Amina sat by her small desk,the dim light of her desk lamp casting shadows across the rejection letters piled in front of her. Each envelope was a reminder of another door closed,another opportunity she hadn't earned. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the top one.
"Another one", She whispered to herself. She carefully opened it,hoping for good news,but the words were always the same:"We regret to inform you....."
A sharp voice interrupted her thoughts. "You call this trying? Sitting here crying over nothing while your stepsister has a life already?!
Amina's stomach sank. Her stepmother leaned in, her eyes cold. "Honestly, I don't know why I even waste my breath on you.You should be grateful for what you have."
Amina clenched her fists under the table . She wanted to shout back, to tell her stepmother that education didn't guarantee success,that her dreams were not foolish- but she held her tongue.
Her sister Lina,younger by two years but wiser in some ways,came to sit beside her. Don't let her words get to you, Amina. You've worked too hard for that. I believe in you,"she said softly,placing a comforting hand on Amina's.
Amina tried to smile,but the heaviness in her chest wouldn't lift. She had finished university six months ago,graduated with honors,yet the world didn't seem to notice. She had applied to countless jobs- some small ,some prestigious - but the answers was always the same : rejection.
Just then,her phone beeped. A new email. Amina's heart leapt. Could this be the one? Her fingers shook as she opened it.
"Dear Amina ,we have reviewed your application and would like to invite you for an interview..."
Her breath caught. This could be the break she had been waiting for. But as she read on,a sinking feeling settled in her stomach. She knew her stepmother would try to ruin it. She always did. Every time something good came her way ,her stepmother found a way to undermine it.
Amina took a deep breath, trying to push the fear aside. She looked at Lina. "I won't let her win. I have to try,no matter what."
Lina nodded firmly. "Then we'll make sure you get there. I'll help you."
For the first time that evening,a small spark of hope flickered in Amina's heart. She would face this challenge- and any others that came after- with determination.She would not let her dreams die in the shadow of cruelty.