-Curtain Opens-

(Ava Celestine Gonzales will enter her workplace. There her co-workers were doing their jobs.)

Marinella: Did you know that Marco Magallanes got promoted?

Ava: Really? Why do men always get the promotion?

Cyrenz: Mrs. Montes supported him for the position and it made an impact to CEO Jack
Silvestre’s decision. She only trusts men for the higher position, although she is a female herself.

Marinella: Speaking of Mrs. Montes, have you heard the news about her?

Ava: I heard that she was on maternity leave and she’s now a mother.

Marinella: Don’t you know that she is now back? A week after giving birth, she quickly returned
to her office.

Ava: But, how about her child?

Cyrenz: Her husband who is an engineer can’t take care of their child so Mrs. Montes’ mother
will take care of her child.

Marinella: Will that be okay? I think the child will suffer a lot.

-Curtain Closes and Opens in the Meeting Room-

Jack: Good morning, everyone! Mrs. Montes, you’re now back.

Mrs. Montes: Yes, sir!

Jack: Your maternity leave was too quick. Your son must have missed you.

Mrs. Montes: No, sir! My mother takes care of my child.

Jack: He doesn’t have a father or a mother to take care of him. Isn’t that bad for your son? Your
child will be thirsty for love. But anyway, you’re the ace of your department. You might not be a
responsible mother but you’re doing the best.

(Mrs. Montes will stand up in a serious yet pissed off face. But will smile when she says her line,)

Mrs. Montes: Should we proceed to the meeting, CEO Jack Silvestre?

Jack: I was just kidding a while ago! I don’t want you to be offended.

Mrs. Montes: I didn’t take it seriously, sir! If you won’t mind, I’ll start my presentation. The
company’s profit has almost been stuck on its current level. There was neither significant
increase nor decline in the profits. This might not sound a problem but in fact, looking at the
behavior of the lines. We can see a significant decline in profits ahead the future of the company.
What is our solution to this future problem? We must find the solution as of now and that is social
media. We need to reinforce our advertisements in social media. We should make our company’s
service a new trend. In addition to that,

-Curtain Closes and Opens in the Meeting Room-

Jack: Okay, meeting adjourned. I really admire your passion as a manager, Mrs. Montes!
(Mrs. Montes and CEO Jack will leave the scene.)

Cyrenz: Did you see Mrs. Montes?

Marinella: I thought that she was going to be angry and cause trouble.

Ava: I admire her. She’s a great asset of the company.

Cyrenz: But how about a mother?

Marinella: Maybe not.

(Mrs. Montes will knock on the conference room.)

Mrs. Montes: Ms. Ava Gonzales, proceed to my office.

-Curtain Closes and Opens-

Mrs. Montes: Your advertisement photos are good. I like them. These will be great and effective
for the social media advertisement.

Ava: Thank you, ma’am!

Mrs. Montes: That’s all I would say. You may now go back to work!

Ava: Is that all, ma’am?

Mrs. Montes: Yes, I tell you to come to my office, just to praise your work.

Ava: Okay, ma’am! I’ll see you!

(Ava will walk outside her office but stop on her way. She will approach Mrs. Montes who is not
sitting on her seat.)

Mrs. Montes: Why? Is it about the promotion?

Ava: Yes, ma’am.

Mrs. Montes: It’s not that I see you incompetent. I see you the other way around. You are full of
talents and skills. You’re a great part of the company. However, the company worries about
maternity leave. We want to save money for the better.

Ava: I really admire you, Mrs. Montes.

Mrs. Montes: Even if I am not a good mother and a good wife?

Ava: You were doing great for the company. I can also do the same.

Mrs. Montes: Are you willing to put your family at stake for the sake of the company?

Ava: Yes, ma’am! I want to be like you, a woman in business that the company boasts.

-Curtain Closes-

Narrator: While at work, Ava received a text from her boyfriend. Her boyfriend told her that he
will pick her up after work. He also informed her of a date.
-Curtains Opens in Ava’s Date-

Ava: Terrence, why are we eating in a fancy restaurant tonight?

