Thank you Blogadda for finding this post Spicy enough to feature as Spicy Saturday Pick
“Oh no, it has been too long. I need to work again. I did not do my Masters to be sitting at home and babysitting. Besides, our daughter is now almost 2. I think we can put her in a creche and try. If I stay any longer at home, the damage to any hopes of having a career will be irreparable. Don’t worry, this job has a work-from-home option after a couple of years, so things will stabilize.” Sheila gave all these reasons in favor of her decision to work again. She had discovered this BPO job that seemed so good. Thus began the journey of training (was pretty good) and early morning classes for this BPO job. Daughter Diya had to be dropped to creche and picked up by afternoon.
Training flew by, and then started the actual work. The work was in 2 shifts — one from 5 am to 2 pm and the other from 2 pm to 10 pm (excluding the commute). The shift timings changed every week. It was tiring, but Sheila was enjoying her work. She wanted to prove a point, so she persevered doggedly in those times of stress. Diya was cranky and resentful in the beginning but slowly settled to the routine albeit grudgingly.
In the meanwhile, they moved to their own home that was quite some distance from this office. The commute got longer. Diya had to be put in a new creche. The circle of adjustments began again. Hubby, Ashmit, had been very supportive dropping or picking up Diya on his way to or back from work. The other dropping/picking was done by Sheila in her sleep deprived state. Life was very hectic and very tiring. The biggest pain was working most Saturdays and some holidays too. BPOs — they followed the American holidays not Indian ones! She was under pressure and sometimes wondered why she was doing it. But, she wanted to work. She was qualified and smart. Staying at home was so demeaning. Besides, she wanted to earn her own money. That was a huge high, wasn’t it?
Ashmit got an opportunity for an overseas project for 2 months. He wanted all of them to go together. It would give them an opportunity to see many wonderful places. Things were worked out at his work and at her workplace. After moving heaven and earth, her leave was sanctioned. Off they flew. After a long, long time Shiela was spending so much time with the family and was so very relaxed. She was traveling, meeting wonderful people, and reconnecting with hubby and daughter. Diya was leaving no opportunity to tell mom and dad how much she was enjoying being with them.
Time flew by. Back home, it was her first day back to work. Diya had been crying since she woke up. Sheila herself was feeling depressed. Should she go back to the daily grind and the struggles again? More importantly, should she put her 2-year-old daughter through this again, the nights when she is up crying waiting for her to be back home, the times when she clung to her when she is dropping her to the day school?
What do you think she ought to do?
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction
Rachna says 
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