Luck By Chance - #ATOZCHALLENGE – L (2026)

 

“I think I’ll switch jobs yet again.” Brinda thought to herself. Her backstage work as a designer’s apprentice was quite thankless. She kept getting pushed around by models who thought they were Aphrodite herself. And the designer tantrums were another story.

“This industry is so fake. I thought I would create a revolution with my designer choices, but I’ve become just a flunky to all these entitled twats. I’m soon losing my own identity. Cannot do this for long.”

“No problem. Just this last show and we’ll see what else we can do. You just hang in there till then.” Ajay placated her after listening to her tirade. They had been the best of friends for five years and had recently taken their friendship to the next level by becoming 3AM buddies. He was her go-to person when she needed to take a decision that would lead to a big change.

Brinda headed back to the workshop looked at the delicately woven dresses. Mrs. Rita Khanna, the designer would throw a fit even if a strand was out of place. The same person would turn sugar sweet when a Bollywood celebrity arrived or even a well-known model.

“If Kendall Jenner walked in, she’d prostrate before her. That’s the last thing to do. Stroking egos taken to the next level.”

“What’s really bothering you, Brinda? It’s not what Rita is doing at all. It looks to be your creative suffocation. Your inability to add your two-cents to Rita’s design because it’s hers.”

“That’s right, Ajay.” I need some form of self-expression to peter down the frustration I am feeling her.

Ajay took Brinda to an NGO that stitched clothes for the poor from either hand-me-downs or just rags.

“Brindu, you want to do your own fashion show? We can do one here. Let’s call it Rag Couture. Think of innovative ways to make dresses for these kids so that they can really flaunt them as they walk the ramp.”

“Genius, Ajay. Will do. Let’s give them the feel of a real fashion show. Not sure if any of them will ever be able to make it so far.”

In the next few days, Brinda worked on the concept of the ramps. The backdrop was that of a modest chawl or shared inexpensive living space. The owner of the NGO sponsored a part of the show. The rags Brinda arranged from her workshops. These were too small to be utilized elsewhere, but the material was of a good, premium quality.

The community hall in the municipal school was the venue they had decided. Everyday, after hours, Brinda would sneak out the rags and begin stitching in her pigeonhole home in a city that would spend more on copious amenities for luxury living than on basic affordable housing.

“What about their makeup? You think we should use these chemical infused travesties on young kids?”

“No Ajay,” Brinda interjected. “There is this salesman who keeps coming to Rita’s office. He has a sample kits. This thought did cross my mind, but I really don’t know if we can use that. Better, let’s give them chuskis before the show. Their lips will automatically be stained. Just that it will be food grade color. What say?”

“Absolutely, girl. Let them pick their flavours. Their lips, their choice of colour.”

“Yes. Nothing more needed. They shouldn’t have to feel like mini grown-ups. Why rob even an ounce of their childhood?”

“Also, let’s not choreograph,” Ajay suggested. “And instead let them do what they like. You of all people should no how stifling it is to not be able to express.”

“Agree! Let’s roll. We’re in a good place already.”

With a few rehearsals underway. The children seemed prepared.

On the day of the show, Brinda had come up with really innovative outfits. An elegant layered gown was made with just rags. A patchwork blazer was made with blocks of a variety of fabric. Similarly, a flowy skirt was created from discarded dupattas and scarves. Materials were rope-woven to create accessories such as stoles and jackets. Two different tops and trousers were paired aesthetically to create a co-ord dress.

The children were full of excitement. The spotlights shone, the Bollywood music got played and the children indulged in the hook step, freely frolicking in the joy of the moment.

A strange surge of contentment ran through Brinda’s heart. Tomorrow, she would get back to her grind, but tonight her oxytocin levels were at a new high. They would help her power through the work week.

She considered herself really lucky to have someone like Ajay who could lead her to her calling. What came out of a conversation in a rather luck-by-chance fashion would become her regular detox ritual.