I didn't realize how heavy memories could be until I saw Saim step out of the canteen, his hand pressing against his head as if something inside was screaming.
Jack followed him immediately.
"What happened?" Jack asked, concern obvious in his voice. "Why did you leave like that?"
"I don't know," Saim replied slowly. "Sometimes… old memories try to come back. And when they do, my head starts hurting. But before I understand them, they fade again. Like fog."
Jack frowned. "Did you tell the doctor?"
"No."
Saim exhaled. "But I've noticed something. It only happens when something from my past is around me. Places. Things. Even… food."
Before Jack could say anything, I stepped closer.
"What memories?" I asked.
Both of them turned.
"Cookies?" I added, confused. "How can cookies be connected to memories?"
Jack moved closer to me, placing a hand near my shoulder, lowering his voice.
"Don't tell anyone," he whispered. "Boss had a difficult past. Something traumatic. Those cookies reminded him of his mother. That's why he reacted."
Saim stiffened.
"What are you telling her?"
"Nothing," I said quickly. "I just think we should leave. We still have work."
He nodded without looking at me.
As Jiya and I walked away, she glanced at me.
"Boss looked… shaken."
I hesitated before replying.
"Jack told me his past isn't normal. Maybe that's why his personality changes suddenly."
Jiya's eyes widened.
"So it's connected…"
Maybe.
The makeup hall was buzzing with noise and laughter. Children were trying costumes, parents fixing hair, mirrors reflecting excitement.
I was adjusting Ina's dress when Ryan and Ayaan walked out.
I stared.
"Wow…"
They looked… confident. Handsome. Ready.
Ryan smirked.
"Well, obviously."
I laughed.
"Half the credit goes to me. Otherwise, you two had chosen something that made you look like clowns."
Ina giggled.
"Mamma, you'll perform with us, right?" Ayaan asked suddenly.
"I can't," I said gently. "This is work."
His face dropped.
"You always say that."
Before things could turn worse, Jiya stepped in.
"Who said you can't perform?"
I looked at her, shocked.
"There's no rush," she continued. "Go. Fill the form."
Ayaan's smile returned instantly.
When I came back dressed, Ryan stared for a second too long.
Jiya whispered, "If judges see you, they might forget judging."
Ryan raised his eyebrow.
Ina and Ayaan ran up to me.
"Princess!" Ayaan announced dramatically.
Everyone laughed.
"The show has started," Jiya said. "You'll be up soon. Rest till then."
I nodded, but my heart had already started racing.
Somewhere deep inside, I felt it.
This wasn't just another event.
And I had no idea how many invisible threads were about to tighten around us.
Right in front of the stage, a long desk stood under the spotlight.
Jack sat on one side.
The Managing Director on the other.
And between them — Saim.
He was dressed in black, a mask covering his face, posture relaxed but eyes alert, as if he was watching everything and nothing at the same time.
Jack leaned slightly toward him.
"It's going pretty well, isn't it?"
Saim adjusted his mask slowly.
"Yes," he said. "This might actually serve our purpose."
The MD laughed, playfully nudging Saim's arm.
"Mr. Rahil, your mind really works fast. I don't know what gap you're trying to fill this time — the one that stayed incomplete when you weren't around last year."
Saim shifted a little away, his expression unchanged.
Just then, a young woman walked up to us and spoke politely,
"Participant number ten, you're next."
I nodded, tightening my grip on Ayaan and Ina's hands.
"Don't be nervous," I said softly. "Okay?"
Ayaan tilted his head and looked at me seriously.
"But mamma," he said, "you're the one who looks nervous."
Ryan chuckled at his honesty.
I shot Ryan a quick look. He smiled, lips pressed together, trying not to laugh.
"I'm not nervous," I insisted, lowering my voice.
"You just have to walk confidently. Good poses. And remember — winning or losing doesn't matter."
"Okay," Ina said, nodding enthusiastically.
The moment our number was called, everything around me blurred.
Stage lights. Applause. Music rising softly in the background.
I held Ayaan's hand on one side, Ina's on the other — their tiny fingers warm, trusting. Ryan walked slightly behind us, calm and composed, as if this wasn't a stage but another day at the hospital.
We stepped onto the stage.
For a second, the lights felt too bright — then I heard the claps growing louder. The children relaxed instantly. Ina twirled like she'd been born for it. Ayaan lifted his chin confidently. Ryan adjusted his posture, playing along perfectly.
Somewhere in the judges' row, I felt a gaze settle on me.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
The MD leaned toward him, chuckling.
"Miss Mirren, right?"
Saim nodded, expression unreadable.
"She looks graceful," the MD continued. "Not because of the dress. The dress looks good because of her."
Saim gave a small nod, eyes still fixed ahead.
On stage, Ryan turned slightly — and our eyes met Saim's.
Ryan froze.
He didn't recognize him…
but something about those eyes made him hesitate.
Those eyes…
Ryan thought, unsettled.
