“The Journey”

Evening descended slowly, draping the sky in shades of orange and grey. Anik sat alone on the edge of the college field, his gaze lost in the horizon. Graduation was over, but life seemed to have paused for him. No job, no clear direction—just a quiet void within. Around him, everyone seemed to be moving forward—friends landing jobs, some flying abroad, others launching startups. But Anik remained still, unsure of his next step.

His mother often said, “You were always a brilliant student. You studied so hard—why are you still sitting at home?” Anik would only nod in silence. He asked himself the same question, but answers eluded him.

Anik had always been a bright student. Teachers loved him, peers envied him. His parents dreamed he would secure a prestigious government job, bring pride to the family. Anik believed that too—for years, he worked towards that one goal. But somewhere along the journey, reality showed him a different face.

By the final year of college, he realized that a degree wasn’t enough. The world demanded skills, confidence, and most importantly—passion. But what was his passion? That, Anik didn’t know.

One afternoon, he bumped into Rahul, an old friend who had started a small tech venture. Over tea, Rahul said, “You know, Anik, life isn’t just about getting a government job. Do you remember how amazing your stories used to be? You inspired me to write. Maybe it’s time you picked up your pen again.”

Those words struck a chord deep inside. Had he forgotten that part of himself? The boy who once wrote short stories, poems, even school plays? The one who found joy in creating characters and spinning tales?

The next morning, Anik pulled out a notebook and pen. It had been years since he last wrote anything. The words came slowly at first, hesitant and broken. But with time, the flow returned. Something inside him clicked. For the first time in months, he felt alive.

He began writing every day. Short stories, reflections, snippets of poetry. He started posting his work on his blog. At first, only a few people read it. But slowly, the numbers grew. There were a plethora of helpful, critical, and valuable comments. He learned from them and improved.

A few months later, an online magazine published one of his short stories. It was a small achievement, but to Anik, it meant the world. He told his parents. His mother was surprised at first but eventually smiled and said, “If this makes you happy, then do it. Life isn’t just about success—it’s about finding your own way.”

Anik began accepting work as a freelance writer out of enthusiasm. He even launched a small YouTube channel where he narrated his own stories. Viewers responded warmly. Bit by bit, the world began to notice him—not as a confused graduate, but as a storyteller.

One evening, sitting again in that same college field, Anik looked up at the sky. Life wasn’t about choosing the right path. The goal was to create one. It wasn’t about comparing journeys but embracing your own. Maybe it took time, maybe it wasn’t easy—but walking the path of your heart was worth every step.

Anik now knew—life wasn’t just a story of success. It was a journey of self-discovery. And he was finally living his.