Y/N's POV

I am wearing a baggy top and a cute checkered short skirt paired with cutest shoes. A gift from Saara and Bobby - they are trying their best to make me feel better since they cannot visit me anytime soon, because of final semester projects. 

I think it is Bobby who went for the outfit idea. He kept on telling me that I would look good in high waisted short skirt and a cute top like those actresses in Korean dramas, but I sighed him off. Now only I realize that boy do have good fashion taste, now that he is dating a costume designer, he also dresses like a model. Damn, I miss them.

I took several selfies and did some self photoshoot at my terrace and sent that to our group chat.

Saara: Omo omo look at our queen! You look cute and hot at the same time oh my gosh!!!

Me: Stop it don't make me blush haan!

Bobby: Told you Saara she'd look like an actress in it! I am sure you will return home with atleast four love letters. Aww gurll! If 'somebody' saw you like this, they surely would regret wronging you.

Saara: Bobby, that somebody is a taboo topic here. He doesn't even deserve to be spoken.

Bobby: Understood, sorry. Btw, Y/N why are your eyes puffy?

Oh they noticed. But to be fair, it is that obvious. I have to get some ice treatment before leaving my house.

Y/N: I did not sleep well. I was fantasizing all night on how I look wearing this lol!

Lie. Utter lie. They do get it. It's not even a week, and I am searching for a part time job, since my family so wants me to come home the day I finish my final exams, and I am pretty sure they have found a new groom. Uff so annoying. That is why I am looking for part time jobs, while trying to contact recording label for kickstart my rapping career. I am pretty serious about it. Thanks to you Prabha, you inspired me some lyrics.

And yes, I am wearing this outfit to visit a label who contacted me after listening to my label and previous uploads of my rap battle audios.

***********

At the label's office

"Why are you here?" a person on the reception table asked me.

"I was asked to come, to take a voice test." I replied confidently. One thing they notice on a rapper is their voice, and I do not have the ideal crisp bass voice, so I need to set the tone from now on.

"Really? We don't remember putting a open interview." The receptionist looks at me, doubting whether I came here to beg her to let me see the producers for one time.

"I was contacted by the producer -"

"Oh you're Angel?" Her facial expressions quickly turned from indifferent to surprised. It's like she did not expect "me" to be the person they were expecting.

"Okay, wait inside his office. He will be here soon." She extended her arm to pointed the stairs.

"Go upstairs and wait inside." Following her instructions I went upstairs, assuming the whole floor would be a big recording place, and I was right. I opened the black tinted glass door and the AC hit me, my legs to be precise, and I sat opposite to the VIP chair, with a office table between them. 

The lights here are not too bright like our house, but not too dim, sets a perfect scenery. I stared at the mic that is two tinted doors away from m, the mic and the headphones hanging on the stand makes my stomach flutter a little. I am going to rap there. About you, Prabha.

I spotted Prabha introducing Priya to some of our drama mates, the air was pretty awkward after I left. Priya replaced my role. The faculty did not say anything against having Priya for the event as they just want the extra curricular events to end soon. She replaced my role in life too. I saw her crossing through the corridor, peeking at the theatre hall. She did saw me, stared for a second with an idle face, and continued smiling to the group. Prabha was busy arranging stage property with the rest of the team. 

'Angel?' I snapped away from my thoughts by the producer standing aside my chair. I quickly stood up and said hello. He looked at me up and down and gave out a smile mixed with a smirk that is not shady yet not, normal. Did he not expect "me" to be Angel like the receptionist too?

"Your outfit is really cute! When I listened to the audios, I expected a girl to come wearing a black leather jacket and a crop top inside. May be I am stereotyping. But your style was like that!" He talked , as he went to sit on his VIP rotating chair. The producer is a middle age man, but dressed up like a young person, and also like a young person in terms of body fit. Fitted plain wine cotton shirt and tight fitted pants, definitely fan of the trending Tamil Hero I can sense.

   "So let's start... Y/N?" He looked at the printed sheet of my details which I have sent to him. I smiled and went inside the recording room.

*********************************

"Hmm, thank you Y/N we'll call you once I hear back from my brother. He is one of the independent artist that belongs to the label, and he is also a part of producing board; we're actually looking for a female rapper for a rap duet with him. So, we'll let you know soon." The producer's face is professional and smiling, its hard to say whether I pass or not.

I walk back to the bus stop, Bobby's words echoed inside my mind : would Prabha really miss me when he see me in this outfit? Haha, who am I kidding? We are not sixteen anymore.

"Dei, look at her dress." The girl who is sitting in the seats under the bus stop nudged her friend. I am standing two steps before to them, and I can see them by a side glance.

"It became so normal nowadays for average looking girls like her to doll up, as if it will make them look like a model." She scoffed and giggled with her guy friend. I felt my entire body burning. Is that what they think when girls like me dress up? Why do whatever girls like me do makes them think we are trying to be like a fair skinned imported actresses?

We use make up. They think it's because we want to be whiter.

We wear western dress. They think we are trying to show off our physique as we lack the face beauty.

We cut out hair short. They cry as if we cut theirs. "Your long hair is the only beauty. You now also cut it ta?"

Why are people filled with such mediocre thoughts? 

I turned around and gave them a warning glare.

They did not stop though.

The guy said, "You know there are some fair-skinned guys who desire such women like her, but leave soon. You know girls like her make people curious, because they would be so plain in normal attires, so they want to stand out from pretty girls by appearing confident."

"Seems like it. I wonder whether she was already inside such a cycle. Girls who went through recent breakup also do this as they call it glow up, but it should be humble na! Look at her short skirt size!" The girl said.

That's it.

I cracked my knuckles.

*****************************************

The Police Station

" If confronting their bad behavior in public is a crime, then them bullying me because of the way I am too is!" I glared at them.

"Sir we did not even spoke to her. She mistook us!" The boy cried. The officer asked everyone to be silent, and then turned and eyed the girl up and down. 

"Yemma (addressing the girl), you too wearing modern clothes. Then why do you look down on other girls who wear the same?" He asked the correct question, but she smirked.

"Sir I am not wearing a skirt that is above my knees. I am wearing a dress." She folded her arms like she did something. I scoffed. Modern looking girl but patriarchal brain washed mindset. She is wearing a bodycon dress that ends to her mid thigh. Women with her mindset are common here, sadly.

"But if you both go to an orthodox neighborhood, they will degrade both of your characters impartially. So what you are saying is ironic" He smirked and then turned to me. 

"You threatened them both saying you will hit them physically, which is a crime. And you, (pointing at them) commented on a girl which can be booked under eve teasing, which brings more trouble to you boy. So either go truce or book cases on each other. What you saying?"

You know what we picked.