"Crisis averted"-how I got my first job

photo by https://unsplash.com/photos/a-man-sitting-down-with-a-backpack-on-his-lap-ztR264-Xo_U

The morning began with that familiar tightness in my chest — the kind that warns you,“If something goes wrong today,it will go wrong early.”
And it did.
I left the house with my backpack half-open,laptop sticking out, USB jingling somewhere inside like it was fighting to escape.The bus doors were already open,and I jumped in while the driver muttered about being late.
I barely sat down when the bus lurched, tilted,and a loud pop echoed under us.
A flat tire.
The driver cursed.
Everyone groaned.
Of course.
While the others complained,I stared through the window toward the Vršac hills.Years of walking and biking those slopes—14 km a day,and sometimes more—taught me exactly what to do.Vrsac is a windy town with many windmills.
I slung my half-open backpack on my shoulder,tightened my jacket, and started running downhill with that stubborn wind at my back, as if the mountain itself wanted me to make it on time.
Because today wasn’t an ordinary day.
Today I had a presentation at a new school — a chance to show my work from previous schools,introduce myself to the director,and even hold a trial lesson in front of teachers and students.A real test.The kind that decides whether your future changes direction or not.

photo by https://unsplash.com/photos/a-person-riding-a-bike-across-a-street-ukrLS6V-7Oo

While running,a cyclist shot out from a side path.His wheel skidded on wet leaves, and he nearly fell straight into me. Instinct kicked in—I grabbed his backpack and yanked him upright.
He stared at me,still in shock.
"Brother… thank you.I could have taken a nasty fall."

“I’m late,” I said,panting."If you're okay—I'm running away."
And I kept running.
Crisis averted.Twice,actually —for both of us.
By the time I reached the school,my heart was pounding harder than on any climb toward Gudurički vrh.A teacher opened the door just as I arrived.
“You’re just in time,”she said,glancing at her watch.

Inside,I wiped my face,fixed my collar,straightened the belt on my half-open backpack,and entered the small meeting room.The school director and the commission president sat waiting.

photo by https://unsplash.com/photos/man-presenting-to-an-audience-in-a-classroom-setting-llXWZUAQz5A

I presented everything—my previous work with children,results from earlier schools,programs I had created,and new ideas for physical education classes.Then came the real challenge:the trial lesson.A group of students,a few curious teachers,and all eyes on me.
But once I stepped onto the wooden floor of the gym,all nerves disappeared.That was my world.
And they saw it.
After the lesson ended,the director nodded with a satisfied smile.
“I think we’ve found the right person,”he said.
I had earned a half-time position—my foot in the door,a beginning.
What I didn’t expect came after.
My phone buzzed.
A message.
It was the cyclist.
“Brother,I found you.I just want to say thank you again.After that curve,I really fell.If you hadn't grabbed me,I would have broken both myself and the bike.I'm glad you arrived on time.Otherwise I work as a janitor in this school and I'm glad we will be colleagues”.
After that message,my heart beat harder and the blood flowed through my whole body.What if the director found out about our collision on the street?Did it affect my overall impression that day,I couldn't know that.

photo by https://unsplash.com/photos/person-in-yellow-jacket-sits-on-a-bench-overlooking-landscape-qqEzkASe4c8

I leaned back on the bench outside the school,suddenly aware of how easily everything could have gone wrong.

I didn't lose my USB,I avoided a collision with the school janitor on a bicycle,escaped from a broken bus and presented my work from the heart.
Sometimes success hides in small reflexes,lucky timing,and a bit of wind pushing you downhill when you need it most.Maybe the hand of God and the finger of fate were involved in all of that.
That half-time job later became a full-time one.
Crisis averted and future secured.