Chapter 3

Most of the time, Peace chose to stay isolated and avoided talking to others. She didn’t have a good relationship with anyone, not even with her sisters or parents. She often felt like she was the only one she could rely on. Gradually, she accepted the harsh reality that no one was going to stand by her side.

When it was time for the college entrance exams, Peace attended multiple tests hoping to secure admission into a good course. Unfortunately, she didn’t achieve the desired results, and even when she got selected, she couldn’t afford the fees. Reluctantly, she chose to study at a local college near her home.

Toward the end of her college years, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and she completed her course through online classes. During this period, Peace decided she wanted to turn her life around. She mustered the courage to approach her longtime crush, someone she had secretly loved for over eight years. They began talking online, and over time, their conversations grew deeper. When he confessed his feelings for her, Peace hesitated and rejected him due to her insecurities. He continued trying for a year, but conflicts arose, and eventually, they stopped talking. His departure left Peace heartbroken, and the emotional wound felt unhealable.

After graduating, Peace started working in her field of study. She joined a low-paying shift-based job, which gradually took a toll on her health. Her hemoglobin levels dropped, and she began experiencing low blood pressure issues, forcing her to quit the job for her well-being. However, after a week of rest, she began searching for another opportunity, determined to keep going.

Fortunately, Peace secured a job at an MNC. However, her journey there wasn’t smooth. Due to her past experiences, her tone of voice lacked warmth, and she struggled to communicate effectively with her coworkers. This led to constant judgment from her colleagues. Even her manager spoke negatively about her, further tarnishing her reputation with senior management.

Later, within a week, Peace was transferred to another department in her company. Her new role involved training employees and handling several employee engagement tasks. This was completely new to her, and she lacked the knowledge and skills needed to understand and coach others effectively.

Over time, she gradually gained experience and started communicating more freely with her colleagues. However, she still couldn’t fully overcome the behaviors and insecurities shaped by her experiences, which continued to affect her skills to become a leader of a team.

Even though Peace was the senior member of her team, she couldn’t secure the lead role. Instead, the opportunity was given to someone else. However, Peace believed the other person deserved the role and took it positively. She worked hard and gave her best to her responsibilities.

Despite her efforts, she was continuously reminded of her behavior and habits, which made her feel restricted. She hesitated to talk freely with her coworkers or provide suggestions to improve their skill levels. Constant monitoring and judgment made it even harder for her to connect with her team members, leaving her feeling isolated and constrained.

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