"MAY YOU BE FREED FROM THE DESIRES TO PROVE WHAT YOU'RE..................."

Shubhita stood by the window, absentmindedly twirling a strand of her hair, when her phone buzzed on the table. She picked it up, glancing at the unknown number with curiosity before answering.

"Hello?" she said, her tone cautious.

"Is this Ms. Shubhita?" the voice on the other end asked.

"Yes, speaking," she replied, her heart beginning to beat a little faster.

"This is Mrs. Kapoor from Bright Future Academy. We've received your resume and would like to invite you for an interview tomorrow at 10 AM. Could you confirm your availability?"

Shubhita's eyes widened, a surge of excitement flooding through her. "Yes, yes, I can make it! Thank you so much for the opportunity."

Mrs. Kapoor smiled through the phone. "Wonderful. We'll see you then. Have a great day."

"You too," Shubhita replied, hanging up the phone. She stood still for a moment, letting the news sink in. Then, a wide smile spread across her face as she let out a joyful squeal.

"I can't believe it!" she whispered to herself, practically bouncing on her feet. "I got an interview!"

Her mind raced with thoughts of the future. If she got this job, she could finally contribute financially and ease some of Vatsal's burdens. She remembered the hesitant look on his face when he'd brought her to Noida, worrying she might be an extra responsibility. This job could change everything.

She glanced at the clock, noting it was around lunchtime for Vatsal. Without a second thought, she grabbed her phone and dialled his number, her fingers trembling with excitement.

At the news channel office, Vatsal was in the middle of coordinating a segment when his phone buzzed. He saw Shubhita's name flash on the screen and his heart skipped a beat. She rarely called him during work hours. Worried, he quickly excused himself and answered the call.

"Shubhita? Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"Vatsal!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable even over the phone. "I got a call from Bright Future Academy. They want me to come in for an interview tomorrow!"

Relief washed over him, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You got an interview? That's fantastic news!"

"I know! I can't believe it!" she said, her voice bubbling with happiness. "If I get this job, I can finally help out more. You won't have to worry about me being an extra burden."

He felt a mixture of embarrassment and relief wash over him. "Shubhita, you've never been a burden."

She hollowly chuckled, masking the pang of residual pain. "Liar. Correct me if you never so."

Sensing her kidding, Vatsal smiled, his worry replaced with genuine happiness for her. "I know you'll do great at the interview. Just be yourself."

"I will," she promised, her voice steady. "I just wanted to share the news with you first."

"I'm glad you did," he said warmly, then added theatrically. "It made my day."

She laughed at that. "You know, I was expecting more excitement from you," she teased, her tone light.

"Oh, trust me, I'm excited," he replied, grinning. "I'm just trying to keep it professional since I'm at work."

"Uh-huh," she said, playfully sarcastic. "Professional, right. Because you're so professional all the time."

"Hey, I can be very professional when I need to be," he retorted, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"Sure, sure," she replied, on the verge of rolling her eyes but ending up glancing up through the length of her eyelashes with a silly smile. "I totally believe you."

"I was being sarcastic!" he added, still chuckling.

"I got that!" she replied, laughing. "But it's cute that you think you can convince me."

"Cute? Now I'm cute?" he asked, mock-offended. "I thought I was reserved and insensitive."

"Oh, you're that too," she said with a giggle. "But mostly cute."

He shook his head, smiling. "You're something else, you know that?"

"I've been told," she said with a smirk.

They chatted for a few more minutes, Shubhita sharing her excitement and Vatsal offering words of encouragement. As they ended the call, he felt a renewed sense of optimism about their future. Shubhita's resilience and determination reminded him of why he cared for her so much.

Back at the apartment, Shubhita hung up the phone, her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. She took a deep breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. Tomorrow was a big day, and she was ready to face it head-on.