Terrence: Babe, I want to spend this special night with you. Let’s partake in this delightful meal.

Ava: You’re so sweet. Thanks for your efforts, babe! I love you!

(After eating the food, the waiter serves wine and a box with a ring,)

Ava: What’s this box? Oh my…

(Terrence picks the box and kneels in front of Ava and proposes to her.)

Terrence: Will you marry me, Ava Celestine Gonzales?

Ava: Yes, Terrence Roxas, I do!

Terrence: I love you, babe!

Ava: I love you too, dear!

Narrator: After seven months, Ava walked down the aisle. She tied to knot with her match made
in heaven, Terrence Roxas. Everyone thought that they will live happily ever after. Due to this
marriage, Ava had to give up her dream job.

Terrence: I’ll be the one to provide for the family. It will be enough for the three of us.

Ava: Is that the right thing to do?

Terrence: Yes, you should take care of our child and do the household chores.

Ava: Can’t I be a professional and at the same time, a mother?

Terrence: When our child is born, someone needs to guide her. Someone needs to show
affection in her upbringing. She needs you.

Ava: Okay, if that will be better, then I’ll have to resign from my job.

Terrence: Thank you for being understanding, babe!

Narrator: Ava took care of her daughter. When their daughter, Emma, is two year old,

(Ava is cleaning the house, washing the dishes, and doing the laundry while her daughter is
playing her toys.)

(After 2 minutes of household chores, Ava will look dumbfounded. Her mind is thinking deeply.
After 1 minute, she will go to her daughter,)

Ava: Baby Emma, how are you doing?

Emma: Hehehe!

Ava: Mommy’s now done with the household chores. What do you want to watch, baby?

Emma: Pe-ppa Pe-ppa

(Ava will pause and become sad again.)

-Curtain Closes and Opens in a dinner table-

(Ava will cook the food and prepare the meal at the table.)

Terrence: Baby, just behave on your seat.

Emma: Want to eat. Want to eat.

Ava: Baby, okay. We’ll now eat.

(They started to partake in the meal.)

Terrence: How was your day today?

Ava: Maybe I’m doing well but at the end of the day, I sometimes feel empty inside.

Terrence: Are you still feeling that way?

Ava: No, I just feel it sometimes. I’m okay. Don’t worry about me!

Terrence: Why don’t you visit a psychiatrist?

Ava: There’s nothing wrong with me and I’m not crazy. It will only be a waste of money.

Terrence: Take care of yourself, babe. Be sure to eat well and take care of your body.

Ava: I’m fine so don’t you worry.

-Curtain Opens and Closes-

Ava: Good thing, you visited our humble abode. How are you doing these days, Marinella?

Marinella: I’m fine. I also got promoted.

Ava: Congratulations! Congratulations!

Marinella: Thank you!

Ava: You’re the next girl in a promoted position that I knew.

Marinella: Thanks! The first girl that you knew to be promoted, Mrs. Montes, she will soon leave
the company to start her own business company.

Ava: Really? Is there any vacant position for me?

Marinella: Of course. Just call, Mrs. Montes! She’ll surely hire you.

Ava: But it’s just sad that I can’t work. But anyways, I have my little angel with me.

Marinella: Yes, I always see her pictures on Facebook. She’s so cute.

Ava: She’s cute yet naughty. These days, she often cries for unspecific reasons.
Marinella: But I wonder what would you be like if you were still working? You would most likely
become the manager and be recognized by the company for your skills and talents. You are
indeed a person full of potentials. Mrs. Montes also seem to like you back then.

(Ava became dumbfounded and serious.)

Marinella: Are you okay?

Ava: Ah… yes. Congratulations on your promotion!

-Curtain Closes and Opens-

(Terrence will enter the house while Ava is just sitting on the floor dumbfounded.)

Terrence: Babe, Ava, are you okay?

Ava: Hey sir!

