"We fight we get high holding on to love
We came down 'cause there was nothing holding us
Is it wrong that I still wonder where you are
Is it wrong that I still don't know my heart"

Put A Little Love On Me, Niall Horan

(made a spotify playlist for you lovelies with all the songs featured so far, it is on my message board xx)

Chapter 29

This wasn't the first time I was in the backstage of a fashion show, but this was the first time that I was being so involved.

Involved as in my designs are going up there, involved.

To say that I was just nervous would be an understatement.

It was chills down my spine, hands trembling, tummy clenching, kind of nervous.

I watched as the two models wearing my dresses got swamped with my mom's makeup artists.

One of them caught my gaze and smiled kindly.

"Kiara ma'am's daughter, right?"

"Yes," I nodded meekly.

"This piece is gorgeous," she said.

I grinned back at her, the compliment easing my nerves, a bit.

"This one is a stunner, too," the other one said.

"You guys are amazing, thank you," I replied, smiling sincerely at them, right before Kiara D'Souza stepped into the room.

The loud noise and chaos of the huge room instantly shut down to a pin drop silence, all eyes on her.

Her gaze swept across the room, pausing at me for a second before looking right back at the board on the wall.

"Show will begin in five minutes, please line up for the final check in three, team, let's make another show a success," she said, authoritatively before a round of applause circulated around the room.

The team respected her.

Bent to all her whims.

She was a queen.

I felt pride swell in me for her.

"Jennifer?"

I rushed to her almost tripping over something as her steel gaze fixated on me.

"Are you ready?"

"I—?"

"They will announce our names in a bit, I want you to walk out with me. Payal?"

A woman appeared in front of us within seconds, they nodded at each other and before I knew what was happening, I was being ushered to a stool nearby, my face being pricked and plucked and powdered.

It lasted for less than a minute but by the time she was done, I couldn't recognize myself in the mirror.

Damn, she is good, I thought before she winked and walked away.

"Jennifer?" I heard my mom call out again.

"I've done my check on all the models, what do you think?"

I knew it was a rhetorical question because my mom is well aware of her talent. I shifted my gaze from one model to another, all wearing some stunning pieces, each competing with the one before, I had no words.

My designs paled in comparison, I thought with a sinking feeling but before I could dwell much on that thought, I heard the audience being hushed outside as the anchor's voice boomed across.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen—"

I took a deep breath in, drowning the voice before I heard her say my name.

My mom nodded at me as she walked in front and I followed her.

Cameras flashed instantly, blinding me, my heart was thudding away and I smiled blindly at the audience.

I mean, I hoped it was a smile, because I was too nervous to do anything.

My mom was her usual confident self, having done this a million times before, waving at the audience, flashing them a charming smile.

As we walked to the centre, I prayed to all the gods that I won't trip and fall on my face.

That would make some great news but before that terrifying thought consumed me, I heard the shrill screams belonging to a few bitches.

Also known as Trisha, Tanya and Shreya.

And Jeremy.

I turned to them instantly, my fear dissolving as I grinned at the doofuses.

They were waving madly, while howling like a pack of wolves.

I chuckled and waved back.

A mic was handed to my mom and she brought it to her lips before speaking, "Hello everyone, thank you for being present here for my spring collection. This event is special for me not only because I feel like I pushed myself to venture further but also, because it is my daughter, Jennifer's, debut show."

A loud round of applause erupted from the audience and I smiled nervously around, while camera flashes went berserk.

The lights dimmed as we walked back, my heart calming down as I reached backstage.

My mother instantly left my side to do her last check before letting the models walk out. I looked for the two wearing mine, one of them caught my gaze and twirled around, showing me the dress.

It looked perfect on her.

I grinned.

The music began and soon, all the models put on a straight face and with the cheering of the rest of the staff, started walking out.

I felt giddy with excitement.

This, right here was my dream, watching my dresses on someone.

"What?"

My trance like state was broken with my mom's screech.

She was suddenly pacing across the room, her phone pressed to her ear and her target seemed to be someone on the other end of the line.

"I told you to go to the doctor, yesterday—"

"Jeez, Arvind, why wouldn't you inform me earlier, then?"

"What do you mean you thought you would have been well by then? We could have had brought in a replacement for you, you know, forget it, just take rest, I will talk to you later."

She collapsed on a chair while her assistant ran to her, clipboard in hand.

They whispered something to each other before her assistant ran off, again.

I was about to approach her when I heard my name being called.

