From the Sidelines to Center Stage

Paperwork and Reflections

The next few days passed in a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety for Nadia. With her internship confirmed, she dove into the nitty-gritty of the visa application process. Sitting at her desk, her laptop open and a stack of papers beside her, she felt a mix of exhilaration and apprehension.

"Okay, let's get this done," she murmured, glancing at the checklist Emma had sent her. She pulled up the immigration website, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she read through the requirements.

Just as she began to fill out the forms, a wave of doubt washed over her. "What if I mess something up?" she thought, biting her lip. The idea of facing complications due to a simple mistake made her stomach churn.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed aside her fears and started entering her information. She meticulously filled out the application, double-checking each entry to ensure everything was correct. After what felt like hours, she finally reached the end of the form.

With her heart pounding, Nadia hit the "submit" button, a sense of relief washing over her as a confirmation email popped up in her inbox.

"Done!" she exclaimed, leaning back in her chair. But as the excitement faded, a sense of reality began to sink in. "Now I just have to wait for the visa approval," she murmured to herself, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.

Later that evening, as the family gathered for dinner, Nadia found herself lost in thought. Her father noticed her distraction and asked, "Everything alright, Nadia?"

She hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to share her concerns about leaving. "I applied for my visa today," she said quietly. "It's officially in process now."

Her father looked at her, a mixture of pride and sadness in his eyes. "You're really going through with this, huh?"

"Yeah, I am," she replied, trying to sound confident. "I feel ready, but I can't help but worry about how things will change."

Her father sighed, his expression thoughtful. "Change is never easy. I know this is a big step for you, and it's natural to feel anxious."

"I just... I don't want to let anyone down. Especially you," Nadia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Leaving feels like a huge leap."

"Sweetheart, I want you to know how proud I am of you. You've worked so hard for this opportunity," he said, his voice steady. "But I also want you to remember that it's okay to be scared. You're stepping out of your comfort zone, and that takes courage."

Tears threatened to spill from Nadia's eyes. "But what if I fail? What if I can't handle it?"

Her father reached across the table, placing his hand on hers. "You won't know until you try. And if things get tough, you have people who love you, supporting you from afar. You're strong, Nadia. You've overcome so much already."

Nadia felt a surge of warmth at his words, the familiar reassurance of her father wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."

As they finished dinner, a sense of calm began to settle over Nadia. The road ahead was uncertain, but with her father's support, she felt a little more grounded.

That night, as she lay in bed, she reflected on their conversation. Her father's belief in her strengthened her resolve to embrace this new chapter in her life. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to dream of the adventures that awaited her in New Zealand, feeling a flicker of excitement at the thought of what lay ahead.