You Found Me

EPILOGUE

     I've been living my life always asking why things happen. Is it just mere coincidence? Is it for a reason?

     I have sorted these queries most of the time. But I never got to find out the answer to where our story stands.

    “There's no doubt where you got your talent, Miss Aquino. The apple doesn't really fall far from the tree.”

    If this is a year ago, I would probably cringe with this kind of compliment. I'm not even sure if I'm going to be here, displaying my works in front of these thick rush of people, though, I got to admit that I still need a lot of getting used to with all of it.

    Months had passed and my life completely changed.

   I never became valedictorian, just like how everyone expected. I actually never followed any path the way I envisioned it. I'm taking fine arts this upcoming school year.

It all started when, an awesome human being found me, and from then on, I knew I will never be lost again. Hapon made me realized not to be afraid of change. To always chase after my heart's desire.

    And now, here I am following my dreams.

    “Well, I'm lucky to be that apple,” I reply to Mr. Buenaventura and mean every word of it. He's one of the organizers in this event, who believed in my talent and that I could go this far.

    He shakes my hand. “I can't wait to see more of your works, Ms. Aquino and I'm looking forward to work more with you.”

    "Thank you. Me too,” I smiled.

    I return my attention to the painting hanging on the wall the moment I'm all by myself again. Most of my works are about him.

    Eyes that hold the Universe.

    It's his eyes, how I realized why I can't seem to figure it out unlike all other eyes that I've seen before. It's because it's vast, infinite, and boundless just like the universe.

    And just like the universe, Hapon made me feel wonder in all ways possible. He is an art worthy of being called a masterpiece. 

    Sometimes I would do it unconsciously, almost like an instinct or a need that I can't resist. 

   I created it like two kaleidoscope, combining different hues with diverging tones, shades, and tints.

    The more I look at it, the more I feel surreal.  Sometimes I would even ask myself if I really made such kind of thing.

     I started painting again. It became my medium to channel my grief during those rough times. It hugely helped me cope with his loss most of the time.

     I took risk by accepting the offer of the gallery where Hapon turned over my works. From then on, everything started to fall in line.

     After almost a year, my hard work paid off.

     I was recognized as one of the youngest artist who had ever held an auction in which all the proceeds will go to a charity of cancer patients.

    And now my works had been put into an exhibit. But this is not only mine. This is also Mom's. I thought, the world also needs to see her works. I've displayed what she had made on those letters. I'm sure it's also what she wanted and I know she's happy now.