SCENE 1 (Fisheries)

Narrator: Turong brought him from Pauambang in his small sailboat, for the coastwise steamer did not stop at any little
island. It was almost midday; they had been standing near the dock in a broad day light---the municipal president, the
parish priest, Don Eliodoro who owned almost all the coconuts, the herb doctor, the village character.

Don Eliodoro: Welcome to the Province of Anayat, Mr. Reteche. How was your trip?

Mr. Reteche: It was fine. (smile)

Their mild surprise over when he spoke in their native dialect, they looked at him more closely and his easy manner did
not deceive them. (Moment si Karl sa shore)

Don Eliodoro: "An exile has come to Anayat and he is so young, so young."

***Narrator: They had prepared a room for him in Don Eliodoro's house so that he would not have to walk far to school
every morning, but he gave nothing more than a glance at the big stone building with its Spanish azotea, its arched
doorways, and its flagged courtyard. He chose instead Turong's home, a shaky hut near the sea.

Don Eliodoro: I had prepared a room for you in my house. (Excited kunwari)
Mr. Reteche: Thank you but if Turong wouldnt mind I would prefer to stay in his house near the sea. (Medyo madrama,
titingin kay Turong, masarap to may langka pa.)
Turong: Are you sure Mr. Reteche? My house will not be as comfortable as Don Eliodoros.
Mr. reteche: Yes, Ofcourse. That would not be a problem.

Narrator: They thought of nobody but him; they talked about him in the barber shop, and the sari-sari store, the way he
walked, the way he looked at you, his unruly hair. Mr. Reteche? Mr. Reteche! The name suggested the fantasy and the
glitter of a place and people they never would see; he was the scion of a powerful family, a poet and artist, a prince.

People: Chikabels

SCENE 2 (Classroom and DE House)

Don Eliodoro: So how was your new teacher?
Zita: As he strode into the room, very tall and serious and polite, stood in front of us and looked at us all over and yet he
did not seem to see us.

(FLASHBACK)

Students: Good morning, teacher. (Nagbow lahat, pati si Mr. Reteche)

Mr. Reteche: Please write your names on a piece of paper and pass it forward.
(Nagbabanggit ng pangalan, tapos boom panis pagdating kay Zita, huminto, nanlaki yung mata, medyo masakit sa
pusong itsura)

Mr. Reteche: (Half-closed lips) Zita. Zita. Zita
Zita: Yes sir, I am Zita
Mr. Reteche: (Act mo na parang nabwisit ka na Zita pangalan niy, nagulat.) Zita is not your name; it is just a pet name,
no?
Zita: My father has always called me that, sir
Mr. Reteche: It can't be; maybe it is Pacita or Luisa or(Tapos parang di makapaniwala)
Zita: Only Zita Sir. (Confused, interrupt)
Mr. reteche: A thousand miles, Mother of Mercy it is not possible.

(RETURN TO REALITY)

Zita: He kept on looking at me; he was hurt perhaps that he should have such a stubborn student. But I am not really so,
Father?
Don Eliodoro: "Yes, you are, my dear. But you must try to please him, he is a gentleman; he comes from the city. I was
thinking Private lessons for you, if he won't ask too much in return.

SCENE 3 (Bayan)

Narrator: Turong had his own story to tell in the barber shop that night, about his comments on Mr. Reteches stay in his
house.

Turong: He did not sleep a wink, I am sure of it. When I came from the market the stars were already out and I saw that
he had not touched the food I had prepared. I asked him to eat and he said he was not hungry. He sat by the window
that faces the sea and just looked out hour after hour. I woke up three times during the night and saw that he had not so
much as changed his position. I thought once that he was asleep and came near, but he motioned me away. When I
awoke at dawn to prepare the nets, he was still there.

People: Maybe he wants to go home already.

Turong: He is sick. You remember Father Fernando? He had a way of looking like that, into space, seeing nobody, just
before he died.


