The London Fashion Week schedule was still underway when another unexpected call arrived.
Akshata answered immediately.
It was her agent.
"Akshata, there's a casting in Milan. We'd like you to attend."
She looked at Bhaghy in surprise.
"Milan?"
"Yes," the agent replied. "The casting is in two days. If you can get there in time, we'll arrange your accommodation."
As soon as the call ended, Akshata phoned her father.
"Appa... the agency wants me in Milan for a casting."
Nagraju listened carefully before asking for the agent's contact details.
A few minutes later, he spoke directly with the agency.
"I just want to understand the travel arrangements," he said.
The agent explained everything patiently.
"If Akshata leaves London today, she can reach Milan in time for the casting. We've already reserved accommodation for her with other new models represented by our agency."
"The accommodation is covered by us," the agent continued. "We'll also reimburse the model's travel expenses according to our policy. However, the guardian's travel expenses are not covered."
Nagraju thanked the agent and spent a few minutes considering the options.
Flying was possible, but there was another route that made practical sense.
He called Bhaghy.
"Listen carefully," he said. "Take the train to Paris first. From there, board the high-speed train to Milan. It's a straightforward journey, and you'll arrive comfortably."
Bhaghy agreed.
Just then, the agency informed them that another model represented by the same agency was also travelling to Milan for castings.
"You can travel together," the coordinator said. "It will make the journey easier."
The next morning, the three of them met at the station.
Suitcases rolled across the platform.
Model portfolios were tucked safely into carry bags.
Despite coming from different countries and backgrounds, the two young models quickly found themselves talking about castings, fittings, and the excitement of Milan Fashion Week.
As the train pulled away from London, Akshata looked out of the window.
Only a short time earlier, London itself had seemed like an impossible dream.
Now she was already on her way to another fashion capital.
Bhaghy smiled as she watched the countryside pass by.
"This journey is moving faster than we ever imagined."
Akshata nodded.
"And it's only just beginning."
The train sped toward Paris, where another connection awaited them.
Beyond that lay Milan...
...and another chance to prove herself on an even bigger stage.
Here's the next chapter, keeping it as a fictional novel.
Chapter 38: A Room Full of Dreams
By the time Akshata and Bhaghy reached Milan, the agency had already completed the accommodation arrangements.
Since they were all newcomers, the agency placed three new models in one apartment to make the stay easier and to help them become familiar with one another during Fashion Week.
The apartment was simple but comfortable.
Each girl had her own luggage neatly placed beside her bed, while garment bags and portfolios occupied almost every corner of the room.
Bhaghy was given permission to stay in the apartment as Akshata's guardian.
The agency understood that for a young model attending her first international fashion weeks, travelling with a parent provided reassurance.
The third model who had travelled with them from London had come alone.
For now, she had no guardian accompanying her.
Her mother remained in her home country, speaking to her every evening over the phone to make sure she was eating well and taking care of herself.
Soon, the three young models began talking.
Although they came from different places, they shared the same dream.
Each of them had left home hoping to build a career in fashion.
They exchanged stories about castings that lasted only minutes, long waits outside studios, fittings that stretched late into the night, and the excitement of seeing their names on a show's confirmation list.
Bhaghy quietly listened while unpacking their belongings.
Watching them laugh together, she realized they were all carrying the same mixture of excitement and uncertainty.
They were competitors on paper.
But backstage, they became friends who encouraged one another.
Before going to bed, Akshata looked at the schedule the agency had emailed.
The next few days were packed from morning until evening.
Castings.
Go-sees.
Fittings.
Possible runway confirmations.
There would be very little time to rest.
She carefully pinned the schedule to the wall beside her bed.
Tomorrow would begin another chapter of her journey.
Outside the apartment window, the lights of Milan glowed against the night sky.
Inside, three young models fell asleep knowing that by morning, another opportunity might be waiting for any one of them.
Here's the continuation.
Chapter 39: The Milan Morning
The alarm rang at six in the morning.
For a few seconds, Akshata forgot where she was.
Then she looked out of the window.
The streets of Milan were slowly coming alive.
Today was her first day of castings in one of the world's fashion capitals.
Bhaghy was already awake.
She had prepared a simple breakfast while Akshata checked the agency schedule one last time.
The first casting was at 8:30 a.m.
The second at 10:00.
The third just after noon.
If everything went according to plan, they would finish the last appointment by early evening.
The three new models left the apartment together.
Each carried a portfolio, a pair of heels, a model bag, and a phone with directions to the castings.
The streets around them were filled with familiar faces.
Some models walked alone.
Others hurried with their agents.
Black cars stopped outside old Italian buildings where temporary casting studios had been set up for Fashion Week.
Outside the first location, nearly a hundred models were already waiting.
Some quietly revised their portfolios.
Others chatted softly with friends they had met in London or Paris.
Inside, the process moved quickly.
The receptionist called names one after another.
Each model walked into the room, introduced herself, handed over her portfolio, walked a short runway, answered a few questions, and left within minutes.
There was no way of knowing whether the answer would be yes or no.
By lunchtime, Akshata had already attended three castings.
There was barely enough time to eat before they hurried to the next address.
Bhaghy noticed something.
Unlike her first international casting in London, Akshata looked completely relaxed.
She wasn't trying to impress anyone.
She simply walked with confidence, listened carefully to every instruction, and thanked the casting team before leaving.
"You're enjoying this now," Bhaghy said with a smile.
Akshata laughed.
"I think I'm finally understanding this world."
As they stepped out of the fourth casting, her phone vibrated.
It was a message from her agent.
"Don't go back yet. Stay nearby. One of the brands has already requested a callback. They want to see you again this afternoon."
Akshata looked at Bhaghy with surprise.
"So soon?"
Bhaghy smiled.
Without wasting another minute, mother and daughter turned around and walked back toward the casting studio, ready for whatever opportunity awaited them next.