The stag was embellished, lights so right that it radiated like sun. On the middle of the stage was a flaxen beaming trophy on a pedestal. A booming announcement was heard "And the winner is ....." A girl seated in the front row leaned with anticipation. She could almost hear her name called out; she was trembling "......Kay Vincent!" The girl felt the world whirling around her; every limb shaking like a slender elm in a windstorm. A dark voice echoed in her 'you are a loser.'
Rhea John woke up with a start as the alarm rang, breathing heavily. It was a regular nightmare that haunted her – in spite of its consistency it had a detrimental effect on her. Today was her interview with one of the most prestigious companies in the world, OSBC. Fear, of not making it, coursed through her veins, almost paralyzing her.
Failure wasn't something Rhea was new to. It seemed fates held a grudge against her; things she wanted most was denied; grief and misery were her constant companions. She longed for appreciation, fame and praise. It greatly demotivated her that she was never able to taste success in her life.
During her entire school days, she never won a prize. Almost when victory was at hand's reach, it slipped as though it repulsed her touch. She envied her friends proudly carrying trophies and certificates; she cried quietly, feeling bitter that all her effort and hard work was in vain.
When she was sixteen, a competitive exam was conducted by her school. Her perseverance and dedication was almost astounding. But when the results came out, she didn't even make it to the top hundred. This incident somehow made her believe that she would reach nowhere in life. Her life became Kafkaesque after that; everything became meaningless and atychiphobia ate her from inside.
She started growing envious of her friends; her fragile, jealous heart could no longer bear it. She stopped speaking with her best friend Amy; she felt she was no good for her. Amy was an all-rounder and the most popular girl at school. Deep down in her heart, Amy was everything she wanted to be- successful, famous, and self-confident. Amy had enough of it – at length she shouted that Rhea would never be victorious in her life; she had no future. This broke her; she looked around her and only saw more talented and capable people than her. She craved for, at least once, a memento to mark something significant in her life. Idly, she wondered where her colleagues might be; she was not in touch with anyone. Amy, she was certain, was in some distinguished position; she was convinced she was the worst of all.
The clock struck loudly, startling her from her dreary thoughts. Without much hope, she dressed for the interview. The sky was dazzling and merry, the sun beaming but Rhea was indifferent and impassive. She made it to the OSBC headquarters just in time. In spite of herself, a feeling of optimism and expectation tingled in her, after a long time.
The interview went extremely well. As she waited outside for the final decision, Rhea could feel butterflies in her stomach; bile was rising up her throat. Finally, an elegantly dressed woman came out towards her and asked "Are you Ms. Rhea John?" She nodded, as her jaw refused to budge. "Congratulations, Ma'am. Welcome to the OSBC." Rhea nearly burst into tears with happiness when she was handed the appointment letter. After all this time, she had made to somewhere. For the first time in forever she had accomplished something. She managed to thank the lady with stammering syllables.
"My name is Amy Matthews. I shall be your secretary, Ma'am" she smiled. Rhea's heart skipped a beat. Now it couldn't be the same Amy; she must have been imagining. "A-A-Amy?" she croaked, in total disbelief. Amy took a step back as she recognized Rhea; Rhea's mind reeled to that fateful day, she was sure Amy was thinking about it too. With her face flushed red, Amy stalked out.
Rhea was rooted where she stood. The most favored girl in the school, the teacher's pet who won innumerable medals and trophies, the girl she thought to be better than her, was to be her secretary? Never in her life had Rhea even dared to imagine that one day she would supersede Amy. The biggest competition of all was life – the way we face challenges, the way we dealt with situations and the way we saw ourselves. It was then Rhea realized that winning competitions, contests and trophies were not the most important thing in life. Its fame and glory was just momentary. She should have never underestimated herself; she should have never compared herself to others and tortured herself. All those negative thoughts of the trophies she never won lost its effect on her as Rhea finally understood that life was just more than winning; optimism, hope and an air of lightness coursed through her body. With a happier heart and mind, she headed out, enjoying the serene blue sky, reflecting the shining sun above her, breathing the beauty of life.
