The Taste of Vanilla

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2. Luna's Beginning

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INT. UNIVERSITY CLASSROOM - BOGOR - MORNING

CASSIE (22) raises her hand, in the spotlight, where everybody else are quiet. Clothes vibrant and comfy. She answers the question perfectly, with an energetic smile.

Exactly on Cassie's back seat, LUNA (22) is seen. Using a black hoodie and comfy pants, she sits silently. A good listener, her eyes captures everything the professor said. A contrast to Cassie's energy.

INT./EXT. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS - CONTINUOUS

The bell rings shortly. Classes are over. Students walking out of the campus.

Luna and Cassie meet in the middle, in front of their campus building. Prestige.

Cassie wraps her arm around Luna. Their bond instant.

CASSIE

So what are you up to?

LUNA

Same old. Book store. What about you?

CASSIE

Well... Rico

LUNA

He's in town?

Cassie nods cheerfully.

Luna rolls her eyes. She knew.

LUNA

Have fun

INT. BOGOR MALL - CONTINUOUS

Luna is enjoying her time. We can see her smiling. Coffee in her hands.

She sees a casual shirt, quite boyish, on a shop window and checks the price. She scoffs. It's too expensive!

She watches the movie theater alone. She watches a horror story. She is not scared.

She eats alone in the food court, confidently, though some walkers stare at her for being alone. Two girls sit not far from Luna and talk about her.

STRANGER 1 (20S)

Don't stare

STRANGER 2 (20S)

Am not

STRANGER 1

Yes you are. She sits alone either she is weird, or she has no friends

STRANGER 2

Yeah you're right

Luna notices them talking. She ignores.

She stops by to buy a book "The art of Bali Traditional Dance" and a hampers set.

SHOP OWNER

Are you a dancer, Ms?

Luna smiles and nods and leaves to Jacob's family residence.

INT. JACOB'S FAMILY RESIDENCE - CONTINUOUS

Establishing a warm, comfortable space. High-class residence.

Luna sits at the table with MRS. ARTHA (50s), Jacob's mom. She wears an elegant European high-class silk shirt and casual long skirt. Her makeup is casual but portrays an elegant woman from a high education.

Food is served. Everything looks so generous.

Mrs. Artha pours tea for Luna without asking.

MRS. ARTHA

Careful. It's still hot.

Luna nods, grateful.

Mrs. Artha returns to her seat, smoothing her skirt.

MRS. ARTHA

Jacob called earlier. He landed safely.

LUNA

That's great.

Mrs. Artha smiles.

MRS. ARTHA

He sounded relieved knowing you're here with us.

Luna smiles, unsure what to do with that sentence.

They begin eating.

MRS. ARTHA

How's the project coming along?

LUNA

It's progressing. Still revising here and there

MRS. ARTHA

You don't have to rush. You've already done so much

LUNA

Yes. I'm actually falling in love here. I was thinking about staying.

She says it warmly. Polite.

Mrs. Artha diregards it.

MRS. ARTHA

Nonsense. You'll have a better life in Jakarta. I can assure you for that.

Luna swallows.

MRS. ARTHA

Speaking of Jakarta...

Luna pauses for a second mid-spoon.

Mrs. Artha smiles, then continues casually.

MRS. ARTHA

We spoke to colleague there. He manages a smaller studio. Much less demanding than here. They also don't rotate dancers.

LUNA

Wow, that sounds permanent.

Luna tries to absorb it.

MRS. ARTHA

That's the point

Mrs. Artha pours water for herself, as if a very casual conversation.

LUNA

I didn't realize that was already...

MRS. ARTHA

Arranged?

A gentle smile.

MRS. ARTHA

Not arranged. Just prepared.

Luna blinks.

MRS. ARTHA

You won't be alone. We'll help with the transition. You'll be happy and settled there. You'll be able to work, without any competitions. No late nights, no pressure for you.

Luna nods automatically.

LUNA

That's very kind of you.

MRS. ARTHA

You've been independent for so long. It must be exhausting.

LUNA

Sometimes

MRS. ARTHA

There's no need to struggle anymore.

Luna looks down at her tea.

Mrs. Artha nods, satisfied.

LUNA

I'm really grateful. Truly.

MRS. ARTHA

That's what family is for. Besides, Jacob and yourself can support each other later when you guys are there.

Mrs. Artha squeezes Luna's hand and talks about the future that sounds definite.

MRS. ARTHA

Jacob's with his company, and you will be there taking care of your own studio.