SCENE 4 (Classroom)

Narrator: Every month there was a letter that came for him, sometimes two or three; large, blue envelopes with gold
design in the upper left hand comer, and addressed in broad, angular, sweeping handwriting. One time Turong brought
one of them to him in the classroom. The students were busy writing a composition on a subject that he had given them,
"The Things That I Love Most."

Turong: (katok sa pinto ng classroom, bubuksan ni Karl) You have another letter Sir.
Mr. Reteche: Thank you. (Carelessly he had opened the letter, carelessly read it, and carelessly tossed it aside)

Narrator: Zita was all excited when the students handed in their work for he had promised that he would read aloud the
best. He went over the pile two times, and once again, absently, a deep frown on his brow, as if he were displeased with
their work. Then he stopped and picked up one. Her heart sank when she saw that it was not hers, she hardly heard him
reading.

Mr. Reteche: I did not know any better. Moths are not supposed to know; they only come to the light. And the light looked
so inviting, there was no resisting it. Moths are not supposed to know, one does not even know one is a moth until one's
wings are burned.

Zita: (Dubbed) Nagmomoment walang sasabihin, dubbed nga eh. It was unbelievable, no beginning, no end. It did not
have unity, coherence, emphasis. Why did he choose that one? What did he see in it? And she had worked so hard, she
had wanted to please, she had written about the flowers that she loved most. Who could have written what he had read
aloud? I did not know that any of my classmates could write so, use such words, sentences, use a blue paper to write her
lessons on.

(habang nagmomonent si Zita, nagsusulat si Karl, sulat lang din sa notebook si Quek.)

Esurient- greedy.
Amaranth-a flower that never fades.
Peacock-a large bird with lovely gold and
green feathers.
Mirash

SCENE 5 (Church)

Narrator: He never went to church, but then, that always went with learning and education, did it not? One night Bue saw
him coming out of the dim doorway. He watched again and the following night he saw him again.

Bue: I told you, he was at the church! Not only last night but also the days before that at the most unusual hours.

People: We do not believe it, unless we can see it with our own eyes.

Narrator: The people waited of Mr Reteche at the church. Sometimes he stayed for a few minutes, sometimes he came
twice or thrice in one evening. They reported it to Father Cesareo but it seemed that he already knew.

Father Cesareo: "Let a peaceful man alone in his prayers." The answer had surprised them.

SCENE 6 (Fisheries)

Narrator: The sky hangs over Anayat, in the middle of the Anayat Sea, like an inverted wineglass, a glass whose wine
had been spilled, a purple wine of which Anayat was the last precious drop. One may drink of it and forget what lies
beyond a thousand miles, beyond a thousand years; one may sip it at the top of a jagged cliff, nearer peace, nearer God,
where one can see the ocean dashing against the rocks in eternal frustration, more moving, more terrible than man's; or
touch it to his lips in the lush shadows of the dama de noche, its blossoms shining like a thousand fireflies, its bouquet
the fragrance of flowers that know no fading.

Zita: Moment sa bintana, dubbed. Francisco B. Reteche; what a name! What could his nickname be. Paking, Frank,
Pa

Narrator: She loved to remember those moments she had caught him looking when he thought she did not know. The
knowledge came keenly, bitingly, like the sea breeze at dawn, like the prick of the rose's thorn, or--yes, like the purple
liquid that her father gave the visitors during pintakasi which made them red and noisy. She had stolen a few drops one
day, because she wanted to know, to taste, and that little sip had made her head whirl.

(Moment sa classroom, quiz tapos nakaw tingin sa isat isa)

SCENE 7 (DE House)

Narrator: The people remembered the day when Mr. Reteche went up Don Eliodoro's house, the light of a great decision
in his eyes, and finally accepted the father's request that he teach his daughter "to be a lady."

Mr. Reteche: (Knocking at the door)
Don Eliodoro: What brings you here Mr. Reteche?
Mr. Reteche: I am accepting your offer about teaching your daughter to be a lady.
Don Eliodoro: Well thank you. We are going to the city soon, after the next harvest perhaps; I want her not to feel like a
'provinciana' when we get there.