As Vatsal returned to his work, he couldn't help but think about Shubhita alone at the apartment. He knew she wasn't used to being by herself, having grown up surrounded by family and friends. This new situation was a significant adjustment for her, yet she managed it without complaint, all for him.

Seeing her call in the middle of the day had made him tense, worried that something might have happened. He daily felt uneasy leaving her alone in an unfamiliar place. Despite his concerns, she was handling everything remarkably well.

That afternoon, despite the busy newsroom around him, Vatsal felt a sense of peace. Knowing that Shubhita was taking steps towards her own dreams made him realize how lucky he was to have her by his side. This small, new ritual of sharing moments and supporting each other felt comforting in a way he hadn't expected, filling a void he hadn't realized was there.

_

_

_

The next morning, the sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the apartment. Shubhita was already up and bustling around, a noticeable pep in her step. She wore a confident smile as she moved about, making final preparations for her interview. She had chosen a crisp, professional mint coloured co-ord set that highlighted her poise and elegance, and her hair was neatly tied back.

Vatsal emerged from the bedroom, rubbing his eyes and yawning. He glanced at the clock and saw it was almost 8:00 AM. He usually left for work at 9, but today he had other plans. He'd called his workplace to inform them he'd be coming in late, wanting to ensure Shubhita had no trouble locating her interview destination in the unfamiliar city.

"Morning," Vatsal greeted with a modest smile as he entered the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mr. Always-on-Time," she shot back, grinning.

"Wow, someone's in a good mood," he remarked, raising an eyebrow. "You sure you have an interview today? Because you're acting like you just won the lottery."

"I might as well have," she replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "This interview is a big deal for me, Vatsal. I'm just really happy about the opportunity."

"And nervousness? Never heard of it?" he asked, amused by her upbeat demeanour.

"Nervousness is for people who haven't prepped like I have," she said with a playful wink. "I'm ready to conquer this interview."

"Touchwood!" Vatsal chuckled, shaking his head. "I admire your confidence. Keep it up, and they'll have no choice but to hire you."

"Oh, I plan to," she replied, flipping her hair dramatically. "Besides, I have my secret weapon."

"Secret weapon?" he echoed, intrigued.

"Yes, my devastating charm which my dear husband is a big fan of," she said with mock seriousness.

Vatsal laughed, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"

"I've been told this many times," she replied, grinning.

As they sat down for breakfast, Vatsal noted how meticulously she had prepared everything, despite her apparent rush. The toast was perfectly golden, the eggs cooked just right, and even the coffee had the right amount of sugar.

"Breakfast is amazing," he complimented, taking a bite.

"Thank you," she said, giving a small bow. "It's my way of ensuring you have a good start to your day too."

He smiled, appreciating the effort she put into everything. "I'm sure you'll do great today. Just be yourself."

She nodded, taking a deep breath. "That's the plan."

As they finished their meal, Vatsal noticed Shubhita checking the time frequently. "Are you worried about getting there on time?"

"A little," she admitted. "I haven't been to that part of the city yet."

"Well, you're in luck," he said, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin.

"Why's that?" she asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"I'm coming with you," he announced.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "But you have work at 9!"

"I called in and told them I'd be late," he explained. "I want to make sure you get there without any trouble. This city's still new to you, and I'd feel better knowing you're safe."

She looked at him, a mix of surprise and gratitude in her eyes. "You didn't have to do that, Vatsal. I can manage."

"I know you can," he said softly. "But I want to be there for you. You've done so much for me already. This is the least I can do."

A warm smile spread across her face, her heart swelling with affection. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."

"Besides," he added with a smirk, "And as said, I'd hate to miss out on seeing my wife charm her way through the interview."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, you won't be disappointed."

They cleaned up the kitchen together, their movements synchronized from weeks of shared routines.

After some time, Vatsal grabbed his keys and helmet. "Ready to go?" he asked, glancing at Shubhita.

"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied, excitement dancing in her eyes.

They headed out the door, Vatsal leading the way down the stairs.

