The launch

Finally the day everyone was eager for had arrived. It was the day of the launch, and everybody was busy with the preparations. This also marked the first time that Manya was anxious about her presentation and about everything else, despite knowing that this was the very first time she had so many people to share her achievements with. Or perhaps, that was the reason for her anxiety as well, because she didn't want anyone to be disappointed in her, and wanted genuine happiness for them. 

*When she didn't have anybody to support her in her moments of weakness or cheer her on in the moments she shone, she didn't bother about the results. 

Some part of her knew that it was only her who was going to be affected by her performance, even though she had always had Ishaan, Daddy and Sia. But she knew they didn't care about her performance at all- not because they didn't love her, but because she felt that they were blinded by her love, and biased towards her. No matter what the outcome- her victory or loss, it wouldn't impact their perception of her in the slightest, so it simply didn't concern them. But this time, she had her mother rooting for her; and she knew that her achievements made her very happy while her defeat would disappoint her just as well.*

She smiled after this thought, that the reason she wanted such an important project to work out well was not for the sake of the financial losses or any damage to her reputation, but because she wanted her mother to be proud of her.

*Isn't it weird, that we only fear losing when we have pretty much everything we want; when we have nothing, we don't have the fear of losing as well?In fact, we don't fear the actual consequences of that loss, as much as we fear the possibility of disappointing the persons we love; we fear that they will also suffer along with us.*

She stood up thinking the same, and resolving that she would end the day with a smile on her family's face, as well as her own.

She didn't have much time to get ready, and she also needed to check the serial numbers. She was about to head out, when she saw her mother entering her room. As she came closer, she could see a drop of tear lodged in the corner of her eye. It was the first time her mother was present to boost her spirits before any event related to her. During her childhood, she hadn't had the time for it, and after that, she hadn't let her in for the last fourteen years.

She smiled, as the person standing in front of her did; both smiles mirroring each other's. After a brief moment, Sagrika quickly closed the distance between them and hugged her daughter. *She was on cloud nine from the day Manya had accepted her back into her life as her mother, now she didn't want anything else in this lifetime. She was happy with everything she was getting, and it was enough for her.*

Sagrika stepped back from the hug as she cupped Manya's face, affectionately, saying "Minnie, it doesn't matter how the launch goes; always remember that you are the best designer in your eyes, and that is the only opinion that matters. Seek satisfaction only for your sake, and only you are the priority for yourself, okay? So don't stress yourself, just go and try your hardest;  because the only thing that matters is whether you have given your best or not! Understood?" She ended her statement, patting her head softly.

"Yup!" Manya nodded with a smile.

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Arjun was standing behind the door; he had wanted to check on Manya before the show, but had stopped when he saw her in her mother's embrace and was now eavesdropping on their conversation. He was acutely aware of the fact that he had become half-a-stalker since Manya had come back, but he really couldn't barge into such a sweet moment, nor could he will himself to walk away. 

*He was so happy that Manya had finally come to recognise Maenu's love for her, when she had spent most of her life thinking that her mother was never there to care for her, and that she had never cared enough to know about her happiness, sorrows or problems. But he knew that she had always been there, it was just that Manya was never able to see it.*

At times, he had genuinely felt bad for both of them, but it was all well now. He smiled and turned away, as the image of little Manya came to his mind, who had fallen asleep on the couch,waiting for her mother; while Arjun had been sitting by her, on guard duty. He remembered how Sagrika had rushed back in a hurry after leaving everything behind to be with her daughter, only to stop him from waking her up.

*The love had always been there, it was just the busy schedule that had never given her the opportunity to express it!*

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The fashion show came to an end with a blast, having successfully lived up to its hype. Everyone had had their eyes stuck to the dresses throughout the duration of the show; probably forgetting to blink for the fear of missing something spectacular.  The audience had been just sitting in amazement, but when Manya entered the stage at the end, everyone was mesmerized. She had probably cast some spell on accident, and now everyone was unable to move from their places.

They arose from their seats only when the host announced that the end of the launch and the beginning of the party had an auction session in between, that they had to head to.

All the dresses had sold out within minutes, raising the sales to more than three times than expected. And now, it was  time for the showstopper dress. Manya had been getting ready to go back on-stage, when her assistant came rushing into the room. She took a moment to gather herself and spoke, panicking, "Shekhar is no more!! But before he died, he confessed to being the one who was guilty for copying the design, and kidnapping you as well, and many more things…"

*Manya's face became pale after hearing this news and she struggled to keep her balance as the room seemed to swim around her. She didn't know how to respond, she didn't really consider him as her friend anymore, but she had never expected this. As she remembered, it had only been a few days ago when he was standing in front of her, threatening her. How could he die just yet?!*

She looked at her secretary and asked with a shaking voice, "How did this happen?" 

"He committed suicide. His body was found this morning, under the bridge he had jumped off of."

"Jumped off the bridge!?" Manya repeated incredulously, an alarm going off in her head, signifying that there was definitely something fishy going on. She clearly remembered that he was afraid of heights, so it was highly unlikely that he had chosen this method to commit suicide. She asked her secretary to manage everything for a few minutes, as she was in desperate need of some fresh air.

"Okay ma'am,"  the assistant replied and left the room.

Manya didn't need to actually hear the whispers to know that the news had spread everywhere like wildfire. 

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She was walking on the pavement; her eyes were looking ahead but not really seeing anything, because all her attention was occupied by her cluttered mind. Suddenly, she felt someone grab her by her abdomen and drag her backwards against their body. Before she could struggle, or react or even turn around, the person clamped their hand on her eyes and closed them tightly.

She heard a voice whisper into her ears, "Do you remember me, Minnie? How are you? I hope you missed me, but now, I am back." 

After that, he somehow vanished into thin air, leaving Manya gasping for breath.

"He is alive, he is alive!" Manya shouted out and fainted, just moments later.

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