The Pull

They stood facing each other, wrapped in silence.

The place around them buzzed with soft murmurs of students but for Ishani and Aayan, it all faded into the background. The air between them seemed to hold breath too—like it knew this was the moment it had waited for.

Ishani blinked first. “You’re the man from the train.”

Aayaan hesitated, then gave a small nod. “And you’re… the student here”

She tilted her head.

He said simply. “ I’ve... seen you before too.”

Her heart skipped. “Where?”

He looked uncertain for a moment, then smiled faintly. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”

A long pause.

“I know this sounds insane,” Ishani whispered, “but… I’ve been drawing you. For weeks. Before I saw you on that train. I don’t know how or why, but—”

“When I saw you it feels like we know each other from a very long time, someone I already met before,” Aayan interrupted softly.

They stared at each other. No laughter. No disbelief. Just quiet understanding.

It wasn’t coincidence.

Not anymore.

Then both of them went towards their work.

Later that Day – They both starting smiling at each other when they saw each other. And then finally the day come when they both wants to talk to each other and after the university is over.They walked without deciding to.

The city lit up around them. The air smelled of warmth.

“So, what do you do?” Ishani asked, needing something normal to hold onto.

“As you know I’m a professor as well as also have a family business.You? Along with your studies what's your hobbies?"

“umm I'm Freelancer artist. I teach kids sometimes.” She smiled. “Not exactly profitable, but peaceful.”

They sat on a bench near the Buckingham Palace.

“I don’t normally do this,” Aayan admitted.

“Me neither,” she said.

Then silence again. But it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Aayan glanced sideways. “Do you believe in fate?”

Ishani paused. “I used to. Now I think… fate is just unfinished business from another life. Waiting to complete itself.”

Her words landed heavy in the air.

He looked at her with something new in his eyes. Not curiosity. Not attraction.

Recognition.

Of some kind of incomplete wish desire or hope that has not been fully realized.

Then silence again. But it was uncomfortable.

They smiled and say at the same time," Tell me what you like to eat."

Both giggled.

Aayan asked," So... tell me What would you like to eat?"

Ishani thinking about this. Then she said, "I've been eating salad and all from many days, let's... have some Indian... food ?"

Aayan said," I'm also craving something Indian food, then let's go..."

Indiana Restaurant - London 09:30 pm

Both of them went to an Indian restaurant. And sat down at a table and ordered the food. Until the food come they just talked about themselves to each other, tell about from where they belong, what their family and many more.

The food come, and they ate it. After having dinner together, they both feel comfortable with each other and exchange numbers with each other.

Now it's time for both of them to leave towards their home and say goodbye to each other.

Aayan asked," It's late now can I drop you ?"

Ishani said that,"no, no. its fine can go by myself."

Aayan said that," It's not safe for girls to go alone by themselves at night, so he can drop her."

Ishani says fine to him.

When they both moved to the direction where ishani lives.

Aayan stopped and ask ishani, "did you live in this direction?"

Ishani said," yes, why??"

Aayan told her happily,"I also live in that direction."

Ishani surprisingly said, "oh really? Well, that's great now, I cannot feel bad that you have to come to drop me to a different direction."

Both of them went to the direction of their homes talking to each other, laughing comfortably, the feeling of warmth while talking to each other.