When It Rains, It Pours.

New Beginnings

The dinner table was set, the room bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, Scarlet's hands trembled slightly as she took her seat, the fine china clicking beneath her uneasy touch. She stole a glance at her parents, their faces unsuspecting, unaware of the pivotal conversation that was about to unfold. "Mom, Dad." Scarlet began, her voice soft but determined, "There's something I need to talk to you about." Her mother looked up, concern creasing her forehead. "What is it dear?" She asked, setting down her fork, giving her daughter her full attention. Taking a deep breath, she locked eyes with her parents. "I've been doing some soul searching, and i've come to a difficult decision. I want to quit my job as a market executive." The room fell silent, the weight of her revelation hanging in the air. Her father, mid-bite lowered his fork slowly. 

"Quit? Why would you quit? After all the strings me and your mother pulled to get you this job?" He questioned with a hint of disbelief in his voice. Tension radiated through Scarlet's every word. "Dad, Mom, the truth is, the job is draining me. It's not what i'm meant to do. I've discovered my passion lies in graphic design, and i want to pursue it with everything i have." Her mother's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and disapproval. "Graphic design? Scarlet, that's not a stable career. You have a secure position now; why risk it?" Her gaze flickered between her parents, frustration welling up. "I understand your concerns, but I can't keep sacrificing my happiness for a stable paycheck! This is about finding fulfilment, doing what i love..." 

Her father leaned back, his expression hardening. "Fulfilment won't pay the bills. You need to be practical. Stick to what you know." A heaviness settled over the table as she grappled with the lack of support from the ones she loved most. Tears threatened to spill, but she held them back, her resolve unwavering. "I believe in myself, in my dreams, I want to give them a chance, even if that means facing uncertainty. Even if it means not having your support." The silence in the room was unbearable, the air thickening with emotions , as she confronted the difficult choice between her familial expectations and the pursuit of her happiness. The room echoed with the weight of Scarlet's revelation, her mother's disapproval etched lines on her already aging face, while her fathers stern gaze betrayed his lack of understanding. "I appreciate your concern," she spoke, her voice quivering but resolute, "but I can't keep sacrificing my happiness for your unrealistic expectations." Her voice bubbled with frustration, tears now falling down her face. "I wanted your support in graphic design, but I don't need it." Scarlet pushed back her chair, the scrape against the floor punctuating the tense atmosphere. 

"If you can't support me in following my dreams, I need to do what's best for myself," She declared, her voice cracking. She stood up, Her eyes locking with her parents'. "I can't stay here if i'm not allowed to be true to myself. I plan to move out if that's what it takes to pursue my passion without constant judgement." Her heart was heavy with disappointment, she left the dinner table. Her departure marked not just a physical exit but a symbolic step toward a future where her dreams would take precedence over family expectations. The door closed behind her, leaving her parents to confront the choice between accepting her pursuit of happiness or potentially losing their daughter to the pursuit of their own selfish desires. Scarlet's sobs echoed in the night air as she sat on the doorstep, the chilly breeze offering little comfort. Fumbling with her phone, she dialed Amy's number, hoping for a lifeline in her best friend. The phone rang, then rang again, but amy's voice was absent. 

Disappointment etched across her face, Scarlet decided to leave a voicemail pouring out her heart. "Hey, Amy, It's Scarlet. I... really need you right now. Things at home didn't go well, and I could use a friend. Please call me back when you can. With an even heavier heart she called a cab to a nearby motel. The flickering neon sign cast an eerie glow on her tear-streaked face as she checked in for the night, seeking refuge from the emotional storm. Alone in the dimly lit room, scarlet tried to channel her pain into her art, but her mind was clouded with the echoes of her parents words. Brush strokes hesitated, colors seemed to lose their vibrancy. Frustration mounted as she struggled to focus on her passion amidst the turmoil. The canvas became a mirror of her emotions - chaotic, unclear, and stained with the tears that continued to fall.

As the night  wore on, scarlet found solace in the creative process, the motel room became a battleground for her conflicting emotions, leaving her yearning for the dawn that promised a new day and, perhaps, a glimmer of clarity amid the chaos. The morning sun cast a soft glow on scarlet's face as she stirred from a restless sleep in the motel bed. Fatigue clung to her like a heavy blanket, but determination fueled her movements. With a sigh, she rose, her mind still going over the events of last night. In the small motel kitchenette, she brewed a fresh cup of coffee, the comforting aroma momentarily easing the weight on her shoulders. She took a sip, steeling herself for the day ahead. Despite the heaviness in her heart, she knew it was time to face the reality of her job. upon arriving at her workplace, she navigated through the familiar corridors with a newfound resolve. She knocked on her bosses door, before walking in. She quickly delivered the news. Her boss, surprised and saddened, acknowledged the difficulty with her decision, especially after the successful meeting with the investors.

 Despite the disappointment, he said, "I knew you were destined for greater things, get out there, and do what makes you happy." He wished her well in pursuing her passion. Now, leaving her office, she felt a mix of emotions which began fueling her resolve to forge ahead on the path she had chosen no matter the obstacles. She continued walking, until she passed a store where she overheard snippets of a conversation about independence, dreams, and the excitement of creating a space of one's own. It was a timely reminder that pursuing dreams often involves stepping out of comfort zones, and taking the lead toward personal growth. Moving out was no longer just a practical step but a symbolic act of claiming her own space in the world.