A New Beginning

Luke walked through the dimly lit streets, his hands clenched into fists inside the pockets of his worn-out jacket. The pain of humiliation burned inside him, but he swallowed it down, forcing himself to keep moving forward. His aunt's words echoed in his mind, each syllable cutting deeper than the last.

"No talent in acting."

"A burden."

"If you were intelligent like my son..."

Luke let out a deep breath, his jaw tightening. He had dreamed of becoming an actor since childhood. It wasn't just a passing fancy; it was his passion. But after being wrongly associated with a scandal, the industry had turned its back on him. No one wanted to take the risk.

After what felt like an eternity of walking, he reached the train station. The last train to his hometown was about to leave. Without hesitation, he bought a ticket and boarded the train. The inside was mostly empty, apart from a few tired passengers, lost in their own worlds.

Luke slumped into a seat by the window and closed his eyes, but sleep didn't come. His mind kept replaying the moment Kevin called the guards, the look of disgust on his aunt's face, the disappointment in his uncle's voice.

"Is this the end?" he thought bitterly. "Am I really that useless?"

But then, a flicker of something stirred inside him—anger. Not at his aunt, not at the industry, but at himself.

"I refuse to be a failure."

Luke sat up straight, determination hardening his features. He would prove them wrong. He would make it, no matter how many obstacles stood in his way.

---

The train arrived at his hometown early in the morning. The place hadn't changed much—small houses, narrow streets, and the same familiar faces of people who had known him since childhood.

His grandfather's house was on the outskirts of the town, a modest wooden home with a small garden in the front. Luke hesitated at the doorstep before knocking. A few seconds later, the door creaked open, revealing an old man with a frail frame but sharp eyes.

"Luke?" his grandfather, Albert, said, surprised. "What are you doing here, boy?"

Luke forced a smile. "Uncle Jhon sent me here for a while."

Albert studied his grandson's face, his gaze piercing through Luke's façade. "Something happened." It wasn't a question.

Luke sighed, stepping inside. "It's a long story, Grandpa."

Albert didn't push him for details. Instead, he nodded toward the dining table. "You must be hungry. Sit."

Luke's stomach growled in agreement. He hadn't eaten since yesterday. As he ate, Albert sat across from him, smoking his pipe in silence.

"You still want to be an actor?" his grandfather finally asked.

Luke froze for a second before nodding. "More than anything."

Albert took a long drag from his pipe before exhaling. "Then why are you here, wasting time?"

Luke frowned. "I have nowhere else to go. No one in the industry wants to hire me."

His grandfather let out a chuckle. "That's an excuse."

Luke's frown deepened. "It's not that simple, Grandpa."

Albert leaned forward, his sharp eyes locking onto Luke's. "Nothing in life is simple, boy. But tell me, did you think success would be handed to you on a silver platter?"

Luke looked down at his plate, silent.

Albert continued, his voice firm. "The world doesn't care about your struggles, Luke. If they won't give you a chance, you create your own. Stop begging for opportunities and start making them."

Luke looked up, confusion in his eyes. "How?"

Albert smirked. "You're not the first person to face rejection. Many great actors were rejected before they made it big. Do you know what they did? They kept going. They built themselves from nothing. You want to act? Fine. Then act. But don't sit around waiting for someone to hand you a role."

Luke's mind whirled. His grandfather was right. He had been so focused on getting cast in a big production that he never considered other ways to prove himself.

"Think, boy. You have the internet. You have a phone. You don't need a big studio to showcase your talent."

The realization hit Luke like a thunderbolt. He didn't need to wait for someone to give him a role. He could create his own content—short films, skits, monologues. He could put his talent out there for the world to see.

Excitement rushed through him. He wasn't defeated. He had just been looking at the problem the wrong way.

Luke stood up suddenly, determination burning in his eyes. "You're right, Grandpa. I'll make my own way."

Albert grinned. "That's the spirit."

Luke's journey wasn't over. It was just beginning. And this time, he wouldn't let anyone stop him.