The Second Lead's Retribution (Reincarnation #2)

Epilogue

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IF THERE'S ONE thing I learned about falling in love and drawing comics, both of it has their ups and downs.

They are all difficult to get through, but after all the pains, it was all worth it.

My mother always used to tell me to follow my heart and create decisions that will lead me to happiness, but at the end of it all, always prioritize yourself.

So, I did.

I disappeared for five years. No one knows where I went.

After publishing and another success of The Second Lead's Retribution, I disappeared from everyone.

I took a break from drawing comics.

Ang focus ko lang na makapasok ng internship ay sa Pilipinas lang mismo. Pero sinubukan kong mag-apply sa ibang bansa. Nag-baka sakali lang naman ako. Ang reply ng mga pinagpasahan ko ng resume, wala akong inasahan sa mga 'yon.

But expect the unexpected, one art gallery from New York contacted me back. They saw my portfolio and resume. They wanted to take me. If they'll be satisfied with my work, they'll hire me permanently.

Nainform ko ang university about doon. Akala ko ay hindi ko magagawan ng paraan pero sila na mismo ang nagbukas ng daan sa akin. They included me sa student exchange program ng university sa sister school nila. Syracuse University.

The art gallery told me na wala akong poproblemahin sa kahit anong expenses dahil sila lahat ang bahala para doon. Lodging, weekly and food allowance, as well as the seminars and training nila.

Dalawang subject lang naman ang kinuha ko at kinumpleto ko sa Syracuse. Wala rin gaanong ginawa. Mostly, just interacting with the other exchange students. Hindi ko na kinuha ang dorm na ino-offer nila dahil mas madali sa akin ang malapit sa art gallery. Dalawang beses sa isang linggo lang naman ako pumupunta sa Syracuse.

I finished my college online. Hindi na ako nag-abala pang bumalik sa Pilipinas kahit noong graduation ko na. Kahit diploma ko, hindi ko pa nakuha.

Lucky enough, after I completed my internship, they hired me permanently. I started drawing again, too. Hindi na nga lang ako gumagawa ng volumes ng comics, strips at simple panels lang. Sideline-sideline.

After working for six hours a day sa art gallery, nagd-drawing ako ng isang oras o dalawa at isinasubmit 'yon sa isang online website na bumibili ng comics for a great price.

Pagkatapos ay focus na lang ako sa bahay. I take care of everything at home, do the laundry, and groceries every week, and clean the house from time to time.

Matagal ko rin pinag-isipan kung dapat na ba akong mag-reach out sa pamilya ko pero bago ko pa man magawa 'yon, aksidente kaming nagkita ni Kuya Uno at Kuya Dos sa art gallery kung saan ako nagtatrabaho.

It turns out that Kuya Uno has a client in New York then, and Kuya Dos went with him to watch the concert of his favorite band.

I guess it's due time that I tell them everything that happened to me ever since I met him.

As expected, they got mad at me. Not because of my love situation at that time, but because I left them and went through all the struggles alone.

Siyempre, sunod-sunod na ang nangyari nang magkita-kita kami. Tinawagan nila sila Mommy, nagka-iyakan kami sa call, kamustahan, at mabilisan nilang pag-book ni Daddy ng flight papuntang New York.