London
Linda stands in front of the restaurant counter, her fingers tightly clasped together as she waits for the manager to finish scanning her application. The smell of fried food fills the air, but all she can focus on is the look on his face. He barely glances at her before shaking his head.
“I’m sorry,” he says, pushing the paper back toward her. “We need someone with a degree.”
Linda swallows hard. “I learn fast,” she says quietly. “I can start immediately. I just need a chance.”
The manager sighs, already losing interest. “Rules are rules,” he replies. “Try somewhere else.”
Linda nods, forcing a small smile, even as her chest tightens. She thanks him, turns around, and steps out of the restaurant. The cold London air hits her face as the door closes behind her. She pauses, standing there for a moment, holding her rejected application hoping, still hoping, that the next place will say yes.
London is a city that never truly rests. Even in the early mornings, the streets are alive with sound, cars move steadily, buses stop and start, and footsteps echo against the pavement. Tall buildings stand beside old ones, telling stories of both the past and the present. The air is often cold, especially in the mornings, and the sky usually looks grey, but people have learned to live with it. London is beautiful in its own way, but it is also expensive and demanding.
In a modest apartment in one of the quieter parts of the city, Linda lives with her parents, David and Janet. Their home is small but neat, filled with warmth and love. Linda is their only child, and everything they do is for her. David works long hours, while Janet manages the home and takes on small jobs when she can. They are not wealthy, but they strongly believe in education. From the very beginning, they promise themselves that Linda will never suffer the way they once did.
Throughout her schooling years, Linda never lacked support. When money is short, her parents still find a way. They skip their own needs just to make sure her school fees are paid, her books are complete, and her transport is settled. They never complain in front of her. To Linda, they always look strong. But as she grows older, she begins to notice the cracks, her father’s tired eyes, her mother’s silent sighs, and the quiet conversations that stop whenever she enters the
room.