Mrs. Artha looks at Luna, waiting for her excitement.

Luna fakes it and looks ecstatic.

MRS. ARTHA

We've never asked for anything in return. We only hoped you'd stay close.

Not accusatory. Mrs. Artha said it with tenderness.

LUNA

Of course.

She changes the subject.

MRS. ARTHA

Jacob mentioned you haven't been sleeping well.

Luna looks up, surprised.

LUNA

He did?

MRS. ARTHA

He worries. He always has.

The smile carries expectations.

MRS. ARTHA

Once he returns from London, things will feel more settled.

The future spoken like certainty.

Luna forces a smile.

LUNA

I'm sure.

Mrs. Artha lifts her glass.

Luna follows a second late. She doesn't speak, doesn't argue, doesn't choose.

She drinks.

INT. LUNA'S BEDROOM BOGOR - NIGHT

Silence. Dim light seeps through thin curtains. Her curtain opens a bit. Her smile fading and takes a breath.

She puts her book on the table and exchange it with a HEART GLASS JAR with an almost cracked middle.

She sits peacefully on the floor. She repairs the crack with careful fingers. Clear glue, cotton swabs, and patience.

She whispers to herself.

LUNA

(whisper)

Hold together.. Just a little longer

Her phone lights up with messages. She doesn't check it.

She continues gluing the jar, more focused.

The crack shifts slightly and her hand trembles.

BEGIN FLASHBACK

INT. ADOPTION CENTER - DAY

TINY LUNA (10) holds the same jar, uncracked, sleek, clean.

A SOCIAL WORKER (40s) kneels to her level.

SOCIAL WORKER

It's okay if you're scared. New things can still be good..

Tiny Luna only nods. Silent. Precious. YOUNGER MRS. JOHNSON (30s), Luna's adoptive mother, reaches out gently.

YOUNGER MRS. JOHNSON

You're safe with us, Luna

Tiny Luna grips the jar tighter, as if her heart.

EXT. NEIGHBORHOOD BACKYARD - AFTERNOON

Tiny Luna, now 12, sits alone with a book. The heart jar is beside her.

YOUNG CASSIE (12), loud, bright, and vibrantly confident.

YOUNG CASSIE

Hey, are you always this quiet or are you avoiding me?

Luna grabs her jar, protectively. Scared that Young Cassie would stumble on it and break it.

Young Cassie grins, pulls out a sheet of stickers. She chooses a bright red heart.

YOUNG CASSIE

Here. Everyone needs at least one heart.

Young Cassie sticks the heart on the jar.

For the first time, Luna smiles, genuinely.

END FLASHBACK

BACK TO:

INT. LUNA'S BEDROOM BOGOR - NIGHT

Luna glues the last piece of the crack. Her hands steady now. She exhales. The old sticker Cassie gave glows faintly.

Her phone buzzes again. JACOB(23)'s name light up the screen. She answers.

LUNA

JACOB (V.O.)

You're home?

JUMP CUT TO:

EXT. LONDON STREET - RAINING - MORNING

Jacob sighs of relief.

JACOB

I've waited.

BACK TO:

INT. LUNA'S BEDROOM BOGOR - NIGHT

Luna sits on the bed.

LUNA

Sorry. I didn't realize it was this late

JACOB (V.O.)

My mom asked about you today.

LUNA

I should've called

JACOB (V.O.)

She understands. She always say you're strong from the very beginning.

Luna looks at the cracked-sealed heart jar.

LUNA

She's too kind

JACOB(V.O.)

She is.

Silence. Luna fills it in.

LUNA

I'll never forget that

JACOB (V.O.)

I know you won't. (smiles in his voice). That's what I love about you.

Luna smiles faintly.

JACOB (V.O.)

Can you send me a picture? So I know you're settled.

Luna hesitates at first but opens the camera. She sends it.

JACOB (V.O.)

Get some rest. Tomorrow's full. Love you.

LUNA

Love you too.

The call ends. Luna lowers her phone.

Her fingers trave the repaired crack. It's smooth, but visible. Acceptance that it is not perfect.

INT. BOGOR STREET RESTAURANT - AT THE SAME TIME

Rico and Cassie are dating, talking while eating playfully.

CASSIE

I worry about her.

RICO

Why?

CASSIE

I think she's fading. She's not the Luna I used to know

RICO

I can see and feel that too

CASSIE

We have to do something

RICO

I have a plan

1. Josh's Beginning

3. Their Path Cross

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