Swati pulled the fridge door open and took out a container of Mishti Doi. She heaved a sigh and carried it to her bedroom. Her laptop sat open on the small desk of her room- an email looming on the screen.
“We regret to inform you that the position you applied for has currently been filled…….”
Life is pretty unpredictable. After working so hard on her resume, Swati had gotten zero offers. Rejection letters piled up, one after the other, and her confidence kept going down. She knew she deserved better and more, then why did it still suck so bad to be rejected?
Gulping down doi mindlessly, she picked up her phone and rang up the one person she could always turn to.
“Ma, I am done, Done struggling, done trying to make ends meet, done trying to be better than the person I was yesterday. Maybe the truth is that I am just not good enough for these hotshot corporates and returning home seems to be my only option.”
A beat passed.
Her mother finally spoke, "Shona, do you really want to come home? Or are you turning away because this is the first time you have not aced something in one go? You have always dreamed about going to the big city to achieve your dreams, walk into those artistic cafes and split a bun maska with your friends. And yes, they have rejected you. Some have; not all. You are the most courageous and headstrong person I know. You have always worked hard to achieve success, and if you want to come home, I understand. But remember how much it means to you.
You can come back. We can get you a job at the local contractor’s office and you’ll get a decent enough salary to provide for yourself. But is that the end you want for yourself? If the answer is no, stay, fight, give it your absolute best and then also if you want to come home, I will come get you myself.”
By now, Swati’s eyes had filled up. “I do not want to disappoint you or Baba. You guys have supported me so much and I feel like a failure.”
“You are anything but a failure, Swati. Do you know how proud I and your Baba are? And not just us; your old teachers, peers, friends and Principal feel the same way. You deserve everything and more, Shonna. Keep Going.”
“I love you, Maa. Thank you, always.”
They hung up after a while. The tears on her eyes dried off; she went and sat on her laptop and started composing fresh emails to new companies. She would send them out in the morning after final checks.
Lying on the bed, she took the final spoonful of Mishti Doi. For the first time, in a while, it actually tasted sweet. Swati smiled.
(Hello everyone. I would just like to say that this is a work of fiction. But University and Job rejections hit hard. Especially when you attach your sense of worth to it (I am guilty). If you are dealing with something similar, please feel free to reach out to someone who has professional expertise, it will help you to cope up. And if you do not have access to resources, know that multiple people out here are cheering for you. I know you are going to get where you want to reach, it is only a matter of time. Sending everyone lots of love anfd light.)
