Over the following week, the family completed their preparations for the trip.
Akshata packed the clothes recommended by IMG for training, along with her school books so she could continue studying in her free time.
Nagaraju finished the remaining work related to his film's release and made arrangements at home. Since he would be away for a few days, he requested his mother to stay temporarily at his younger brother's house until they returned.
After completing their shopping and travel preparations, Nagaraju, his wife, and son and daughter boarded their flight to New York.
This journey felt different from the first one.
The first visit had been filled with uncertainty.
This time, they were returning because Akshata had officially begun her development program with IMG.
...
The next morning, after breakfast, Nagaraju, his wife, and Akshata left for the agency.
As they walked toward the entrance, Nagaraju looked at his wife.
"I know everything is new here," he said gently. "The language, the city, even the way people work."
She smiled.
"I'll manage."
He nodded.
"I know you will."
Turning to Akshata, he added,
"Your Amma will be staying here with you after I leave. I want both of you to feel comfortable before your brother and I return to India."
Akshata understood exactly what he meant.
"You don't have to worry, Appa. We'll take care of each other."
He smiled proudly.
"I know."
Inside the agency, Daniel welcomed them warmly.
"Welcome back! It's good to see you again."
He greeted Nagaraju before turning to Akshata's mother.
"You must be Mrs. Nagaraju."
She smiled politely.
"Yes. It's nice to meet you."
Daniel shook her hand.
"We're very happy you've come."
As they walked through the office, Daniel explained the schedule for the coming weeks.
"Training won't only involve photographs and runway practice."
"We'll also have workshops on communication, professionalism, fitness, nutrition, and understanding the fashion industry."
He then looked at Akshata's mother.
"We know she's still young, so we encourage a parent or guardian to remain involved throughout the process."
Nagaraju appreciated hearing that.
"That was important to us as well."
Daniel nodded.
"We believe family support plays a very important role, especially for younger models."
He then handed them a printed timetable.
"This is the training schedule."
"There are also maps of the neighborhood, emergency contact numbers, and information about transportation."
Nagaraju carefully went through each page with his wife.
"See," he said, pointing at the map, "the apartment is here."
"The agency is only a short distance away."
He showed her the nearby grocery stores, pharmacy, and subway station marked on the map.
"If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me."
His wife smiled reassuringly.
"You've explained everything three times already."
He laughed.
"I know."
"I just want both of you to feel comfortable before Manu and I fly back in three days."
Akshata gently placed her hand on his arm.
"Appa..."
"Hmm?"
"You've done enough."
"We'll be alright."
Nagaraju looked at both his wife and daughter standing together.
Seeing them side by side gave him confidence.
He wasn't leaving them alone.
He was leaving them together.
And that made all the difference.
The following Monday marked the official beginning of Akshata's training.
She woke up before sunrise, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Her mother noticed her checking her schedule for the third time.
"Akshu," she said with a smile, "you've read it enough. Now just enjoy your first day."
Akshata laughed.
"I know, Amma. I just don't want to be late."
They reached the IMG office fifteen minutes early.
Daniel was waiting in the reception area.
"Good morning, Akshata."
"Good morning, Daniel."
"Ready for your first day?"
She took a deep breath.
"Yes."
Daniel led her into a large training studio where around a dozen new faces had gathered from different countries. Some spoke English fluently, while others introduced themselves with accents from Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia.
"Welcome, everyone," Daniel began.
"Over the next few weeks, you'll learn what it means to work as a professional model."
He smiled.
"Very few successful careers begin with fashion shows. They begin here—with discipline, learning, and professionalism."
One by one, the trainees introduced themselves.
There was Emily from Canada.
Lucía from Spain.
Sofia from Brazil.
Anna from Poland.
Mei from China.
Lena from Germany.
And several others, all beginning the same journey.
When it was Akshata's turn, she stood confidently.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Akshata. I'm from India. I'm fourteen years old, and I'm looking forward to learning from all of you."
The room greeted her with friendly smiles.
Daniel nodded approvingly.
"Excellent."
"The first lesson isn't about posing."
"It's about professionalism."
For the next hour, they learned how a modeling agency works.
Daniel explained the difference between editorials, advertising campaigns, catalog work, commercial modeling, runway shows, and castings.
He emphasized punctuality.
"If your call time is nine o'clock," he said,
"you don't arrive at nine."
"You arrive early."
"Being dependable is part of being professional."
The afternoon session focused on posture.
A runway instructor entered the room.
"My name is Victoria."
"For today, I don't care how fashionable your walk looks."
"I care about your posture."
She asked everyone to stand naturally.
One by one, she corrected their posture.
"Shoulders relaxed."
"Don't lock your knees."
"Stand tall."
When she reached Akshata, she smiled.
"I can already see improvement."
Akshata recognized the advice immediately.
It was exactly what the fitness trainer had been teaching her.
Victoria nodded with approval.
"Keep practicing like that."
After a short break came the runway exercise.
Each trainee walked a straight line while the instructors observed quietly.
Some walked too quickly.
Some stared at the floor.
Others swung their arms too much.
When Akshata's turn came, she remembered one simple instruction.
"Walk naturally."
She wasn't perfect.
She hesitated once while turning.
But she maintained good posture and recovered smoothly.
Victoria made a note on her clipboard.
"Good balance."
"Needs experience."
"Very coachable."
Daniel smiled quietly.
That description sounded familiar.
At the end of the day, the trainees gathered once more.
Daniel addressed the group.
"Some of the world's successful models also began exactly like this."
"They weren't expected to know everything on day one."
"They learned, practiced, accepted feedback, and improved."
He looked around the room.
"The same opportunity is in front of each of you."
As everyone began leaving, Akshata walked beside her mother.
"How was your first day?" her mother asked.
Akshata smiled brightly.
"I learned more today than I expected."
"And?"
"And I realized something."
"What?"
"Being a model isn't just about looking good."
"It's about discipline, learning, respecting people, taking care of your health, and improving a little every single day."
Her mother smiled proudly.
"I think you've already learned the most important lesson."
Akshata looked back once at the IMG building before they walked home.
Tomorrow would bring another lesson.
And she was eager to learn.