Terrence: What’s wrong, babe?

(Ava does not reply. Terrence will shake Ava but tears will instead fall from her eyes.)

Terrence: Babe, what’s going on? Why are you crying?

(Ava will stop crying and stand up.)

Ava: Mr. Roxas, take care of my daughter. We always treasured her as a part of our family. I
wish that you will treat my princess like a queen. Please make her happy.

Terrence: Ava, why are you speaking like mother-in-law?

Ava: Mr. Roxas, my daughter has gone through a lot to fulfill her ambition. She applied from
every company she knew until she was accepted. She spent her days and nights working. That’s
why her manager became proud of having her in the team.

Terrence: What’s happening, Ava? Are you okay? You’re speaking like your mother.

Ava: My daughter and I went on the beach this summer of 1998. She enjoyed building
sandcastles.

Terrence: Ava, please snap out of it! Please!

-Curtain Closes and Opens-

Ceasar: My wife was stressed out with household chores.

Terrence: How did your wife react?

Ceasar: My wife was always angry to me when she’s stressed. She also reprimands the children
when they make the house dirty and messy.

Terrence: My friend’s wife has another case with his wife. His wife is usually dumbfounded. She
also acts differently from how she normally does back then. They plan to go to the psychiatrist.
What should they do?

Ceasar: I think that wife is crazy. She went nuts. Society should seclude crazy woman like her.
(Terrence will intentionally throw coffee on Ceasar’s clothes.)

Ceasar: What are you doing?

Terrence: Sorry! I thought that the cup is empty.

Ceasar: *smirk* Ah, I don’t have pants to change this to.

Terrence: I’m sorry! I’ll head back inside. I have other papers to tend to.

-Curtain Closes and Opens-

(Ava is sitting in a café and is meeting with Mrs. Montes. Ava is sitting and Mrs. Montes will later
arrive.)

Mrs. Montes: How long has it been?

Ava: 26 months, Mrs. Montes.

Mrs. Montes: Being housewife must be tiring, but when you see your child, she’s so cute.

Ava: It’s definitely true. Mrs. Montes, you might have been surprised that I messaged you.

Mrs. Montes: I was quite surprised.

Ava: I heard that you began your own company. I want to one again work in an advertising
agency. Are you willing to accept me?

Mrs. Montes: Ah, Yes. You can join us. However, if compared to the company that we both
worked in the past, the salary is 80% or 20% less. Don’t worry! I will give you incentives.

Ava: Thank you for trusting me even if I have been away from work for some years!

Mrs. Montes: It’s because of your skills and talents. They won’t fade away in 26 months. I’m
looking forward to work with you.

-Curtain Opens and Closes in Their House-

Psychiatrist: Are you here for a consultation?

Terrence: No, it’s not for me. I’m here for my wife. She has been acting weirdly these days.

Psychiatrist: Sir, I need to talk to your wife personally. We need to see each other face-to-face.

Terrence: Can’t I state my observations and experiences with her?

Psychiatrist: You cannot completely see through your wife. How you interpret these
experiences is different by how she interprets them. Please ask your wife to visit me! We’ll have
a meaning conversation.

-Curtain Closes and Opens-

(Terrence will enter his house and once again, see Ava sitting on the floor while being
dumbfounded and sad. She is in tears.)

Terrence: Babe, what’s going on? Why are you always like this?
(Ava does not reply.)

Terrence: Are you okay, babe? Ava! Babe! Ava!

(Ava will stand up.)

Ava: Nothing is wrong.

Terrence: Please, babe! Tell me what’s wrong. Please, I can’t watch you cry.

Ava: Babe, can I go back to work?

Terrence: I earn enough for Emma, you, and me.

Ava: I can manage being a wife, a mother, and a professional. I’ll have time for you and Emma.

Terrence: You don’t need to stress yourself. You shouldn’t afflict your body more. You should
just rest.

Ava: Do you really want to know what I’m going through?

I’m not okay but I must be okay.

I always feel emptiness.

