FRIENDS

At The Dinning

David: (To Annabelle) I've been thinking about something lately.

Annabelle: What is it?.

David: (Smirks) I don't know yet what you do for a living.

Annabelle: I work in a pet grooming company. (Smiles) I love pets.

David: (Should I get her a pet as a thank you gift instead?) I see.

Annabelle: What about you?. Where do you work?.

David: I work in a gaming company.

Annabelle: And your position is?.

David: I'm the CEO.

Annabelle: (Suddenly quiet and then decides to break the silence) You must like games then (I had no idea he was this rich. He must be thinking I married him for his money).

David: Where did you go to college? (I hope I'm not intruding too much in her privacy. I just hope I'm using the right words).

Annabelle: (Suddenly doesn't feel like telling the truth) I didn't go to college.

David: (What?. Did she just lie to me just now?) Why?.

Annabelle: We didn't have enough money. Besides, I wasn't that bright in school to begin with.

David: What about now?. Don't you want to finish what you started?.

Annabelle: Aren't I a little too old?. I always dreamed of going to college when I turned 18.

David: You're never too old to learn.

Annabelle: (Smirks) Why're you so curious about me ?. Is that your way of getting to know me?.

David: I was just curious of the person I married (there is awkward silence in the room).

Annabelle: I'm done eating (suddenly grabs her plate of food to go to the kitchen when David continues).

David: I paid for you to graduate.

Annabelle: (Surprised) What?.

David: (Walks to her position) I know I should've asked, and I'm really sorry, (stutters) but... I just wanted to do this as my thank you gift. Whatever you're doing right now, that is not your dream. What I want is for you to finally do that one thing that you've always dreamt of, Just like me. I've always been a gamer, and I ended up just where I wanted to be. You can do same.

Annabelle: You don't even know me.

David: So why don't we get to know each other?. (Extends his hand to shake hers) I'm David.

Annabelle: (Stutters, while feeling grateful, her eyes are full of tears of joy) I...., I don't know what to say.

David: Just shake my hand already.

Annabelle: (Extends her hand to touch his when he suddenly hugs her. Confused) What are you doing?.

David: I just thought you needed a hug (Annabelle suddenly breaks down in tears and David holds her tight). It's okay, cry all you want. It's okay.

A Few Days Later, At Annabelle's Community College.

Annabelle is dressed in her graduation attire while taking pictures with her family.

Margaret: (To David standing by the corner) Join us. You're my son-in-law, don't just stand there.

David: Oh, no I'm...(Annabelle suddenly interrupts him).

Annabelle: What are you doing babe?, come here.

Clarissa/Eline: (Exclaims in excitement while looking at each other, trying to tease Annabelle) Babe!!!!!!!!!...

David: (Did she just call me babe?) Sure, yes.

Eline: I wish I had a husband too.

Annabelle: Then go get married (pulls David closer and they all take a group picture).

At David's House, A Few Hours Later.

Margaret, Susan, David, Clarissa and Eline are holding a feast in celebration of Annabelle's graduation.

Susan: I'm so happy we're all gathered here. (To Margaret) You know Margaret, our daughter (referring to Annabelle) is such a joyful person. She never hesitates to take care of me, that's why I feel most especially grateful to you for raising such a sweet girl.

Margaret: (Smiles proudly) Well, thank you.

Susan: Whatever happened in the past, I want us to put it behind us.

David: (To Margaret and Susan, confused)What happened in the past?.

Annabelle: (To David) Trust me, you don't want to know.

Margaret: You're right, we should put our past behind us. (Mocking Susan) Besides, who would've thought my daughter would be married to your son now?. (Laughs) No one right?.

Annabelle: (To Margaret) Stop it already. (Smiles back at Susan and raises her glass) To new beginnings!.

All: (Raising their glasses) Cheers!.

3 Hours Later, In The Public Restroom(Restroom for Guests Located Downstairs),

Still At David's House.

Annabelle is done using the restroom and she starts washing her hands when she receives a notification on her phone.

Annabelle: (Dries her hand with a tissue and checks her phone when she realizes it's a text message from Diana on Facebook. Reads: Hey Anna, can we meet?. I came back. Annabelle's heart starts beating so fast that she starts to panic) I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay (deeply exhales and fixes her hair while looking at her reflection in the mirror).

30 Minutes Later

The party is over. Annabelle and David go to see off Margaret, Susan, Clarissa and Eline to the car parked outside.

Annabelle: (To Margaret, Clarissa and Eline) Take care on your way home.

Margaret: We will. Take care of yourself too okay.

Annabelle: (Nodes and hugs Margaret. To Clarissa and Eline) I'll miss you two so much.

Clarissa: We'll miss you too, but hey, we already know where you live.

