A Kiss On The Riverside (Isaviadar Province Series #1)

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

Swear

My journey isn't just about me—writing the love tragedy of my life, writing because it's what I love and following what I desire.

My life is also how I gave up college, just so I can be in a company and be an editor. A lowkey editor with no assurance of her future. But I did it anyway.

My life is also how I grabbed every opportunity that comes my way, despite the self doubt. Despite the 'I'm not good enough for this', 'I am afraid', 'maraming mas magaling sa akin', 'hindi ko kaya' I still accepted every offer I could get.

At saan ako dinala ng masasabi ko nang 'katapangan'?

Dito, dito ako dinala.

"I want to be just like you po,"

Iniabot ko ang huling librong pinirmahan ko at ngumiti sa babaeng kasing edad lang yata ni Vince.

"What's stopping you?" I chuckled and I watch the girl's eye sparkle "Go on and write. Go on and dream. Go on and be fearless. Go on and climb upward"

Patuloy na pag-akyat paitaas. At kung magbabalik tanaw ako sa nakaraan, mas lalo ko lang nasasabing malayo-layo na ang narating ko. At pwedeng hanggang dito na lang ako, pwedeng bumaba, pwedeng umangat.

Pero natungtong ko na ang ang oras at panahon na pinapangarap ko. What's next after this, Ven?

Tumayo na ako mula sa pagkaka-upo. May mga staff na agad lumapit para alisin ang lamesa sa stage. Iniabot sa akin ni Lae ang mikropono at muling nag-cheer sa akin ang mga nanatili kahit pa napirmahan ko na ang libro nila. Marami na ang umuwi, lumuwag na kahit papaano sa venue pero masasabi kong marami pa ring tao. Madilim na sa labas at maulan pa.

I'll end this long night now. Nagugutom na ako! Pero mas lamang ang saya na nararamdaman ko. Worth it ang sakit ng kamay, worth it ang kaba, worth it ang nangangalay kong mukha dahil sa labis na pagngiti.

"The best day of my life was the moment I started writing. The happiest day are whenever I'm with my family. But the greatest?" Me eyes watered as the readers screamed with joy "This day and night is the greatest moment of my life. And no one will change that!"

The crowd chant my name. Some took pictures of me again, and some walked away to leave.

"Thank you for being a part and for making the greatest day of my life. Lahat kayo ay manatili sa puso ko.  Good evening and goodbye for now! See you when I see you!" I gave them a flying kiss. The spotlight on me turned off, making the stage dark. My hand is sore, my throat is dry, but I'm happy.

Happier than I ever was.

And I still couldn't believe it. It feels like magic.

Cigarette Daydream started playing. Tumalikod na ako at hindi na pinanood ang pag-alis ng mga tao sa lugar. May nag-abot sa akin ng bote ng tubig na siyang tinanggap ko kaagad at uminon. Pumunta ako ng backstage at agad pumalakpak sa akin ang mga staff.

Nanatili lang akong nakatayo sa likod ng pula at malaking kurtina. Pawis na pawis ako. Inikot-ikot ko naman ang wrist ko na nangangalay at nakarinig agad ako ng mga crack.

Natapos na...

Oh gosh, nagawa ko! I am no longer faceless, I am out of my hidings!

I can finally attend book awards and everything. Sinabi na sa akin ang mga inaasahang mangyayari pagkatapos ng araw na 'to. Another interview from Mickey but not as a script writer of a famous play but as an author of a best-selling book. I will take over social media for some weeks because of this big day, I will be known and it depends on me and faith if I will continue rising.