As the music faded and the group exited the stage, a wave of relief swept over them. Behind the curtain, everyone burst into laughter and quiet high-fives.
Someone handed Bani a bottle of water.
> "You nailed that turn near the spotlight," whispered one of the juniors.
"You looked like you belonged on a magazine cover," said another.
Bani smiled, catching her breath. Her heels didn't hurt anymore—maybe adrenaline had done its magic.
She stood with her group for a final photo—heels firmly planted, shoulders relaxed, eyes gleaming. Her green saree shimmered under the golden-hour sun.
---
That evening, as she scrolled through dozens of photos on her phone, Bani smiled to herself.
She'd started this week unsure, balancing books on her head at home, copying heels in secret…
Now she stood tall, confident, and part of a team.
---
Evening Photoshoot – College Grounds
As the event wound down, the campus lawns filled with students in all kinds of festive wear—traditional, fusion, quirky, elegant.
Bani's group gathered under the huge banyan tree near the auditorium. Phones clicked non-stop. Some juniors from other departments came up asking for photos.
---
Suddenly systems prompt came.
System Reward Unlocked:
Bani unlocks a permanent, invisible training module that upgrades her step by step for the professional modeling world — quietly shaping her into a candidate to be a model.
---
🔧 Training Areas Activated:
👠 Walk Sync Upgrade:
Everyday movement begins syncing with standard ramp pacing. Posture, footwork, and grace improve effortlessly over time.
👁️ Camera Sense Boost:
Bani begins intuitively adjusting her angles, head tilt, and expressions — even in casual photos or reflective surfaces.
🪞 Mirror Session Trigger:
Every mirror becomes a micro-training zone. System aligns her posture, face, and stance without conscious effort.
💬 Silent Speech Rehearsals (for interviews):
Smooth, confident self-introduction phrases begin running quietly in her mind:
> "Hi, I'm Bani from Bangalore… Height 5'7"... I walk with confidence."
Prepares her for castings and grooming interactions.
🧠 Modeling Culture Absorption:
During rest, dreams, and idle moments, Bani absorbs subtle lessons on:
Fashion etiquette
Designer cues
Ramp behavior
How to speak, pause, smile — without being taught.
The next morning, Bani woke to sunlight leaking through the half-closed curtains. Her body ached faintly from the night before—heels, laughter, poses—but in a good way. Like a memory stored in muscle.
She slipped out of bed and walked to the mirror.
And paused.
Something was… different.
Her reflection stood straighter. Not rigid, not forced. Just right. Chin slightly tilted. Eyes soft but alert. A faint smile that wasn't planned.
She tilted her head left. Her reflection adjusted with fluid ease.
She turned her body sideways.
The angle looked... intentional.
She laughed softly and whispered, "Okay, weird."
But it wasn't bad. It felt like her body knew something her mind hadn't caught up to yet.
---
In the kitchen, Amma was slicing mangoes. The scent pulled Bani in.
> "Late night?" Amma asked without looking up.
> "A bit," Bani replied, stealing a slice.
She leaned against the counter. Normally, she slouched. Today, her back found a new balance on its own—shoulders down, neck long. Not trying. Just… happening.
> "You look taller," Amma said suddenly.
Bani blinked. Not taller. Just aligned.
She took the mango to the sink and caught a flash of herself in the shiny steel tap.
She tilted her face. Her reflection adjusted again. Jawline sharper. Eyebrows relaxed.
She wasn't posing. But she looked like she was.
Next day family planned outing for a mall
The scent of roasted corn and sweet cinnamon buns drifted through the air as crowds moved up and down the escalators of Forum Mall. It was a typical Sunday—families dressed in their weekend best, couples in bootcut jeans, and the occasional child tugging on a parent's hand for a balloon or an ice cream cone.
Bani walked beside her younger cousin, Kavya, a step ahead of the rest of the family. Her father trailed behind, grumbling about "prices going up again," while her mother and aunt wandered in and out of FabIndia, comparing sarees and cushion covers.
At sixteen, Bani was tall, slender, and sharp-featured. Her dusky skin glowed under the mall's mellow lighting. She wore a lavender cotton kurta with ivory leggings, silver bangles, and a thick braid tucked neatly over her shoulder. No makeup—not even lip gloss. Her elegance was effortless.
They had just finished lunch and were headed toward Landmark bookstore when a man began walking toward them from across the corridor.
He was tall, in his late fifties, dressed in a simple linen shirt and black trousers. Nothing flashy—no expensive phone, no hurried steps. Yet there was a quiet authority in the way he moved, something that made him stand out amid the crowd.
Bani noticed him. She slowed instinctively. Kavya stopped too, now holding Bani's hand. The man approached with a kind smile and spoke in a calm, clear voice:
"Excuse me. I hope I'm not disturbing you both."
They didn't reply—just looked at him, alert and slightly guarded, the way any girl would be when approached by a stranger in public.
A few steps behind, Bani's parents and aunt noticed the scene and moved forward quickly. Her father's eyes narrowed, protective.
The man took a respectful step back and smiled at the adults. "Namaskara. Sorry to intrude. My name is Rajiv Suresh. I'm with Prasad Bidapa Associates. I work as a talent scout with Mr. Bidapa's team."
The family paused, unsure.
"I approached your daughter just now," he said, gesturing lightly toward Bani, "because I noticed her posture, her poise—she has something rare. We scout young talent for grooming programs, fashion training, and sometimes modeling assignments. But only if the family is supportive."
Bani's mother exchanged a quick glance with her husband. Kavya, still clinging to Bani's arm, looked up with wide-eyed curiosity.
Rajiv continued, his tone steady and sincere. "We're not in the business of making empty promises. We don't talk of fame or film careers. What we offer is professional grooming—confidence, personality development, training in etiquette and presentation. Even if she never walks a ramp, she'll walk away stronger."
He pulled out a clean, cream-colored business card and handed it to Bani's father.
"This is my contact information. If you feel it's worth exploring, please call me. If not, no problem at all. I just didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you—she has real potential."
For a moment, the family stood silent. Bani looked down at the marble floor, her heart beating faster than usual. She hadn't expected this. Or maybe, deep down, she had.
Her father nodded slowly. "We'll think about it."
Rajiv smiled, respectful as ever. "That's all I ask. Thank you for your time. And Bani"—he turned to her now, his voice softer—"don't be afraid of new doors. Sometimes, the right ones knock only once."
With a final nod, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
Bani's father slipped the card into his wallet. Her mother said nothing, but her gaze lingered on her daughter—thoughtful, uncertain, maybe even a little proud.