Page 131 of Since the Night We Met
Everyone took their seats as the stage lights came on. Abhay smiled genuinely when Neena took the seat to his right, followed by Mihit. She patted his arm as she said, ‘It looks beautiful already. We’re so proud of both of you.’
‘It’s all Siya,’ he said, and meant it.
Kartik slipped to his left, with Dhruv taking a seat beside him. ‘You’ve pulled off quite a night,’ he murmured.
Abhay didn’t acknowledge him. He simply adjusted the cuff of his sleeve and fixed his gaze on the stage.
A spotlight shone on the stage as the room lights dimmed. Music came on just as the first model stepped onto the runway. She moved with a deliberate grace and his attention locked onto the necklace around her collarbone. A multi-layered chokercrafted from uncut diamonds set in platinum. It was refined yet rebellious, and unapologetically feminine.
The second model followed, wearing a necklace crafted into layered floral clusters, but with a daring twist. Instead of diamonds, it was studded with deep blue tanzanite nested in the centre, wrapped in gold filigree so fine it almost resembled lace.
He heard a soft gasp of awe from somewhere behind them. He was brimming with pride, and couldn’t help but feel Siya should’ve been here to witness every reaction as her vision translated into reality.
Abhay leaned toward his mother and said, ‘I remember the first sketch of that piece. She argued with the stone-setter for three days because he wasn’t maintaining the symmetry.’
‘Of course she did,’ Neena chuckled under her breath.
The next model sported a pair of jhumkas shimmering with diamonds and white opals, with a chain with dangling pearls pinned in her hair. Matching kadas adorned her wrists, made with pearls in meenakari intricate design.
There were no coincidences here. Every stone, every clasp, every setting had been touched by Siya. Her efforts lived and breathed in these designs long before they made it to the runway.
‘Look at them, they’re awestruck,’ Mihit murmured, pointing toward the other side of the stage where their investors and elite buyers were sitting, their eyes glued to the pieces.
His father was right, they were awestruck. But none of it mattered the way it should have because the seat beside him was still empty.
And then, the model glided onto the stage, wearing thepièce de résistance. A full bridal set glittering in scarlet colour. A layered necklace paired with long, shoulder-grazing earring. The bangles were etched with tiny leaves and vines, and the kamarbandh was full of uncut rubies. The applause began even before she turned around and walked off the end of the runway.
It was—without question—Siya’s masterpiece.
A staff member approached him, bending slightly at the waist to not hinder the view for the guests beyond the front row. She handed him a folded card and whispered, ‘Sir, when the announcer calls on the designer, you’ll need to step in. Siya ma’am is still not here.’
Abhay accepted with a nod.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?’ The announcer came on stage. ‘Thank you for joining us this evening to witness this extraordinary collection. We know many of you have been waiting for a glimpse of the creator and the official designer of this launch. Please help me welcome the incomparable powerhouse, Siya Kashyap!’
A thunder of applause rang as anticipation rippled through the crowd.
Abhay began to rise but then the spotlight shifted toward the entrance of the stage. And then suddenly, she was there.
For a heartbeat, Abhay thought he was imagining her, but when his mother held his hand excitedly, he knew she was no illusion.
She wore a mauve saree edged in Kashmiri white threadwork, pinned and draped with effortless poise over her left shoulder. Around her neck lay one of the most legendaryoriginal Kashyap vault pieces that Abhay had only seen in old catalogues. A regal, thick necklace glittering with diamonds and rubies. She’d opted out of wearing earrings, instead choosing to sport a thick tear-shaped ruby bracelet.
And yet, none of it shone half as much as her.
One look at her felt like cool water against his parched throat, and his shoulders relaxed an inch as she directed her bright smile to the room.
‘Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is a historical night, and it would be incomplete without your support and love, so thank you for being here tonight,’ Siya spoke into the mic. Everyone energetically applauded her, happy to finally get a glimpse of her.
‘Our collection has been a labour of love and dedication and it belongs to far more people than just myself. I want to gratefully thank every artisan and kaarigar who worked tirelessly to bring our vision to life.’
She looked toward where their families were sitting, but when she didn’t meet his gaze, his heart sank. She gestured toward their parents and said, ‘And also a huge thank you to both Kashyap and Agrawal families for their generous contribution to this project.’
Abhay felt the room’s energy shift until only his wife remained in focus. She had them wrapped around her finger, just like him.
She looked at Kartik as she said, ‘Now, I want to invite someone very special to join me on stage to unveil the name of this new collection. He is the driving force behind why I stand here tonight. Dad, will you please join me?’
There was a stir in the crowd as Kartik contemplated whether to go up there, because he was unsure of where this was leading, but when Siya urged again, he stood up. Reluctance was etched in his rigid posture as he buttoned his jacket and hopped onto the stage.
