💫 Ishita Sharma's Perspective -

It was a regular Thursday morning... or at least, it started like one.

I was half-asleep, wrapped in my soft cartoon bedsheet, Kira - my German Shepherd - snoring beside me like she paid rent. My phone buzzed non-stop on the side table.

I groaned and reached out blindly.

30 missed calls.

12 texts.

3 voice notes.

All from my assistant Charlotte

"Mam GET UP! NEW DESIGNER ALERT!"

"She wants you. Like seriously YOU."

"Get your highlighter and lashes ready, queen. Fashion week prep is starting early this year!"

My eyes widened. Sleep? Gone.

I sat straight like a lightning bolt hit me.

"Wait, what?? Who??"

I tapped the voice note from

"Her name's Reet. Brand new on the block. From a rich-ass family but super humble. Her label's launching next month and she's looking for a lead makeup artist for her debut collection. Guess what? She saw your Insta reel with that bridal dusky look and wants you. ONLY you. Bro, she literally said 'that girl with magic hands.'"

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then screamed into my pillow.

"OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDDD!"

I threw off the blanket, jumped out of bed - almost stepped on Kira - and started panicking.

"WHAT DO I WEAR TO A MEETING LIKE THIS?!"

"What if I stutter? What if I say something dumb?! What if I fall like an idiot like that day near the mandir-"

My heart skipped.

Just the thought of him made my brain fog up.

No, Ishita, focus. Not the Mandir man Not the Ocean Eyes. Focus on work.

By 1 PM, I was at Reet Kapoor Studios, nervous but ready. I wore a formal white top, tucked into a navy blue long skirt - elegant, sleek, non-distracting. My hair was in a soft bun, and I kept makeup minimal, of course.

When I walked in, Reet was standing near a mannequin draped in emerald green silk. She turned, her smile wide, her vibe... warm.

"Ishita Sharma?" she asked.

"Yes, that's me," I replied with a small nervous smile.

"Girl, finally! You are even more gorgeous in real life. Come here!"

And she hugged me.

HUGGED. ME.

Not a handshake. Not a nod. A whole hug like we were childhood besties.

"I saw your smoky gold eyes + nude lips reel and literally gasped. I knew right there you're the one. I want my models glowing like goddesses, and I want you in charge."

I laughed nervously.

"I'll do my best, promise. Makeup is more than a job for me. It's... magic."

She smiled back.

"Good. Because I believe in magic too."

We talked for over two hours - concepts, color palettes, model skin tones, product restrictions, everything. She was creative, kind, and full of fresh ideas. A total contrast to the cold, uptight designers I'd sometimes deal with.

Then she said something that made my stomach twist.

"Oh, and the Rathores are investing in this show, by the way."

My eyes blinked wide.

"The... Rathores?"

"Yes! The Rathore Group and Eternity Ventures both. Their CEOs - Rudra and Akshat - they're kinda terrifying but insanely professional. Rudra is like, you know... untouchable. Ice-man."

I smiled awkwardly, clutching my coffee tighter.

"Sounds intense," I murmured.

She giggled.

"Right? But don't worry. I'll be your shield.

You just make my girls sparkle."

When I left Reet's office that evening, I felt proud, alive... and a little nervous.

Because deep down,

And I wasn't sure if I was ready.

But I was already too far gone to stop.