Days passed and we did not have proper management of labour and it was a total disaster. After 5 months I had a debt of Rs. 3 lacs. So, I prepared myself to shut down but I couldn’t tell my mother and my family about this debt because of my mother’s constant love and support and my father’s warning from the beginning. I did not have more than Rs. 50 in my pocket and I was completely in despair.

During this period, it was so hard to live with an ongoing debt and other expenses as I was only 19 at that time and I was not old enough to handle my debt and studies simultaneously. I was unable to tell my father because he had asked me to manage all my expenses since I owned a restaurant and earned from it. I went under depression as I had no one to share my thoughts and feelings with, no friends nor loved ones. Then, one fine day I decided to share my feeling with my mother, as my mental health and economic condition was deteriorating.

So finally, I focused on clearing my debt with any sacrifice that I had to make as I had a strong determination. I had to quit shopping, outing, exploring, etc., with my friends to minimise my expenditure. I changed my room for a minimum rent, and had no android phone, only around 2-3 pairs of clothes and I did not buy any new clothes, no fun with friends because of my commitment to repay the debt. I lost my smile and cheerful attitude of “the old me” and “happy me”. Without graduation I was unable to get a good job. But eventually with lots of searching and patience and determination, I finally got a job which paid me Rs. 7000/- so things got a bit better. I just ate only 1 chapati and bread during the snack time in my office. I usually moved away from the places where the employees had their lunch.