Is this really happening?
Zidan said the good news with excitement, exclaiming, “Guess what? I aced the test! Got a solid 92!”
“Whoa, congrats, congrats!” I cheered, “thank you.”
“Why the thanks?” he looked puzzled.
“For pulling off that score, I’m feeling confident enough to teach now,” I replied.
He grinned, “But it’s all thanks to you for pushing me to do my best.”
“What’s the very very good news then?” I eagerly asked.
“It’s massive! I need you to sit tight, no holding onto anything, and brace yourself to take it all in,” Zidan teased, drawing out the suspense.
“Cut the theatrics and spill it,” I urged, settling into my seat and placing my glass on the table, mentally preparing for the bombshell.
“My uncle, dad’s brother, just launched an online academy. Two batches are already underway. This morning, he dropped by, coinciding with my test results. Impressed by my marks and the teaching style you showcased in your videos, he wants you to join his academy for the next batch. He was blown away by your teaching prowess, saying there’s real artistry in it,” Zidan revealed with a flourish.
My jaw hung open in disbelief, seemingly stuck that way as if in a trance. Even the sip of hot coffee in front of me couldn’t snap me out of it.
“Close your mouth and take a breath,” Zidan teased, noticing my stunned expression.
“Can you repeat that?” I managed to utter, needing to hear it again to make sure it wasn’t a dream.
“What do you mean?” he asked, puzzled by my request.
“Say it all again, from the start,” I insisted.
He obliged, recounting the incredible news once more. Each word seemed to dance with joy, sinking in deeper with every repetition.
“He wants us at his office tomorrow at 10 am,” Zidan added, adding to the surrealness of the moment.
When my dreams come true, I can’t help but wonder, “Is this really happening?” It’s a sensation that fills my whole body. I’ve imagined this moment countless times, but now that it’s finally here, it feels like my reality is just a dream.
Completing the circle
“But I haven’t even finished my 12th grade yet, and I don’t have any degree,” I fretted.
“Don’t stress, my uncle will sort it out,” he assured me.
“Will I really be able to teach actual students?” I voiced my doubts once more.
“Aren’t I a real student?” Zidan quipped, giving me a playful look.
“You’re my friend, you already know me. But these will be strangers,” I reasoned. “What if I freeze up?”
“We’ll figure it out as we go. Let’s just focus on meeting my uncle first. One step at a time,” Zidan reassured, his laughter breaking through the tension.
But despite his assurances, I still felt like I was swaying in a sea of nerves, uncertain of what lay ahead.
“It’s like a flood of opportunities lately, with all the good things happening—teaching you, nabbing the thief, getting into 11th, and now this. But you know, when so many good things come at once, it makes me nervous. Feels like something bad’s lurking around the corner,” I confessed, my words tumbling out in a rush.
“It’s alright. You’re just reaping the rewards of grabbing those opportunities. It’s a sign that your life’s moving forward,” Zidan reassured me.
“Still,” I found myself stuck in a whirlwind of emotions. The magnitude of the news left me reeling. Becoming a teacher had always been a distant dream, something I thought would take at least four more years to achieve. But here it was, happening unexpectedly soon. It was a dream I used to pray for fervently, but after my father’s passing, my prayers shifted to simply providing for my family’s needs. That became my sole focus.
However, enrolling in my 11th course reignited that long-buried aspiration, prompting me to pray again. And now, here I was, on the brink of teaching MBA students. It felt surreal, like a miracle.
That’s why I feel like I’m moving in a circle. I set the goal, I forget about it, but somehow, the goal always finds me again. I pursue it once more, and eventually, I achieve it, completing the circle.
Would I be referred to as a teacher? Or were they called lecturers? Did this signify a promotion, a leap to an advanced level without any effort on my part? My mind raced with questions, each one adding to the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my head.
When I said Yes
“Aya, Aya, come out, snap out of it,” Zidan’s voice broke through my thoughts. He knew that I went to some other world.
“Right, sorry,” I said, refocusing.
“How did you start doing notes and assignments for MBA students?” Zidan asked.
I recalled the moment vividly as I began to explain, “There was this girl who used to come here every day. One day, she asked if I could copy her notebook for her—just transfer the words to another book—and she offered to pay me well. I was struggling financially, so I couldn’t refuse. As I copied, I started grasping the concepts. I told her if she had more notes, I could do them too. That’s how it started—she told her friends, and soon, I was getting assignments, worksheets, from many students.”
