Three Pivotal Decisions
By Lokanath Mishra
Chitra’s life was shaped by three pivotal decisions that forever altered her path. The first was her unwavering determination to pursue an engineering degree despite her family’s financial struggles. Her father, a low-paid employee, had already shouldered the expenses of her brother’s engineering education, making it a challenge for Chitra to continue her studies. Undeterred, she persevered, completing her B.Tech on a tight budget without taking out bank loans.
Her hard work paid off when she landed a job in an IT company through a campus interview. However, her second decision would have far-reaching consequences. Chitra married her boyfriend without consulting her parents, a choice that led to estrangement. At 23, her early marriage meant she couldn’t provide financial support to her parents as she had hoped. After moving to the USA with her husband, Chitra gave birth to a baby girl, but her mother’s reaction was unexpected. Her mother demanded distance, refusing any involvement in Chitra’s life or her child’s. This hurtful decision left Chitra stunned, and for 25 years, her mother maintained this distance, never showing love or interest in her grandchildren.
Despite personal challenges, Chitra’s professional journey took a dramatic turn three years ago. Faced with financial struggles, including a meager bank balance and overdue rent, Chitra made her third pivotal decision. She accepted a short-term project offer from an old colleague, despite the project’s chaotic nature. Chitra threw herself into the work, pulling all-nighters and fixing problems that others couldn’t. Her dedication impressed the CEO, who offered her a full-time role. From there, Chitra’s career soared. She took on challenging assignments, turned around failing teams, and consistently delivered results. Her hard work paid off, and she rose through the ranks. When the CEO retired, Chitra was appointed to his position. Reflecting on her journey, she realized that saying yes to that desperate project had completely rerouted her life, transforming rock bottom into a setup for an incredible comeback.