In Her Own Footsteps

VII

While she felt like she was living in a crumbled world, there were two blessings Aanya could rely on. The first was Connor's unwavering dedication to providing for their family. It brought her security and reassurance. The second was Aanya's advanced proficiency in French. There was a lot in Aanya's life that slipped out of her grasp, but French was a puzzle she could solve. It presented an opportunity for financial gain. Aanya discovered that she could leverage her language skills to earn an income. She recently began teaching adults.

Aanya sat patiently at her desk, her eyes locked onto the luminous screen of her reliable five-year-old MacBook. The chair beneath her was Connor's black leather office chair, a coveted seat that she borrowed when he was away at work. In truth, Aanya didn't have her own designated office chair. Instead, she often made do with one of the dining table's chairs, which lacked the same level of comfort and support.

Hidden beneath the desk, her feet were crossed. A subtle restlessness manifested in the form of trembling. The nerves and anticipation coursing through her body were evident in the rhythmic shaking of her crossed legs. Aanya's excitement and anxiety intertwined as she awaited the arrival of her student for their online tutoring session. They seemed to have a life of their own, conveying her nervous energy even when hidden from view.

As Aanya waited, a small but significant presence lay next to her on the left side of the desk. Indigo, her beloved furry friend, had claimed her spot by the computer. Aanya had made numerous attempts to coax Indigo onto the floor, hoping to provide her with physical space. She had attempted lifting her and placing her there herself. After the fourth try, she gave up when Indigo made her way back to the chosen spot. Aanya's biceps were sore from the heavy lifting. Indigo's preference was clear - she wanted to remain in close proximity to her human.

Ever since Aanya first adopted Indigo a year ago, the two had formed an inseparable bond. Indigo's presence brought comfort. The gentle purring and soft touch of her fur served as a source of tranquility, grounding Aanya as she prepared for her lessons.

The familiar ringing sound emanated from the side of her MacBook, snapping Aanya out of her reverie. It signaled the arrival of her student, a thirty-two-year-old Canadian woman. Aanya's face lit up with a warm smile as Sharon's image appeared on the screen before her.

"Bonjour Sharon! Comment vas-tu?" Aanya greeted her student, her voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. The words flowed effortlessly from her lips.

Sharon returned the smile and replied, "Bien, merci! Et toi?"

Aanya's smile widened as she responded, "Je vais bien aussi, merci. Je suis ravie de te retrouver aujourd'hui pour une nouvelle leçon de français."

The atmosphere in the virtual classroom was one of excitement and eagerness as Aanya and Sharon connected across the screens. Despite the physical distance between them, the shared love for the French language created an instant bond. Aanya was ready to guide Sharon through the intricacies of the language, imparting her knowledge.

Teaching French became a saving grace for Aanya. Each time a new student committed to weekly lessons, she felt a surge of excitement. The process was straightforward: she offered a free trial lesson, and if satisfied, the student could purchase a package of monthly lessons. While the income from teaching was not substantial enough to meet all their needs, it held a significant value beyond monetary compensation. It made Aanya feel important, knowing that even if it was a modest amount, she could contribute financially to their household.

Aanya was uncertain about the potential complications it might bring to her immigration procedures. As an immigrant waiting for a work permit in the United States, she was not allowed to seek employment. It was rather impossible. All companies run background checks and hers would flag as unauthorized. Aanya worried that offering language tutoring services could pose a similar problem. However, she discovered a language tutor community that welcomed tutors from all over the world, allowing them to offer their expertise.