Hey guys, just wanted to share an experience so that no one else gets themselves into this kind of vulnerable space. Naku job poyi 3 months aynappudu, my cousin asked me to move to their place temporarily until I found a job. Sare kada ani vella. First 2 weeks all good, full family vibes and intlo vallu kuda happy that cousins are taking care of me. Slow slow ga ma vadina nannu vaadadam start chesindi like intlo panulu, grocery shopping, kids pick & drop. First few days, manolle ga ani nene munde undi chesa.
But within a week, situation completely reverse aypoyindi. They literally started treating me like a maid. Cooking nene cheyali, house cleaning, and top of that, kids ki tuitions kuda cheppali. Na situation weak ani ardam ayyi inka rechipoyaru. Idanta oka etthu aithe, relatives daggara dappu malli:”Meme chusukuntunnam vadini, job kuda memey set chestam tondarlo.” Avi telisaka mental ekki poyindi. Friends daggiraki move avvadam ante vallaki tough times, outside rent bear chese capacity naku appudu ledu.
Already Masters loan and credit card bills unnai. Then came the tipping point. Oka get-together jarigindi, and I found out through someone that my cousin told his friend:”Vadiki job em radu, ikkade unchi free ga pani cheyinchukundam.” Asalu expect cheyala scene… Ento ee jeevitham anipinchindi. Nenu job vachindi ani cheppi immediate ga bayataki vachesa. Fast forward 2 months, My cousin called me and asked me to pay rent + bills for the time I stayed there. Lucky ga naku real ga ne oka full time offer vachindi with a signup bonus.
Next month pay raagane istha ani cheppi, aa money vadi mohana kotta. But honestly, aa mental trauma inka marchipolenu. Nammina manushule ila chesthe inka evarini nammutham? My only piece of advice to everyone out there: Mana time entha bagolekapoina, never stay for free anywhere, even if it’s your own brother or sister. Pay your rent, share bills, and split groceries. Mottam tippi tippi kodithe 3 to 4 months pay anthe ga?
Daani kosam manam evari daggira thaggedi ledu. You deserve your free will and self-respect. Looking back, valla daggiraki vellakunda unte naku job inka munde vachedemo. I would have spent that time preparing for interviews instead of doing chakiri for their family. Stay strong guys, hard times will pass, but don’t lose your dignity for anyone!