A month passed quickly.
Akshata had settled comfortably into her routine. School occupied most of her weekdays, while evenings were divided between homework, French lessons, maintaining her fitness program, and occasionally checking emails from IMG.
One Saturday afternoon, her phone rang.
The caller ID showed IMG Models – New York.
She answered immediately.
"Hello, this is Akshata."
"Hello, Akshata," the booking coordinator said. "I hope you're doing well."
"I am, thank you."
"We have good news."
Akshata sat up straight.
"The New York clothing brand you previously worked with was pleased with your professionalism during the lookbook shoot."
She smiled.
"That's wonderful to hear."
The coordinator continued,
"They're now casting for their upcoming advertising campaign."
"This is a larger project than the lookbook."
"We'd like you to attend the casting."
Akshata listened carefully.
"Does that mean I've been selected?"
"Not yet," the coordinator replied professionally.
"You've been invited to audition."
"The client will meet several shortlisted models before making their final decision."
"If your audition goes well and the client feels you're the right fit for the campaign, you'll be selected."
The coordinator added,
"The campaign itself is scheduled to be photographed approximately one month after the casting."
"That gives everyone enough time for pre-production, wardrobe preparation, and scheduling."
Akshata noted the dates in her planner.
"I understand."
"We'll send the casting brief, reference photographs, and appointment details by email."
"Please review them before the audition."
"I will."
After ending the call, she immediately called her father.
"Appa?"
"Yes, Akshu?"
"I've been invited to another casting."
"Oh?"
"It's for the same New York clothing brand."
"They're producing an advertising campaign."
"They liked my work on the lookbook, so IMG has invited me to audition."
Nagaraju smiled.
"That's good news."
"But remember..."
She laughed softly.
"I know."
"It's only a casting."
"Exactly."
"Don't think about getting the job."
"Think about giving your best performance."
"If they choose you, wonderful."
"If they choose someone else, learn from the experience and move forward."
Akshata nodded.
"That's what Daniel always says too."
Her father chuckled.
"Then he and I seem to agree."
That evening, she received the official email from IMG.
The brief described the campaign as youthful, confident, and contemporary.
The client wanted someone who could present the collection naturally and connect with the camera in a relaxed, authentic way.
Akshata read the document carefully before closing her laptop.
She wasn't imagining the campaign yet.
She wasn't imagining success or failure.
Her focus was on one thing—
preparing well for the casting.
She knew that in the modeling industry, every opportunity began with an audition, and every audition was a chance to learn, whether or not it led to the final job.
Here's a reframed version of the Kalpa and Akshata conversation with light comedy, while keeping it appropriate since Akshata is still a minor.
At home, Akshata continued eating the fresh fruits and vegetables grown inside Kalpa's magical space. They were incredibly fresh, naturally grown, and free from pollution, making them a healthy addition to her meals.
One evening, after finishing her exercises, she quietly connected with Kalpa.
"So..." she sighed dramatically.
"What's with this nutrition plan? I feel like all I do is eat, study, exercise, and sleep."
Kalpa's voice echoed playfully.
"Host, you forgot one activity."
"What?"
"Worrying."
Akshata rolled her eyes.
"I do not worry that much."
"Oh?"
Kalpa replied.
"I've counted thirty-seven sighs today."
"You're counting my sighs now?"
"I have plenty of free time."
Akshata laughed.
"You really need a hobby."
"I have one."
"What?"
"Watching you overthink everything."
She folded her arms.
"Very funny."
Kalpa chuckled.
"Host, you're still growing. Your body needs time, proper nutrition, exercise, and rest."
"You cannot plant a mango seed today and expect mangoes tomorrow."
Akshata burst into laughter.
"So now I'm a mango tree?"
"It was an educational example."
"It was a terrible example."
"I thought it was excellent."
She shook her head with a smile.
"You know... you're impossible."
"And yet you're still talking to me."
Kalpa continued in a mock-serious tone.
"My magical produce provides excellent nutrition. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and clean ingredients—no pollution, no chemicals. Just let your body grow naturally."
"And keep following the exercise program your trainers gave you."
Akshata nodded.
"So... no magic shortcut?"
"No."
"No secret button?"
"No."
"No instant transformation?"
Kalpa pretended to think.
"There is one method."
Akshata's eyes widened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Grow up."
There was complete silence.
A second later, Akshata picked up a pillow and threw it at the empty wall.
"That wasn't funny!"
Kalpa laughed.
"Oh, it absolutely was."
Akshata couldn't help laughing too.
"Fine."
"I'll keep eating well, exercising, and being patient."
"Excellent," Kalpa replied proudly.
"Now go finish your homework."
She blinked.
"How do you always know I haven't finished it?"
"Because, Host..."
"You always try talking to me when there's homework waiting."
"..."
"...I don't like how accurate you are."
Still smiling, Akshata closed the connection and returned to her desk.
She had learned that there were no shortcuts to growth or success.
Whether it was school, modeling, or life itself, patience, healthy habits, and consistent effort would always take her further than rushing the process.
A month later, the campaign dates were confirmed.
After informing Akshata's school and arranging her assignments in advance, Nagaraju booked tickets for New York.
As before, Akshata traveled with her mother while Nagaraju remained in India to manage the release of his film and his production work.
The evening before their flight, Nagaraju reminded his daughter, take care
"
She smiled.
"I know, Appa."
"So tomorrow, don't behave like a nervous beginner."
"Behave like a professional."
Akshata nodded confidently.
"I will."
The next day, she and her mother landed in New York and checked into an rented apartment as they are staying for 4 days.
The following morning, they reached the studio before the scheduled call time.
The campaign was much larger than the lookbook she had done previously.
There were art directors, creative directors, photographers, lighting technicians, stylists, makeup artists, hairstylists, wardrobe assistants, and production coordinators, each focused on their own role.
The atmosphere was busy, yet organized.
Everyone knew exactly what they had to do.
Rachel from IMG welcomed her.
"Good morning, Akshata."
"Good morning."
"The client was pleased with your casting, so today we're photographing the Spring Campaign."
She handed Akshata the day's schedule.
"We have four wardrobe changes, two indoor sets, and one outdoor location."
The makeup artist greeted her warmly.
"Good to see you again."
"This campaign has a fresh, youthful theme, so we'll keep your makeup soft and natural."