ATLEAST WE MET

SETTING:UST, morning; BAGUIO, Day and Night; SOL’S HOUSE, Night;

SAGADA,MORNING; TAGAYTAY, NIGHT; and hospital

CHARACTERS: Natasha Soleil ‘sol’ Galvez (psychologist student)

Lienzo Xavier ‘xav’ Alleje (lawyer)

Henry Galvez(Sol’s Dad)

THE STAGE: Inside and outside the school, A view that have
mountains to see the sunrise, sunset, and moon.
THE PLAY:

*UNIVERSITY OF SANTO THOMAS – Afternoon

[Sol is running she is wearing her uniform and excited to see the
top list in psychology. She immediately looks at the list and
fined her name]

SOL: Where is my name, I need to be in the top list [she’s so

nervous]

ASH: Sol!!I already found your name, look at this. [Smiling at

sol]

SOL: I’m the magna cum laude, my dad will be mad at me. [She
shed in tears]

ASH: But that was good too, it’s not that easy to achieve
that place. I’m so proud of you!!

[Other classmates of sol congratulate her]

SOL: Thank you so much, congrats to all of you too.

ASH: Sol, let’s have a simple treat for us? I think us

Deserve that after all of the hard works we did.

SOL: but we need to go home early okay??

ASH: yes, sol.

[Sol bought a book for her, after that they buy foods that they
can eat and they plan to go home but Sol saw her dad waiting for
her.]

*PARKING of UST – 5:00 pm

HENRY: Where have you been?

SOL: I just bought something, dad.

HENRY: Today is the releasing of top list, right? So I guess

You are the summa cum laude?

SOL: I’m just magna cum laude, dad. But that was good
also, right? All of my classmates and teacher was so happy for
me. [Smiles at her dad]

HENRY: Oh really? Being the second one is nonsense.

SOL: But I worked hard for that, dad. But for you it’s just

Nonsense?

HENRY: If you worked hard, you will be the summa cum

laude!!!I thought you were the smartest in your school, but I

think you are the dumbest.

SOL: But I’m the top 2, and I think that’s good also. [Her
tears come out]

HENRY: Being the second place is not good, do you understand?!!

SOL: But I worked hard for this, but you didn’t appreciate
it.[sol shout]

HENRY: I don’t see any reason to appreciate you. [He slaps sol]
from now on I will remove all your financial support.

SOL: Dad, I want to sleep. I’m tired.

HENRY: You’re so rude. I’m still talking with you and you will
leave me?

SOL: but I want to rest, so please let me sleep.

[Sol’s dad slaps her again not just once but twice.]

HENRY: If god let me choose who’s going to be my daughter, I will

never choose you.

SOL: Why are you doing this to me? I always do the things you
want, and I can’t make a decision for myself. Because, since I
was a child you controlled me. [Sol’s tears come out]

HENRY: Oh…really?things that I want?I told you before that I want

you to become summa cum laude, and look at you now magna cum
laude?

SOL: I did my best, and you didn’t appreciate all of that.I

study, I sacrifice my sleep, I sacrifice myself just to get that
cum laude, and you can’t appreciate that?What kind of father are
you?[crying]

HENRY: Leave this house and never comeback, I don’t want to see
you again.

[Sol get her car and go to her favourite spot with so much anger
in her eyes.she suddenly lost consciousness.Then when open her
eyes she’s already in her favourite spot.]

*SOL’S FAVORITE SPOT

[at 2:00 am there’s a guy staring at the view.Sol is in the

uniform of an architect student with a messy bun, and Xav is in
uniform of law student. Sol saw Xav, while Xav was busy staring
at the view. Sol immediately went to him.]

SOL: What are you doing in my place?

[Xav staring at her and sol try to push him but he avoid her
hand.]
SOL: Leave me alone, and don't ever come back here.

XAV: You have no rights to tell me to leave this place.

SOL: This is my place, I found it first.

XAV: Why do you want me to leave? I can stay with you here.

SOL: I don’t want anyone, so please leave me alone.

XAV: No, I’ll stay here with you.

SOL: I will call my dad if you don’t leave me here.

[Sol gets her phone and text her dad, But she got no response
from her dad.]

XAV: I think your dad is busy, don’t bother him.

SOL: So leave me and I will not text him again.

XAV: You wish.

SOL: Don’t act like a child, please.

XAV: Okay, but I will tell others about this place.

[Sol attempt to hold Xav’s wrist, but Xav stay away with her]

SOL: After this day don’t ever show up in this place, okay?

XAV: Okay, but for now let me be with you.So what’s your name?

SOL: I’m Soleil but you can call me Sol, and you are?

XAV: Xavier, but you can call me Xav.

SOL: So what brought you here?

