Love in the Crossfires

ju

My thoughts were too tangled and heavy to allow room for anything else. Across from me, my father, Mohan, sat at the head of the table. His posture was as straight as ever, his face unreadab

tone heavy with skepticism, the pause before 'project' deliberate and

ing in my stomach. "It's a software company. We've launched two apps so far, and the response h

s, son. When are you going to get serious about your career?" He paused. "I hope

This is what I want to do. I know the market. Being an engineer in computer science, I'm

ven survive the next year? Why waste your time and my finance? You could be working at a top firm by now, earning a rea

"It's not a waste of time. I believe in what I'm doing," I sai

my second

the latest development – software." I looked into his eyes. "I ha

e couldn't fathom how I had come to this conclusion. "You're too idealistic,

e in my voice anymore. "Settling for a job just because

ne," he warned, his voice low but firm. The table see

'm not you. I don't want to spend my life climbing corporate ladd

ghtly as if to drive his words deeper. "What's meaningful ab

w, my resolve hardening with each passing second. "But it's c

sighed heavily and turned back to his plate. "You're too stubb

nce. My father had always been like this, measuring success in numbers and titles. He didn't understand what it mean

about a neighbor's wedding, but her words barely registered. The tension was too thick, the air too heavy. I barely touched

Sitting at my desk, I opened my laptop and stared at the screen. The code for our next app was still

l ven

alis

e of

ady myself. This was my path, not his. I had to remind myself of that. My company might be small now, but it was mine. Every

t the app's upcoming beta launch, their enthusiasm practically leaping off the screen. For

et's give it our all. Thi

stand, but that didn't mean I was wrong. I had to keep going, not for him, but for mysel

gh logo for our company. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start. And sometimes, that's all

rd, a small act of defiance against the doubts and dismissals that threatened to hold me back. My fingers moved acr

ess was about waking up every day excited to work on something I loved. It was about the journey, not just

uture held, but I knew one thing for certain: I wasn't going to give up. Not on my company. Not on mysel