Do Not Fear Taking Risks!

"Papa, please let me go, I promise this will be the first and last time I'm asking for a trip with my friends" - begged Eza to her father who was adamant and stubborn on his decision of not letting her go. "Eza, you'll only understand the seriousness of this decision when you'll have a girl child of your own," he said helplessly. After all, how could he let his young daughter go on an all-girls trip.

As if just in case there were some boys accompanying wouldn't have been a reason to question, how can she even think of going with boys? This was the rhetoric that Eza heard all her life but little did she know that her days to be in confinement are going to be over soon and she'd be gone, away from such restrictions to a place where she could take her life's important decisions on her own.

She got a new job and shifted to a new city, away from home and farther from the boundaries she grew up with. Fortunately one of her college mates, Bhawna was also placed in the same company along with her. One day Bhawna told Eza that two of her friends are coming and they three are planning to go to Pondicherry. It was a long weekend so Eza got tensed that how's she going to spend it, as she had no one to hang out with.

Since the beginning, they both were always together for all the outings and she never felt the need to mingle with new people due to the fear of trusting strangers at the new place. To her surprise, even Bhawna was hesitating to go with two boys. No, no...Not that they were not trustworthy but she was scared of the people eyeing them together. So she went on to ask Eza to come along. She gave it a thought thinking how to say yes when she didn't even know the guys? Would it be wise to go with two strangers and share accommodation with them, her parents face crossed her mind. In a flash she ignored it altogether, thinking - "what can go wrong?

They seem to be good guys and moreover, Bhawna has known them for years, they were her school friends. Nothing seemed wrong to her and she excitedly decided to say yes!!" Finally, they all left for Pondicherry from Mysore. Eza couldn't believe she was going for a trip by deciding everything on her own. She had myriads of thoughts crossing her mind, what if her parents got to know..? What if something happens to her? She never wanted to break her parents' trust but for how long should she keep listening to them and their insecurities? She has a life of her own and complete right to make decisions for herself. Ignoring all the doubts in mind, she started enjoying with her new friends. They were indeed nice people.

Paying attention to her conversation and willing to know more of her patiently. On the first day of the trip they decided to go to the Rock beach. It was the first time in Eza's life to witness a beach. She went near the shore, spreading her arms as if trying to hold the entire ocean in her arms, it was a sight to behold. She started to feel the cool breeze touching her body, making her feel heavenly. Forgetting every petty problems of life, she could feel the new vigour and energy in her. The energy and confidence of being independent. She spent her three days with them chitchatting and getting to know about their work and get inspired by them, she even got to know how can she proceed in her career by listening to their advice.

For a girl in India, working away from home and traveling with male friends is still a big deal. Luckily, Eza came back safely. Packed with enthusiasm to work and all set to get moulded with people around her and learn from them. Pondicherry turned out to be a life changer for Eza, making her believe in herself even more.

We're all in dilemma many times with situations like these where we've to choose what to prioritize, our wishes or our parents' fear which is holding us back. How about encompassing both of these and still fulfilling our wishes and living our life the way we want? Go out! Explore, try things out, visit places, meet new people and learn from them.

Do not stop. But make sure, you know and trust the people well, beforehand. Not everyone is bad or has got intentions to hurt you but there are all kinds around. Be aware, be safe. This is your life, make it big and live on your conditions. Have no regrets to dwell upon. Go travel.