Chapter 66 — The Interview

Ritika sat outside the interview room, holding her documents carefully.

She took a deep breath.

After years away from teaching, she was finally here again.

A staff member opened the door.

Staff: Professor Ritika?

Ritika stood.

Ritika: Yes.

Staff: Please come in.

She entered the room.

There were three senior professors seated across the table.

Professor 1: Good morning, Professor Ritika.

Ritika: Good morning, sir.

Professor 2: Please have a seat.

Ritika: Thank you, sir.

She sat down.

Professor 1 looked through her résumé.

Professor 1: You completed your higher education at Oxford University?

Ritika: Yes, sir.

Professor 1: And you previously taught before taking a break?

Ritika: Yes, sir.

Professor 2: Why did you leave teaching?

Ritika took a moment before answering.

Ritika: I left after my son was born.

Professor 2: And why do you want to return now?

Ritika smiled slightly.

Ritika: Because I never stopped loving teaching.

The professors listened carefully.

Ritika: I wanted to be present for my son's childhood, so I made the decision to step away from my career.

Professor 3: And now?

Ritika: Now he is older and more independent.

She smiled.

Ritika: I feel ready to return to something that has always been a part of me.

Professor 1: You have been away from academia for several years. Do you think that gap will affect your ability to teach?

Ritika: The gap may have changed my experience, sir, but it hasn't taken away my knowledge or my passion for teaching.

The professors exchanged glances.

Professor 2: What would you do if students were struggling with a difficult concept?

Ritika: I wouldn't simply repeat the same explanation.

She leaned forward slightly.

Ritika: I would try to understand why they were struggling first. Every student learns differently.

Professor 3: Good.

He looked at another document.

Professor 3: What do you believe makes a good professor?

Ritika: Knowledge is important, but I believe patience is equally important.

She paused.

Ritika: A professor shouldn't only teach a subject. They should encourage students to question, think independently and develop confidence in their own abilities.

Professor 1 smiled.

Professor 1: Suppose you have a student who is brilliant academically but lacks confidence. What would you do?

Ritika: I would make sure the student understands that intelligence isn't enough if they don't believe in themselves.

She smiled.

Ritika: I would give them opportunities to speak, present and make mistakes without being afraid of judgment.

The room became quiet for a moment.

Professor 2: One final question.

Ritika nodded.

Professor 2: Why should we select you?

Ritika took a breath.

Ritika: Because I am returning with more life experience than I had when I left.

She looked at each professor.

Ritika: I know what it means to balance responsibility, failure, patience and persistence.

Ritika: And I believe those experiences will make me a better teacher.

The professors smiled.

Professor 1 closed her file.

Professor 1: Thank you, Professor Ritika.

Ritika stood.

Ritika: Thank you for giving me the opportunity.

She walked out of the room.

Outside, Arnav immediately stood when he saw her.

Arnav: Ritu?

Ritika smiled.

Ritika: I finished.

Arnav: How was it?

Ritika: I think it went well.

Arnav smiled proudly.

Arnav: I knew you could do it.

Ritika looked at him.

Ritika: You waited all this time?

Arnav: Of course.

He gently held her hand.

Arnav: Come, Professor Sahiba. Let's go home.

Ritika laughed.

Ritika: Professor Sahiba?

Arnav: My Biwi Sahiba is going back to teaching.

She smiled brightly.

For Ritika, it wasn't just an interview.

It was the beginning of finding a part of herself again.