XAV: This is my comfort place too.You, what brought you here?btw

you’re little bit kind huh?
SOL: This is my safe place, everytime I have a bad day I went to
this spot.Btw I’m in a bad mood lately that’s why I’m grumpy.

XAV: Can you tell me about your day?

SOL: Are you interested on what happened in my day huh?

XAV: Yes.I’m also interested with you.

SOL: Stop your nonsense jokes, please.[she rolled her eyes]

XAV: I’m not kidding, I’m serious.

SOL: No one is interested with me,Im not like other girls.

XAV: Me, I’m interested.[whisper to himself]

[Sol looks at him with a surprised face.]

SOL: What?!

XAV: I said, I like this place.

SOL: I have to go now.

XAV: Why?are you okay?

SOL: Ofcourse.Did you think I will go because of what you’ve

said?

XAV: yes.[smiling]

[She’s scared of darkness, that’s why she go back again with xav]

XAV: oh, you’re here again?I thought you will leave

[sol suddenly cry]

SOL: I’m scared of the dark

[Xav went near to her and try to calm her]

XAV: stop crying, I’m here for you okay?

SOL: Can I tell you my rants?I can’t sleep.

XAV:Ofcourse

SOL: Do you think it’s bad to be a magna cum laude?

XAV: Magna cum laude??!!Wow that’s good!It’s hard to achieve

that place.I’m so proud of you, so stop crying sol.

SOL: I just want to end this life, I can’t feel happiness

anymore. I don’t want this life, I want to take this back to god.

XAV: Please, don’t say that again.

[Xav still trying to stop Sol]

SOL: Why are you still here?Where’s your parent?It’s already

3:00 am.

XAV: oh look, I’m already 21.I can do my own decisions.

SOL: I hope I can make my decisions by myself too.

XAV: you’re eyes look so sad, I can’t see happiness.

SOL: because I never experience to be happy, I’m just good at

pretending but now I can’t hide my self to you.

XAV: If only I can give you a friendly hug, I will do.

SOL: Don’t ever try to touch me, we’re not that close

XAV: Even if I try or not, I can’t touch you.[Xav whisper]

SOL: What??why are you whispering?do you tell something bad

about me?
XAV: Ofcourse not.I just want to be your friend, because you
need it.You need someone to cry on and to tell about your
achievements.

SOL: oh do you want me to tell you a story about my life?

[Xav nodded at her]

SOL: [fake laugh]I am a psychology student, But I can’t handle

myself.Whenever I failed to achieve their expectations they are
mad at me.No one appreciate my hardworks.I’m not allowed to do
the things that teens normally do.

XAV: You don’t deserve those things.You deserve to be loved,

Sol.

SOL: Am I bad?why god let me experienced those things?or maybe

my life is full of sufferings?and not happiness.

XAV: No you are kind, you’re just hurt.Maybe god let you
experienced that because he makes you stronger.

*SOL’S FAVORITE SPOT IN BAGUIO

Sol is staring the view but her tears suddenly come out.

Sol: I’m tired of pretending that I don’t need his emotional

support, but i’m so desperately need it.(her tears still coming
out)

Xav: Sol, you don’t need to pretend.Don’t be so good at

pretending that all the things they do was okay even if its not,
you also need to be kind to yourself too.

Sol: I’m sure that the girl you want is so lucky because she
have a man that have a good mindset like you.

Xav: If only I can have a girl, I will choose you.

Sol: Me?why?If you will choose me, you will be tired of hearing
my rants about my family also that will be hard for you to take
care of me.

Xav: Someone told me that If you choose someone, you should also
be with her even if it’s hard you will stay, because that’s love,
everyday you will choose her without any hesitations.

Sol: You have so many knowledge about love huh?

Xav: Only a little bit.btw where’s your mom?

Sol: Uhm she leave me since I was 5.

Xav: Oh I’m sorry.

Sol: That’s okay, Xav.Maybe I was born just to experience all of

that situations.

Xav: No, I’m here sol.If they can see how much special you are,
well me I can see that.(he gave a hug for sol)

(sol look at xav with a smile in her face)

xav: Why are you looking at me like that?

sol: Nothing.I’m just admire you

Xav: That’s not good, maybe one day you will like me.

sol: huh?me?I will do like you?never.

*7:00am at Sol’s favourite place.

[Sol and Xav suddenly wake up because of the rain, they don’t
recognize that they fall asleep.]

SOL: Xav It’s raining, let’s go to the tree.

XAV: okay, take this coat it’s cold.

SOL: thank you![she smiles at xav]

XAV: Sol, look at the rain.It reminds me that It’s okay to pour
it all out everytime clouds became heavy.Just like us, if we feel
something heavy in our heart, we can pour it all out.

SOL: You’re right.When I tell you my rants, my heart feels

better.

XAV: I’m always here okay?If you need someone to cry on I’m
here.

SOL: Thank you so much, Xav.[she hug xav]

XAV: Don’t forget me, okay?

