As she prepared for work, Kriti's mind raced with a thousand thoughts, just like every other day. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. But inside, her heart felt heavy, weighed down by the unknown. The minutes slipped away unnoticed as she rushed through her morning routine, lost in her thoughts. Then, the sharp ring of her phone cut through the quiet. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Kriti, can we have a quick call?" The stern voice of her manager echoed on the other end.

Her throat tightened, and an uneasy feeling settled in. "Of course," she replied, her voice betraying the nervousness she tried to suppress. She didn’t ask why. Somehow, she already knew. The air was thick with the feeling that everything was about to change.

She clicked the link to the meeting, her hands trembling slightly as she waited. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears.

"You must be aware that there’s some restructuring going on in the company…" His words hung in the air like a dark cloud. Kriti nodded absently, but she couldn’t focus on anything but the rush of panic inside her chest.

"We're going to have to let you go," he said, his tone flat and final.

A single tear slid down her cheek, and in that moment, everything she had worked for—everything she had believed in—seemed to unravel.

Kriti had been one of the earliest members of the startup, a pioneer in its humble beginnings. Back then, she wore countless hats, juggling roles with an energy that seemed endless. She rose with the sun, dove straight into her work, and often found herself burning the midnight oil, consumed by deadlines and ambition. Weekends were no different. There was always one more task, one more challenge to tackle.

But when she found out she was pregnant, the world around her began to shift. Slowly at first, but unmistakably. Working from home became her new reality, and she informed the founders of her decision. What she hadn’t anticipated was how the company’s attitude would subtly change in the months that followed.

From that moment on, her once diverse and challenging role became a shadow of what it had been. She was asked to hand over her responsibilities. Her role, once filled with purpose, was now limited to giving product demos and training new hires. The exciting projects she had once poured her heart into ceased to come her way, and she could feel herself drifting further from the work she loved.

She didn’t cry because she had lost her job. She cried because she never imagined this day would come—not after everything she had given. The loyalty, the late nights, the sacrifices. She had believed it would all be worth it. But now, the company she had helped build, the company she had given her everything to, had turned its back on her, and it left her feeling broken.

The following months were a blur. Kriti took a career break, but it was far from restful. Raising a newborn while trying to re-enter a struggling job market was daunting. Her husband was supportive, but this wasn’t about him—it was about her. She had always been the one to chase her dreams, to carve her own path. And now, she felt lost. Invisible.

She reached out to her network, hoping for opportunities, but the moment people discovered she had a baby, they pulled away. It was as if motherhood had become an unspoken barrier—a silent signal that she wasn’t “serious” anymore. Kriti hit rock bottom. She questioned whether she would ever be able to climb back up.

One afternoon, overwhelmed and exhausted, she broke down. She sat on the edge of her bed, her chest tight, tears streaming down her face. And then, as if sensing her distress, her five-month-old baby turned toward her and placed a tiny, warm hand on her cheek.

In that simple, innocent gesture, everything changed. It was as if the universe was whispering to her: You are not alone. There is hope. You can still keep going. That moment, pure and silent, reminded her of what truly mattered. It wasn’t just about a job. It was about creating a future—a future for herself, for her baby, for the life she dreamed of.

And so, with renewed determination, Kriti made a choice. She would pursue remote work—a path that would allow her to build her career while being present for her child. She hired a nanny, rolled up her sleeves, and began upskilling. She embraced the challenge of learning new tools, technologies, and strategies. Every rejection only fueled her fire. She wasn’t defeated. She was growing.

Months passed. Each new skill she learned brought her closer to her goal, and with every application, her confidence grew. She was no longer chasing a return to her old life—she was carving out a new one. Then, one day, it came. The email. A remote job offer.

It wasn’t just a job. It was the confirmation that her perseverance, her hard work, and her unwavering belief in herself had paid off. It was the validation that even in the darkest moments, there was always a path forward.

As she sat with her baby in her arms, looking out the window at the new day unfolding, Kriti realized that this was just the beginning. The road ahead was still uncertain, but now, she was no longer afraid. She had fought for her dreams, for her family, and for herself. And, for the first time in a long time, she felt ready for whatever came next.

A tear fell down her cheek, but this time, it was different. It was a tear of happiness. And in that moment, Kriti knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be.