Beyond the Sunset-Chapter 13

by Tanuja Chatterjee
(Kolkata, India)

Back to Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Against the backdrop of such turbulence, it’s very hard to stay strong…for anyone! Anubha, somehow, displayed poise, grace and dignity. She tried to keep her nerves cool, when their car was stopped at the gate.

“What work brings you here, madam.” The security man asked

Anubha brought out the envelop and said, “I’m called by Mrs. Bruni. I’m invited.”

The man saw the letter and recognized the seal.

“Very well then! This way madam.” He said and they drove in with confidence.

Anubha looked at the ambience of the place. She liked it.

“Dola, it’s really good, isn’t it?” she continued “Look at the security! I’m sure things will work out fine here.”

Mridula…(Dola to Anubha), felt a strange churn in her heart. She thought if this is what life is… then what is the need to be …” she was cut short by Anubha.

“Dola! Dola!” called Anubha, shaking her arm and Mridula retreated from her thoughts.

“Yeah, it seems nice and safe. Hmmm,.. UNESCO is actually doing its bit in a good way.” Said Dola.

The car stopped outside the front office and the two walked in.

“Looking for a meeting with Mrs. Bruni, madam.” Said Anubha gently, but with confidence.

The girl in spectacles looked up from her computer screen and said “Why do you wish to see her? Any reason in particular!” she asked.

Anubha handed over the call letter to her. She read it then pushing her chair a bit back she saved her file in the computer perhaps and stood up. “Jesica Frank” displayed her batch, under the left collar of her shirt.

“It’s vital Jesica, please help!” requested Anubha.

“I’ll see what I can do madam Anubha.” She replied with a gentle smile.

“Don’t panic didi, when all doors close, god opens a window somewhere. I think you said this to me once.” Comforted Mridula.

“I’m not in panic, it’s just the uncertainty that’s making me a bit nervous…I’m o.k otherwise…. Oh, why is she taking so long!” Anubha moved up and down with controlled anxiety.

“Its not even two minutes…have patience.” Remarked Mridula.

Jesica appeared and said “You’re called madam Anubha.”

“Thanx Jesica. You don’t know how grateful I’m for this favor!.” Anubha felt happy.

“Please madam.” She smiled.

This was her moment… The time of change…. The time of great upheaval… A period of transition. She couldn’t let go this opportunity. She mustered all her courage and strength and stepped forward to open the door.

“May I come in Ma’m!” Anubha asked formally.

“Oh come in! Come in! Anubha!” replied a dignified old lady, “Please come and have a seat.”

“Thank You ma’m.” as Anubha sat she found the lady deeply engrossed in her CV.

“Please feel comfortable and free. Just sit back and relax.” she looked up with a warm smile.

“So, what brings you here, young lady?

“Ma’m, I know I’m late, but I request you to consider me once again for the job.” She answered.

“Oh, that’s perfectly fine. We couldn’t recruit anyone on the day of the interview, you see! Somehow, no one clicked.” She answered adding hope to Anubha.

“You have a family, you’re qualified but what amazes me is that you’ve no experience. No social work experience. I mean it’s one of our criteria, you see.” She said.

“Very true Ma’m! Having experiences is necessary indeed, to have a realization in life. But, these experiences can be gathered beyond the format of a structured system! This long and winding path of life provides innumerable opportunities of experiences and realizations and I’ve had my share too.” Replied Anubha at one go with confidence.

“O.k.! hmm…but why didn’t you work? You have good qualifications and yet you preferred to be a house wife! Why!” She was assertive this time.

“I did work for a tiny frame of time of 4-5 years! I thought, flashing that on my CV would be misleading. Being a housewife had been a choice of my circumstances. Instead of regretting, brooding and complaining, I utilized the essence of my learning and qualifications to turn out a healthy and a rational mind, used it to bring a balance in all aspects of my life and bring up my children with joy and cheer. It’s been one great - big fight.” Anubha stopped and smiled .

“Can you elaborate your answer?” Mrs. Bruni asked.

“Ma’m, I had been carrier oriented always. I wished to utilize all my potentials to have an identity of my own. On marriage, I realized that my husband had no time for the family…actually his job profile had been such. My daughter arrived quite early followed by my son and I didn’t want them to grow up with maids. After all, children come into the world because we want them. They are our responsibility. We have children in order to offer our debt of gratitude to our parents. They offer us an opportunity to pass forward all the values and knowledge we gather. So I wished to pour all my energy and spirit of living and help them grow into capable individuals. I wished to give society, genuine human beings with a strong integrity of character. I wanted them to live and imbibe a value creative life. It couldn’t be done if I had diverse commitments. I was dealing with pulsating and vibrant lives….how could I do it half heartedly! Every day I moved on with a fighting spirit so that all children could enjoy their moments of growing up and their childhood. A golden era of each of our lives! I am happy that I could give my children the essence of a healthy living. They are living ma’m and not just existing!” Anubha stopped

“I think, I was looking for you…! You are apt for the job. It’s strange!” Said Mrs. Bruni.

“Is that all? Won’t you enquire more?” Anubha asked.

“No! I was looking for someone who loves children and has zeal and a determination to make lives of our children better. I see it in you.” Mrs. Bruni answered gently.

“You’ve got to stay here and teach and the details of the remuneration will be given to you within a day or two. Is it fine with you? She asked.

“I’m honored ma’m. I was looking for a job where I am wanted. Children at the orphanage need me and I’ll give all I have without retreating in my commitment, without begrudging my life.” Anubha spoke with great enthusiasm.

“When can you join? I mean, we need you immediately.” She continued, “So shall we begin tomorrow!” She shook Anubha’s hands and said.

“May I answer this question in a short while, ma’m!” answered Anubha.

Mrs. Bruni nodded.

Anubha wanted to talk to her sister before making a commitment.

“My young lady, how have you come!”she asked suddenly.

“With my sister …she is waiting outside.” Replied Anubha

“Oh, come, let me meet her too. Is she as astonishing as you are!” she said

“More than me Mrs. Bruni” Anubha answered with a smile.

As the two walked towards the door, Anubha remembered the words of her mentor -

“When your determination changes, everything else will begin to move in the direction you desire. The moment you resolve to be victorious, every nerve and fiber in your being will immediately orient itself toward your success. On the other hand, if you think "This is never going to work out," then at that instant every cell in your being will be deflated and give up the fight, and then everything really will move in the direction of failure.”

She made a firm resolve “I have no other option but win. I will win.”


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