The Queen Who Couldn’t Write a Happy Ending
Sitting quietly backstage, Ada was deep in thought, her heart was racing, and her mind filled with the memory of someone she had learned to hate, “Why do you have to be in my mind now?”
Like on cue, her eyes suddenly lit up, her face wearing a wide smile when she heard the host’s introduction, immediately recognizing that it was for her. “Ladies and gentlemen, live on stage the author and writer of the recently concluded and massive TV hit drama ‘Star Fall’. Please welcome Ms. Adamariz Del Mundo.”
In the left corner of the stage, the spotlight shines brightly, revealing Ada as she gracefully waves to the audience. She makes her entrance in striking high heels, making her taller than her actual 5’5 height. Her knee-length, strapless silk dress enhanced her slim figure with every step. Her smile beams, and her shoulder-length black hair bounced effortlessly with every step.
She heads to the sofa, where the impeccably dressed host Dan is waiting. The two hugged a bit before sitting down on opposite sides of the long black sofa.
“First of all, Congratulations on the success of the recently concluded Star Fall,” Dan excitedly said, “It is already listed as the number two on the top ten Pinoy TV series of all time. So, tell us, what is next for The Queen of Sad Endings?” Dan asked, while the audience anxiously anticipated her answer.
“Thanks, Dan, for having me here tonight, to answer your question…my team and I are already in the developmental stages for a new drama,” Ada happily informed Dan and the audience, making them swoon in delight, clapping their hands at the thought of another Adamariz classic in the making.
The host, Dan, asked his next question, “Miss Ada, is it true that you and Christian Calderon are now engaged and will be married soon?”
Ada pouted cutely at the question, “If we were, I certainly missed the proposal.” Everyone in the studio laughed at her clever comment.
“Okay, here is another question that a lot of people want to know the answer to, but are too afraid to ask.” Ada braced herself for the question, and she held her breath, wondering what it was. “Why do your dramas always end on a sad note? Even after all they have been through or accomplished, they never end up together.”
The audience seemed to collectively hold their breath, pondering the same questions. “In TRBM, Seo-Yeon made the ultimate sacrifice to save the world, while the dashing Prince Young-Sik perished in his quest to protect his nation. And what about the endearing Lady Lyssandra, who had to forsake her true love for the sake of leading the vampire Kingdom? Then there’s the resilient Natalie, who found herself unable to be with Ed due to their different timelines. Lastly, we can’t overlook Desmund, who had to seal the portal to Ysa’s world to prevent the two realities from consuming one another,” Dan declared, summarizing the dramatic conclusions.
Ada exhaled deeply, overwhelmed by a surge of memories crashing over her like a massive wave.
2017
“I can’t do this anymore, Grey! I’m done!” she cried, tears streaming down her cheeks, her feelings bursting forth like molten lava, fierce and relentless. “You hold me responsible for everything! All I ever did was stand by you and love you… For heaven’s sake, Grey, I did nothing but support you in every decision you made!” she yelled at him.
“Because it is your fault! I failed because of all of your distractions!” Grey fired back; his eyes were like daggers stabbing at Ada’s heart. His tall frame towered over the diminutive Ada. “Your incessant typing, the never-ending tapping of that stupid pen! The way you roll those eyes of yours, every time you scoff at me, your condescending tone!”
Ada was left dumbfounded. She could not quite understand what he was saying, “Two years of constant bickering, constant blaming, I wouldn’t be surprised if you just suddenly hit me!”
“You think I can’t?’ Grey yelled back, lifting his hand as if to hit Ada
“GO AHEAD, DO IT! DO IT YOU STUPID GOOD-FOR-NOTHING COWARD!” Ada yelled while exposing her face to Grey’s fists
Grey lowered his hands and turned away. “Go! Leave before I lose control!”
Ada picked up her laptop, notes, wallet, and phone. “You can do what you want with the rest, I don’t care!” She opened the door to their shared studio-type apartment, slamming it closed after she exited.
2025
“The endings reflect the truth in our society today, where we sacrifice love and our happiness for the sake of others. My characters sacrificed love and personal happiness because, in reality, there are situations that compel us to let go of love for something that is truer, more meaningful. Be it self-sacrifice, obligations, wanting the person we love to be happy, even if it means we wallow in tears,” The crowd applauded her answer while Ada smiled and bowed to the audience, but deep inside she knew this was a lie. The truth is, she does not know how to write a happy ending.
After the interview concluded, Dan stood up, gesturing towards Ada as the audience continued to clap for her. A staff member then handed something to Dan. “On behalf of the producers and staff of the show, we present Miss Adamariz Del Mundo with this plaque of appreciation.” Ada acted surprised and thankful as she received the plaque from the host.
Backstage, her friend Mitch was waiting for her. Mitch is 29, like Ada, but she is taller. She colored her hair hazel to complement her fair skin. Like Ada, she has a slim figure, with thick eyebrows above her narrow eyes, her nose is slightly flat, and her lips are a bit narrow. “Amazing appearance, Ada, you looked great out there,” Mitch told Ada, complimenting her on her answer and appearance on stage
Ada scoffed, “Oh shut it…no need to flatter me, I already promised you a ride home.” She grinned at Mitch
“Can we go now? I’m really tired,” she added
“Of course, come on, let’s go,” Mitch replied. She then saw the plaque Ada was holding. “Hey, you got another plaque?”
Ada offered the plaque to Mitch, “Here, you want it? You can have it,” she exclaimed to her friend
Mitch veered away from the plaque. “Nah’uh! It has your name on it, not mine…you keep it!”
On their drive home, Mitch could not help but ask, “Do we really have a new project?”
“Of course, we do,” Ada replied. “As soon as I figure out what it would be,” Ada snickered
Mitch covered her mouth with one hand. “Oh my god, did you just lie on that show?”
Ada gave Mitch a perplexed look, like it was stupid to ask that question. “What? You want me to say on national television that the great Adamariz has no new projects?”
Mitch furrowed her brows as she commented, “Pride is a sin, you know.” Ada only replied with a wink as she concentrated on her driving along the busy EDSA road.
Ada stepped into her empty home. The spacious condo on Espana could easily accommodate a family, but it was only home to her. Though the place was filled with bright lights, she preferred the muted glow of the TV. Her gaze fell upon the plaque she had received, and with a heavy heart, she let it slip from her fingers into the trash. Pouring herself a generous glass of wine, she moved to the window, staring down at the vibrant city lights below, taking a slow sip as she lost herself in thought.
“The president has just signed into law Senator Joseph Calderon’s Rice tariffication law, which will help consumers in buying rice at competitive and lower prices,” The News reporter said on screen.
Being the daughter of a farmer, Ada knew this law would not help anyone in the long run; she scoffed, saying, “Idiots, that law will kill the farmers.” She placed the glass of wine rather precariously atop the counter and proceeded to her room.
