Three days until launch. The trip was in ten, but right now, that was the least of my worries. All that mattered was the show.
I was back in the office, surrounded by fabrics, sketches pinned all over the walls, and the sound of heels clacking as models practiced their walks. Everything needed to come together seamlessly, and I could feel the weight of every last detail sitting heavy on my shoulders.
"Hey, thought I might find you here."
I didn't even need to turn around to know it was Amartya. His voice carried that familiar mix of sarcasm and concern, like he half-expected to find me collapsed in a pile of fabric.
"Where else would I be?" I muttered, eyes glued to the sketch in front of me. "I've got three days, Amartya. Three days until this all either blows up or becomes the highlight of the year."
He moved closer, leaning against the edge of my desk, holding a coffee. Not McD this time, thank God. He knew I needed caffeine, but he wasn't about to bring fast food into my sanctuary. "Well, Aarohi's been texting me nonstop about your trip, but I can tell it's not exactly at the forefront of your mind."
"Trip? What trip?" I said dryly, finally glancing up at him with a smirk. "Oh right, the one happening *after* I make sure this show doesn't crash and burn."
"Exactly," he said, sitting on the edge of the desk. "Hence why I brought reinforcements." He held up the coffee cup, shaking it slightly like it was some sort of peace offering.
I grabbed it, taking a long sip. "You're a lifesaver."
"I know," he replied, shrugging. "But seriously, have you slept at all?"
I sighed, glancing around the room as models walked past, practicing their struts down the mock runway. "No time for sleep. I'm living on coffee and pure adrenaline at this point."
Amartya raised an eyebrow. "And you think that's sustainable?"
I shot him a look. "Not really, but it's necessary. You've seen the work. The fabrics, the designs, everything. It's all coming together, but it's a delicate balance. One wrong move, one bad stitch, and the whole thing falls apart."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "You're always so dramatic. It's gonna be fine. You've done this a million times."
"Yeah, but this time it feels different," I admitted, standing up and stretching my back. "The pressure's insane."
"You're Maya Kapoor," he said, leaning back casually. "You've built an entire empire. If anyone can pull this off, it's you."
I knew he was right, but that didn't stop the knot of anxiety from twisting in my chest. I could feel it—the show was so close, but there were still a million things to do. Models to finalize, the ramp to perfect, and designs to tweak.
And yet, despite everything, a small part of me was already thinking about the trip. It was Aarohi's dream trip, and I knew she was buzzing with excitement. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty for not sharing in her enthusiasm—yet. Maybe once the show was over, I could actually look forward to it.
"Okay," Amartya's voice cut through my thoughts. "I know you're gonna say no, but I'm gonna say it anyway: take a break."
I scoffed, shaking my head. "You know that's not happening."
"Come on," he pushed, standing up beside me. "At least take a step back for a second. Just breathe. You've been hunched over these sketches for hours."
I crossed my arms, knowing he was right but not wanting to admit it. "Fine. Five minutes."
He grinned, like he'd just won the lottery. "Five minutes. I'll take it."
---
We walked outside the office, stepping into the cool air. The sun was setting, casting the city in shades of pink and orange. It was almost peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos that awaited inside.
Amartya leaned against the wall, watching me. "Feel better?"
I took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "A little."
"You're killing it, you know that, right?" he said, glancing at me. "I mean, seriously. This launch is going to be insane. I've seen the designs—they're unreal. You've got nothing to worry about."
I smiled, feeling a small wave of relief. "Thanks. I just... I want it to be perfect."
"It will be," he assured me. "And after it's done, you're gonna go on that trip, and you're gonna actually relax for once in your life."
"Yeah, right," I laughed, shaking my head. "We'll see about that."
We stayed outside for a few more minutes, letting the calm settle over us. But as much as I appreciated the break, I knew there was still so much to do. The clock was ticking, and I couldn't afford to slow down.
"Alright," I said, standing up straight. "Break's over. Time to get back to work."
Amartya sighed dramatically but followed me back inside. "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you when you collapse from exhaustion."
I rolled my eyes. "Noted. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a fashion show to run."
---
Back inside, the energy in the room was palpable. The models were lined up, ready for fittings, and the designers were busy making last-minute adjustments. It was controlled chaos, just the way I liked it.
Three days left. And despite the pressure, despite the looming deadlines, I could feel it—I was close. Everything was finally coming together.
I just had to make it through the next seventy-two hours. Then, maybe, I could start thinking about the trip and actually enjoy it.
But for now, the show was my priority. The trip could wait.
---
Two days to go. The anxiety was almost suffocating. Every time I thought about the ramp show, my heart would race, my mind swirling with last-minute details. The designs were finally coming together, but nothing felt certain yet.
I was back in the office early, even before most of my team arrived. The only sound was the hum of the city outside and the occasional ping of a text from Aarohi, who's clearly still buzzing about the trip. I knew I should be excited about it, but right now, it felt like a distant dream compared to the reality of my workload.