SCENE 8 (Fisheries)

(Umaarte to habang nag nanarrate!)

Narrator: They remembered the time when his walks by the seashore became less lonely, for now of afternoons, he
would draw the whole crowd of village boys from their game of leapfrog or patintero and bring them with him. And they
would go home hours after sunset with the wonderful things that Mr. Reteche had told them, why the sea is green, the
sky blue, what one who is strong and fearless might find at that exact place where the sky meets the sea.

Turong still remembered those ominous, terrifying nights when he had got up cold and trembling to listen to the aching
groan of the bamboo floor, as somebody in the other room restlessly paced to and fro. And his pupils still remember
those mornings he received their flowers, the camia which had fainted away at her own fragrance, the kampupot, with
the night dew still trembling in its heart; receive them with a smile and forget the lessons of the day and tell them all
about those princesses and fairies who dwelt in flowers; why the dama de noche must have the darkness of the night to
bring out its fragrance; how the petals of the ylang-ylang, crushed and soaked in some liquid, would one day touch the
lips of some wondrous creature in some faraway land whose eyes were blue and hair golden.

SCENE 9 (Fisheries)

Narrator: Those were days of surprises for Zita. Box after box came in Turong's sailboat and each time they contained
things that took the words from her lips. Silk as sheer and perishable as gossamer, or heavy and shiny and tinted like the
sunset sky; slippers with bright stones which twinkled with the least movement of her feet; a necklace of green, flat,
polished stone, whose feel against her throat sent a curious choking sensation there; perfume that she must touch her
lips with. If only there would always be such things aside from that those horrid blue envelopes that Turong always
brought. But if one day Turong brought not only those letters but the writer as well? She trembled, not because she
feared it but because she knew it would be.

SCENE 10 (DE House)

Don Eliodoro: Why are these dresses so tight fitting?
Zita: "In society, women use clothes to reveal, not to hide."
Don Eliodoro: Why do these dresses have such bright colors?"
Zita: "Because the peacock has bright feathers."
Don Eliodoro: "They paint their lips"
Zita: "So that they can smile when they do not want to."
Don Eliodoro:"And their eyelashes are long."
Zita: "To hide deception."
Mr. Reteche: (He was not pleased like her father; she saw it, he had turned his face toward the window.)"One would
think she'd feel shy or uncomfortable, but no oh no not a bit all alike comes naturally."
Narrator: There were books to read; pictures, names to learn; lessons in everything; how to polish the nails, how to use a
fan, even how to walk. How did these days come, how did they go? What does one do when one is so happy, so
breathless? Sometimes they were a memory, sometimes a dream.
Mr. Reteche: "Look, Zita, a society girl does not smile so openly; her eyes don't seek one's so--that reveals your true
feelings."
Zita: "But if I am glad and happy and I want to show it?"
Mr. Reteche: "Don't. If you must show it by smiling, let your eyes be mocking; if you would invite with your eyes, repulse
with your lips."

SCENE 10 (Party)

Narrator: One night, a party was held at Anayat and all the great names of the capital were there, stately ladies in
wonderful gowns who walked so, waved their fans so, who said one thing with their eyes and another with their lips. And
she was among them and every young and good-looking man wanted to dance with her.

Man: Can I dance with you?
Zita: "Please, I am tired."

Narrator: But she isnt. Beyond them she had seen Mr.Reteche alone, he whose eyes were dark and gloomy and
disapproving and she was waiting for him to take her.

SCENE 11 (DE House)

Narrator: If only those letters would not bother him now, he might be happy and at peace. True he never answered them,
but every time Turong brought him one, he would still become thoughtful and distracted.
(While dancing)

Mr. Reteche: As your mentor, I advise you to dress accordingly.(Head to toe kay Zita)
Zita: Oh, Im sorry, Ill change my clothes then.

Narrator: She'd never forget that look on his face when she came out. It was not surprise, joy, admiration. It was as if he
saw somebody there whom he was expecting, for whom he had waited, prayed.

Mr. Reteche: "Zita!" It was a cry of recognition.

