Chapter 1: Dreams Bigger Than Lucknow
Shikha’s phone rang just as she was revising some SAs.
She glanced at the screen, confused by the unknown Mumbai number. For a second, she considered letting it ring. Then something made her answer.
“Hello, Shikha Sharma?”
“Yes?”
“This is from Malhotra & Co., Mumbai. We’re calling regarding your articleship interview.”
Her pen slipped from her fingers.
“We’d like to inform you that you’ve been selected.”
For a moment, Shikha couldn’t speak. The room felt too quiet, the words too big to fit inside it.
“Thank you,” she finally managed. “Thank you so much.”
The call ended.
Shikha stared at her phone for a second, her heartbeat loud in her ears. Then, without thinking, she stood up and walked straight into the living room.
“Mummy,” she said, her voice shaking.
Her mother looked up from the kitchen doorway. “Haan? Kya hua?”
(Yes? What happened?)
“Mumbai se call aaya,” Shikha said quickly, barely able to contain her excitement. “Articleship ke liye select ho gayi hoon.”
For a moment, her mother just stood there, processing the words. Then her face softened, and she walked forward, pulling Shikha into a tight hug.
“Sach?” she asked quietly. “Mujhe pata tha.”
(Really? I knew it.)
Shikha smiled, her eyes filling up.
Just then, her father came out of the bedroom, adjusting his spectacles. “What happened?” he asked, sensing something important.
“She’s been selected for articleship,” her mother said, pride clear in her voice.
Her father looked at Shikha for a long second. Then he smiled — not wide, not loud, but proud. Very proud.
“That’s wonderful,” he said. “I am very proud of you, beta.”
“Thank you, papa,” Shikha replied, hugging him.
“So when is the joining?” he asked.
“Next week,” she said.
Her brother walked in just as their parents were still smiling and talking.
“Mumbai?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
Shikha nodded. “Articleship.”
A grin spread across his face. “Nice. Congrats, didi.”
“Thank you,” she smiled.
“That’s big,” he added, genuinely happy. “Malhotra & Co. is not easy to get into.”
Her father looked at him, surprised. “You know about the firm?”
He shrugged. “Of course. She’s been talking about it for months.”
Shikha laughed. “And pretending not to listen.”
He shook his head. “You worked for this. You deserve it.”
There was no long speech, no dramatic moment. Just quiet pride.
“Now pack properly,” he added lightly. “Mumbai is not Lucknow.”
“I know,” she said, smiling. “That’s why I’m going.”
That night felt unreal.
Shikha lay awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking about trains, offices, new faces, and a city she had only imagined. Fear crept in quietly, but excitement followed close behind.
The next few days passed quickly.
Her suitcase lay open on the bed as she folded clothes carefully. Books went in next. Then her laptop. At the last moment, she slipped a small family photograph into the side pocket and zipped the bag shut.
The farewell was simple. Too many instructions. Too many reminders. Too many “call us when you reach.”
At the station, Shikha hugged her parents tightly. When the train started moving, she didn’t look back immediately. She waited until Lucknow slowly disappeared from view.
Mumbai welcomed her with noise.
The station was crowded, people rushing past her as if they already knew where they were going. Shikha stood still for a moment, holding her bag tightly.
This was it.
No comfort. No familiarity. Just her, her dreams, and the work ahead.
