Sitara's POV

2 weeks later...

"Check the lights, the music, also, I want two lists of the ramp sequence. Quick." I whispered in Neha's ear, covering the headset mic with my hand.

She passed me one more list of the sequence and called Kartik's assistant to tell him to check the lights and music once again.

All the members, the Founders Council, The VIPs, and all my staff had arrived. The media and few reporters have positioned their cameras and mics.

The appointed backstage manager was handling the things backstage while Kartik was in the audience from where he can keep a watch on every movement and also from where I can kinda see him from backstage.

After several rehearsals, today's the day.

The Big Day has arrived.

The atmosphere in the audience was warm and light. Everyone was greeting and chatting, their soft laughs could be seen on the monitor.

Whereas, the backstage where I was standing was tensed and serious. Every single soul was doing one thing or the other assigned to them. It was as if some life or death situation for them. I can assure you I felt the same. My hands were sweating. My eyebrows were drawn together in tension the whole time.

But still, I had this strong gut feeling that everything was going to be perfect.

We still had 40 minutes to begin the show and because of which I asked everyone to check all the stuff again.

I don't want anything messed up between the show.

"Ma'am, Mr. Sinha wants to see you, he's in the green room." one of the crew members came and told.

What does he wanna talk about at this moment?!

"Fine. I'll go. Keep reporting if the changes are happening accordingly on the headset." I ordered the man and walked towards Kabir's room.

There was nothing to talk about at this moment. Maybe he had some trouble with the costume? Oh, hell no. I can't afford any trouble in that department right now. I and my team went through every single piece of cloth the models were going to wear. Let me assure you, I personally checked in on Kabir's costume and he was going to wear the outfit designed after his suggestion.

I knocked and opened the door to his green room. Myra was there, doing his hair. They both noticed me standing at the door and turned their heads towards me.

The sight in front of me was, Myra controlling her smile and Kabir looking somewhat nervous.

Was he nervous because of the show?

Myra whispered something in his ear and before exiting, she whispered in mine, "Congratulations."

Congratulations on the show?

I couldn't understand why she congratulated me but I didn't ask her either. I went and stood in front of Kabir, waiting for him to say something.

I checked him head to toe, he was looking damn handsome today. Well, he always does.

"Ma'am the lights are perfectly synced according to the sequence." someone informed on the headset. Good!

"Angel, I wanted to say something very important." he started.

"What happened? Is everything okay? Something wrong with the costume, makeup, or hair?" I bombarded him with questions. I was genuinely concerned while asking those questions.

He chuckled and pulled me closer, putting a hand around my waist. His eyes held me captive as he continued.

"I'm so glad that you came into my life. I'm glad that you are here right now, with me. You make my everyday special. You make me better. I found the reason for my smile, the day I found you and I want to be the reason for your smile. I love you, Angel."

My heart fluttered at the unbelievable words coming out of his mouth. My ears went deaf for any other noises around us. These beautiful words felt like a song to my ears.

"Ma'am the music and audio are perfectly working."

Ugh! Just shut up for a minute, will you?

Kabir didn't notice the mini anger and irritation I got from the voice as he kept his eyes static on me.

My mind went blank. I couldn't think of the words which people usually say after someone says, 'I love you' to them.
Should I say repeat what he said?

"I love you too, Kabir." My mouth confessed involuntarily as I felt my eyes watering. A smile formed on both of our lips hearing me.

The next thing I know was, he turned the mic on my headset down and his lips were pressed against mine. It was as if time stopped when his soft lips met mine. My heartbeat inside my chest as his hands held me steady by the nape. Our lips started moving together, tasting the love on each other's lips. His breath was as fresh as it could be.

My arms circled his neck, pulling him more closer to me. It was like a wave of warmth crashing my body as his tongue slides into my mouth. My knees went numb and my brain got dizzier. The tantalizing effect he embedded on me silenced all my thoughts.

Slowly, we pulled away. As if on cue, an ear-to-ear smile spread on my lips, and a chuckle escaped from him.

"Angel I'm so happy today. This is the best day of my life." he said breathlessly.

It was the best day of my life too.

Oh, that's why Myra said congratulations. That bitch knew everything!

But apart from that, I was happy and contained. I was happy that everything in my life was finally started to make sense.

"I love it when you call me Angel, Kabir. It sounds so sweet." I said while breaking the hug.

"I love to call you Angel because you are one." he said teasingly, making me blush. We both stood there for a while, staring into each other's eyes. He put a strand of my hair behind my ear while looking at my face with an adorable smile.

He was looking like the best male model in the country as everyone said and believed. Perfectly dressed perfected groomed and styled. He even smelled nice.

While I was a total mess. Hair tied in an even messier bun which wasn't really bun as half of my hair had a mind of its own. My jeans and oversized checks shirt was hung on my body.

Kabir was unbothered by my appearance, though. His arms were still around my waist which I didn't want to be gone. I wanted to stay like this more time but, "Ma'am, everything is checked, we are ready to start the show." this time, it was Neha's nervous voice.

"I'm coming. Call the models." I ordered and took a step away from him.

"Let's go, Kabir. Today's show is very important to me. I can't handle the consequences if anything goes wrong." I nervously said.

He held my shoulders and made me look into his confident eyes. "I know and I'm very sure you're gonna be the best today. This show is going to change your life and which is why you're going to give your best. You can do it, Angel. I'm there with you, always."

I couldn't help myself as I hugged him again.

I love this man so much.

We left the room and went backstage where almost all the models were standing ready in positions. I spotted Myra coming in our direction while she was saying something on the mic.

She hugged and whispered, "I love you, Angel. All the best!"

How does she know that Kabir calls me Angel?!

Of course, Kartik.

She broke the hug and walked away, giving Kabir a quick 'all the best' in form of thumbs up.

I patted on Kabir's back once and pointed towards the stage. It's his time to shine now.

He gave me a warm smile, caressed my lips, and walked towards his entry spot with confidence.

By exhaling a deep breath, I glanced at my wristwatch, 10 minutes to go. I made my way towards the other models to check their outfits one last time.

6-7 minutes passed and Neha told me that we can start the show just when I was done checking everyone's outfits.

Perfect!

I stood anxiously yet excitedly where the mic was placed for the host. I decided to start the show today myself. This was my dream coming true.

The best day of my life...

I removed the headset, inhaled, and exhaled to relax the tensed muscles in the jaw.

Everyone and everything went silent from backstage and the audience. I glanced at the monitor screen on the left where I was able to see the ramp stage and audience clearly.

A piece of soft, soothing music began.

"A warm welcome to all the dignitaries who are going to be a part of this fashion event. This year, our company is organizing this fashion show to promote the designer wears manufactured by our brand, Estilo. I am glad to announce the launch of our new collection, 'Classic Collection- The wedding wear' today.

"Remembering the words of Bill Cunningham - 'Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life,' I would like this beautiful event to begin and hope that our brand will reach great heights of success in its new journey. Thank you." and with that, the ramp music started.

After a few seconds, Kabir, the love of my life, entered the stage.