I turned around to see Soham Ashar standing there, a grin plastered on his face.

I walked to him with confusion evident on mine.

"Yes, of course, I will come," he replied before I could even open my mouth or shut my gape.

"Well, you are a bit too late, my moment on the runway is over," I replied, pinning a grin to my face.

Yes, I gotta admit, I was happy to see him.

"Damn it, kidding, I did see you there, you were—"

I never knew how that sentence would have ended because behind me I heard a very enthusiastic 'Soham' being screeched out.

A little too enthusiastic.

And before I knew it, I was being pushed behind by my mom for her to assess Soham, from head to foot.

I was confused for a moment and then it hit me.

The phone call.

Some model cancelled for the show, which was happening after lunch, for the male design line.

Soham.

No, mom.

I didn't have a moment to speak out before mother dearest squealed, "Soham, this model of mine has fallen ill with some food poisoning and he can't make it, and I don't think we can find a replacement in such a short notice—"

"Mom, no."

"Soham, you've been as much as a son to me as Jer—"

"Mom, please don't."

"And I heard that you're in the Mumbai team, and you're looking to play for the national—"

"You are not being fair."

"It will put you out in the open—"

"That is such bullshit."

"Just think of it as free promo, and I'll pay you—"

"He doesn't need it."

"Please, walk the runway, Soham."

"Soham, you don't have to do it."

Soham looked a little faint to be honest as his head had been bobbing comically from left to right, watching the mother daughter duo.

He looked at my mom's pleading gesture and before I could stop it, I knew he was caving in.

"Yes, aunty, of course and you don't have to pay me."

"Oh, Soham, you are the kindest, I'd exchange you for Jer."

~

"You could have atleast asked for payment," I said, as I pulled at his vest.

"How much do you think this will cost?"

I rolled my eyes in response as I buttoned it up with him admiring himself in the mirror in front.

"More than your kidneys," I mumbled.

"I wouldn't mind not having my kidneys if I get to wear this every day."

Now, you may be wondering why I'm buttoning up this guy, in a very intimate position, may I add, when I'm pretty sure that even though Soham loves wearing jerseys and tees, knows how to button, but mother doesn't design ordinary vests.

O no.

She designs vests which will take a whole year to button and tie up and another to button down.

The designing was so intricate and planned, I was surprised why she gave it to Soham to wear, but I guess the guy who fell ill was supposed to and he must have been a gorgeous hunk.

Alas, the suit is disappointed now.

Same, brother.

But I almost felt like taking the above sentence back as I stepped aside to look at him.

Damn.

My heart stopped and raced for a bit.

"Take a picture, it might last longer," he smirked.

I woke up from my reverie and rolled my eyes, "You look decent."

"Okay, I'll take that compliment."

"She played you into this."

He sighed.

"Jen, she has never been unkind to me, all these years, I owe her this one, plus, she is right. It will give me some exposure."

"How did your tryouts go? Did they—"

"Yes, they agreed for a reschedule last weekend and asked me to play a lot of sets in front of them, they were kind of rigorous."

"Are you getting selected—"

"I don't know, they said that they will call in a month, now we just wait, I guess."

There was a heavy pause of silence and I knew it was my turn to open up.

"What you heard is right," I whispered, dusting off some lint from the arms of his shirt.

"How are you?"

I grinned at him.

"Honestly, I am okay, not the best, but this show kept me busy and this is prolly the best thing that has happened ever since."

He smiled.

"Don't mess it up, now."

His smile turned into a grin.

~

"Damn, Soham, you were so professional," Jer exclaimed, patting him on the back.

"Yes, this should be you alternate career now," Trisha teased.

"Wait, let the fashion designer speak," he chortled.

"I think you were okay, I'd give it a seven," I replied.

My friends guffawed and bellowed at that as I laughed.

This was the after party and I had already stuffed myself with a whole platter of starters and a whole round of awful jokes made by my friends.

But I was content.

As we were leaving, I pulled Soham to the side and pressed a bag to his hands.

"What is this?"

"Open it," I replied.

He looked at me confused, before opening the paper bag and I watched as his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Mom was generous—"

I was cut off as his arms wrapped around me.

"I missed you," he whispered into my hair.

I was right here, Soham.

Always.

~

~

Okay, that last part kind of teared me up, and I think I'm just procrastinating the writing of these chapters because we are awfully close to the end now *sobs*

I mean there is still a lot planned but we are reaching there.

Please, cry with me.

love xx

anamika