Outside the London airport, a blue car rolled toward the curb.
Ian sat in the front seat, typing into the “London Art Interns” WhatsApp group:
“Welcome. Congrats — you finally made it. I’m coming to get you.”
The boy driving glanced at him.
“Do you know the other girl too?”
Ian looked up. “Mm, what?”
The Boy,
“That means you don’t know her? I thought you knew her too.”
Ian raised an eyebrow.
“Why? Is she Indian too?”
The Boy,
“Yeah. How could you not know her?”
Ian sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“I’m from India, but that doesn’t mean I know everyone. There are billions of people living there. Do you really think it’s possible to know them all?”
The Boy,
“But everyone who’s come here from India — you already know them. That boy, the two girls, Shania and Neha…”
Ian,
“That boy is my friend. Shania is his girlfriend. And Neha is her friend.”
The boy groaned dramatically.
“This is so complicated. I don’t get it. Is this my dad’s project or yours? Everyone’s connected to you somehow.”
Ian shrugged lightly.
“It’s just a coincidence. What can I do? I have talented friends.”
The boy turned quickly, eyes widening.
“Am I talented too?”
Ian,
“No.”
The Boy,
“What? But you just said all your friends are talented!”
Ian smirked.
“Because you’re not my friend.”
The boy frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Ian,
“You know what I mean.”
The Boy,
“I’m your junior. That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
Ian,
“Why do you even want to be my friend? Don’t you have any?”
The Boy,
“Yeah. But they’re naive. They don’t match my vibe. They’re too young.”
Ian,
“They’re your classmates. What made you say that?”
The Boy,
“They’re fake. They pretend to like my music in front of me, but talk rubbish behind my back.”
Ian chuckled softly.
“So you hear them talking about you — and they’re still your friends?”
The Boy,
“Yeah. That’s why I’m trying to get new ones. You heard my story. So be my friend.”
Ian,
“No.”
The boy smiled anyway,
“Why not? Am I still just a junior? Look — I can drive.”
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
They passed someone on the road, and Ian snapped,
“Yeah, and you almost left my friend behind.”
The Boy,
“Sorry. I was talking and missed him.”
Ian,
“You’re not that good at driving. Learn more.”
The car slowed as Ian’s friend approached. Ian stepped out, loaded the luggage into the back, and got back in.
Ian,
“Welcome, buddy. This is Sahil. Don’t call him ‘boy’ anymore.”
The driver grinned and extended his hand.
“Hi. I’m Rimmy.”
They shook hands.
As Rimmy drove, he immediately began firing questions at Sahil, ending with:
“Do you think I’m cool enough to be your friend?”
Ian looked at Sahil, shook his head slightly.
Sahil grinned. “No.”
Rimmy gasped.
“Ian! You told him to say that, didn’t you?”
Ian and Sahil just smiled.
“Fine,” Rimmy huffed, eyes still on the road. “I’ll manage. I’ll make the new girl my friend instead.”
Ian raised an eyebrow.
“You changed the topic conveniently. So what’s up with the new girl? The final artists are confirmed, right?”
The Boy,
“Yeah. She applied really late. But her drawings impressed my dad, so he added her. She might be super talented. And I’ll make her my friend.”
Just then, Rimmy’s phone rang.
“Yeah, Dad, we’re going straight—”
Dad on phone,
“I didn’t call for that,” his dad interrupted. “The girl will be on the next flight. Arriving in thirty minutes. Pick her up.”
Ian’s eyebrows knit together when he saw her number — the one that had been added just a short while ago to the “London Art Interns” WhatsApp group. His eyes shifted to the newly added contact.
He read her name.
“Mahi.”
In his mind, he repeated it.
Mahi… Mahi… I think I know her… or maybe…
Rimmy,
“Okay, Dad. Bye.”
Rimmy hung up and glanced at Ian.
“What’s on your mind?”
Ian,
“Nothing.”
Ian looked at Sahil.
Sahil leaned forward slightly.
“Is it that Mahi? The one who beat you in the college drawing competition?”
Ian,
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
Rimmy’s eyes widened.
“She beat you? And you know her? This is crazy.”
Ian leaned back, crossing his arms as they turned toward the airport again.
“We’re going to be waiting for a while,” Rimmy said. “I really want to see the girl who defeated Ian. Is she pretty?”
“Yeah,” Sahil replied. “But I think she’s a bit arrogant. She never talks to anyone.”
Ian,
“That doesn’t mean she’s arrogant,” Ian said quietly. “Maybe she’s shy or something.”
Sahil,
“Don’t forget — she beat you.”
Ian shrugged.
“Winning and losing are part of life. It was just a competition.”
