VEER AGNIHOTRI
Hidden in the shadows, I rise unseen,
A ghost in their army, cunning and keen.
Forming my own from the wreckage of the past,
My father's gone, but I'll find him at last.
She steps back into my life, a spark from before,
But darkness...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Perfect, darling! Give me more beautiful poses."
The soft clicks of the camera are my favorite sound, pumping adrenaline in my veins. Bright lights pour from several directions, making me shine in the shoot. The backdrop has a high-end makeup brand poster, lipsticks and mascara standees on each side. I uncap the lipstick and hold it up, blowing a kiss with my painted lips. I give more poses with the lipstick, then select a different prop from the table displaying makeup products.
"Lovely! Hold that pose for me, sweetheart."
The photographer clicks shot after shot, showering me with praises.
This is my element. This is me, Arya Chaudhari.
Click click click.
I've lived my entire life with that beautiful sound.
In the dressing booth, I quickly change into the last outfit. The makeup artist reapplies a new coat of lipstick, tweaking my makeup to match the outfit. I return to the center of the stage, slipping into poses with such ease, it feels like I was born to be a model. I've always wanted to be a celebrity like Daddy.
Click click click.
"Alright, we're done." The photographer lowers his camera and holds up his hands, clapping them. "Let's give a loud applause for our beautiful girl, Arya! Isn't she a born star?"
The pitter-patter sound of claps fills the studio.
"She's RC's daughter, after all!"
"She got her beauty from her mother!"
"A beautiful face with a kind heart deserves to be a star."
"She's a living Barbie doll."
"No, she's a Disney princess!"
I smile and bow to the whole crew. When I joined Ethereal Faces, I thought they were nice to me because of Daddy and Grandpa. Gradually, I realized they genuinely adored me as a person and gave me princess treatment, which honestly felt unfair towards the other models. Astoundingly, none of them had a problem. They danced around me like butterflies towards nectar, putting me on a grand pedestal.
Well... I liked the attention. I've loved receiving attention since I was a little girl, given everyone just gave it to me on a silver platter. And I couldn't be more grateful for that. I thrive on people's love.
I know I'm privileged, and I don't take it as an opportunity to look down on others. I might be bratty, spoiled and pampered by my parents, but that's at home. In public, I know how to behave. My parents have raised me well. My Asian mother would've slapped the 'Mean Girl' out of me if I ever bullied anyone.
In school, I earned my place as the cheerleading captain.
I also rightfully got on the school's archery team, and scored the second-highest in every grade, since my twin bro's a bit smarter than me, just like Daddy would beat Mommy during their law school days.