Eline: We'll come visit you whenever you want. All you need to do is call.

Clarissa: And, we'll bring mom along. (To Margaret) Right mom?.

Margaret: Leave your sister alone.

Annabelle: (Hugs Clarissa and Eline) You two take good care of yourself and most especially mom.

Clarissa: We will.

Margaret: We'll be heading home now. Take care of yourself. Eat lots of vegetables.

Annabelle: I will. (Annabelle watches them leave and then goes to Susan who is busy talking to David).

Susan: (Sees Annabelle approaching her) I was just telling your husband here not to stress you out and to take proper care of you.

Annabelle: (Smiles awkwardly) Take care of yourself mother (hugs her).

Susan: You too honey. (Walks to her car while waving back at Annabelle and David) Bye bye (5 minutes later, Susan's car drives away and David and Annabelle return back inside).

At Geoffrey's and Jenifer's New House.

Geoffrey and his family are finally back in America after renting a new home. Jenifer and Diana are unpacking their stuffs. Geoffrey on the other hand is helping Harry change into his pajama in Harry's new bedroom. 10 minutes later, Diana knocks on Harry's door.

Geoffrey: Come in.

Diana: (Walks in) How is he?.

Geoffrey: Still not talking. Hey, have you contacted the girl?.

Diana: You mean Annabelle?. I did text her on Facebook, but she hasn't responded yet.

Geoffrey: I just hope she really is the key to helping your brother improve.

Diana: (Notices Harry can hear their conversation) Dad, he can hear us. (Bends, facing Harry) I texted Anna today. She hasn't responded to my message yet, but I'm sure she will any time soon. So please, don't give up. You have to walk again (turns to Geoffrey and smiles with hope. Jenifer suddenly walks in).

Jenifer: (Goes to Harry and kneels in front of him while fixing his hair) We're sorry for taking you so far away. You showed no signs of waking up. (Breaks down in tears) We didn't know what to do, or what to think. So we took you home to Australia, where your father truly originates from. If anything were to happen, we wanted you to rest there, but God brought you back to us and now, we will do everything in our power to see you healthy again (hugs him tight while patting his head slowly).

BACK AT DAVID'S HOUSE

David comes downstairs to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee when he sees Annabelle washing the dishes with her bare hands instead of using the dish washer.

David: What are you doing?.

Annabelle: (Realizes David's presence) Huh?. I just decided to do the dishes.

David: I know that, but why use your hands when you can just use the dishwasher?.

Annabelle: (Because I'm trying to think. Did Diana really come back?. If she is, did she bring Harry as well?. Are they finally back for good?, is Harry finally conscious?, is he out of comma?)

David: (Grabs her hand after noticing her facial expression changes) Anna?.

Annabelle: (Suddenly comes back to reality) Oh, did you say something?.

David: Are you alright?. You don't look happy.

Annabelle: No, no, I'm really fine. I'm just... a little bit tired.

David: I noticed. You've had a long day, you should go rest now. I'll take care of the dishes.

Annabelle: No, no, let me do it. I'll do it.

David: (Grabs the sponge from her) No, I'll do it.

Annabelle: But i really want to do it (watches David put all the dirty dishes in the washer. He adds a little bit of soap and then starts the dish washer).

David: (Showing off) See!. They'll be clean before you know it.

Annabelle: You really didn't have to do that.

David: (Moves closer to her after noticing Annabelle's long hair blocking her left eye. He slowly pushes her hair further away from her face) You're tired, you should go to bed. Good night (turns to leave when Annabelle suddenly speaks).

Annabelle: Thank you (David stops and then turns), for everything.

David: (Smiles) Someone once said, when you say thank you or sorry to anyone, it is polite to also mention what you're thankful for or sorry about.

Annabelle: (Because of you, I can finally realize my dream of becoming a writer, because of you our families came together. Just when I thought I could finally breath, I saw Diana's text message and all of a sudden I couldn't breath again. As much as I want to build a new future, a part of me still wants to see Harry again. I want to know if he's doing okay, but why do I feel like it's wrong to think about him?. I'm a married woman now. I can't be thinking about Harry while standing in front of the man the whole world recognizes as my husband) Because of you I can breath again. Thank you for making my dreams come through. I'll be sure to repay you in the future.

David: No need. You can start by cooking dinner for me every day. (Laughs) Remember the day you cooked dinner?, that was the best dinner I had ever had in ages.

Annabelle: (Laughs) I know you're just teasing me right now. Even my mom tells me my cooking is not that great.

David: I'm serious. I thought it was enough to open a restaurant. (Watches Annabelle laugh and he starts to fall for her. He shakes off the crazy feeling and comes back to reality) You should go to bed now.

Annabelle: (Nodes) Good night.

David: Good night (Annabelle leaves first and then he follows later).