Notebook

The story used in this movie is a work of fiction.

Any resemblance to the story, names or events is purely coincidental.

Taxi!

Taxi, Ma'am?

Taxi, Ma'am?

Ma'am!

Are you Miss Theresa from Jakarta?

- Are you the one they sent to pick her up? - Yes, Ma'am.

I'm Miss Theresa's substitute.

- So then you're the one I'm picking up. - Yes. Thank you.

They're wrong if they think I'm running away. Or even hiding from them.

I just need to discover myself.

Living my life the way I want it.

If I'm honest to myself

I didn't have the slightest idea that it will lead me to this place.

I'm sorry. We only have one car in this village.

I was hired to deliver pigs too when I was told to pick you up.

Very sorry for the inconvenience.

The principal is waiting for you inside.

Alright. Thanks.

Sure. Please.

Miss Rintik Saraswati, welcome.

- Thank you. - Please, come in.

- Ladies. - This school only has two teachers.

They are Miss Martha and Miss Moniq.

New teachers come and go,

no one would stay long enough except Miss Moniq.

- Actually, we need quite a few more teachers. - I see.

Are you sure you want to be a teacher in our school?

I'm sorry, is this school any different from other schools?

Not really.

But live in this village is very boring.

It's the opposite of living in big cities.

- You come from one of those big cities, right? - You're correct.

But we're a close-knit community.

I guess that will be all for today.

If you need anything, just call me.

Yes, Sir.

- Is it praying time already? - It is. Can I pray in this room?

Sure. After praying, Marius will take you to your house.

- Thank you very much. - You're welcome.

- Excuse me. - Please.

What are you all doing here? Go to your class!

Personally, I don't mind if Miss Rintik is replacing Miss Theresa.

But my concern is what if children's parents complain to us

about their children's teacher has different religion than them?

Miss Martha, I don't really care whether it was gonna be Miss Rintik or Miss Theresa.

We need more teachers.

We should be grateful she's here.

In her resume, she seems to have a solid educational background.

I understand that.

But isn't it better if you keep looking for a better-suited teacher for the school?

Our school need teachers with academic background

and high dedication for her job.

She chose to teach in our school, from the beginning.

We should give her some respect for that reason alone.

Do you have anything else to add?

Why don't we ask her directly what's the reason she wants to teach in our school?

We need her, and we have a duty to make her feel accepted.

She's our guest, after all.

End of discussion.

Excuse us.

Hey! Stop please.

Hey! Careful, careful!

Why are you so exciting?

We have a new teacher!

But she's wearing head scarf.

But she's beautiful.

- Do you know her name? - Rain!

- No, it's not. - Then what?

Her name sounds like rain.

- Drizzle? - Nobody wants to name their children Drizzle.

She's wearing head scarf?

Let's go... let's go...

It hurts my ears.

Sorry, bro!

Hold on!

Hello, ladies.

We're here.

This is your house.

My house is not far.

If you need anything, just ask people where Marius lives.

That's my name, by the way.

Everybody knows me.

Will do. Thank you.

- Let me carry your luggage. - That's okay, Sir.

- Thank you. I can carry it myself. - Please stop calling me Sir.

Call me Marius, that's my name.

- I'm too young to be called Sir. - Thank you, Marius.

Great. You're welcome, Miss.

Peace be upon you.

Help!

- Help! Have mercy on me! - Help! Who are you?

I'm Arsa!

- Arsa? - Yes!

- Please, stop hitting me. - Who are you?

My name is Arsa, Ma'am.

I come here to bring you lunch.

I knocked, but nobody answered. So I let myself in to put the food on the table.

Oh, God. I'm so sorry.

No, it's my fault. I didn't know you're at home.

Call me Rintik. You're not my student, you can call me by my name.

You're famous now.

All the students are talking about you at the school.

Some of them told me your name is Drizzle, some said it's Storm, and some even said it's Flood.

But your name is actually...

...Rintik.

- There goes your lunch. - It's okay, I can do it.

Then I'd better leave now.

I wrote my phone number and my address on the bottom of the lunch box if you need me.

You're the third person who said that to me today.

Marius said that. The principal said that too.

And now you.

Who am I suppose to call when I need help?

That's just how we do here.

Always ready to help anybody in need.

- Excuse me, then. - Yes.

- Bye. - Thank you.

So we were staring at each other without realizing.

How would I know Miss Theresa would come in a headscarf?

She kept looking at the back of my truck. I was so embarrassed.

They said her flight came early, so I hurried up to the airport.

I brought the pigs to pick her up too.

You silly.

- Your treat? - Sure.

Ma'am.

What happened?

- Where are you going? - Wait here.

- What about this? - Pay them!

Can you put this in his tab?

You continue to owe.

Okay then just take it.

Where are you going?

- I'm visiting this house. - Okay.

Mother

Miss! Be careful!

- Are you okay? - I'm fine.

You should be careful. You're lucky I came here just in time.

If I didn't catch you, your face would be kissing the ground.

Okay, then.

I'd better go back inside, Marius. Good night.

Why didn't you carry her? Like this.

You should respect her.

She's very special.

She wears a headscarf, you can't just carry her around.

Does it make any difference if you carry her on your back?

I don't know.

I'm just glad she didn't fall and kissed the ground. That's it.

- Marius, I'm so sorry for you. - Why?

She'd rather kiss the ground than being kissed by you.

Why you little...

- Have you met her? - Who? Miss Rintik?

- Yeah. - I have.

Tell us about it. She's beautiful, isn't she?

Is she?

I didn't notice.

Tomorrow, when you're bringing her lunch, look at her a bit longer.

Good morning.

Thank you.

Marius told me everything.

I was gonna tell you about the electrical problem, but...

And I also want to apologize I didn't pick up your call last night.

I was in the bathroom.

No problem. I was just so clumsy.

- I can give you a ride on my motorcycle. - I'm fine, thanks.

By the way, I...

I forgot to apologize to you.

It's not your fault I fell.

It's not about that. It's about the truck Marius use to pick you up.

There were pigs on the back of his truck.

I didn't know you would come. We thought we were picking up Ms. Theresa.

It's Rintik. Just call me Rintik.

Rintik.

What made you want to come here?

Aren't women like you would rather choose other professions?

What are you implying by saying "women like me"?

Women from big cities.

With modern way of thinking.

Unlike most local women I know.

But we just met yesterday.

I know.

- You're not gonna eat that? - I'll just eat it in school.

- Excuse me. - Sure.

- You have flat tire. - Really?

Yep, it's flat.

Are you sure?

- It's flat. - You're right.

It's true, the wheel's flat.

We knew it's flat, and yet we're still touching it in disbelief.

- Yeah. - Wait here. I'll give you a ride to school.

- Thanks for the ride. - I'll pick you up again after school.

I'm gonna drive you home.

Thanks, but I'll be fine.

- No problem. - By the way...

...is this yours?

- It is! Thank you. - You're welcome.

At first, I didn't know the owner of that wallet because there's no ID inside.

- I know. - Well, thanks again.

Happy working.

Kids, let's go to your class!