Need a portfolio.....
596 Words
So far...
In the previous chapter,
Chaitanya, lost in his thoughts during the lecture, is thrown out of the class by the professor. Silently, he leaves, leaving Uttam, who sat beside him, deeply worried. Meanwhile, Dhriti, caught in her playful banter, notices her mother’s stern gaze and immediately senses trouble. To avoid the inevitable scolding, she escapes to her friend Poorva’s house, where she learns about a modeling competition being hosted by the Rajvansh Empire.
Now...
Poorva was smiling to herself, while Dhriti’s mind was stuck on just two words—modeling and Rajvansh Empire. The more she thought about them, the brighter her eyes shone. Suddenly, she pulled the chair beside Poorva and sat facing her, her big, curious eyes blinking with excitement as she asked in a single breath:
"So, when’s the competition? Do I have enough time to prepare? And what do I need to do?"
Poorva, taken aback, widened her eyes and began counting on her fingers, replying,
"So many questions... You could’ve asked them one by one, you know !"
But Dhriti wasn’t interested in Poorva’s reaction. She wanted answers, and fast. Without waiting, she pulled the laptop towards herself and started reading the details.
"Oh... so I’ll need a portfolio for the entry. But I don’t even have one! How will I prepare for it ?"
Her initial excitement fizzled out, and a shadow of disappointment fell over her face.
Meanwhile, at the university grounds...
Uttam, following Chaitanya’s gaze, noticed a girl standing a little distance away. She waved at Chaitanya with a sweet smile. Turning his eyes back to Uttam, Chaitanya sighed and said,
"I’ve been called to the principal’s office. Besides, I have no intention of becoming a teacher’s pet. There’s nothing I can do about this."
Uttam stole a quick glance at Suzanne, then turned back to Chaitanya.
"But I already told her you’d help. What am I supposed to say now?"
Chaitanya took a deep breath and replied,
"That’s your problem. You shouldn’t have promised her in the first place."
With that, he walked off toward the principal’s office. Uttam, now stuck, hesitated for a moment before approaching Suzanne. Giving her a small smile, he said,
"He’s been called to the principal’s office, so he won’t be able to help you..."
Suzanne’s face fell, her disappointment clear. Noticing this, Uttam quickly added,
"But don’t worry. You asked me for help, so I’ll help you out. I haven’t written my notes yet, but I understand the concepts well enough to explain them."
Suzanne’s smile returned at his words, and the two headed toward the seating area nearby.
Meanwhile, outside the principal’s office...
Chaitanya stood still, staring at the closed door as if he already knew what awaited him on the other side. After a moment’s hesitation, he took a deep breath, knocked on the door, and heard a deep, commanding voice from within.
"Come in."
The voice made Chaitanya pause for a second. Closing his eyes briefly, he collected himself before opening the door.
Inside, a middle-aged man sat on a high-backed chair. He wore a grey suit, and a pair of glasses perched on his sharp nose gave him a commanding air. His face was expressionless, but his presence was intimidating. Standing before him was the same professor who had thrown Chaitanya out of the class earlier.
What will happen next?
Will Dhriti find a way to prepare for the competition? And what lies ahead for Chaitanya in the principal’s office?
Stay tuned to Am I Mona Lisa? by me, Shalini Chaudhary, to find out!
- Writer
