Yaqeen ka Safar - The Journey of Faith

1

"So, Dr. Zubia Khalil, why do you want to work here?" The intimidating man who had been quiet for the past hour finally asked.

Only two of the three people in the interview board had been asking her questions. She turned her startled gaze towards the man for clarification.

"What I mean is, what made you leave Peshawar and come here to work in this small, non-existent town?" He explained.

This wasn't the first interview of her life. She had interviewed for many other places before coming here. Working wasn't a new experience either. But something about the man sitting behind that large table made her nervous. She had prepared herself for such questions, but somehow she felt like she wouldn't be able to lie to him. His intelligent eyes would not only see through her lies, but would also figure out the reality of her situation. Involuntarily, she wiped the beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

"Because the salary package and other facilities mentioned in your advertisement seemed very attractive. After completing my housejob, I have been trying to get a government job for the past one year. But, as you can see, I saw nothing but failure. If the only answer is to work in a private setup, why shouldn't I work at a place where I'll get the adequate fruit for all my hard work?"

The poetic words about humanity, serving mankind, love of the nation and feeling the pain of others were all forgotten. Although she had still lied, she hadn't been able to deliver the heart-touching speech that had been prepared at home. She wanted to see the reaction to her words on his face. But she got nothing. This was probably the last question of the interview because she was soon allowed to leave. No doubt, it had been the longest interview of her life.

Shaking hands with the lady doctor on her right and saying goodbye to the remaining two male doctors, she hitched her handbag on her shoulder and left the room.

During the interview, the lady doctor and the other male doctor had gone through the credentials in her file. But he neither touched her file nor asked her any work-related questions. 

"Such a strange guy he was. He looked like he was lost in his own thoughts somewhere, but I know he wasn't." Even after coming back home, she kept thinking about that place. "He was definitely present mentally and was weighing my each and every word. He was trying to figure out the reason I was there. And how much I know about my profession. He wasn't even interested in my grades or academic abilities. He was trying to seek out every strength and weakness I possess on his own."

"How was your interview?" Aunt had asked as soon as she saw her.

"Please pray for me. I asked a man at the hospital and he told me that three lady doctors had been interviewed before me and two others would be arriving in a while." Exhausted, she flopped down on the bed.

"You're taking this problem on your shoulders for no good reason. Your job here is good enough. I admit that the pay isn't the best, but at least its something. If God wills, you'll find a good job right here." 

At that moment, she really felt sorry for her aunt. Zubia knew that her Aunt secretly wanted her to get the job but she was forced to express her opposition and stop her from leaving.

About fifteen days ago, she had seen the advertisement in the newspaper. Those days she had been constantly worrying about how she could leave her aunt's place without troubling her. A year ago, when she had left Karachi to come and live with her aunt in Peshawar, she had taken a breath of relief. Leaving that suffocating and strange place for this welcoming environment of familiarity had given her the happiness she was so desperate for. It had been years since Uncle had died. 

Aunt lived in a middle class home. Two of her elder daughters had been married off and now Mohsin, Shela and the kids were the only house mates. This was now her real home. Teasing Mohsin, pranking Shela...she had forgotten her past life. A bit of struggle had landed her a job in a private clinic. She knew her aunt loved her but she didn't want to be a burden. Mohsin didn't earn much already, she didn't want to add herself to his expenses. Aunt was busy in gathering funds for Shela's and Mohsin's upcoming marriages. In these conditions, being a burden to the people who had accepted her was in no way acceptable to her. Getting the job was a relief.