Strength Behind the Tears

In a world where strong women are admired for their resilience and ability to tackle challenges, it's easy to forget that they too have emotions that run deep. 

So, I recently had a chance to play cricket tournament where having one woman in a team was a must and the first over was handed to the women.

First ball, first over, I swung my bat with Dhoni-like confidence, but the ball dint fly like a rocket for boundaries. So, I started running, but gravity had other plans, and I found myself kissing the ground. The opponents, displaying true sportsmanship, chose not to throw the ball at the stumps, sparing me from run out.

My knee was in pain, yet I played the remaining five balls, determined not to give up. As I stepped out of the ground, I noticed my torn pant. "Well, torn pants are trendsetters," I thought, lifting it to inspect my knee. To my shock, I discovered a sizable wound accompanied by a splash of blood.

Upon noticing my injury, the team captain promptly called for first aid, and a person with a box emerged. Before I could scream out my pain, the captain and those around me said, 'What a brave, strong woman!'

The notion of being a strong woman echoed in my mind and I concealed the pain behind a mask, casually stating, 'Oh, just a scratch, no big deal.' Yet, in reality, it hurt like hell. 

Questioning whether this act qualifies as strength, I pondered. The pain was real, but I hid it well. Am I truly a strong woman? Who's to say?

Enduring a week of pain and limping, I made sure no one noticed my limping and pain. As strong women, we become masters of hiding our pain. But there are moments when that strength shatters us to the core and sometimes, the burden becomes too heavy to carry alone.

Today marked a different chapter – a trip to the hospital all by myself. Absolutely, being strong is admirable, but in the hospital, where vulnerability is unavoidable, having someone by your side makes all the difference. 

Multiple injections and a small surgery left me in pain. Feeling a bit dizzy while driving back home after anesthesia, I question whether to blame myself for projecting strength to those around me or if I was a fool for not expressing my vulnerability.

As the anesthesia wore off, the pain from the surgery resurfaced. However, what hurt even more was the loneliness within the hospital walls. But what truly stung was the realization that people often perceive strong women as unstoppable, neglecting the love and care we silently crave.

Being a strong woman doesn't mean we don't need love and care; even the strongest souls yearn for compassion.

Goa to Growth

This article won the Writing Contest organized by NTT DATA.

I am uncertian who in the world likes me,  but I do know one thing for sure – the fate has a serious crush on me, constantly throwing in unexpected twists, connections, experiences, and opportunities in my life. (It's like the universe's way of saying, "evolo adichalum thanguran, iva romba Nalava da...")

One such connection between Goa and my journey with NTT DATA have made an impact and transformed my life.

It all began during a much-anticipated family trip to Goa, a needed escape after the dark cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic. As I soaked up in the warm embrace of the sun and relished the joy of being with my loved ones, a call from HR brought the news of my eagerly awaited offer letter. Fate had a funny way of aligning the stars, as my joining date happened to fall on the infamous 13th of June. Superstitions surrounding the number thirteen danced in my mind, but I couldn't resist the synchronicity of the situation. Despite my playful plea to change the joining date, it remained unchanged. And so, my journey with NTT DATA began on 13th June.

I embarked with a new project, presenting a myriad of challenges, and learning opportunities. Bullets of adversity seemed to rain down from every direction, testing the limits of my resilience and determination. Yet, I pressed on, surviving, and surpassing each trial. Through this journey, I realized that every struggle was moulding me into a stronger, more capable version of myself.

Day after day, I embraced the exhilarating dance of growth and evolution. I discovered that there is no such thing as an ordinary day. Every single day is a chance to learn, adapt, and thrive. This realization transformed my perspective, infusing a renewed sense of purpose into my work and personal life.

And did I mention about the connection between Goa and NTT DATA? Well, it lies in the journey itself—just as Goa surprises with an exquisite beaches and vibrant nightlife, my journey with NTT DATA has been filled with unforeseen twists and late-night coding sessions fuelled by countless cups of chai, innovative ideas that blossom amidst collaboration with talented colleagues, and the triumph of overcoming challenging goals—all these moments have contributed to the journey of my enthralling experience.

And yes, just like a sun kissed Goan sunset, we always emerge stronger, innovative, and ready to conquer the countless adventures that still lie ahead.