Chapter 6

                                    

                                          
There were more than five hundred people seated around the ramp decorated to recreate a whimsical garden. The trees and plants were adorned with fairy lights to go with the theme of the collection, 'Sparkle a little brighter' keeping in line with the festive mood. High, ornate chandeliers filled the room with blazing light just as the scent of expensive perfume filled the air. 
                          
Backstage, models were being lined up one by one as the show was all set to begin in a few minutes. There were a total of sixteen models, twelve female and four male, all dressed in finery in a variety of hues. The inspiration for the collection was from Indian culture and heritage. Since it was festive, the collection was mostly ethnic comprising anarkalis, lehengas and sarees for females and kurtas, bandhgalas and dhoti pants for males using exclusive Indian craftsmanship, reflecting vintage and contemporary Indian fashion simultaneously.
                          
The showstopper outfit was a voluptuous blend of Anarkali and lehenga made out of raw silk, satin and tulle. The top resembled that of an anarkali in raw silk while the bottom was a layered lehenga skirt in satin and tulle heavily embroidered with Kashmiri thread work and patchwork border. The dress had a sheer waistline and a dupatta to match. 
                          
With her hair side swept into an elegant, low side chignon and completely devoid of accessories of any form to accentuate the glitter of the outfit more, Khushi looked and felt like a million bucks.
                          
Arnav had made a last minute change in order and had wanted the showstopper to walk midway for the surprise element and hence Khushi now stood in the middle of the line. Tina was going to open the show. For some reason Khushi didn't understand, Tina seemed to hate her when they hadn't even been formally introduced yet. She felt like it had to be more than just professional animosity because she had been chosen in her place.
                          
"Khushi, you're next!" She heard someone say and she turned to look at Payal who was standing with the other designers to the left of the stage. She brought her hands up in a thumbs up motion, encouraging her. 
                          
And she had to go in.
                          
Khushi paused inside the arched entrance to the ramp, a serious case of cold feet taking her in as she looked around the auditorium filled to capacity with the what and who of the fashion industry, impeccably dressed and shark like. Her brown eyes traveled around the room slowly, from face to face. She saw criticism, interest, mockery.
                          
Heads began to turn and whispers broke out as Khushi stood there, stock still and terrified.
                          
•••
                          
Arnav sat in the front row of the auditorium on the seat designated for him. He sat with his left leg propped on his right, his head tilted back and his eyes closed as he usually sat, his features taut with tension as the show went on. He now opened his eyes slowly as he heard murmurs and people tittering behind their hands.
                          
A vision in coral filled his eyes as he took in the sight in front of him. Khushi was standing just inside the arch of the ramp and made no move to walk ahead. 
                          
He took in her form completely and was struck dumb at how beautiful she looked and how... terrified. Her eyes took in the crowd in fear and he could see the slight quiver in her glossed lips. For a moment he forgot that it was his show and right now things weren't going as expected.
                          
"Khushi...go!"
                          
"Damn it! Khushi, move..."
                          
"Just walk. Forget anyone is watching..."
                          
She heard people behind her murmur. Payal was standing as close as possible to her and trying her best to encourage her. 
                          
The haze in front of Khushi's eyes disappeared as her eyes connected with his, his face unreadable and his mouth harshly set. She couldn't make a fool of him infront of a crowd. He had lifted her from nowhere and put her where she was now. Khushi met his brown eyes, feeling a strange, lightning-hot sensation as he stared at her. Everything seemed to black out as they stared at each other.