The days had passed quickly, and Mirshad had become a familiar face at the construction site. His good attitude, respect, and warm conversations had earned him the admiration of everyone he worked with. Three months into the job, the foreman who had once assigned him as a helper now looked to Mirshad as someone with a growing number of his own helpers. His brain's ability to grasp tasks quickly had become his strongest talent, and he stood out for his natural leadership abilities.
One day, a meeting was called for the workers on the last floor of the site, where Mirshad was working. The project manager had summoned them after lunch, and Mirshad, along with his roommates, made their way to the meeting room. They laughed and chatted, unaware of the serious nature of what was about to unfold.
The project manager opened the meeting, speaking about the progress of the site, but soon the conversation shifted. "For the past month," he said, "we've been closely monitoring everyone's work. Today, we'll be announcing who among you will be promoted and who will be sent back to their original companies."
The cheerful mood of the workers immediately changed. Faces became tense, and everyone exchanged nervous glances. The project manager began reading names from the list of underperformers. One by one, around thirty workers were named and asked to leave. The tension in the room lifted slightly as the workers left, but the atmosphere remained heavy.
Mirshad sighed in relief, turning to his friends. "At least that's over," he said, certain that the worst was behind them. But just as they relaxed, the project manager started calling the names of those being promoted.
"Mirshad."
The name echoed in the room, and for a moment, Mirshad thought he had misheard. His friends nudged him, wide-eyed with surprise. "That's you! Go!" they urged, still in disbelief. Mirshad stood up slowly, confused and shocked. As he made his way to the front, the foreman and engineer smiled proudly.
"You deserve this," they said. "You've been doing amazing work."
The recognition left Mirshad proud, yet conflicted. When the meeting ended, the promoted workers were asked to stay back. As the others filed out, Mirshad sat with the foreman and engineer. Unable to contain his thoughts, he turned to them.
"I'm honored," he said, "but there are so many people here with more experience. Why did you pick me?"
"You don't realize your own value, Mirshad," the foreman said. "You're not just a worker. You lead by example, and you complete tasks without hesitation. You have a natural talent for this work. If you take this promotion, you'll be in a position to secure your future."
Mirshad nodded, but his heart was conflicted. "I appreciate that," he replied, "but I don't want to stay here forever. I have dreams, and if I sign this contract, I'll be stuck. This isn't the path I want for my life."
At that moment, the project manager approached. "Congratulations," he said. "You've got a bright future ahead of you. Would you like to start as a supervisor, or would you prefer to begin as a foreman?"
Mirshad hesitated, sensing the expectations of those around him, but his dreams weighed heavily on his mind. "Thank you, sir," he began, "but I can't accept this offer. I'll be leaving within the week."
The project manager's face darkened. "You're making a mistake," he snapped. "Do you realize how rare this opportunity is? You're just a worker, and you don't have the qualifications for something like this. Yet we gave it to you, and you're rejecting it? You'll never achieve your dreams with that attitude."
The harsh words stung, but Mirshad's resolve only hardened. "Who are you to judge me?" he retorted, standing tall. "You don't know anything about me." He pulled out his phone and showed the project manager his certificates, revealing for the first time that he wasn't just a low-level worker—he was an electrical engineer.
The room fell silent as everyone, including the project manager, stared in disbelief. "I didn't tell anyone because this isn't my dream," Mirshad continued. "I took this job as a step towards something greater. I wanted to learn, to grow, but I have no intention of staying here forever. I want more from life than just this."
The project manager's anger faded, replaced by quiet surprise. Mirshad stood firm, and after a moment of silence, he turned to leave. "I'm quitting," he said simply. "Sorry, but this isn't the place for me."
He immediately called his father, explaining everything—the job, the rejection, his hidden qualifications, and most importantly, his dreams. His father listened, and after a pause, spoke calmly. "Don't worry. Pack your things, and I'll come pick you up."
Mirshad felt a wave of relief. His father wasn't angry. He returned to his room and began packing, the weight of the decision lifted from his shoulders. Before long, his friends burst through the door. They had already heard everything.
"You're full of surprises," one of them said, shaking his head. "We had no idea you were an engineer!"
Mirshad smiled. "It's all part of the journey."
Soon, his father arrived, along with the boss. After exchanging goodbyes and receiving his final salary, the boss pulled him aside. "I've never met someone like you, Mirshad," he said. "You're brave to walk away, and you're right—if you signed that contract, you'd be trapped. I respect your decision."
Mirshad thanked him and bid his friends farewell. They hugged him tightly, telling him that this was just the beginning, and they would meet again someday. Then, he left the room and climbed into the car with his father.
As they drove away, his father glanced at him. "Why didn't you tell me you had these qualifications?"
"I thought they would help me achieve my dreams," Mirshad replied. "But then I realized it would trap me. I need to do something different, something bigger. That's why I never told you. I didn't want to disappoint you."
His father smiled softly. "You've never disappointed me. So, what's your next plan?"
Mirshad looked ahead, a determined glint in his eyes. "I'll tell you soon."