~
"Before we start, I’d like to share a few lines that resonate with me. I hope you find them relatable too—or maybe not!"
Happiness comes in waves, small and sweet,
Like catching sunlight on tired feet.
It doesn’t stay, it never does,
But in those moments, it’s enough.
It’s in the laughter that fades too soon,
In late-night talks under a quiet moon.
Happiness isn’t forever, we know,
But while it’s here, we let it show.
[Several months after Jude and Rento’s bond started to get stronger. Jude started feeling increasingly tired, more than usual. He brushes it off at first, thinking it's just stress or the exhaustion of being a single father. But then, the symptoms become impossible to ignore—fatigue, frequent fevers, and strange bruises appear without explanation.]
[Jude finally goes to the doctor, and after several tests, he sits in the sterile, cold examination room, nervously waiting for the results.]
Dimly lit doctor’s office. The clock on the wall ticks loudly, echoing in the silence. Jude sits alone in the chair, staring blankly at the floor. His mind races as the sound of his heartbeat drowns out everything else. The door opens, and the doctor enters, his face solemn, carrying a weight he’s about to place on Jude’s shoulders.]
The Doctor
(gently) "Jude, I’m afraid we’ve found something serious."
(Jude’s eyes widen slightly. The world seems to slow down, each word from the doctor’s mouth landing like a heavy blow.)
The Doctor
"It’s advanced pancreatic cancer… The prognosis isn’t good. Without treatment, you may have six months. With it… maybe a year."
[Jude’s world collapses, his hands gripping the arms of the chair as if he’s trying to hold on to some sense of reality. The ticking clock becomes louder, every second a reminder of time slipping away.]
[Jude stares ahead, eyes unfocused, the doctor’s voice fading into the background. Jude’s thoughts drift to Cecilia.]
[The doctor is still speaking, but Jude is barely hearing him. His thoughts are consumed by the memory of Rento and the promise he made to him—one he’s now terrified he won’t be able to keep.]
[Jude slowly stands, his legs weak, the weight of the news suffocating. The doctor’s voice fades into a dull hum as Jude stumbles out of the office.]
[Jude walking down the hospital hallway. His figure is small and fragile, the fluorescent lights flickering above him as he walks in a daze. The sound of hospital machinery beeps in the distance, reminding him of the night Cecilia died.]
[Jude’s home. He reaches the living room where Rento, now three, is playing with toy cars, his baby voice full of joy and innocence.]
Rento
(giggling) "Daddy! Look! Zoom, zoom!"
[Jude stops in the doorway, staring at his son, the weight of the diagnosis crashing down on him. His chest tightens. The camera lingers on his face, a mix of love and deep sorrow.]
[Suddenly, flashes of memories flood Jude’s mind. Cecilia’s voice echoes: "We are going to be the best parents…"]
[Jude stumbles to the couch, sitting heavily. He watches Rento, tears welling in his eyes, but he forces a smile.]
A close-up of Rento, laughing and playing, oblivious to the storm brewing in his father’s heart. His small hands push the toy car across the floor, making clumsy "vroom" sounds.]
Jude Alfonso
(voice breaking) "That’s a fast car, buddy… real fast."
[Rento crawls over to Jude, climbing into his lap with the car, oblivious to his father’s pain. Jude wraps his arms around Rento, holding him close, his tears falling silently.]
[Flashback to Cecilia's grave: Jude standing by, the wind blows softly through the trees as Jude kneels, placing flowers by her headstone. His hand brushes the engraving: *Cecilia – Loving Wife and Mother.*]
Jude Alfonso
Cecilia, have you seen our son from up there? * his voice chocking* he looks just like you.... beautiful.
[The memory fades, and Jude is back in the living room, holding Rento close. His tears drip into Rento’s soft hair. Rento looks up, confused but still smiling.]
Jude Alfonso
(choking back tears) "No, buddy. Daddy’s okay. Just thinking about Mommy."
[Rento, in his innocent way, tries to comfort him, patting Jude’s cheek with his small hand.]
Rento
"Mommy’s in sky. She watch us."
[Jude lets out a soft, broken laugh through his tears. The sheer purity of Rento’s belief stabs at his heart. He holds Rento tighter, knowing that he doesn’t have long to make the most of the moments like this.]
Later that night. Jude sits by Rento’s bedside as he sleeps, his small chest rising and falling peacefully.
