21

Shondeep did not wait for the show to begin. He went straight to Airport to receive Anjali and Payal. He took them straight to the venue. Khushi was surprised to see her jiji. Aakash was more than happy. Arnav came to greet them for a very brief period of time and then vanished. He did not even look at Khushi. Anjali sensed it. She looked curiously at Khushi's expressions. Khushi turned her face and went away fuming. Anjali looked at Shondeep questioningly. 

"World war!! Dharma Yuddha!" he imitated papaji, grinning. "It's a long story Anjali! It is now not between Arnav and Khushi!!" he said to her astonishment. 

“We even summoned Regi…!” he said leaning towards her.

“Regi? How do you know Regi?” she asked bewildered.  He smiled.

“Everyone knows Regi… Khushi and Arnav’s mutual friend…!” he grinned.  

“Oh! Poor Regi…! These two will eat him alive…!” she sympathized.  He grinned and continued..

“The battle field is spread over the entire family. Now Sir and Madam are in the boxing arena!”
"What?" she asked in surprise! "Yes! And it has taken a serious turn! They are virtually separated over this issue! Today is the do or die day for both Madam and Sir!" he said in a whisper. He too looked tensed. Anjali could not believe her ears! "Mummiji and Papaji fighting over this show?" she just couldn't digest it! She left Shondeep and went to Mummiji who was on her wheel chair and was talking to her old acquaintance.

 "Hello Anjali beti! How are you?" Mummiji greeted her pleasantly. "Mummiji, is it true?" Anjali bent down and asked in a whisper. Mummiji stared at her and said "Yes! I am waiting for my team to win and then....!" She had a glint of pride in her eyes and a shade of revenge! Anjali shook her head helplessly.

 "How can a person so elderly and mature behave like this?" she wondered, her eyes searching for papaji. She got the same reaction from him too! The situation was hopeless. "That's why chote and Khushi called me up last night to ask whether I am coming or not!" she thought to herself. 

Third round of second show was getting over. Next would be AR Group and the last one would be KFH! Khushi and Arnav were frantically issuing instructions to their teams for the last minute checks. The teams were ready and confident. There was nervousness in the KFH camp, which was quite obvious! 

******** ******** ********

The backdrop had changed for AR Group! Their theme was style couture! A high fashion custom fitted elite style statements. The use of fine fabric, stylish designs and elegance and ease of wear were the focal points of AR Group! This would attract the designers and customers from all over the world. 

The choice of the models were exclusive. Top Indian models like Nethra Raghuraman, Ujwalla Raut and Carol Gracias were among the sixteen models on AR Groups assignment who walked the runway. The International highly paid models like Natalia Vodianova, Alessandra Ambrosio and Heidi Klum wore the top designers Couture! The runway walk of these models and the summer theme took off like high flyers! The efforts of AR Group were appreciated and aroused interest in many new customers. The first round of AR Group was an instant hit. The fabric choice and the designs were superior! They were the second best so far apart from a team from Paris jointly working with a US fashion team. AR Groups Show stopper, a Romanian super model turned out to be the dark horse winning everybody's heart!
Lavanya and the consulting designer Manish walked the ramp at the end of the first round of their show. The voice over explaining the design, and the theme was par excellence! The glamour and aura created suited the Haute Couture of the fashion world.

Papaji looked satisfied with this. "Well done my boy!" he whispered in Arnav's ears thumping on his shoulder. Arnav looked back. Papaji was posing as if he had won the non existent competition. "Papaji two more rounds are there for us to finish!" he whispered back to bring him down on earth. 

The second round of AR Group was equally haughty. This round was more bold to the eyes of Indian crowd. The customers were curious! They noted down the details, referring back to the promotional material supplied and the catalog booklets on the beach wear! 

Papaji could not digest this hot theme with very short and uncomfortable designs and the models wearing the apparels and accessories. "The head gears are bigger than the clothes these models are wearing!" papaji muttered in Arnav's ears. "How can they be so comfortable walking like this in public?" he wondered. "Shh! Papaji, this is fashion show! You are not in a wedding ceremony!" whispered Arnav hearing papaji's muttering. 

Per the privilege, AR Group enjoyed, ASR decided to withhold the third round till the end of the day! Accordingly the announcement was made.

Anjali had pride in her eyes looking at the success of her little brother! She sighed! "You know, chote had taken so much efforts in this show, it paid off! I am really happy!" she said with tears of happiness. 

"Yes!" responded Shondeep softly locking his eyes on her face. After a very long time, she was smiling and looked really happy. They hardly could hear each other in that chaotic atmosphere! People were moving, talking, patting, laughing, shaking hands! Someone pushed Anjali and Shondeep supported her. 

"Come!" he said taking her little away and making her sit on the chair. He just wanted to take her away from everyone around. Mummiji at the other end had a smile on her face. 

