The morning air was crisp as I stepped out of my car, staring up at the massive building where everything would go down in just a few days. This was it—the venue for the ramp show. It felt like my nerves were on a high-speed rollercoaster. I could practically hear my heart pounding in sync with the hammering going on inside.
I walked in, greeted by chaos. Lights were being rigged, the sound team was testing speakers with blasts of feedback, and screens the size of billboards were being lifted into place. It was a lot to take in, and honestly, I felt the pressure weighing down on me.
I couldn't help but scan the space, mentally calculating whether everything would come together in time. The stage was still a skeleton of steel beams, but in my head, I could already picture the models walking down the runway in the pieces I'd been obsessing over for months.
As I moved through the space, I caught sight of a few familiar faces—the event manager, the stage crew, and the lighting team—all working as fast as they could. They waved or gave me quick nods, clearly busy with their own worries. At least I wasn't the only one on edge.
One of the managers came up to me, clipboard in hand. "Maya, we're on schedule so far, but we need to confirm the seating arrangements with you. And we still need approval for the final lighting concept."
"Of course," I said, nodding. "Let's go over the seating first. I want to make sure the VIPs are placed where the camera angles won't miss them."
As we walked toward the seating area, I couldn't stop thinking about how close we were to the deadline. Five days left. No time for mistakes.
The seating layout was sprawled out on a large blueprint table, marked with colored stickers for VIPs, press, buyers, and influencers. I studied it closely, making mental notes about who needed to be front and center, and who could afford to sit a little farther back without feeling insulted.
"Move the buyers up a row," I said, pointing to the section. "They need to feel like they're part of the action. If they're too far back, they'll check out halfway through the show."
The manager nodded, scribbling notes as we walked through the rest of the arrangements. It felt like a game of Tetris—making sure every piece fit perfectly.
"How are the screens coming along?" I asked, glancing at the massive structures still being hoisted up by the crew.
"They'll be ready for testing by tomorrow," he assured me. "We've got a rehearsal blocked off for lighting and sound."
"Good," I muttered, but my mind was already onto the next problem. I needed this to go right. There was no room for error. This show wasn't just about showcasing a collection—it was about cementing my brand. Everything I'd built was leading up to this moment. And after all the stress, the sleepless nights, the back-and-forth revisions, I had to trust that it was all going to pay off.
I walked over to the edge of the stage, imagining the models stepping out, lights flashing, cameras clicking. The vision was so clear in my head, but that only made the stakes feel higher. I needed to see it in real life. Perfectly.
The manager was still rambling about logistics, but my mind wandered as I watched the workers haul equipment around. Maybe I was overthinking it. Maybe it would all come together without a hitch. But then again, when had anything ever gone smoothly without me micromanaging it?
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'll be back tomorrow to check on the lighting and sound. Make sure the screens are up and running by then, okay?"
"Will do," the manager said with a smile, though I could tell he was feeling the pressure too.
As I made my way back to my car, the weight of the next five days felt heavier than ever. It was going to be a long week, but there was no turning back now.
The drive back to the office was quiet, but my mind was anything but. The next five days were like a ticking time bomb, and I wasn't about to let it explode in my face. This launch was everything.
By the time I got back, the office was nearly empty. A few designers were still hovering over their screens, tweaking the final touches on the last few pieces. It was late, but I had no intention of leaving anytime soon.
I made my way to my desk, a stack of fabric samples waiting for me. My phone buzzed, but I ignored it for now. No distractions. Not tonight.
I grabbed a piece of deep emerald silk from the pile, running it between my fingers. It had a weight to it that felt luxurious, almost regal. I knew exactly which design this belonged to. But the stitching needed to be perfect. Not just good—flawless.
I pinned it up on the design board and started sketching out a few modifications, losing myself in the details. The way the fabric would flow, how it would catch the light under the spotlights. It needed to make a statement, something that would make people stop in their tracks.
I was so deep into the work that I didn't even notice the time passing until my phone buzzed again—this time with a message from Aarohi.
Aarohi: "Hey! What's up with the trip plans? Need to finalize stuff soon."
I groaned, realizing I hadn't thought about the trip since… well, since Yatharth dropped the bomb about proposing. I shot a quick reply.
Me: "Yeah, yeah. Soon. Just dealing with… everything. Five days left, remember?"
I stared at the screen for a second, the idea of juggling a trip with this launch seeming impossible. But then again, when had I ever let something like that stop me?
With a sigh, I pushed the trip from my mind and focused back on the designs. One piece down, so many more to go. The collection was shaping up, but it was nowhere near where it needed to be.
I stayed in the office until the early hours, just me, the quiet hum of the lights, and the scattered fabric swatches and sketches around me. The work had to be personal. I couldn't let anyone else touch these final details—not for this collection.
This wasn't just any launch. It was my stamp. My mark.
By the time the sun peeked through the blinds, I realized I had been working through the night. I stretched, my back protesting, but the satisfaction of seeing the progress made it worth it. I glanced around at the chaos—fabric scraps, sketches pinned on every available wall, and a half-finished cup of cold coffee on the table.
I hadn't even noticed the time, but it didn't matter. The designs were coming together, finally. Each piece felt like a small victory, and the pressure weighing down on my chest for weeks had lifted ever so slightly.
Five days left. And somehow, for the first time in a while, it didn't feel impossible.
I gathered up my things, feeling a bit more hopeful. As I stepped out of the office, I checked my phone again. Aarohi had sent another message.
Aarohi: "Meeting with the venue planners today? Let's make sure everything is set!"
Right, the venue. I had almost forgotten about it amidst the chaos. The ramp show had to be flawless, and that meant the venue setup needed to match the vision I had in mind. No room for mistakes.
After grabbing a quick coffee on the way, I made it to the venue an hour later. The crew was already there, setting up the lighting rigs and the staging. I walked in, feeling the usual surge of nerves and excitement. This was the moment everything started to feel real.
I made my way toward the event coordinator, already halfway across the room, shouting orders at the crew. He spotted me and waved.
"Maya, good to see you!" he called out, his clipboard in hand. "We're getting everything set up according to your specs. Want to walk through it?"
"Absolutely," I said, masking the exhaustion with a forced smile.
We walked around the space, discussing where the models would enter, how the lights would fall just right on the designs, and the seating arrangement for the VIP guests. I mentally checked off a list of things that had to be perfect. The mood had to be dramatic but elegant, sleek but unforgettable.
As the conversation continued, I found myself nodding along, but my mind drifted. There was still so much to do. The designs were close, but not quite there. The venue looked promising, but the tiniest thing could throw it off. And then, of course, there was the trip Aarohi was so excited about.
It hit me then. Balancing everything was going to be harder than I thought. But then again, that was nothing new. I'd built this brand from the ground up with sleepless nights and impossible deadlines. This was just another challenge.
The event coordinator's voice brought me back to reality.
"We're ahead of schedule," he said, looking pleased with himself. "I think this is going to be one of your best shows yet."
I nodded, trying to match his enthusiasm. "It better be," I said with a grin. "I've got a lot riding on this one."
As I left the venue, I checked my phone again—no new messages from Aarohi or Yatharth, but I knew the trip plans would come back into play soon enough. I pushed the thought aside, at least for now. First, the show. Then, maybe, I could let myself breathe.