Know Your Worth

Riya and Angela were best friends. They lived on the same street, attended the same school, and shared everything from lunchboxes to secrets.
But as they grew older, there was a shift, and it was noticeable.
Angela shone effortlessly in extracurricular activities. She was a talented singer and won the admiration of all. She won prizes in various competitions. The teachers were full of praise for her, and friends gathered around her, requesting her to sing songs. Her voice was simply melodious, and one could not get enough of it. Riya felt left out.
Riya told herself that it did not matter. Angela is my best friend and always will be, she thought. Her success is my happiness as well. Angela, however, did not notice Riya’s mental turmoil and went about her way as usual.
Riya recognised a quiet feeling growing inside her.
It began small, almost unnoticeable.
The unsettled feeling when Angela was applauded.
The pinch in the heart when she was compared to her.
The smile that did not reach her eyes when Angela shared good news.
Jealousy had silently crept into her heart just like a shadow.
One day, Angela came to Riya and told her excitedly,” I have been selected to represent our school in the inter-school competition.”
Riya forced a smile. “ That’s really great,” was all she said.
But later in the evening, she sat quietly in her room staring into nothing and thought.
Why her?
Why not me? I, too, work hard. Why has God been unkind to me and not blessed me with any such talent? Thoughts like these filled her head, and tears stung her eyes. The thoughts would not stop, and they soon began to change her behaviour too.
She started avoiding Angela. Their conversations became short, her laughter became forced, and Angela’s success left Riya irritated rather than proud.
Angela noticed this.
One evening, she confronted Riya and asked,” Did I hurt you? You seem to be distant”.
Riya hesitated at first. The truth felt heavy on her tongue. A part of her wanted to hide it and pretend everything was fine and normal.
But another part-the part that loved and cherished their friendship spoke up.
“ I think I am jealous of you”.
The words hung in the still air.
Angela had a look of surprise on her face. She was not angry but was quiet.
“ I did not mean to feel this way”, Riya continued, in a voice that was shaking. “ It just happened, and I hate it. I hate that I feel like this”.
There was a long pause.
Riya regretted her words. She thought that she had made a mistake by revealing her feelings.
Angela smiled gently.
“ Do you know something?” she said. “ I have always admired you”.
Riya blinked. She could not believe what she had just heard. “What?”
“ You have patience and never give up. When I panic, you remain calm. I feel reassured when I am remind myself that you are with me. I might be able to get attention effortlessly, but you have the strength to build”.
Riya felt at a loss for words.
Angela added gently.” We are not competing, Riya. We are just….different.”
Something shifted.
Riya realized that jealousy had made her see only what Angela had and not what she herself possessed. It had turned friendship into a competition that did not need to exist.
Riya found her voice and said,” I am sorry”.
Angela replied. Don’t be. You were honest, and that is all that matters”.
Riya did not stop feeling jealous at once, but she learned to recognize it, question it, understand it, check it, and not let it control her.
And over a period of time, the shadow faded.
It happened because she understood something important:
Jealousy does not come from the success of others-it comes when we forget our own worth. And once that is ingrained, there is no need to compare.