Hey, It's Me, Karma (Manileño Series #1)

Before we begin, please read

Hi, this is Azeem. Before we begin, I would like to leave a message that would help you understand and learn my reasons.

I wrote this book since I was Grade 10, that was back in 2018. There are three versions of this book. The first one which I wrote in 2018. The second one which I wrote in 2019 and ended in June 2020, this version had garnered a lot of readers. And this third and final version that you will end up reading right now.

I loved all the versions of my book. I love all the mistakes, imperfections and beauty in it. Despite being not known to the industry of writing, some people probably had read all the versions and wondered why there are three of them. What plot and timeline are we following? The first, second or the third one?

The third one.

This is the reason why I write it again. And this is also the reason why you are reading this message right now. I am going to apologize if you find it troublesome but I hope reading this version would make you think that you are reading Hey, It's Me, Karma for the first time because this version is different from the versions before. I changed a lot of things, defy the timeline I created from Living with the Four Campus' Heartthrobs era.

Why?

Because it is the right thing to do. I cannot assure you that there will be no errors in this version but I can say that it is lesser than before. I've read the pasts versions and decided this is for the best. I hope you respected my decision as a writer and would be patient with me. I appreciate it.

A big factor to this is my characters voices. It may sound superficial but you are reading it right. There are whispers from them telling me that they wanted their story to be told. I thought I had already let everyone know their story but that was not it. There's a great force telling me to do it. This is what this book is telling. This is what Ivan and Karma wants to tell.

I've also always wanted to tell people a message that is probably already a common sense to everyone but not everyone is capable of grasping. I wanted to tell a lesson that would not only serve for young girls and women but also for young boys and men.

I thought about this decision for how many months until I made a firm decision and stood by it even when it was difficult. I feel like I finally found a vessel that would carry out the message I wanted to tell the people. I think that is also the message and story Karma and Ivan wanted to tell everyone.

I wanted to create a character that would not only serve to make you feel tingles, make you cry and make you laugh and happy but to make you feel like they're real humans with stories to tell. I wanted to create a character that would serve as my spokesperson, to speak my heart.

Well, what my heart says is what my characters says too. We are connected by unbreakable bond that no one could sever.

This is getting long. Before I end the message, I wanted to thank those who stood by every versions and changes of this book. I wanted to thank everyone who supported me and still find beauty from all the imperfections of my book.

I am still learning and will continue to learn. This is still one of the first steps of the unending steps of a stairway I am walking through. Along those steps, you are with me and I am with you. We might be walking different paths sometimes but we will find each other somewhere. I am certain.

Thank you.