Setting:
Trinoma Rooftop, near the Zen Bridge and the Smoky Pond. Friday, 10PM.
Characters:
Mahal
Sinta
Narrator:
In a world where nothing is constant, where the only eternal is transience, and where the only truth is the subtle and silent fleeting of time, our hearts seek for something, some solid ground where we can hold on to. We hope that some entity, some idea, anything, no matter how abstract nor how unimaginable, would never change, never expire, and never be uprooted. Despite the gnashing fears in ourselves, we give that concrete something for our loved one to hold on to: a promise. It is nothing; a series of words, a collection of human breath, yet an anchor to the paths of our life.
Curiously, the question is not whether it would be kept. The real, deeper question is this: which of the promises would be kept?
<lights on. Mahal and Sinta have Starbucks Venti Frap on their hands.>
Mahal: How many times have I told you you’re the prettiest girl I have ever seen?
Sinta: A looot of times.
Mahal: And you believe them?
Sinta: No, not once. Hahahha!
<Mahal tickles Sinta’s side. Sinta involuntarily jerks her waist. Oh how Mahal enjoys Sinta’s reaction. Every goddamn time.>
Mahal: Do you think we would still be this sweet five years down the road?
Sinta: I hope so. Why did you ask?
Mahal: You know. I’ve been around. Three years ahead of you, if that’s substantial. I’ve already told you — or rather you forced me in telling you due to your insistence and your irresistible way of saying ‘Please’ —
<Sinta tilts her neck, drops her hair down, looks at Mahal in the eyes, and says, Please?>
Mahal: Stop that, you’re mesmerizing me.
Sinta: Hahhaa. Continue. You were talking about…
Mahal: I had an 8-year relationship before. You knew that. We were also sweet at the start, but well… I don’t really want to bring up my past with you. But I’m just afraid.
Sinta: Of what?
Mahal: Of losing this. Of losing you.
<Sinta leans at Mahal’s shoulder. Mahal just have to sigh>
Mahal: Promise me, that five years from now, we would still be this sweet.
<Sinta smiled sweetly>
Mahal: And promise me, that if it did not come to pass, we would go back at this place, at this spot. And talk. And hug each other. And reminisce. And shake hands. And laugh at our follies. And be friends.
Sinta: Hmmm.. that’s not nice. It’s like betting against us.
Mahal: I’m sorry… please? I would want to keep in touch with you. Forever. Be it as my wife, or as my best friend.
Sinta: Ok, but what if we made it through five years?
Mahal: Your pick. <Mahal smiled sweetly as well>
Sinta: Ok, my turn. If we made it through five years, we will give each other one wish. Any wish. One wish from you to me, and one wish from me to you. We would act as if we were each other’s genie. Deal?
Mahal: Like a request for a Mediterranean cruise with you?
Sinta: Uh-huh. Request will be granted if expense is on you… <Sinta winks>
Mahal: Or an Asian trip perhaps?
Sinta: Go on…
Mahal: This seems sooooo easy. I’m on it. Do you promise me as well?
<Mahal looks at Sinta’s eyes lovingly, passionately. He holds her hands, never willing to let go>
Sinta: Promise.
Mahal: I love you.
Sinta: I love you.
<lights off>
Narrator:
Left or right, one or two. Which of the two promises would come to pass? Does it rely on Destiny, Fate, or on both of hands of our lovers? Possibly, if they hold each other’s hand, they’ll conquer any storms. If they do not forget how special each one is, they can make it through. And if no one lets go of the other, they would have the happy ending each one is looking for…
(to be continued…)