After the break of half an hour for people to interact with each other and close some business talks, the last show was KFH! Raghu Eyyer was already a renowned and big name in fashion industry. The models jumped at the opportunity to walk on the ramp in his shows. His global reputation created a sensation among the crowd. They all waited with excitement. 

****** ********** *********

The backdrop transformed into yin yang and the voice over announced the theme
"Circle of Life! where fashion meets nature! The haute couture embraces the cause!! This year being UN year for natural fiber, it would be befitting to introduce the idea that might change the way we perceive fashion!! "The mild music started after the voice over! 

The voice over echoed... "An homage to the wonders of nature, an all natural collections from our designers with use of natural fibers, vegetable and natural colors, like our queens and kinds adorned the couture from earth... our queens and kings of life stages too will enjoy mother nature's gifts!! Our focus is on utilization of marvels of nature!! The impetus of fashion world over is shifting from "high Fashion" to "conscientious high fashion!!" The voice over faded out with the western instruments music... 

The spot lights were at the backdrop. A young pregnant looking model with handsome Male model in casuals walked the runway.... The crowd looked on with bated breath... "Expecting a new life in this world of style..." the mild sweet voice over created the atmosphere... The couple looked happy and caring!! The young lady wearing a smooth, fitting, silk gown with a simple flowery straw hat and real flowers and feathers! She wore wooden beads and feather brooch! She carried a cane basket and holding the man's hand!! 

Before they could retreat ... a small child appeared at the ramp... the voice over played a jingle... the giggling of the child echoed and joined by several children jumping and running on the ramp... with flowery and colorful costumes laden with leaves, fruits and berries on their head gear.... They never stopped plucking the berries from their hats and eating them... the wave of cheers aroused the crowd... ! 

The crowed gaped at the changed atmosphere on the runway... suddenly it was full of joy and happiness... the seriousness of the designs and the spotlights vanished. The flood lights illuminated the ramp. 

Before the children could retreat.. "The voice over gave credit to the orphanage from where the children models were picked up! The lights dimmed.. the spotlights were on... a girl and a boy walked with school attire followed by their parents... the voice over gave the details of the fabric used with its utility for rough and tough usage.... Many in the crowd noted the fabric type and details... the apparels were made of natural material including woven school backpack!! ... A rough and tough south Indian Mangalgiri cotton went into the school attire! ...

The voice over faded...so did the family retreated... to be replaced by Teen pair and their gang, walking the ramp with stylish fitting attire. Brightly colored, jazzy looking apparels made up of the natural stones and shells! They walked behind the children and their parents!! 

An elderly couple holding each other's hands with pleasant pastel shades, dressed in comforts as if walking in a park... relaxed and happy.... The stipple cotton giving it a comfortable look.... The voice over detailed the fiber type and the processing over it! 

They retreated... a very old couple with hat and walking stick appeared pushing a pram! "The fourth generation...!" the voice over started mixed with old style music. "The credits were given to the Budhapa Ghar!" in Kolkaka from where the enthusiast models agreed to walk the ramp!! The children and the older ones holding hands retreated together.... !! The first round of fabric focused circle of life was over with roaring applauding!!! Mummiji smiled.... Their theme though not involving professional models were too an instant hit.

Anjali clutched Shondeep's hand in excitement. He wanted to hold on to the moment never to let it pass. He looked at her. "This is so beautiful! Circle of Life! This is brilliant!" she exclaimed! He did not react! 

The second round was out and out with renowned professional models again with a difference and adhering to the theme Circle of Life! Right from the inspiring child models to the older models who were the trend setters in their time walked the runway...! The models like Zeenat Aman, Noyonika chatterjee, Suchitra Sen, Dara Singh, Kabeer bedi, Diandra Soares, Casaandra and young aspirants of the Fashion Institute of Kolkata participated in the round going well with the theme.. Depicting how beautiful the clothing is when one grows older...! The second round was appreciated beyond expectations... ! Raghu with the trend setter Noyonika.. walked the ramp at the end of second round among clapping and applauding!! "She is a show stealer and not the show stopper!" the voice over declared...! 

Mummiji and Papaji glared at each other... Now the fight was between equals...both were equally formidable... appreciated equally by the crowd... both had final round left... were ready to die for the win!!!! Arnav and Khushi looked tensed!! They came facing each other, head locked, nose flaring and the spirit of competition was killing them. They had forgotten that they were husband and wife. So was the case with Mummiji and Papaji. Raj and Shondeep looked at Anjali pleadingly with hope in their eyes. She looked away hopelessly. Nothing she could do to avoid the situation. The fight would go on till someone loses!!! In any case the family would be the loser. The relationships were at stake!! Only a miracle would stop the disaster!!