Ashika was running late for her first day at work.
"Shit! My hair's a mess again. I should've gone to the salon last weekend—if it wasn't for that idiot," she muttered under her breath, half-running, half-stumbling toward the metro station. She frantically brushed through her hair with her fingers as it flew all over the place, brushing against the crowd she rushed past.
Her so-called best friend—who had just turned stalker—had proposed to her the previous Saturday. The awkward, unwanted confession had ruined her weekend. She spent two days holed up in her apartment, binge-watching dramas and gobbling down snacks, trying to shake off the emotional weight of it all.
"Excuse me, please! I really need to catch this metro," she pleaded with the man ahead of her in the queue, eyes wide. "Please, sir."
"You think I don't have somewhere to be?" he snapped. "Even I need to go to work. Just shut up and stay in line."
Ashika groaned inwardly. What a great start to the day.
"Oh Kanha," she prayed silently, looking up at the sky, "when I say 'what's the worst that can happen?'—I'm not challenging you, I swear. I'm just... motivating myself, okay?"
She sighed and stepped back in line.
"Worst case? I lose my first job," she mumbled, then quickly added, "Not challenging you, Kanha! Promise."
An hour later, she finally reached the office—out of breath and red-faced.
"WHO IS THIS ASHIKA? I HAVE A MEETING TODAY. I GAVE A SIMPLE ASSIGNMENT AND IT'S LATE. WHOEVER SHE IS—SHE'S FIRED, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!"
Ashika froze. That voice—booming through the walls—belonged to none other than her new boss.
With trembling hands, she checked the slip in her bag. Yep. That was him.
Perfect. First day and I'm already on someone's hit list, she thought, dragging herself toward his cabin.
She took a deep breath, forced on a composed expression, and knocked gently.
"Good morning, Sir. Ashika reporting," she said.
"Oh, so you're Ashika," he said with a mocking smile. "Don't you think you're a bit too early for your first day?"
"I—I'm sorry, Sir. I—"
"I DON'T LIKE EXCUSES. YOU'RE FIRED. SOMEONE GET ME THAT PAPER FOR GOD'S SAKE!" he shouted, motioning to a passing employee.
Ashika stepped out quietly, feeling numb. She'd just lost her job. On Day One.
Her chest tightened. She fumbled for her phone. Ma. I need Ma.
Before she could even dial, her phone buzzed. It was her mother.
"How's my baby girl doing?" her mother's warm voice greeted her.
"Ma..." Ashika's eyes brimmed with tears. She smiled as she walked away from the building.
"How's your first day going?" her mom continued. "I wanted to call earlier, but your dad wouldn't let me. He said, 'Let her settle in first.' But I couldn't wait. I just needed to hear your voice."
Ashika let her heart melt at her mother's words.
"I lost the job, Ma," she whispered.
"What?! How? Why?!"
"What happened to our baby? Is she okay?" her father's voice cut in. "I'm coming to Bengaluru!"
"Ji, calm down! She's fine. She just... lost the job," her mom explained gently.
"What happened, sweetheart?" her dad asked again, his voice softer now.
And that was it. Ashika couldn't hold back anymore. She burst into tears.
"I'm sorry, Baba. I let you down," she sobbed.
"No, Ashu. Don't say that," her father soothed. "What did Lord Krishna always say?"
"'Whatever happens, happens for our own good,'" she replied through sniffles.
"That's right. Who knows what Kanha has planned for you next?"
Her mother chimed in, "You're young, sweetie. There will be so many more chances. We'll find something better."
"I miss you guys. I want to come home," Ashika said.
"Then come home. We'll go to that new restaurant I told you about," her dad said cheerfully. "And there's a new movie too!"
"Alright," Ashika smiled. "Movie and fancy dinner. Sounds perfect."
"We'll be waiting," her mom said softly.
Ashika hung up, heart full and tears drying.
"Thank you, Kanha," she whispered, turning toward the metro station again. "You're right—I wouldn't have survived in that toxic place anyway."