Jude Alfonso
[Jude’s hand, gently brushing Rento’s hair away from his face. Jude looks down at him, his face etched with sorrow, and whispers.]
Jude Alfonso
"I promised her I’d take care of you. I’m so sorry, buddy… I’m so sorry I won’t be there to watch you grow up."
Jude Alfonso
[Tears spill down Jude’s face as he fights the urge to break down completely.]
Jude Alfonso
"I love you so much. Don’t ever forget that."
Jude Alfonso
[Jude sitting alone in the dimly lit room, Rento asleep in his bed, unaware of the impending loss. Jude's silhouette is cast against the wall, fragile and broken, a man trying to hold on to what little time he has left.]
Jude at Cecilia’s grave again. This time, his face is pale, his body weaker from the illness. He kneels by her headstone, placing a single white flower there. The camera pans out as Jude sits in silence, the wind softly blowing through the trees. In the distance, we hear the faint sound of Rento’s giggles, as if echoing from a memory.]
Jude Alfonso
"I’m sorry, Cecilia… I don’t have much time left. But I’ll love him, and I’ll love you… until the end."
Jude Alfonso
[Jude alone by the grave, the sky above turning from twilight to deep night. The scene fades to black.]
[Jude’s bedroom, weeks have passed. The room is quiet, the curtains drawn tight against the daylight. Jude lies in bed, visibly frail, his body weakened by illness. Ainsley sits beside him, holding his hand, while Miles stands at the door, watching, his heart heavy.]
[Jude’s condition worsening, moments of laughter with Rento fading into silence, Ainsley reading to Jude, tears spilling as he struggles to respond.]
[Ainsley is at Jude’s bedside, holding his hand tightly. Rento is playing quietly in the corner, occasionally looking up, sensing the change in the atmosphere.]
Ainsley Alfonso
(voice shaking) "Brother, I wish you could hear how much Rento talks about you. He misses you."
[Jude's eyes flutter open briefly, a weak smile crossing his lips.]
Jude Alfonso
(barely above a whisper) "Love him… always."
Miles Alfonso
[Miles enters the room, his expression a mix of worry and love. He leans over to Jude, trying to muster strength for both of them.]
Miles Alfonso
"You’ve fought so hard, brother. We’re all here for you."
[Time has passed; the sun sets outside. Jude's breaths become shallow, and Ainsley wipes tears from her face, trying to be strong for Rento.]
[Rento approaches the bed, clutching his drawing of a superhero.]
Rento
"Daddy, look! You’re my superhero! We’re going to play tomorrow, right?"
[Jude’s heart aches at his son’s innocence. He reaches out, barely able to lift his hand.]
Jude Alfonso
(softly) "Always, buddy…"
[The next day, Ainsley and Miles are still by Jude’s side, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken words. Jude struggles to keep his eyes open, a faint light lingering in his gaze.]
Jude Alfonso
"Promise… take care of him."
[Miles nods, tears in her eyes.]
Miles Alfonso
"We will, Jude. We promise."
[Jude’s breathing slows further; he struggles for breath. The room is filled with an overwhelming silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone.]
Miles Alfonso
[Miles leans closer, her voice barely a whisper.]
Miles Alfonso
You’ve given us so much."
Jude Alfonso
But- But pro- promise me, you will tell him abo-about me and Ce- Cecilia. [His voice in eminence pain]
Jude Alfonso
"I love… you… all."
[He closes his eyes, the faintest smile on his lips as he slips into unconsciousness, the beeping of the heart monitor becoming erratic.]
Jude takes his last breath. Ainsley clutches his hand tighter, her heartbreaking as she feels the life leave his body. Rento looks on, confused and scared.]
Ainsley Alfonso
[Ainsley holds Rento close, tears streaming down her face as Miles steps forward, devastated.]
Miles Alfonso
(choked voice) "He’s with Cecilia now."
Ainsley took Rento out of the room saying his daddy needs rest.
...................................
[Fade to black, leaving behind echoes of love, loss, and cherished memories.]
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In a world of toys, laughter fades,
A tiny heart where sunlight wades.
Two shadows gone, whispers remain,
In every corner, a tender pain.
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And once again, English is not my first language if there is any corrections please let me know...
Comments
Olivier Mira Armstrong
It blew my mind!
2024-09-20
1