“So, think about it,” Zidan continued, prompting me to consider the alternate reality. “What if you had said no to her offer?”
“I wouldn’t have had the chance to teach you, and your uncle wouldn’t have been interested in my teaching,” I began to piece together the chain of events.
“Exactly,” Zidan affirmed. “That girl was your first opportunity, and you seized it. Then came all the other students, your second opportunity, which you also seized. And when I approached you, you grabbed that too. Each opportunity leads to the next. When you don’t take yours, you end up stuck in the same place.”
His words resonated deeply with me. “Wow,” I nodded in agreement, realizing the truth in his explanation. “So that’s why I’ve been experiencing a string of good luck—because I’ve been doing my part.”
“Exactly,” he echoed.
When I accepted the first opportunity, it seemed like God sent the next one right after. And when I agreed to that one as well, another opportunity appeared. It was then that I started to grasp the pattern. As long as I kept saying yes, more opportunities kept coming my way. It became clear that my life would be shaped by how I seized these chances.
Mom’s response
“I need to tell my mom,” I said, reaching for my phone and dialing her number.
As I recounted everything to her, she responded with a gentle reminder, “Remember when we sold our home? Didn’t I always say that one day we’ll buy again, and good things will happen in our lives too?”
Her words stirred memories of a difficult time. When Dad passed away, he left behind a mountain of debt. We had to sell our home to settle it, and then we moved into a rented house. My sisters and I were devastated, but Mom remained strong. On that day, she had reassured us, saying, “It’s okay, we’ll buy our home again someday.”
Confession
As Zidan and I were engrossed in our conversation, my colleague suddenly appeared, her curiosity piqued. “What’s all the excitement about? Any good news?” she inquired eagerly.
“Zidan aced all his exams and got a whopping 92,” I replied, choosing to keep my own news under wraps to avoid unnecessary attention.
“Congratulations!” she exclaimed, turning her attention to Zidan.
“Thanks,” he replied politely before excusing himself. “Well, I should get going. See you tomorrow,” he said, making his exit from the cafe.
Once he was out of earshot, my colleague leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “Tomorrow, when he comes back, I’m going to confess my love to him.”
I felt a wave of frustration wash over me at her declaration. The thought of her confessing her feelings to him didn’t sit well with me at all. What if he actually said yes to her? The mere idea sent my happy thoughts spiraling into panic.
When I don’t like someone, I feel uncomfortable having them around my friends or family. I worry that their presence might disrupt the comfort and harmony within my inner circle.
[To be Continued]
5 lessons you can learn from this chapter
- Embrace Opportunities: The story illustrates the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, even if they seem small or unrelated to your ultimate goals. Each opportunity can lead to unexpected paths and open doors to new possibilities.
- Believe in Yourself: Despite doubts and uncertainties, believing in your abilities and potential can lead to remarkable achievements. Trusting in your capabilities, even in the face of daunting challenges, is essential for personal growth and success.
- Stay Open to Change: Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Being open to change and willing to adapt to new circumstances can lead to exciting opportunities and experiences that you may not have anticipated otherwise.
- Supportive Relationships: Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and mentors who believe in your potential can provide encouragement and motivation during challenging times. These relationships can also offer valuable insights and guidance as you navigate your journey.
- Persistence Pays Off: Persistence and determination in pursuing your dreams can yield incredible results. Even in the face of setbacks or obstacles, staying committed to your goals and taking proactive steps towards achieving them can lead to fulfilling outcomes beyond your imagination.
The Six Reasons Behind Feeling Stuck in Life
- Fear of Trying New Things: People may avoid taking chances because they’re scared of failing or not knowing what will happen.
- Not Believing in Yourself: If you don’t think you’re good enough or capable of doing something, it can stop you from moving forward.
- Not Seeing Other Options: Feeling stuck often comes from only seeing things one way and not realizing there are other possibilities.
- Not Wanting Change: Sometimes, people resist changing because they’re used to how things are, even if they’re not happy.
- Feeling Pressure from Others: When outside influences like society or family expectations weigh heavily, it can make it hard for someone to do what they want.
- Lack of Help: Without support from friends, family, or mentors, it’s tough to break free from feeling stuck and pursue dreams confidently.