Rimmy whistled. “Wow. That’s cool.”
They waited.
“I’m bored,” Rimmy said. “Anyone want to come to the café?”
“You go,” Ian replied.
“I’m coming,” Sahil said.
Ian stayed near arrivals. The flight hadn’t landed yet.
They returned.
“She’s still not here?” Rimmy asked.
“Maybe it’s delayed,” Sahil said.
Rimmy,
“I brought something for her.”
Ian,
“Why?”
Rimmy,
“Just a little treat.”
More waiting.
Then—
She arrived.
Pulling her luggage. Talking on the phone.
The crowd almost swallowed her.
“Is she here? Where?” Rimmy scanned the area.
“I think… the girl in the black hoodie,” Sahil said. “She looks different.”
She began walking toward the cabs.
“I’m going,” Ian said. “Wait here.”
He walked toward her, uncertain.
Is that her?
He looked again.
Not her.
“Where did she go?”
She was walking slowly now, reading messages.
Ian followed, watching carefully — her posture, her steps, the way she held her phone.
And then it hit him.
Yeah. That’s her.
It’s her walk.
A small smile formed.
“Found you.”
Mahi stopped.
Turned.
Saw him walking toward her.
For a second, her heart lost control.
She looked down quickly, slipping her phone into her pocket.
The mess in my heart… I can’t let it show.
She steadied her face.
Ian,
“For how much longer—”
She froze.
Did he hear my thoughts?
“—we’ve been waiting for you,” Ian finished.
Mahi,
“Sorry, w-what?”
Ian,
“You’re Mahi, right? The newly selected artist intern at the London Art Institute?”
Mahi,
“Yes.” She nodded quickly.
Ian took her luggage.
She froze.
He walked a few steps, then noticed she wasn’t following.
Ian,
“What happened? Do you need help?”
She lifted her gaze.
Their eyes met.
And she couldn’t look away.
Mahi,
“No… it’s okay.”
Ian,
“Then come.”
She remained still.
Ian inside,
Is she not recognizing me? Ian wondered.
He cleared his throat gently.
Ian,
“I think you’re confused. I’m Ian. We’ll be working at the same institution. I’m here to pick you up.”
Her phone rang, breaking the moment.
Rimmy’s dad confirmed everything.
She ended the call and walked toward Ian.
Inside, chaos.
Mahi inside:
I never expected to meet him like this. I didn’t think we’d meet again. But somewhere, deep down, I always felt that on this artist’s path, I’d find him one day. Just not now.
I still have so much to fix. My family. My career. My life is already messy. I can’t let anyone — even him — disturb my focus.
She inhaled deeply.
Mahi,
“Okay.”
They walked toward the parking lot.
Rimmy waved excitedly. Sahil nodded casually.
Ian glanced back at her once — eyes soft — then looked away.
She sat in the back seat beside Sahil.
Rimmy handed her a small packet.
Rimmy,
“This is for you. A treat.”
Mahi, confused,
“For what?”
Rimmy smiled and said,
“Welcome gift.”
Mahi took it gently and said,
“Thanks.”
Ian exhaled through his nose and glanced at the road ahead.
“Start the car. Let’s go.”
They drove toward the institute.
Rimmy,
“So, you’re the one who defeated Ian.”
Mahi stared at him.
Sahil jumped in.
Sahil,
“Do you remember me? Sahil. You beat me in the pre-drawing competition. Then Ian in the final.”
Memories flickered — ones she didn’t want to recall.
Mahi,
“Yeah… I think so. You look… similar.”
Ian caught her eyes in the rearview mirror.
Inside, he murmured,
Similar?
She looked away.
Ian,
“Rimmy, don’t talk while driving. Focus.”
Focus, Mahi, she told herself.
His voice… why does it feel like a mini heart attack?
Sahil noticed.
Sahil,
“Are you okay?”
Mahi,
“Yeah.”
Inside,
It’s all his fault. And he wouldn’t even understand.
Ian rolled down the window.
Ian,
“You’ll feel better now.”
Mahi inside,
Now it’s worse.
He frowned slightly.
Ian,
“You’re making her uncomfortable. Stop asking so many questions.”
Mahi,
“It’s okay. I’m fine.”
Rimmy said cheerfully,
“We’ll be there soon. You can rest. Dad won’t interrogate you immediately. You already impressed him with your art.”
Then casually:
“So… do you want to be my friend? I don’t think you’ll survive in this mental hospital without me.”
Mahi blinked.
“What? I didn’t get that.”
Ian,
“It’s nothing. He’s mental too.”
And with laughter, tension, and unspoken history filling the air—
They reached the institute.