The models were arriving soon for final fittings, and the pressure was mounting. The next forty-eight hours would decide everything.
"Morning, boss," one of my assistant designers, Neha, greeted as she walked in. "How're we feeling today? Less like a tornado, I hope?"
I raised an eyebrow, sipping my coffee. "Oh, you know, just a slight hurricane instead of a full-blown tornado."
She laughed, shaking her head. "You've got this. Don't forget, we're all here to make sure this thing goes smoothly."
"I know," I sighed, glancing at the sketches on the walls. "It's just... this show is everything. We've worked months for this moment, and I don't want anything to go wrong."
Before Neha could reply, the doors swung open, and Amartya strolled in like he owned the place, looking way too relaxed for someone who knew how stressed I was.
"Guess who brought breakfast?" he said, holding up a bag of croissants and waving it around like it was some grand gesture.
I gave him a look, though I couldn't help but smile. "You seriously have too much time on your hands, don't you?"
"Hey, someone's gotta make sure you're fed," he shot back, placing the bag on my desk. "Plus, Aarohi texted me saying you're working yourself into the ground again, so here I am."
"You two really need to stop checking up on me like I'm a child," I muttered, taking a croissant anyway because... well, I was starving.
Amartya smirked. "Well, stop acting like one, and we'll stop checking up on you."
Neha snorted, trying to stifle a laugh. "He's got a point."
"Traitor," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.
As I nibbled on the croissant, the models started arriving, filling the room with a flurry of movement. Final fittings. Last-minute tweaks. Hair and makeup trials. The chaos was starting, and I could feel the adrenaline kicking in.
Amartya stood back, watching it all unfold. "So... how's it looking?"
"Better than yesterday," I admitted, scanning the room. "But still a long way to go."
"And the trip? Any thoughts on that yet?" he asked, leaning against the wall.
I shot him a glance, not missing the teasing tone in his voice. "I'll think about the trip when I know this show won't end in disaster."
"You've gotta be excited, though. I mean, it's *Aarohi's* dream trip. She's probably already packed," he said, chuckling. "And Yatharth... well, you know him. Always up to something."
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well, they're excited. I'll get there once I've survived this."
Amartya shrugged. "Fair enough. But don't forget to enjoy the ride."
---
The day flew by in a blur of fabric, pins, and high heels clacking on the polished floors. By the time evening rolled around, the fittings were done, and the designs were nearly finalized.
I stood back, watching the models walk the mock runway we'd set up in the office. It was starting to look real. The collection was alive, moving, breathing. It was everything I'd envisioned, and yet there was still so much to do.
As the last model left, I leaned against the table, feeling the exhaustion wash over me.
"You did good today," Amartya said, appearing at my side. "It's all coming together."
"Yeah," I muttered, nodding. "But there's still tomorrow. And then the actual show."
"You've got this," he said, his voice steady, reassuring. "One more day. Then you can relax and let it all unfold."
I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Yeah. One more day."
---
That night, as I locked up the office, my phone buzzed with a text from Aarohi.
Aarohi: "You ready for the trip yet??! I'm soooo excited! We need to pack together."
I smiled, typing out a quick reply.
Me: "Haven't even thought about it yet, lol. I'll worry about that once the show's done."
Aarohi: "Ugh, fine. But don't forget!! Yatharth is planning something special too, so be prepared!!"
I paused at that last part, my heart skipping a beat. Yatharth was planning something special? That was... unexpected. And intriguing.
Me: "Special? What do you mean?"
Aarohi: "Oh, I don't know... 😉 Just be ready!"
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. What was he up to?
As I headed home, I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. There'd be time to worry about Yatharth's surprises later. For now, I had a show to perfect.
---
One day to go.
The pressure was at an all-time high. Every corner of the office was buzzing with activity, from final design touches to the models practicing their walks. The countdown was real, and I could feel the weight of it pressing down on my shoulders.
But for the first time in days, there was a flicker of something else in my mind. Aarohi's message about Yatharth's "special" plan had stuck with me. It was probably something small, knowing him, but the curiosity lingered.
Still, I shoved it aside. Focus, Maya. One more day.
The models were arriving soon for their last rehearsals, and the venue had to be finalized. My assistant designers were running around, handling a hundred small details that I couldn't even keep track of anymore.
I stood in the middle of the chaos, watching it all unfold. This was it. The culmination of months of work. And in less than twenty-four hours, it would all be over.
Amartya showed up again, right on schedule, coffee in hand. "So, how are we feeling today? Tornado or hurricane?"
"Both," I muttered, grabbing the coffee. "But we're almost there."
He grinned. "Told you. It's all coming together."
I sipped the coffee, feeling a small wave of relief. "Yeah. One more day."