Frustration And Defiance

As I sat in my room, Mrs. George's words echoed in my mind like a familiar melody. She often spoke of God's grand design, likening Him to an artist painting the world's canvas and crafting the intricate scripts of our lives. Her wisdom, once just a comforting saying, now held a profound truth.

I gazed at the table clock, observing the relentless movement of its hands, each transition seamless yet purposeful. They danced through the numbers, unfazed by the passage of time, urging the others to follow suit. It struck me then, the clock's lesson in resilience and adaptability.

Life, I mused, is not inherently strange; it is we who are peculiar and perplexing. We stumble through its cycles, often too inexperienced to comprehend its rhythm.

"It's our own strangeness," I murmured, resting my chin upon my folded arms, "that makes the circle of life seem so bewildering."

No one halts their journey for another; each must tread their own path, learn their unique lessons, and weave them into the tapestry of their existence to evolve. Yet, we humans often falter, sluggish in grasping this truth. We fixate on trivialities, squander emotions on undeserving souls.

"How foolish we can be," I muttered, my gaze fixated on the slender needle's subtle movements, when my attention was abruptly drawn to the buzzing of my phone resting on the table. Initially a passing glance, it snagged my focus.

An email notification illuminated the screen, a message I'd eagerly anticipated. Hastily, I reached for the device, unlocking it to reveal a missive from the newspaper editor regarding my submitted article.

"Hi Grace,

We've thoroughly reviewed your article. It's impeccably informative and expertly composed. You've truly excelled.

I'm delighted to inform you that your piece has been selected for publication in this month's newspaper edition. Further details regarding payment and formalities will follow in a subsequent email.

Keep writing."

A surge of elation washed over me as I absorbed the news, a testament to the rewards of perseverance and dedication.

As I leaped out of my seat, jubilation coursing through me, Mrs. George entered the room, drawn by my exuberant cries.

"What's the matter?" she inquired, her eyes wide with curiosity.

I couldn't contain my excitement as I rushed towards her, seizing her shoulders and spinning her around with me.

"I'm over the moon, Mrs. George!" I exclaimed.

"What's brought about this joy?" she asked, her voice filled with warmth.

"One of my articles on parenting has been chosen for publication in a major newspaper!" I exclaimed, my words brimming with elation.

"Wow, that's incredible! Congratulations!" Mrs. George enveloped me in a hug, her hand patting my back affectionately.

"Thank you," I replied, my heart overflowing with gratitude and happiness.

"What's all the excitement about, ladies?" Mr. George inquired as he stepped into the room, still struggling with his tie.

"Grace's article is going to be published soon," Mrs. George informed him with a proud smile.

"Is that so?" Mr. George turned to me, his expression a mix of surprise and admiration.

"Yes, it's true!" I confirmed, unable to contain my happiness.

"Congratulations, Grace!" Mr. George congratulated me warmly.

"Thank you!" I replied, smiling gratefully.

"A simple 'thank you' won't suffice. We need to celebrate!" Mr. George declared.

"Absolutely, we'll have a party once I receive my payment," I promised.

"No need to wait. Tonight, we'll celebrate from my side," Mr. George insisted, stepping forward to pat me on the back before leaving the room with a polite smile.

As my heart raced with a blend of happiness and relief, I relished in the validation of my abilities and the prospect of self-sufficiency. While I knew it would take time to earn recognition in my parents' eyes and attain the level of success I aspired to, this was a significant milestone, a stride toward my goals.

Despite the overwhelming joy, a pang of longing for my mother pierced through me. I yearned to share this momentous news with her, to feel her pride and warmth. But the bitter reality held me back—I couldn't and wouldn't reach out to her.

Instead, I reached for my phone and dialed Carl's number, seeking solace in his familiarity.

"Hello, Grace! How are you?" Carl greeted me, his voice eager.

"I'm doing great," I replied, the buoyancy in my tone reflecting my inner elation.

"You sound thrilled. What's the occasion?" Carl inquired.

"It's a big one. One of my parenting articles got selected for publication in a major newspaper. I'm over the moon, Carl. This is my first significant achievement," I shared, unable to contain my excitement.

"Good," Carl responded flatly.

"Aren't you happy for me?" I pressed, hoping for a more enthusiastic reaction.

As Carl's words pierced through me like arrows, I felt the weight of his disapproval pressing down on me. His blunt assessment of my achievement stung deeply, his reminder of my family's expectations cutting through my joy.

"But Carl..." I attempted to interject, seeking to defend my accomplishment.

"Grace, you're not seeing the bigger picture here. How much will you really earn from this? It's pennies compared to what you need to maintain your lifestyle," Carl interrupted, his tone heavy with skepticism.

I felt a knot form in my stomach as his words echoed in my mind. Was I being naive to think that this success could sustain me?

"Okay, fine. I'm being childish. So what?" I countered, frustration bubbling within me.

"So what? Grace, you're jeopardizing your future here. What you're doing is wrong. Don't waste your time," Carl insisted, his voice tinged with concern.

Frustration and defiance surged within me. "Listen, Carl, it's my life. I have the right to live it the way I choose. Whether you agree with my decisions or not, it's up to me to determine my path," I asserted before abruptly ending the call.

Tossing my phone onto the table, I collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in the pillow as tears welled up in my eyes. I knew that pursuing my own dreams meant sacrificing the comforts of the life I'd always known. But why couldn't they understand that this was what I wanted? This was my chance to forge my own path, to prove myself on my own terms. And if it turned out to be a mistake, then I would face the consequences with courage and resilience.