Narrator: Mr. Reteche seemed so serious and so intent that she should learn quickly, once she happened to lean close
and she felt how wildly his heart was beating. It frightened her and she drew away, but when she saw how unconcerned
he seemed, as if he did not even know that she was in his arms, she smiled knowingly and drew close again. Dreamily
she closed her eyes and dimly wondered if his were shut too, whether he was thinking the same thoughts, breathing the
same prayer.

Turong: Knock knock. (bumangon bahala na kung pano.) Good evening, Sir.
Mr. Reteche: Thank You, Turong (emote pinunit yung unopened envelop.) I thought I had forgotten. (murmur)

Narrator: That changed the whole evening. His eyes lost their sparkle, his gaze wandered from time to time. Something
powerful and dark had come between them, something which shut out the light, brought in a chill. The tears came to her
eyes for she felt utterly powerless. When her sight cleared she saw that he was sitting down and trying to piece the letter
together.

Zita: Why do you tear up a letter if you must put it together again?
Mr Reteche: Someday, Zita, you will do it too, and then you will understand.

I dont want us to end up like this. Id never anticipated that well be in this kind of set-up. The dagger of
love took its toll on both of us in the cruellest way. The day you left; the day you told me how hurt you are for
Ive chosen him instead of you, comes the realization that I made a bad decision. And indeed, it was. Its as if
wed never been friends when we were but rather loversthe magnitude of pain I felt when you left is
immeasurable. I deeply regret that the idea of loving you didnt dawn on me at the time I have you and now I
long for your existence. Please come back to me. Please lets halt this miserable existence of ours.
Txtback HAHAH
-ZITA #2

SCENE 12 (Classroom)

Narrator: One day Turong came from Pauambang and this time he brought a stranger. They knew at once that he came
from where the teacher came--his clothes, his features, his politeness--and that he had come for the teacher. Zita heard
his knock before Mr. Reteche did and she knew what he had come for. the stranger was so pleasant; there was nothing
but gladness in his greeting, gladness at meeting an old friend.
Mr. Reteche: I have an abrupt visitor, I am sorry class but I have to dismiss you earlier.
Narrator: The door was thick and she did not dare lean against the upright too much, so sometimes their voices floated
away before they reached her.

Stranger: "Both of you are like children. Dont be such a masochist and stop hurting yourselves. When you left she
always seemed so unhappy."

Mr. Reteche: "Why should I care about her being so unhappy? Did she even care for once about my happiness back
then? Her idea of happiness is choosing the guy of her dreams, who must have been too perfect, that she is too willing to
forsake our friendship because of him. Know what? I confessed my admiration to her and so as my intention of courting
her but all she did is to laugh at my face and make me look like a sheer fool. Shed break my heart into pieces; you know
that. Until now, those pieces still stings me emotionally and buries me deep into the yawning abyss of loneliness and
pain. The memories still haunt me.

Stranger: "She's been crying a lot since the day youd left her. She did not mean to hurt you so bad and she wants you to
go back not as a friend but now as a lover. Its not a command Reteche, it is a plea and I know how it sounds too weird
and insensitive in regards with your feelings. She wants you to go back. She wants you to understand.


Mr. Reteche: To be back for what? For a more serious heart-breaking episode? Love never works that way, you know?
I cant bear the idea of sharing the girl I love with another guy. Thats insane.
Stranger: Shed broken-up with him. Their relationship didnt go for so long. It didnt work-out. Consider that. Shes now
living a despondent life. Only you can return the beauty and colours that was once in her.

Mr. Reteche:"Its hardlearning to forge but diverting all my energy onto that makes me remember her even more. "
"I never realized what she meant to me until I began trying to seek from others what she would not give
me."
Stranger: And what is her meaning to you?
Mr. Reteche: Shes. Shes my life. My Love.

Narrator: She knew what was coming now, knew it before the stranger asked the question:

Stranger: "Tomorrow?"

