Fifteen days later, Akshata received a notification on her phone.
Salary Credited.
She opened her banking application.
For a few seconds, she simply stared at the screen.
₹12,00,000.
It was the combined payment for the international work she had completed during the Fashion Week season.
She quietly walked into the living room.
"Nanna..."
Nagraju looked up from his newspaper.
"My payment has come."
Bhaghy and the rest of the family gathered around.
For a moment, no one spoke.
It was not just about the money.
It was proof that all the travelling, preparation, castings, fittings, and runway shows had become a professional achievement.
That evening, the four of them sat around the dining table with a notebook, a calculator, and a file containing all their travel receipts.
Nothing had been planned in advance.
Throughout the journey, they had simply tried to make sensible decisions and keep every receipt.
Nagraju opened the notebook.
"Let's calculate everything properly."
They began listing the expenses one by one.
The agency had covered accommodation in Milan and had reimbursed Akshata's eligible travel according to their policy.
However, many other expenses had been borne by the family.
Bhaghy read from the receipts.
"Return flight between Mumbai and Europe..."
"Guardian's train tickets between London, Paris, and Milan..."
"Hotel stays in London and Paris..."
"Daily meals during travel..."
"Local taxis, Underground tickets, Metro passes, and buses..."
"Airport transfers..."
"Travel insurance and miscellaneous charges..."
"Laundry and garment care..."
"Mobile phone and international calling expenses..."
They totaled everything carefully.
The family's own expenses came to approximately ₹3.2 lakh.
Nagraju wrote the figure down.
"So, after our travel and living expenses, the remaining amount is about ₹8.8 lakh."
He pushed the calculator aside.
Bhaghy smiled.
"For a first international season, that's more than we ever expected."
Akshata looked at the notebook.
"I wasn't thinking about the money while I was working."
Nagraju nodded.
"And that's exactly why you've earned it."
He closed the notebook and looked at his daughter.
"This isn't just your first major payment."
He smiled proudly.
"It's the first income from a dream that you built through discipline, patience, and hard work."
The room fell silent.
No one rushed to decide how the remaining money would be spent.
Instead, they simply enjoyed the moment.
For the first time, Akshata truly felt that fashion was no longer just her passion.
It had become her profession.
I'd suggest framing it as a fictional conversation within your novel.
The excitement of the payment gradually settled, and everyone returned to their routine.
Bhaghy went into the kitchen to prepare lunch.
Grandmother retired to her room for her afternoon nap.
Manu hurried outside to play with his friends.
The house became quiet once again.
Nagraju sat in his study, reading a newly arrived script, making notes in the margins.
A gentle knock came at the door.
"Come in," he said without looking up.
Akshata stepped inside.
"Father... are you free?"
He closed the script and smiled.
"For you, always. Sit down. What would you like to talk about?"
She took a deep breath.
"I've been thinking seriously about our future."
Nagraju listened carefully.
"I want us to start investing."
He nodded, waiting for her to continue.
"I want to invest as much as we can in Microsoft shares."
She paused before adding,
"If possible, I'd like the investments to be in both my name and Manu's name."
Nagraju leaned back in his chair.
"That would require a substantial amount of money."
"I know," she replied. "Ideally, I'd like us to invest one crore. But if that isn't practical right now, even fifty lakh in each name would be a good beginning."
She spoke with unusual confidence.
"Father... you and I both believe that some of the world's strongest technology companies have tremendous long-term potential. I don't want us to miss opportunities simply because we delayed."
Nagraju remained silent, allowing her to explain her thoughts.
"I also have plans for the coming years," she continued.
"I want to build a long-term investment portfolio. As new technologies emerge, I'd like us to invest in companies that we genuinely believe have strong futures—especially businesses leading innovation."
She smiled.
"We've always worked hard for every rupee we earn. Now I think it's equally important to make our money work for us."
Nagraju folded his hands and looked at his daughter with pride.
"You're no longer thinking only about earning," he said.
"You're thinking about building wealth for the future."
Akshata nodded.
"I don't want our success to depend only on the next film or the next fashion season. I want our family to build lasting financial security."
Nagraju smiled.
"I like the way you're thinking."
He reached for a notepad.
"Before making any investment, we'll calculate exactly how much capital we can safely commit without affecting our business, household, or future plans."
Akshata smiled.
"That's exactly what I was hoping you'd say."
Nagraju opened the family accounts and placed a notebook on the table.
"Let's see what we can actually afford," he said.
Akshata nodded.
"Father, we purchased nearly ₹95 lakh worth of gold bars over the past year."
She pointed toward the figures.
"Since then, the value of gold has increased. Based on today's price, those bars are now worth around ₹1.3 crore."
Nagraju checked the calculations and nodded.
"That is a substantial appreciation."
"The advantage is that we bought gold bars," Akshata continued. "There is no making charge like jewellery. If we ever decide to sell, the difference is largely the change in the market price."
She turned another page.
"Now we need to check whether we have enough additional savings to invest in Manu's name as well."
Nagraju looked at her.
"You've been thinking about him too?"
She smiled gently.
"Of course."
"As his sister, I don't want him to be left behind."
She paused before continuing.
"If we have the opportunity to build a secure future for our family, then both of us should benefit from it."
"Since we're still minors, you and Mother can act as our legal guardians for any investments that need to be held until we become adults."
Nagraju listened without interrupting.
Akshata then pointed to another sheet filled with handwritten notes.
"Father, according to our understanding, the current market price is attractive compared with what we expect in the future. If we delay, we may have to buy the same shares at a much higher price."
She looked at him confidently.
"I believe we should think long term. If we invest in a strong company and remain patient for many years, the investment could grow significantly."
Nagraju smiled.
"I appreciate your discipline," he said. "But remember one thing."
"No one can know the future with certainty."
"The market can rise, fall, or remain stagnant for years. Even excellent companies go through difficult periods."
Akshata nodded.
"I understand. That's why I don't want us to invest because of excitement. I want us to invest because we believe in the company's long-term business."
Nagraju closed the notebook.
"Then we'll do this properly."
"We'll calculate how much money the family can safely invest without affecting our responsibilities or the business. If the numbers make sense.