I always feel that my life is useless.

I failed to achieve my goals.

I always dreamed to be the ace of the company.

I always wanted to leave a legacy in my career.

But, everything was ruined.

I also get exhausted from doing the laundry, cleaning the house, and washing the dishes.

I cannot take this repetitive routine anymore.

I need to fulfill my goals in life.

I need to become a successful professional.

Being a woman should not lock me in the four walls of this house.

Being a woman does not prevent me from being successful.

Being a woman does not mean I am inferior to you.

Being a woman does not mean I can’t work for the family.

Being a woman, I can also do what you do.

Terrence: I’m sorry! Let’s talk about this. Should I take a parental leave?

Ava: Will you do that for me?

Terrence: Of course. I’ll take care of Emma and you will work in the advertising department.
Ava: Thank you for being considerate this time!

(Ava will hug her husband.)

-Curtains Closes-

Narrator: Ava was happy that her husband will let her work. However, when her mother-in-law
knew about this, she contacted her daughter-in-law telling her that she is being too impulsive
and being too selfish. She also claimed that her son also has problems in his work and his leave
will affect their family’s future. This retracted all the happiness and excitement that Ava felt.

-Curtain Opens in the House-

(Terrence enters the house and sees Ava upset.)

Terrence: Don’t worry about what my mother tells you!

Ava: Are you also thinking what mother-in-law thinks?

Terrence: No.

Ava: If you don’t like it, I will stay here at home. I will take care of Emma. I’m not forcing you to
let me work.

(Terrence approaches Ava.)

Terrence: If you are happy, I’m also happy.

Ava: What’s wrong with you?

Terrence: Babe, you’re sick.

Ava: What do you mean I’m sick?

Terrence: You are empty and dumbfounded. And occasionally, you seem to be possessed by
another person.

Ava: By another person?

(Terrence shows a video of her talking like her grandmother. Ava will stand and look out the
window. She’ll tear up and go back to the table.)

Ava: Will this be cured? What should I do?

Terrence: Let’s visit a psychiatrist. A therapy will surely help you. Whenever I see you suffering
such condition, I can’t stop blaming myself. I think that this is because we married each other or
this might be because I failed as a husband. I’m sorry!

-Curtain Closes and Opens in the Psychiatric Clinic-

Psychiatrist: Nice to meet you, Mrs. Roxas! In this field, the hardest struggle is to persuade the
patient to go to the clinic. You can call this therapy successful now as we have passed through
that stage.

Ava: I’m happy to hear that.

Psychiatrist: How are you doing these days?

Ava: I’m a housewife; so apparently, I do everything that a mother does.

Psychiatrist: How do you feel about it?

Ava: I am happy but sometimes, I feel like I’m imprisoned at home. When I am suffocated inside,
I try to escape. Whenever I try to exit, there will be a wall. I’ll go the other way for an exit, but
there will be another wall. I am surrounded by walls with no doors. I can’t find the exit. I am
envious that most mothers can easily enter and exit the four walls I’m locked into.

Psychiatrist: Thank you for telling me how you feel! Those walls have surrounded you but on
the bright side, you’re with the person whom you love the most. You might sometimes find it
suffocating. When you do so, please take a break and relax yourself.

-Curtain Closes and Opens-

(The husband, wife, and daughter are eating together happily.)

Terrence: How was your consultation?

Ava: I can say I’m coping day by day. I’m starting to feel happiness and gratitude. Every time, I
visit Mrs. Evangelista, I realize things that I should reflect on.

Terrence: I’m sorry if I was an inconsiderate husband. Please forgive me!

Ava: No, it’s my responsibility to take care of Emma. I actually enjoy taking care of her.

Terrence: Should we go somewhere these weekends?

Ava: Really? I want to go to my hometown.

Terrence: If that’s what you want, we’ll be heading to your hometown on Saturday.

-Curtain Closes-

Narrator: And this is where our play ends. I hope that you learned a lesson and enjoyed the
play. Thank you for watching!