SCENE 13 (SA BAHAY)

NARRATOR: She knew it all along that Mr Reteche will soon leave Anayat. It made her want to say goodbye. The
minutes flew, she was almost done now; her lips were red and her eyebrows penciled; the crimson shawl thrown over
her shoulders just right. Everything must be like that day he had first seen her in a Spanish dress. Still he did not come.
She glanced at the mirror and decided that her lips were not red enough; she put on more color. But then, who knows?
Perhaps they would soon meet again in the city. The house was silent as death; the little village seemed deserted,
everybody had gone to the seashore. She tried to keep from counting the minutes, the seconds, from getting up and
pacing. But she was getting chilly and she must do it to keep warm. The steps creaked. She bit her lips to stifle a wild cry
there .The door opened.

Zita: Turong!
Turong: "Mr. Reteche bade me give you this. He said you would understand. (NAG-ABOT NG LETTER COLOR RED)

Narrator: "Mr. Reteche," tall, lean, brooding, looking at her with eyes that told her somebody had hurt him. It was like that
when he first came, and now he was gone. Her hands worked convulsively; there was a sound of tearing paper, once,
twice. She became suddenly aware of what she had done when she looked at the pieces, wet and brightly stained with
uneven streaks of red. Slowly, painfully, she tried to put the pieces together and as she did so a sob escaped deep from
her breast--a great understanding had come to her.


Dear Zita,
For so long Ive been trying to decipher the feelings I still have with someone who breaks my heart. The
day that shed chosen someone over me is something that I considered as my greatest downfall. I only come to
this island hoping to forget, to escape, to move forward, and to be renewedonly to find an answer: I will never
be capable of stopping the feelings and the love that I have with her.
Not knowing what lies beyond, I decided to breathe in the distractions that this island would offer so as
to numb the pain in my inner part and to forget my dark past, then at the classroom your name caught me off
guard, it was as if fate has its agenda of ruining my life and making fun of me, but it happens right? I just wish it
didnt.

I learned and managed to distract myself a little bit more than I should, you are included in the
distraction that I consider, and ironically, you also are the reason why I remember her. You are a living example
of lifes paradox. You did start the healing process, but to be honest, I never been too drawn up to you as I am to
her for some unknown reason and I really am sorry for that.
Sometimes, you can never change what is permanent Zita. She left an indelible mark in my system that
reverberates in the entirety of my humanity. The love that I once thought as something that you can deceive and
obliterate through distraction seems to intensify as times go by. Love is something that is beyond of our
control.

Now, I have this chance to rebuild myself, nows the time to mend the hearts that was once broken. And I
cant lose this chance anymore for it might be the last shot I may have. I hope you understand.

Goodbye, Zita, my student,my almost lover.



ENDING NA TRIP NI TIN at ELAI

NARRATOR: After 5 years, Zita has finally settled down in the CITY with her husband, Choochoo. Until one day, Zita
went the Mackys Caf and jive to have lunch with her husband. But there she met the man she had dreamed about 5
years ago

Zita:Oh! Mr Reteche!
Mr Reteche: Hello there Zita.
Zita: Its been a long time since we last saw each other. How are you?
Mr. Reteche: Yes it is. I am well, thank you.
Zita: Oh, Id like you to meet my husband, Choochoo.
Mr. Reteche: (KAMAYAN)
Zita: By the way, how are you and your wife?
Mr. Reteche: About that, I never really had a wife. It is upsetting but she passed away few weeks before our wedding.

---end----

******* NAISIP NI KARL NA ENDING: MAMATAY SI RETECHE SA SAKSAK NI ZITA BAGO UMALIS HEHEHHE
INIISIP KO PA YUNG NASA BABA :))

LAST NA KARL. PLEASE DECIDE KUNG SAAN PWEDENG I-EXTRA NA SI MR RETECHE AT YUNG
SYOTA NIYA SA CITY EH SWEET TOGETHER. THEN ONE DAY NAHULI NIYA YUNG GIRL NA MAY
KASAMANG IBA. THANKS! BALE 5 YUNG MAGIGING PARTS NA DINAGDAG/INEDIT.