They stepped outside, the morning air cool and refreshing. Vatsal's bike was parked nearby. He handed Shubhita Mrs Garg's helmet. "Safety first," he said with a wink.

She took it with a grateful smile, putting it on and adjusting the strap. "You're quite the gentleman today, aren't you?"

"I try," he replied, swinging his leg over the bike and patting the seat behind him.

She climbed on, holding his shoulders. "Ready when you are."

Vatsal started the engine, and they zoomed off into the morning traffic. The city buzzed with activity, but Vatsal navigated the streets with ease, occasionally glancing back to make sure Shubhita was comfortable.

"Feeling okay back there?" he called over his shoulder.

"Perfect!" she shouted back, her voice filled with excitement.

They arrived at Bright Future Academy with time to spare. Vatsal parked the bike and helped Shubhita off. She removed her helmet, smoothing her hair back into place.

"Here we are," he said, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Thanks for the ride, Vatsal," she said, her eyes reflecting her gratitude. "It means a lot to me."

"Anytime," he replied, his expression softening. "Go in there and show them what you're made of."

"Iron," she laughed confidently, taking a deep breath. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck, Iron Lady from Bareilly," he said, watching as she walked towards the school entrance.

Just before she went inside, she turned back and waved. He waved back, feeling a swell of affection.

As he rode off to work, Vatsal couldn't help but feel optimistic about the future. Knowing that Shubhita was taking steps toward her own dreams filled him with a sense of hope and warmth. This small act of supporting each other, of being there for one another, had brought them closer in ways he hadn't expected.

As he returned to his work, he couldn't help but smile, thinking about how far they had come in such a short time. The future was uncertain, but with Shubhita by his side, he knew they could face anything.

On the other hand, as Shubhita stood in front of the grand entrance of Bright Future Academy, she took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and walked through the gates with a determined look on her face.

The school grounds were beautifully maintained, with vibrant flower beds and neatly trimmed lawns. She noticed students playing in the courtyard, their laughter and energy a comforting reminder of why she loved teaching.

As she approached the main building, she was greeted by a friendly receptionist. "Good morning, how can I help you?" the receptionist asked with a warm smile.

"Good morning. I'm here for an interview with Mrs. Kapoor," Shubhita replied, her voice steady but her heart racing.

"Of course, Ms. Shubhita, right? Please have a seat. I'll inform Mrs. Kapoor that you've arrived," the receptionist said, gesturing to a row of chairs.

Shubhita nodded and took a seat, clutching her bag on her lap. She glanced around the reception area, taking in the awards and accolades displayed on the walls. It was clear that Bright Future Academy was a prestigious institution, and she felt a surge of determination to be a part of it.

_

_

_

As the interview progressed, the principal - Mrs Shobhna Dixit and Shubhita discussed various aspects of teaching methodologies, classroom management, and the school's philosophy. Shubhita felt increasingly at ease, her initial awkwardness dissipating as she realized that she and Mrs. Dixit shared many educational values.

After what felt like a productive and insightful conversation, Mrs. Dixit leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Ms. Shubhita, I believe you would be a great addition to our team. Your passion for teaching and your innovative approach align well with our vision for the school. I would like to offer you a position here at Bright Future Academy."

Shubhita's heart skipped a beat. She had hoped for this moment, but hearing it out loud was surreal. "Thank you so much, Ma'am. I'm truly honored and excited about this opportunity," she said, trying to contain her elation.

"Welcome to Bright Future Academy, Ms. Shubhita. We're looking forward to seeing the positive impact you'll have on our students," Mrs. Dixit said warmly.

As Shubhita left the principal's office, she felt a sense of accomplishment and joy. She had secured the job she had been hoping for, and she couldn't wait to share the news with Vatsal.

Stepping outside, she took a deep breath of the fresh morning air, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. This was just the beginning, and she was ready to embrace her new role with enthusiasm and dedication.

~~~

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