SOL: I will never forget you.I’m happy because I met you, they
are right sometimes it’s more better to tell problems on
strangers because they won’t judge you.

XAV: Don’t feel bad for being magna cum laude, okay?I’m proud
of you, because you reached that place.

SOL: Even if my dad mads at me, I’m happy because I know

there’s someone who’s proud at me.[her tears come out]

XAV: Why are you crying?i like you more everytime you smile, so
stop crying sol.[he wiped sol’s tears.]

SOL: I’m just happy, because you’re so rare.A man that full of
advices that can make people realize that there’s a chance that
they experience happiness.

XAV: Are you hungry?I will get some foods in my car, wait for
me.

SOL: Okay, I will.

XAV: Here, what do you want?

SOL: This one[point at sandwich]

XAV: Okay, Sol.You can have that one.

SOL: Xav, do you have good relationship with your parents?

XAV: Ofcourse

SOL: I hope if there’s another life, I can experience that.

XAV: If there’s another life, I will make you experience the

life that full of happiness.

SOL: Aww thank you[she smile]

XAV: If you become an animal, what animal do you want?

SOL: I want to become butterfly, because I want feel free like

them.How about you?

XAV: I want to become a butterfly too.Because I want to fly

free with you.

SOL: You’re corny, huh??

XAV: What if I love you?will you love me too?

SOL: I don’t know, because I wasn’t taught how to love.

XAV: I can teach you how to love.

SOL: Oh how?

XAV: First step, you need me.

SOL: You?why?

XAV: You can practice your love on me.

SOL: Maybe I can just hurt you.

XAV: We will never know, if we don’t try.

SOL: Oh we can only hurt each other.

XAV: There’s no love if you don’t experience to be hurt.

SOL: Do you really want to try?

XAV: Yes.

SOL: Just for 3 days?

XAV: Oh there’s a limit?then I need to court you now, because

the time is running.

SOL: Is it required?

XAV: Ofcourse, because courting is the way to make the girl you
want fall in love with you.So My sol, can you come with me?

SOL: I’m not yours, yet.So why did you call me my sol?

XAV: Because it’s sound so good, if I have you.

SOL: You’re so corny,xav.

[they go to the tagaytay and they stares the moon]

*TAGAYTAY – NIGHT

XAV: The moon is beautiful, isn’t?

SOL: I’m not dumb, I know what that line means.

XAV: hahaha…I hope I can change your mind.

SOL: why?
XAV: I think I’m falling inlove with you now.I know there’s a
limit so I don’t waste every seconds, minutes, hours, and days
with you.

SOL: I’m so happy, because for the first time, I experienced to

be love by you.

XAV: I love your smile, it’s look good on you.

*BAGUIO, MINES VIEW PARK – 4:00pm

SOL: Look the sunset is so beautiful, this is one of the view I

want.

XAV: Sol, you are the favourite view that I want to see
everyday.[smiles at Sol]

SOL: Can I get a hug?

XAV: H-hug??really?[he looks happy]

SOL: Yes, Xav.

[xav immediately hug her tighter, and tears come out in his eyes]

SOL: Xav?why are you crying hmm??I’m always here, Xav.

XAV: Promise?

SOL: I don’t make promises, but I can show you that I will be
always here.

[Xav hugs her again, and he kiss Sol’s forehead]

*KILTEPAN IN SAGADA – MORNING

XAV: Sol, wake up.We’re already here.

SOL: Hmmm……
XAV: Wake up, love.

SOL: Love?oh okay I will wake up my love.

XAV: You look so beautiful everyday[staring at sol]

SOL: joker

XAV: Can we dance?[offer his hand to sol]

SOL: Okay, Let’s dance.[Sol hold xav’s hand]

[While the two slowly dancing, the music ‘when I met you’
suddenly play.]

SOL: I love you, adi.

XAV: Who’s adi??I’m jelous of him.[he avoid sol’s eyes]

SOL: Adi comes from the word ‘aadia’ means a gift or

unequalled.That’s why I call you adi, because you look like a
gift for me and you are unequalled.[smiles at xav]

XAV: I love you so much, adi.

[Xav suddenly grab sol’s waist and he kissed sol]

XAV: In another life, I will find you.Maybe in that life I’m

not xav, maybe I am a butterfly?

SOL: butterfly?why?

XAV: Because butterfly symbolizes freedom.I want to show you

that there’s a freedom for yourself.You are free to be happy.

SOL: Aww[she hold xav’s hand]Whatever you are, I will still

love you and thank you because you taught me this love and you
let me experience this.
XAV: For you, My adi.I will do anything, just to see your
smile.

SOL: Can I sleep in your arms?

XAV: Okay, sol.

At the hospital - night

(sol wake up, and she immediately find xav)

Sol: Xav?Where are you?

