HER POV
Running away from my family in Bihar was the hardest decision of my life. I loved them, but I couldnât let them decide my future for me. My parents believed a girlâs place was in her husbandâs home, and at twenty-one, my marriage had already been planned. It wasnât a question of if I would get married but when and to whom. The thought of my dreams ending before they had even started terrified me.
It was late one night when I overheard my father speaking with a family about dowry. They were negotiating my worth like I was some kind of transaction. I wanted to scream, but instead, I packed my certificates, a few clothes, and the little savings I had managed to stash away. Before I could talk myself out of it, I was on a train to Delhi, leaving everything I knew behind.
ARRIVING IN DELHI
Delhi wasnât kind to me. For the first few weeks, I lived in a crowded hostel, sharing a room with five other women. I worked odd jobsâwaitressing, tutoring, anything I could find to stay afloat. But it wasnât enough. My family was searching for me, and I knew they wouldnât stop. My hometown was small, and word traveled fast. It was only a matter of time before someone spotted me or traced me back here.
Then, by some miracle, I stumbled upon an opportunity to work in the USA. One of my part-time employers mentioned an opening in an American company they had connections with. The position required basic office skills and proficiency in English, both of which I had. But getting there wasnât going to be easy.
Making a passport and obtaining a visa turned out to be an ordeal. The paperwork alone was enough to make me question my decision. Endless visits to government offices, standing in queues for hours, dealing with officials who seemed intent on making my life difficultâit was exhausting. More than once, I sat on the steps of the passport office, tears streaming down my face, wondering if it was all worth it. But I kept pushing forward, telling myself this was my one shot at freedom.
THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES
After months of persistence, I finally had my passport and visa in hand. Stepping onto that plane felt surreal. For the first time in my life, I was leaving not just Bihar but India itself. The sense of relief was overwhelming, but it didnât last long.
Life in the USA was far from the dream I had envisioned. The job I had secured was in a small company, and while I worked hard, it became clear that the company was struggling financially. Two months in, the company shut down. I found myself unemployed in a foreign country with no support system to fall back on.
I tried not to panic, but as days turned into weeks, the stress began to take its toll. I applied for dozens of jobs, often staying up all night filling out applications. When I came across the listing for Litvik Company, I didnât think much of it. I submitted my resume, expecting yet another rejection. But to my surprise, they called me back for an interview.
THE INTERVIEW
Now, here I was, standing outside the glass doors of Litvik Company, my palms damp with nerves. The building was imposing, its sleek, modern design a stark contrast to the chaos of my thoughts.
âMiss Kumari,â the receptionist called, breaking me out of my reverie. âYour turn. Please follow me.â
I nodded, straightened my dress, and followed her down a pristine hallway. She directed me to a room where the interviews were being held. My heart pounded as I knocked on the door.
âCome in,â a voice called from inside.
I stepped into the room to find four people seated behind a tableâthree men and one woman. Unbeknownst to me, one of them was the CEO of the company.
âNaina Kumari,â I introduced myself, trying to keep my voice steady.
âPlease, have a seat,â one of the men said, gesturing to the chair across from them.
âThank you for inviting me,â I said as I sat down, forcing myself to sit upright instead of leaning back.
âGreat to have you here,â one of the interviewers said, studying me briefly before leaning forward. âSo, tell me, Naina, what made you decide to apply for this job?â
âIâve always wanted to work in a challenging environment and gain international experience,â I replied confidently. âI felt this position aligns with my skills and career aspirations.â
The questions kept comingâabout my education, my internship, the challenges I had faced, and my long-term goals. I answered each one as best as I could, drawing from my experiences and emphasizing my determination to succeed.
By the end of the interview, I was mentally drained but hopeful. The panel thanked me for my time, and I stepped out of the room, exhaling a shaky breath.
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THE OFFER
Later that day, I received a call. They offered me the jobâassistant to the CEO. I could hardly believe it. After everything I had been through, this felt like a turning point.
As the receptionist handed me a folder with the next steps and instructions, I left the building in a daze, barely able to contain my disbelief.
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A NEW BEGINNING
Back in my rented apartment, I collapsed onto the worn sofa, my stomach growling. I craved Indian food; everything I had eaten here so far lacked the spices and flavors of home. But cooking was out of the questionâI was far too tired.
Instead, I ordered some takeout, devoured it quickly, and went straight to bed.
Tomorrow would be my first day at Litvik Company. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, a mix of excitement and nervousness filled me. For the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were finally starting to fall into place.
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