Chapter Four - The Interview

The bath had run too long, and the water had gone lukewarm, but I didn’t care. Steam curled around me, warm and comforting, yet it couldn’t soothe the gnawing pit in my stomach. 

 “I don’t want to do this.” I whispered to the empty bathroom. 

I had another job interview but it felt like just another chance to remind myself that I was a failure.  

I had gone to dozens of them since arriving in Sydney, countless rejections backed with polite “we’re sorry, you’re not qualified or we would get back to you” letters that left me feeling like trash. And now I was supposed to hope that this one would be different. 

I sighed and leaned back against the edge of the tub. The thought of leaving the bath and facing the world made my chest tighten.

“El! I left your coffee on the counter. You better hurry, or you’ll miss your chance!” Anna’s cheerful voice floated from the door. 

I groaned, letting the warmth soak me a little longer. “I don’t know if I can, Anna… I’ve tried so many times. I’m tired of failing.”

She pushed the door, towel over her shoulder. “Elara, listen. You’ve made it to the final stage for a reason. You haven't made it this far in a while which means they think you are qualified. 

You are talented. And this… this is your shot to prove it. Don’t let fear steal it from you.”

I wanted to believe her but the last interview still burned in my mind. I had been told I was perfect for the role, praised for my experience and skill… and then, when they realized I was pregnant, they had refused me. Their reasoning had been so cruelly practical: I wouldn’t be able to go on leave unless I had worked for a full year, and my delivery was fast approaching. That day I had walked out feeling like the life inside me made me disposable.

Anna stepped closer and rested her hands on my shoulders. “This one is different. Just go in, do your best and be yourself. That’s all anyone can ask of you.”

I swallowed hard, letting her words anchor me. Slowly, I drained the bath, wrapping myself in a towel. My body shook slightly, nerves fraying at the edges, but I forced myself to move.

The taxi ride was silent and I gripped my bag as if holding it tightly could keep me from falling apart. 

At the building, I paused at the entrance, taking a deep breath. 

“This is another chance. You can do this.” I encouraged myself. 

Everything was going well and for a moment, hope flickered. I answered naturally and even smiled a little. The panel seemed impressed and slowly, my heart dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, my persistence was about to pay off.

But then came to medical report. The nurse glanced at the report and raised an eyebrow. “You’re pregnant?” she said gently.

My chest tightened.  I hadn’t planned for this moment to be revealed so publicly, and yet there it was, unavoidable.

I nodded and she offered me a professional smile.

“I need to clarify a few things. Are you married?”

I shook my head. “No.”

Her polite expression faltered, and I felt my stomach drop.”Alright then, you can return. I will send your result out in a jiffy.”.

“I’m afraid we cannot offer you the position,” The manager said about thirty minutes later. “Company policy prohibits hiring women in morally grey circumstances and without a father to account for this, you’re…”

He didn't need to complete it, I understood what he meant. 

I pressed my hand to my mouth, holding back the tears as they burned at the corners of my eyes. I had worked so hard to reach this stage… and now, it was gone. All of it. Because of my baby.

I stumbled out of the office, heart pounding, tears slipping freely down my cheeks. Anna was waiting when I got home, arms open. I fell into her embrace, letting my body shake with sobs.

“It’s okay,” she murmured. “I’m here. I’ll be here every step. You’re going to have this baby with no

 struggle, El. We’ll figure it out together. I promise.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have left. At least he met my needs.”

“But he would have gotten rid of this baby. Girl, you made the right choice.” She whispered.  

“I don’t know how I’ll survive,” I was sobbing now. “I don’t know how I’ll provide for her…”

“We will,” she said firmly. “You’re not alone.” 

“But you've done enough already.”

“You don't get to define what enough is to me, girl.”

“Thank you, Anna.” I said between sobs. That was the only thing my brain could process. 

“There’s another interview in two days. Maybe that one will work. You can’t give up now.” She simply replied. 

I nodded against her shoulder, shivering. My hope felt fragile, almost absurd, but it existed.

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my faint heart was once again filled with so much hope.

Maybe the next interview would yield something.