Ash: Sol!!omg you’re already wake up wait I will call your dad.

Sol: No, why i am here?

Ash: You’re sudenlly lost consciousness.

Sol: Where is xav?I want to talk to him.

Ash: Xav?who’s that guy?while you’re sleeping, you always tell

that name.

SOL: oh please Ash, tell me where he is.

ASH: I don’t know, sol.But everytime you tell that name you
become happy.

SOL: N-no…I want to see him please[she cries]

[Ash call a doctor to check her]

DOCTOR: She has Schizophrenia.She have hallucinations, that’s why

she finds a guy who doesn’t exist.

ASH: Schizophrenia?

DOCTOR: Yes, and I’m sorry but Schizophrenia currently cannot be

cured.
ASH: What??!so there’s no chance that she will be okay again??

DOCTOR: There’s a small chance, but are you willing to take?

[Sol’s dad come in and he heard what the doctor said]

HENRY: S-schizophrenia?b-but why??This can’t be.[crying]

SOL: Why are you crying?what happened to me?[crying]

ASH: Shhhh you will be okay, Sol.Trust me, okay?

SOL: N-noo, I need to find Xav[she push ash then she run]

HENRY: Sol I’m here please stop

SOL: I don’t want anyone, so please leave me alone.

[she runaway immediately, but there’s a car that can hit her]

SOL: aaaaahhhhhh there’s a car[she closed her eyes.]

[someone push her, and when she look she saw xav.The one she want
to see.]

SOL: Xav??[crying]

XAV: Sol, are you okay??[he look so nervous]

SOL: Take me away from them, please Xav[still crying]

XAV: But how?I know that they can get you away from me too.

SOL: W-what do you mean?

XAV: N-nothing, sol.Someday we will meet each other again,

okay?

SOL: I thought you will never leave me……

XAV: I’ll be back, okay?but remember do what makes you happy,
okay?

[Sol lost her consciousness, then her dad pick her up]

HENRY: I’m sorry, Sol.I’m here for you, okay?[hug sol]

SOL: No you only see me at my best, but when I am at my low,

you become so mad at me.

HENRY: No Sol, I swear I will change my behaviour.So please,

agree to the treatment.[crying]

[Sol immediately hug her father]

SOL: I w-will agree to that treatment.

[They go to the psychiatrist, and start the treatment]

*HOSPITAL

PSYCHIATRIST:Hi, Sol.Don’t be afraid of me, I will help you.But

before that can you tell me what you saw and what you heard in
your hallucinations?

SOL: I met a guy, he’s Xav.[crying]

PSYCHIATRIST: what did he do to you?

SOL: That guy……he taught me how to love, he makes me

happy, and he treats me right.

PSYCHIATRIST: When was the last time you saw him?

SOL: I saw him lately.[cying]

PSYCHIATRIST:Sol, look at me.The first step you need to give

yourself a permission to let go of what weighs heavily on your
Soul.
SOL: Also……[can’t say xav’s name because she immediately
cry]

PSYCHIATRIST:Yes, he’s included.

[They start the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.After 2 years,

there’s many thing change.]

*UST – MORNING

SOL: Goodmorning USTe, I’m Sol.I’m a psychologist from

UST.I experienced to have mental health condition.Before I’m
questioning myself, because I am a psychologist student but I
can’t handle myself.

[one student raise her hand, and ask question]

STUDENT: But how did you faced all of that?

SOL: I have hallucinations.I met a guy, that guy helps me

a lot.He taught me how to love, because I didn’t experience that
before.[smiles]Yes its hard to overcome one of my fear.But I have
too.[she cries]

ASH: Do you want to continue?

SOL: Yes

[She faced all the students]

SOL: I don’t have any regrets.I’m now finally free, and I

know that guy I met is so proud with me.I don’t lose because I
met a guy in my hallucinations, But I am lucky because I met
someone for a moment in time, that helps me to pour it out all of
the things that mades my heart feel so heavy and He squeeze all
of broken pieces of myself back together.

[USTe gave a clap for sol]

SOL: So for all of the people suffering a mental health
condition.Don’t be shy to come with me, I will help you.Don’t be
afraid with us, because our goal is to heal and give you a reason
to enjoy this life.

[Ash and her dad proudly went to the stage and hug her.]

HENRY: Are you okay, Sol?

SOL: Yes, dad.[she hugs her dad]

[there’s a butterly landed in her hands, she remember something]

*FLASHBACK

[She remember the moment she have with Xav]

XAV: In another life, I will find you.Maybe in that life I’m

not xav, maybe I am a butterfly?

SOL: Whatever you are, I will still love you and thank you
because you taught me this love and you let me experience this.

[She cry again, and she remember how Xav makes her feel special]

SOL: Maybe in another universe, We have each other until

now.But for now all I can say is, Atleast we met….