I woke up to the sunlight filtering through the trees and falling directly on my face through the window beside my bed. I groaned softly, blinking as the golden rays painted patterns across my blanket. For a moment, I wished I could go back to sleep, but responsibility doesn't let you snooze.
After freshening up, I headed straight to the kitchen. The familiar smell of spices and sizzling oil filled the air. My mother was cooking, her back turned, humming softly under her breath. I tiptoed quietly until I reached her, then wrapped my arms around her from behind.
She jumped slightly, startled by my sudden hug.
"Good morning, Mom. Have a nice day," I said, resting my chin on her shoulder.
She smiled, shaking her head. "Yes, Tanvi. You too."
She motioned for me to sit at the dining table while she finished cooking. As I sat down, I unlocked my phone and began scrolling through my emails, hoping just hoping that I'd finally hear back from one of the companies I'd interviewed with. But once again, my inbox was empty.
Four years of searching. Four years of disappointment.
I sighed quietly. Being a barista wasn't my dream job, but it was something. At least I could earn a little and help my parents, even if it wasn't much.
Mom noticed the shift in my expression. "What happened? Why do you look so stressed? You were just smiling a moment ago."
I forced a bright smile and said quickly, "Oh, it's nothing, Mom. Don't worry."
Her brows knitted with concern. "Is your café owner giving you a hard time?"
I laughed lightly. "No, not at all! She's actually a really good lady."
Before she could ask more, my father walked in, holding a pile of envelopes. "Good morning," he said warmly before setting them on the table and heading toward the washroom.
My eyes lingered on the envelopes. Something about them made my heart heavy. Once he was gone, I reached for the pile and carefully opened one. My chest tightened instantly. They were all bills debts piling up higher and higher.
"Mom," I said softly, "why are these bills increasing so much? I already offered you my salary. Why won't you just use it to pay some of this off?"
She came over and sat across from me, wiping her hands on her apron. "You don't earn much, Tanvi. It's barely enough for yourself. How can I take that from you? These debts aren't your burden to carry, they're ours."
"But, Mom," I protested, "we're a family. We're supposed to help each other. Please, let me do something. I want to."
Her tone turned firm, though her eyes were soft. "Let us handle this, Tanvi. You focus on your job."
I fell silent, guilt washing over me like a wave. I wanted to help them so badly. I needed to.
Dad returned, and Mom quickly served breakfast. I noticed she had given me two slices of bread and a boiled egg, but only bread for themselves. My throat tightened.
"Dad," I said quietly, "I'm an adult now. Please, let me help pay the bills. I'm willing to give you everything I earn."
He didn't even look up as he replied, "You don't need to get involved in these things. I'll manage."
"But, Dad—"
"Tanvi," Mom interrupted, her voice trembling slightly, "you've already suffered enough because of us. We don't want you to suffer anymore. We just want you to be happy."
"Mom, I'll be happy if you let me do this," I insisted softly.
But Dad's tone turned final. "No more discussion. We won't take your money. It's settled."
I didn't argue again.
After breakfast, I got ready for work, slipping a few of the unpaid bills into my bag when they weren't looking.
The café was already bustling when I arrived. I tied my apron, wiped down tables and counters, and prepped the espresso machine. The familiar hum of grinding beans filled the air. Soon, the first rush of customers began.
I poured, brewed, served, and smiled, pretending not to feel the weight of the envelopes in my bag.
While I was humming a tune softly, my boss appeared suddenly beside me. "Tanvi," she said sharply, "tie your hair. Health code."
I startled a bit and nodded quickly. "Sorry, ma'am."
Hours passed. During lunch break, instead of eating with my co-workers, I slipped out quietly to pay a few of the bills I'd taken. My hands trembled as I handed the money to the clerk. It wasn't much, but it felt like something.
As I walked back to the café, a lump formed in my throat. Why does everything I do feel so small?
By evening, when my shift finally ended, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. I changed into my casual clothes, washed my face, and looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection looked tired, older somehow.
"I have to do better," I whispered to myself. "I need another job. I can't let them drown in debt."
The city lights had begun to flicker to life when I started walking through the streets, checking restaurants and cafés that still had hiring posters in their windows. Each "sorry, we're full" chipped away at my hope a little more.
Finally, I reached a grand hotel, the kind I'd only seen from a distance. They had posted an opening online for waitresses at their restaurant.
Gathering my courage, I walked up to the front desk. "Hi, I came to submit my CV for the waitress position," I said, my voice a bit shaky.
The receptionist smiled politely. "Please come with me."
She led me through a corridor into a quiet office where a middle-aged man sat behind a large desk.
She gestured for me to approach him and left.
He looked up briefly from his papers. "Sit," he said, not unkindly.
I sat down, clutching my CV. "Sir, I came to apply for the waitress position—"
He interrupted with a faint smile. "You're lucky. We were planning to hire four people. Three are already selected, and we needed one more. Consider yourself hired."
My eyes widened. "Really?"
He nodded. "Your shift starts tomorrow , 6 p.m. sharp to 10 p.m."
I must have thanked him at least four times before walking out. My heart raced with excitement. Finally!
It was already past nine when I reached home.
The moment I entered, Mom's worried voice echoed from the kitchen. "Why are you so late, Tanvi? Your café shift ends at four!"
"I got a new job, Mom," I said quickly, trying to sound casual. "At a restaurant. I'll be working evenings now."
Dad looked up from the sofa. "You don't need another job. You'll be exhausted."
Mom frowned. "Yes, Tanvi. I know why you're doing this."
I forced a small laugh. "No, Mom, I'm doing it for myself! I want to buy some new clothes, maybe save up a little. Don't worry, it's nothing serious."
Seriously, kuch bada nahi hai.")
They exchanged a glance, still suspicious, but finally nodded.
"Alright," Dad said quietly. "Just take care of your health."
"I will," I promised, managing a smile.
But inside, I knew the truth.
This wasn't for new clothes.
This was for them.
And no matter how hard I had to work, I'd make sure we were free someday.