Saim leaned toward Jack suddenly.
"That child," he murmured. "I've seen her before."
Jack frowned. "Who?"
Saim glanced down at the list.
"Ina."
A pause.
"Yes," he said slowly. "Ina. I met her once… outside a children's garden."
Jack tapped the desk lightly.
"Stop talking and focus. Write the points."
When our performance ended, Ina hugged me tightly.
"Mamma, we did good, right?"
"You were perfect," I whispered.
Jiya appeared near the wings.
"I saw you," she said excitedly. "You all were amazing."
Before I could reply, a sharp voice echoed from backstage.
"What is this?!"
I turned.
A woman stood near the makeup area, holding a small shirt in her hand. Her face was flushed with anger. Beside her stood a little boy, eyes red, scratching his arm.
"You said everything here is safe," she snapped. "Then explain this!"
I walked toward her instinctively. "Ma'am, please tell me what happened."
She shoved the shirt slightly forward.
"After the performance, look at his hands. Rashes."
I knelt to the child's level. Ryan was already there, gently holding the boy's wrist, examining it carefully.
"This looks like an allergic reaction," Ryan said calmly. "Does he have any allergies?"
"Mango," the woman replied after a pause.
My eyes scanned the room.
On a nearby table, half-eaten.
Mango pastry.
I picked it up slowly.
"Who brought this?" I asked.
Riva, standing nearby, spoke quickly. "I brought it for myself. I didn't even take a bite."
I turned to the child. "Did you eat this?"
The boy nodded hesitantly. "Before the performance."
I stood up and faced the woman.
"It's mango pastry," I said gently. "That's why this happened. I'm truly sorry."
Her anger softened, replaced with worry.
"Please wait five minutes," I said. "I'll be right back."
I rushed out to the café nearby and returned with a strawberry cake.
Holding it out to her, I said, "This is for him. And once again, I'm sorry."
She sighed, placing a hand on her son's head.
"I overreacted," she admitted. "Any mother would."
"I understand," I replied.
Behind her, I noticed Riva watching us — irritation burning quietly in her eyes.The show ended soon after.
The host stepped onto the stage with a microphone.
"Our judges have made their decision," he announced.
"And there's more — our top three rankers will also get a chance to audition for child modeling with our company."
Cheers erupted.
"Third position," the host continued, "goes to Participant Number Five."
Applause. Certificates handed out.
"Second position — Participant Number Ten."
My heart stopped.
Ayaan hugged me tightly. Ina squealed. I pulled them both close as tickets were handed to us — a five-day family vacation.
"And our first position," the host said dramatically,
"Participant Number Fifteen — winning a brand-new electric scooter!"
The crowd roared.
"Now," the host smiled, "I'd like to invite our CEO, Mr. Saim Rahil."
Just then, from within the crowd, Ryan's phone rang.
The sound felt oddly sharp against the background music.
He glanced at the screen — and his expression changed instantly.
"Yes… okay," he said into the phone, voice low but urgent.
"I'm coming right now."
He ended the call and turned to me.
"Rozze," he said quickly, leaning closer, "I have to go. It's urgent. I need to leave right now."
I looked at his face — the calm was gone, replaced by that familiar professional tension I knew too well.
"Here?" he asked softly. "You'll handle everything?"
I nodded without hesitation.
"Yes. You go. I'll manage."
His eyes lingered on Ayaan and Ina for a second, then back on me.
"Take care," he said.
"Now," the host smiled, "I'd like to invite our CEO, Mr. Saim Rahil."
Saim walked onto the stage and removed his mask.
Saim spoke into the mic, voice steady.
"Thank you for being part of this event."
Ina leaned toward Ayaan and whispered, "That uncle… he gave me a butterfly locket once."
Ayaan's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes. Promise you won't tell."
"I promise."
Soon, families were called one by one.
When our turn came, I held Ayaan and Ina's hands and stepped forward.
Saim handed the certificates to the kids, placing a gentle hand on their heads.
Then he gave the tickets to me.
"I didn't know," he said, looking at me carefully, "that you have two children. They're… very cute. Just like you."
I smiled politely and stepped back.
Inside, something twisted.
After everything ended, as people packed up, I went to store the costumes.
Ayaan and Ina stood beside Saim, laughing as he chased them playfully across the hall. Jack joined in, breathless.
"They look happy," Jiya said beside me.
"Children don't see good or bad," I replied quietly. "They're happy with anyone who plays with them."
Later, Saim crouched in front of them.
"I had fun with you both," he said warmly. "Let's meet again at another audition."
"Before that?" Ayaan asked innocently.
Saim smiled. "Before that too, champ."
They ran back to me.
Then phones buzzed.
Whispers spread.
"Did you see this video?"
"Who uploaded it?"
opened my phone.
So did Saim.
Our eyes widened at the same time.
"This… isn't possible," I whispered.
In that moment, I felt it —
as if all our effort had just turned into something dangerous.