The moment Akshata learned that the brand she would be working with was , she could hardly contain her excitement.
It was not just another campaign.
For someone beginning her journey in high fashion, this was a significant first step.
Burberry had a long history of working with fresh faces and introducing models who later went on to build successful international careers. For many young models, being chosen by a respected fashion house was not only a job opportunity—it was an entry into a much larger world.
Akshata understood the importance of this moment.
She remembered the two years of preparation, the countless hours spent improving her walk, learning how to face the camera, understanding fashion, and building the confidence required to stand among experienced models.
Now she was about to enter that world.
During fittings, she observed everything carefully.
The designers, stylists, makeup artists, photographers, and production teams all worked with incredible precision. Every detail—from the way a garment moved to the expression a model carried—was planned carefully.
She realized that high fashion was not only about wearing beautiful clothes.
It was about storytelling.
A model had to represent the mood, identity, and vision of the collection.
Bhaghy watched her daughter quietly during those days.
She could still remember the little girl who once needed her mother's hand for everything.
Now she was standing backstage at an international fashion event, preparing for a professional world of her own.
Before stepping onto the runway, Akshata looked at her mother.
"Can you believe this is happening?"
Bhaghy smiled.
"I can. Because I saw how much work you put into reaching here."
For Akshata, this was not the end of the journey.
It was the beginning.
The first page of her high-fashion career had finally been written.
The venue fell into complete silence as the next sequence of the collection began.
Akshata had been assigned one of the black looks from the collection.
Backstage, the dresser made one final adjustment to the garment. The stylist straightened the collar, checked the silhouette once more, and stepped back with a satisfied nod.
"Ready."
The show coordinator looked at her.
"Go."
Akshata stepped into the light.
The music echoed through the hall as she emerged onto the runway.
The clean tailoring of the black outfit, inspired by the collection's refined British aesthetic, moved naturally with each step. The lighting caught the textures of the fabric while the structured silhouette remained sharp and elegant.
But something changed the moment she reached the runway.
Everything around her disappeared.
The audience.
The photographers.
The hundreds of eyes watching.
None of them existed for her anymore.
She connected with space what she always called her magical space.
Before this important walk, she had one simple thought.
"When I step onto the runway, it should feel like magic. Even if it's only for a few seconds, I want people to remember the feeling. If I can do that, perhaps another brand will notice me."
She neither rushed nor slowed her pace.
Every turn matched the rhythm of the music.
The garment seemed to move effortlessly with her, allowing the collection—not the model—to remain the centre of attention.
From the front row, several casting directors and fashion editors lifted their eyes.
A few photographers followed her with their lenses for a little longer than before.
One stylist quietly whispered to a colleague,
"Who's the new girl?"
Another made a small note beside her look number.
For a newcomer, those tiny moments mattered.
In the fashion world, recognition often began not with applause but with a second glance, a note in a casting book, or someone remembering your walk after the show had ended.
Akshata completed her turn and disappeared behind the curtains.
Only then did she exhale.
She smiled quietly to herself.
She had walked exactly the way she had imagined.
Whether it would lead to more opportunities was something only time could answer.
But she had done what she came to do.
For a few unforgettable moments...
she had created her own little piece of magic.
By the time Akshata and Bhaghy returned to their hotel room, the excitement of the day had finally begun to settle.
Neither of them had expected what happened next.
The phone rang.
Akshata glanced at the screen.
"It is my agent."
She answered immediately.
"Hello?"
On the other end came an enthusiastic voice.
"Congratulations! Your walk today has created a very good impression."
Akshata looked at her mother, who immediately sensed that something important was happening.
"We've already received requests for more castings," the agent continued. "You need to attend them over the next two days. They're all in London, so be ready for a busy schedule."
Akshata quickly noted the addresses and timings.
The call ended.
She looked at Bhaghy and smiled.
"I have more castings."
Bhaghy laughed.
"I told you... today was only the beginning."
The next two days became a whirlwind.
From early morning until evening, they travelled across London, moving from one casting studio to another.
Each brand looked for something different.
Some wanted a stronger runway walk.
Others focused on the way she carried a particular style.
Some simply wanted to see how she looked in their sample garments.
Every casting lasted only a few minutes.
But each one carried the possibility of another opportunity.
By the end of the second day, Akshata and Bhaghy returned to their room exhausted.
Once again, the phone rang.
The same familiar number appeared.
Her agent was calling.
This time, the voice sounded even more excited.
"Congratulations, Akshata."
"You've been confirmed for five more London Fashion Week shows."
For a moment, she could not speak.
Five more shows.
As a newcomer, receiving one major runway opportunity was already an achievement.
Receiving five more invitations within the same fashion week felt almost unreal.
The following week became a blur of activity.
There was hardly any time to rest.
Every day followed the same rhythm.
Morning castings.
Afternoon fittings.
Backstage rehearsals.
Evening runway shows.
Then it all began again the next day.
The days were exhausting, but Akshata loved every minute of them.
Each new runway introduced her to different designers, casting directors, stylists, and photographers.
With every show, her confidence grew.
With every walk, another door quietly opened.
Bhaghy watched her daughter with quiet pride.