it, he doesn’t love us, he just love his money, and the only thing I treasured from him is the bible he gave me and that is all.
Catherine: Stop it! He is your father! Don’t say words about him that you really don’t know!
Zeke: yeah right, these are words that I really don’t know but you surely understand. We both know that he has mistresses; he flirts with the girls at his office. But you Catherine, you did not even make any action, and our town house in Baguio? It was not really sold; it was given to one of her mistresses.
Catherine: But I love him, he is my life, and I know even though he has mistresses, he loves me more than them. At first, it hurts, but because I love him I did understand him. He doesn’t give me reason apart from his mistresses to hate him, so why will I do so if my love for him is greater than that jealousy?
Zeke: you are blinded by your love which Is not really important to him. He sought money for his vices and power, not for us. I can’t even feel that he is my father and I will no longer get a chance! Do you remember when I graduated Summa Cum Laude at UP, he doesn’t even showed up even at our house party and he reasoned out that he is on a trip to Malaysia but my friend saw him at Quezon City with another woman. He lied to us every moment of our lives, he lied to you.
Catherine touches the shoulder of Zeke; she really wants to make her son understand.
Catherine: You don’t understand.
Zeke: Maybe I’ve got to go.
Catherine insisted, she didn’t let go of Zeke.
Catherine: You won’t go.
Zeke: I’ve got to do something.
Catherine: Stay here when I said so.
Zeke approaches Catherine with a little distance, he is pointing inside the house.
Zeke: Do you want me to mourn for him? I already did even when he is still alive; there is no reason for me to mourn for someone who doesn’t really see my worth.
Catherine: I just want you to be with me, just for me, for I need your support this very agonizing part of my life.
Zeke: Sorry Catherine, I really need to….
Catherine raises her hand in front of Zeke.
Catherine: Stop it, it’s enough! There is something I have to tell you.
Zeke: What?
Catherine: I am not your mother, He is always away from you during your childhood days because he wants us to be together and he wants me to treat you as my own son. I don’t have any ability to bear one. Money is nothing to him, but he really needs to work hard so that he could earn a lot for your future. You accused him of having a mistress? That mistress is right beside you since your childhood and that is me. Your real mother is the one your friend saw with your father during graduation. Your father gave her our own town house in Baguio for her, because she is sick of cancer. After giving birth to you, she became sick and asked me to take good care of you so even though it hurts, I still did. The moment you graduated as Summa Cum Laude is the happiest moment of their lives but unfortunately, your mother is brought to the hospital and died beside your dad. He is very proud of you, he loves you so much. This is the bible he gave you right? Look at Proverbs 23:22-25. There is something in there, read it.
Catherine gave Zeke the bible and wipes away the tears in his eyes.
Zeke:(crying, tears falling on his face)
Catherine: Go on, read it.
Zeke: Proverbs 23:22 Listen to your father who sired you, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice; and he who fathers a wise child shall have joy from him.
23:25 Your father and your mother shall be glad, and she who bore you shall rejoice.
My Dearest Zeke,
Thank you for listening to your Catherine, I know that when the moment you read this, I am already with your real mother. I have leukemia due to my work but I don’t regret it because it is for you. I’m so proud of you for your achievements. I would like to apologize to you that I didn’t give you the love that you needed. I give you all my earthy wealth, for from the start it is really for you. Love Catherine for she loves you, take good care of her. Thank you son for understanding me. I love you. Always take care and continue to be good. We are always by your side.
Love
Dad
Tears roll down on Zeke’s face. His eyes are now wide open for he knows that his father loves him so much as so as his mother and Catherine. Zeke celebrated his Christmas with Catherine together with the memory of his parents. Zeke look at the window and saw the Christmas lights lighting their house, he remembered his dad on how he light his way to the future.
Exit
Camera cranes into the Christmas lights, as one light is suddenly turned on.
