Chapter 4: The Problem Nobody Expected
Maya's fingers tightened around the skirt.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The committee representative stepped closer, carefully examining the cream dress.
"Miss Maya, may I ask you something?"" he said.
Maya forced a smile.
"Of course.""
"Did you make any alterations to this garment before tonight?""
Maya glanced at her mother.
"No. Why?""
The representative pointed toward the lower right side of the skirt.
"There's a structural issue with the stitching.""
Maya looked down.
At first, she saw nothing unusual.
Then she noticed a thin line running along the side seam. A small section of cream fabric had begun separating, revealing the pale lining underneath.
Her smile vanished.
"What is that?""
The representative examined it without touching the fabric.
"The seam is under tension. If you continue moving in this dress, it may open completely.""
Maya immediately grabbed the skirt.
"That's impossible. This dress was perfectly made.""
Her mother stood up.
"Excuse me. Are you saying something is wrong with the dress?""
"I'm saying the construction has been compromised," the representative replied.
"And because it's being worn at a public event, we need to address it before someone gets hurt.""
Maya looked toward the audience.
A few people in the front rows had already noticed the problem.
She lowered her voice.
"Mom, fix it.""
Her mother looked around helplessly.
"How am I supposed to fix it here?""
"You're the one who brought me this dress!""
The woman's expression hardened.
"Don't blame me. You wanted to wear it.""
Maya stared at her.
"You said it would be fine!""
The representative raised one hand.
"Please, let's remain calm. We have a seamstress backstage who can assess the damage.""
Maya shook her head.
"No. I don't want anyone touching it.""
The representative looked puzzled.
"Why not?""
"Because it's mine.""
A quiet voice came from behind them.
"Actually, it isn't.""
Everyone turned.
Nia stood near the stage entrance, still holding her prize envelope.
Her patchwork dress shimmered beneath the overhead lights.
Her left eye remained covered.
The representative looked at her.
"Miss Carter?""
Nia nodded.
"That's the dress I made.""
Maya's face flushed.
"Here we go again.""
Nia didn't move.
"I made that dress for tonight's competition. My mother took it from my room and gave it to Maya.""
A murmur spread through the nearby audience.
Their mother immediately stepped forward.
"That's a family misunderstanding.""
Nia looked directly at her.
"No. You took it out of my hands.""
"Nia, not now.""
"You told me Maya would look better in it.""
Maya crossed her arms.
"Well, I do look better in it.""
Nia glanced at the damaged seam.
"Then why is it falling apart?""
A few people gasped.
Their mother grabbed Maya's arm.
"Stop this. You're making a scene.""
The representative intervened.
"Mrs. Carter, I need to understand something. Was this garment submitted as part of tonight's competition?""
"No," the mother answered quickly.
"My daughter simply wore something beautiful.""
The representative nodded.
"Understood.""
He turned toward Nia.
"Miss Carter, you designed the garment?""
"Yes.""
"And this patchwork dress?""
"I made that one too.""
He looked at the colorful fabric arrangement.
"Remarkable. We were particularly impressed by the way you incorporated different textures.""
Nia smiled faintly.
"Thank you.""
Maya shifted uncomfortably.
The damaged seam was becoming more visible.
She stepped closer to her mother.
"Mom, can we leave?""
"Not yet.""
"Why?""
"Because we're not going to let them embarrass us.""
Maya looked at the dress again.
A loose thread had begun hanging from the side.
She tried to tuck it beneath the fabric.
But the seam opened another inch.
"Mom!""
The representative quickly called for a backstage assistant.
"Please bring the emergency sewing kit.""
Maya looked horrified.
"You're going to sew it here?""
"We need to prevent further damage.""
"I don't want anyone seeing me like this!""
Nia watched quietly.
A strange feeling moved through her chest.
She remembered the hours she had spent making that dress.
The careful measurements.
The pearl decorations.
The hidden stitches inside the bodice.
She had wanted to wear it herself.
Now it was hanging from Maya's shoulders, damaged and being held together by nervous fingers.
Olivia approached Nia.
"Are you okay?""
Nia nodded.
"I think so.""
Olivia looked toward Maya.
"Your mother really did that.""
Nia lowered her eyes.
"I know.""
The assistant arrived with the sewing kit.
The representative turned toward Nia.
"Would you mind helping us identify the original construction of this seam? Since you made the garment, you may be able to explain how it should be repaired.""
Nia looked at Maya.
Maya shook her head immediately.
"Absolutely not.""
The representative frowned.
"Miss Maya, this is about preserving the dress.""
"I don't want her touching it!""
Nia stepped back.
"Then I won't.""
Her mother gave her a sharp look.
"Don't be difficult.""
Nia's voice remained calm.
"I'm not being difficult. I'm respecting what she just asked for.""
For the first time that evening, her mother had no immediate response.
The representative instructed the assistant to secure the damaged section temporarily.
Then he looked toward Nia's envelope.
"Miss Carter, please don't worry. Your award is unaffected by this technical issue. We will discuss the details with you after the ceremony.""
Nia nodded.
She held the envelope closer.
Her eyes burned.
Not from sadness this time.
From the possibility that something good might finally happen.
But as she turned to leave, she heard Maya whisper behind her.
"Mom, you said nobody would find out.""
Nia stopped.
Slowly, she looked over her shoulder.
Her mother grabbed Maya's wrist.
"Be quiet.""
May you like
Nia stared at them.
Nobody would find out what?
