chapter 20

The ShowThe day of the show came, and I could not settle the butterflies in my stomach. My friends accompanied me to the college, and no matter what happened, they didn’t leave my side – they had taken Pratham’s warning to their hearts.Pratham had hired three professionals to do my make-up. They introduced themselves, but I couldn’t concentrate on anything that day. I was that nervous.The agenda of the show was mentioned outside. It read:Couple’s walkWestern wear – FemaleWestern wear – MaleEthnic wear – FemaleEthnic wear – MaleFree-form – Male & FemaleCocktails and Party“Damn it, they had to do the western wear first,” I swore loudly.“Well, it is what it is,” Ankit sighed. He knew that the red backless dress worried me the most.Pratham met me before the show and wished me luck. He acted a bit distant, but I knew it was all my doing. He walked with me to my studio –where I was supposed to get ready.Tam was walking beside us. I couldn’t help but notice her red cheek and a limp in her walk. I wondered if the limp was my doing or was it a deliberate move to gain Pratham’s attention. She was trying to find an opening to talk to him, however, his eyes were only for me.Oblivious to Tam’s presence, he remarked, “Make sure you act confident. This place is swarming with potential producers and directors. If any good one spots you, you are set.” Giving a scornful look to the two of us, Tam stepped inside her studio, which was a little far away from mine.“Pratham I…” I started, but he cut me.“You declared your decision loud and clear, no need to explain,” he spoke a little too harshly. “If you feel nervous, I would be around the stage, clicking pictures. Find me if it helps. All I want is for you to win,” he sighed at my torn expressions.His indifferent attitude was the last thing I wanted before the big show. He gave me a searching look and spoke, “You are an enigma Ishana. I really don’t know what you want.”“I want you to be normal with me,” I whispered. Brushing his fingers against my cheek, he replied, “I get it you don’t love me. You are not obliged, and neither am I… Now go and rock the world of all present here.” And with this, he left. I stepped inside my studio. My make-up girls and Shiva were already there. Shiva stayed with me while I got ready.“Babe, this is bitching,” she remarked as I wore the red-backless dress. But I didn’t comment. I was way too anxious to display my bareback to the world.The make-up artists were pro. Within fifteen minutes I was ready to walk the ramp.“How do I look?” I stuttered as I checked myself in the mirror. I was unrecognizable.“Stunning,” Shiva was too shocked to see me like this.I exhaled slowly and stepped out. Many girls were standing in the queue to walk the stage. Seeing other participants, I felt overdressed. Tam was wearing a bikini and a long transparent shrug. Riya wore a lacy top and mini-skirt. Another girl named Priya was wearing a backless, almost frontless, thigh-high dress. One other girl was wearing a wide strap to cover her breasts and a small skirt. I just gaped at them. Soon, Tam went on to the stage and rocked it. Her limp had miraculously vanished. She was cheered and applauded. So many boys whistled at her. She blew a kiss at everyone and came back. Her eyes fell on me, she gave me a disgruntled top-to-toe look, shrugged sarcastically, and walked away.Next, Priya walked the ramp. She too was perfect. She was cheered too. The hooting lasted longer for her. She came back with a broad smile and walked away to her studio.And then, it was my turn. I walked slowly. Everybody was staring at me. I felt weird. I didn’t know if I was overdressed or underdressed. I almost stumbled. Some people laughed. Some cheered. ‘Look for me,’ I remembered Pratham’s words. And my eyes scanned the area. And there he was, encouraging me silently to walk forward. Eyes fixated on him, I took a deep breath in and walked. I felt a bit confident now. It was as if there was no one else, but just him and me. I waved casually, someone whistled. I paused in the front, Pratham took multiple pictures. He gestured me to smile. I curved my lips instantly. I blew a kiss in the air. Someone hooted. And then I turned and walked away.I don’t know how many girls went after me, but I knew one thing, I had lost this round terribly.Shiva rushed to me and exclaimed, “You froze!”I nodded glumly. “What made you walk again?” she was curious.“Pratham.” My one-worded reply made her smile.“You should marry him.” She remarked, helping me out of my dress. Now I had to wear the saree. “Yeah. And you should marry Sarv,” I smirked sarcastically.“I swear I will kiss Sarv if you agree to give Pratham a chance,” she mentioned as the make-up girls started draping the saree around me.“Why do you need a reason? Kiss him if you want to. I know he does,” I screwed my eyes, and she gawked at me.“You really think he likes me?” she was nervous now. One of the make-up girls was doing my hair, but I stopped her to face Shiva. This was more important. “Yes, he told me when we were in high school. He did everything for you. Joined our school, taken commerce, BA, etc. He loves you more than you can even imagine. And I think you too love him.”Shiva asked the make-up girl to finish my hair. We were on a strict timeline. “Promise me you will consider him,” I continued as I wore the bangles and jewelry. “I do like him,” she bit her lip as she confessed. Though I knew her feelings already, I couldn’t help but feel my jaw drop.“Tonight, in the party, you will kiss him,” I ordered. She stared at me, horrified. “Promise me,” I asked in the same tone.She licked her lower lip. “You do want to kiss him, and maybe more, don’t you? Your face says so…” I teased. She suddenly got very interested in my nail polish collection.The makeup girls readied me, and I faced Shiva. “Do what your heart desires before it is too late,” I spoke gently caressing her face. She hugged me tightly, and all three makeup girls squealed something about ruining the look. Once Shiva left to join the audience, I checked my dress and makeup. I looked beautiful, warm, and homely. Feeling a bit more confident this time, I stepped out again.I joined the queue. Girls in all forms of traditional dresses were there. In comparison to the western walk, there were more girls for this round. Some were wearing sarees, some lehengas, and some salwar suits. Tam was wearing a sleeveless salwar suit, and Riya was wearing a saree whose blouse was a mere formality. Every single girl was looking beautiful, and I knew my chances were slim.I walked the ramp again. This time I didn’t freeze or stumble. I looked for Pratham again and smiled at him. He was relieved to see my smiling face. I walked elegantly in my beautiful saree and heels, waved at the audience, and came back. My exit was met with a huge round of applause. I was happy, and maybe I had a chance at winning something in this round.The last round was very different. It had both male and female participants, and as I stepped out in my blue gown, I felt everybody’s gaze peering at me. It was free-form, and every type of dress was seen in the queue. Some boys were bare-chested, some girls were in bikinis. Some were in traditional, and some were in western. Everybody was at their best, but the way Tam was glaring at me, I knew I was the best amongst the best. And it gave me a confidence like no other.Everybody was cheering, whistling, and laughing. But as I made my appearance on the stage, everyone went dead quiet. I took it as a positive sign, and with a wide-smile, walked the ramp. This time I didn’t need Pratham to boost my confidence, still, my eyes searched for him. Our eyes met, I winked and looked in the front. I paused, posed, smiled, waved, and walked back. As I made my exit, the whole room burst with applauds and cheers. I knew I had done it this time.This round I had won.