After walking around the park for a while, I decided it was time to call my mother. She had probably been worrying all night after I didn't pick up her calls. Sitting on a bench shaded by a tree, I unlocked my phone and scrolled through the missed notifications. Three missed calls, one message — typical of her.
I took a deep breath and pressed the call button. It didn't even ring twice before she picked up.
"Finally! You remembered you have a mother," she said, her voice half-annoyed, half-relieved.
I smiled faintly. "Good morning to you too, Mom. Sorry, I was really tired yesterday. I didn't even hear the phone ring."
"Hmm, tired? What were you doing — climbing a mountain?"
"Not exactly," I replied, chuckling. "Just walking all around Denube trying to find a place to stay. It took longer than expected, but I found a decent one. Small but comfortable. And affordable, believe it or not."
"That's good," she said, her tone softening. "Did you eat properly? You never eat enough when you're alone."
"I did, Mom. Bought some food from a nearby shop and went straight to bed. You'd be proud — I even took a bath before sleeping."
There was a pause, and then she laughed lightly. "That's new. Your father will be impressed to know you remembered basic hygiene."
"Speaking of him," I asked, "where is he today? I didn't hear his voice in the background."
"Oh, he left early this morning," she replied. "He's on an official visit to the capital. He'll be back in two or three days."
"I see. Tell him the interview went fine. I'm still waiting for the results, though."
"I'm sure you did well," she said confidently. "You've worked hard, James. Just be patient. Everything will fall into place."
I didn't reply immediately. Her faith in me always carried a strange warmth — comforting yet a little heavy, as if I didn't want to disappoint her.
"I hope so," I finally said. "Denube's been kind so far. People here are polite. The city's expensive, but the mornings are nice — calm and quiet."
She hummed softly, the way she did when she was half-listening but already planning what to cook for lunch. "Take care of yourself, okay? Don't skip meals. And don't overthink things."
"Yes, Mom. I'll call again later."
"Hmm. You better."
We both laughed, and after a few more casual lines, I said goodbye and ended the call.
The moment the line disconnected, a strange stillness returned. It was the kind of silence that only comes after hearing a familiar voice — warm, reassuring, and then suddenly gone.
I looked around the park again. The same children were still playing; the same old men were still on the bench, arguing over something that probably didn't matter. The world hadn't changed, but I somehow felt lighter.
I slipped my phone into my pocket and stood up, stretching my arms toward the sky. The day was still young, and I had nothing urgent planned. Maybe I'd explore the city a bit more — find a bookstore, or perhaps a quiet café to sit and write something.
---
Time passed faster than I expected, but for someone like me who didn't have much to do, it also felt like an eternity. The days blurred together — a mix of short walks, a few meals, and the occasional wandering through the quiet streets of Denube.
I had gone to another interview in the meantime, but from the way it went, I knew it wasn't likely to work out. The tone of the conversation, the polite smiles, the way they avoided eye contact — all subtle hints that I couldn't ignore.
Still, I held on to hope for my first interview. I kept telling myself, maybe that one will work.
Two days passed in this limbo, each morning feeling like the start of something but ending in uncertainty. And then, on the third day, my phone rang. The number was unknown, and my heart skipped a beat.
I picked up the call. "Hello, who is this?"
A calm, professional female voice came on the line.
"Hello, am I speaking to Mr. James?"
"Yes… hello," I replied cautiously, trying not to let my excitement show too much.
"Hello, Mr. James. I am calling to inform you that you have been selected for the recent interview at Denube IT and Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. We hope you can report on time. Other details will be provided when you report. Location: Denube Complex, at 9:00 a.m."
I froze for a moment, processing the information. Selected? Me? The words felt surreal, as if they were floating in the air around me.
"Uh… thank you," I managed to say, my voice betraying a mixture of shock and relief.
"You're welcome, Mr. James. We look forward to seeing you on the reporting day," she said politely, and then the line went quiet.
I held the phone in my hand for a while, staring at it. The screen reflected my own wide-eyed expression. For a moment, I didn't move. I could feel the tension of the past few days slowly melting away, replaced by a strange, buoyant energy.
Finally, I leaned back in my chair and exhaled. A smile spread across my face — hesitant at first, then wider. This was it. The first real step in Denube, a sign that perhaps things were starting to fall into place.
I put the phone down carefully, almost afraid to break the fragile sense of relief. The city outside my window seemed brighter somehow, as if it too was celebrating in its quiet, everyday way.
I couldn't help but think about Mom. She'd be proud — she always told me to stay patient, to trust my effort. Well, this was the proof, small as it might be.
---
For the rest of the afternoon, I wandered around the neighborhood, letting the news settle in. Every passerby, every car horn, every scent from the bakeries — they all seemed sharper, more vivid. I realized I was seeing the city with a new set of eyes. The streets were no longer just roads between shops and houses; they were paths toward my next step, my first real engagement here in Denube.
By evening, I returned to my small room. The balcony offered the same view of the horizon, but tonight, the city lights were starting to twinkle, each window a tiny story. I placed my bag down carefully and leaned against the railing, letting the gentle evening breeze wash over me. The day's walk had cleared my head, and the excitement of the upcoming reporting day settled into a calm anticipation.
I decided to prepare a little. I laid out the clothes I would wear tomorrow — something neat, simple, professional. A crisp shirt, dark trousers, and my slightly worn shoes that had carried me through countless walks across streets and parks. I checked the route on my phone, marking the quickest path to the Denube Complex. Even though I had never been there, having a plan gave me a quiet confidence.
Dinner was simple again, but I didn't mind. I sat on the edge of my bed, eating slowly, enjoying the moment of solitude. Afterward, I washed up, feeling the familiar relief of a warm shower, and settled into the small corner of the room where I could write a few thoughts down.
Denube had a strange effect on me — it was bustling, expensive, and slightly intimidating, yet its small corners and quiet moments made me feel at ease. Sitting there, I reflected on the past few days: the struggle to find a room, the long walks, the interviews, the small interactions with strangers that left an imprint. Every little thing had led to this — a simple phone call confirming that my efforts weren't in vain.
The city lights flickered as night deepened. I leaned back, feeling a sense of readiness I hadn't felt in a long time. Tomorrow would bring something new, something real — and for the first time in a while, I was looking forward to it.
Eventually, I set my pen down, stretched, and let the day fade away. Sleep came quickly, but this time it was accompanied by a quiet satisfaction.
A new chapter of life was about to begin, and for James, it felt like the beginning of something worth pursuing.
I woke up early, washed quickly, and dressed neatly, my mind buzzing with anticipation. I called my mother briefly. "Mom, I got the call. Today I'm reporting to Denube IT and Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd."
"That's wonderful, James! All the best," she said warmly.
"Thanks, Mom. I'll call you later," I replied, ending the call with a small smile.
I grabbed my bag and headed out. The streets were coming to life — the aroma of fresh bread from bakeries, distant tram whistles, and people moving briskly to work. I walked to the nearest bus stop, caught the right bus, and settled in for the short ride.
The city passed by in soft morning light, familiar and comforting. Soon enough, I reached the Denube Complex on time, heart pounding with excitement and a little nervousness.
Today, everything would begin.