The relative approached with the specific energy of someone gathering intel. The question: "Beta, tum abhi bhi wahi job kar rahe ho?" - are you STILL doing that same job? Emphasis on "still," as though my two-year, stable, full-time employment was clearly a passing phase everyone assumed had ended by now.
I confirmed. Yes. Still the job. Same role. Same company. Two years and counting. Gainfully, boringly, consistently employed.
And I watched a flicker of disappointment cross her face.
Because there was no drama in my answer. No "I quit dramatically," no "I got fired," no "I'm switching careers." Just stability. Just a normal person doing a normal job continuously, which is apparently the least interesting possible update to bring back to the family gossip network.
She wanted a STORY. A development. Something to report at the next function. Instead she got "same job, going fine," which is conversational dead air at a family gathering.
I almost felt bad for underdelivering. My steady employment was a letdown. My lack of chaos disappointed her.
But no. Two years at a stable job is genuinely good, actually. It's just not GOSSIP. And in the family function economy, being fine and consistent makes you completely uninteresting - which, honestly, I'll take. Boring is a blessing. Sorry there's no drama, aunty. Same job. Still. Happily.