the Winner takes it all...

Two flights from two different continents landed at London's Heathrow airport on a Christmas night. In the world's largest airport, where hundreds of planes chauffeur thousands of passengers every day, what are the odds of childhood friends meeting again?

Naïve say it's coincidence; philosophers call it fate; poets believe that it is the intense longing of one's heart; but, logic knows best. If you have been freezing for 8 hours in a flimsy thin dress, you would long for a warm shower.

Kian was coming out of the VIP lounge when he saw a familiar figure walking his way. His heartbeats raced to dangerous levels. This was their first meeting after the eventful night five years ago. She had transformed from a teenager to a beautiful young lady!

Alysé's flight had just landed. She needed something warm before her next flight. So she entered the VIP lounge, a pale and shivering figure, and walked past him without the slightest trace of recognition. Such was the urgency for a warm shower after an excruciatingly cold eight-and-a-half-hour-long flight.

"Silly girl!" he muttered and shook his head in displeasure. He went straight to Y&Y store in the shopping arena. It is not often that the owner of the biggest fashion house came shopping in the women's section of the store; definitely never its CEO, Kian Jindal.

The lady attendant - a young girl, hardly out of her teens - could not help but stare at him. Then, with a spark of recognition in her eyes, she walked up to him and blurted – "It is such an honor, Sir; I am your biggest fan."

Her guest frowned, "Why?"

"O!" - she clasped her hands; "You are so handsome and rich. You run such a big business empire and people love your clothes." She gushed in excitement. "I am such a big fan! Can I take a pic with you?"

Kian inhaled a long draught. Then, looking deep into her eyes, he said – "How about I give you a free voucher. You can buy anything with it."

The girl nodded vigorously. This was Kian's antidote to the menace called 'clicking a pic with you'. He hated taking pics with strangers. He called up his secretary and gave him the girls phone number and address with the instructions to send her a gift voucher.

"Thank You…thank you so much." – she whispered with tears in her eyes. Kian smiled in assurance. This done, he looked around at the clothes on display. She followed him like a little puppy; when he looked a little lost she stepped forward and said - "Can I help you?" 

Kian turned around and said curtly - "Where is the overcoat section?" 

The girl's heart swelled with a sense of purpose and pride; all those hours of training seemed worthwhile and God had chosen her to be the savior of this beautiful man. "This way please." – she said and guided him to the inner sections of the store where the winter collection was on display.

Kian looked through the collection and scooped out a pink overcoat.

"It's my favourite piece this year." she gushed as she took it from him. "It is warm and lightweight and so soft on the skin." 

"Help me pack this, please." He said,

Kian gave them his credit card and said - "Charge it to this card." He needed to make an urgent call so he walked out of the store.

The girl wrapped the coat carefully in a muslin cloth and placed it in a carry box. She brought the package to him once the billing was done.

"Will you do me a favour?" Kian raised inquisitive eyes towards her. Her heart fluttered and her chest swelled with emotion. She would give him her heart and her life if that's what he wanted. 

"There is a girl in the VIP lounge." he said, "Will you take it to her?"

The girl nodded and asked her manager if she could go. The manager dared not refuse. Kian wrote a note and handed it over to the girl, saying - "Show it to the lounge manager, he will help you."

"But how will I know her?" the girl was puzzled.

"Her name is Alysé Merchant," he said. Then scooping out his phone from his coat's inner pocket, he showed Alysé's picture to her.

"Oh! She is so beautiful…" – she gushed in admiration.

"You will find her in the shower room. Be sure to hand it over to her." -he said as he place his phone in the pocket again. The girl nodded and set out on her mission. 

Alysé had just taken the shower and dressed. She was combing her hair when the girl entered with the box. "Aren't you Ms Alysé?" the girl gaped in admiration.

"Yes."

"This is for you." – she handed the box to her.

"What's this?" Alysé was surprised

"It is long and lightweight and will keep you warm." the girl gushed. "He bought it for you."

"Who?" Alysé was surprised.

"Your boyfriend..." she said ever so innocently.

"Who?" Alysé couldn't believe what she heard. Was Ryan here? Was he playing games with her again?

"You know, Kian Jindal! The CEO of Y&Y." the girl was confused; "Isn't he... your boyfriend? He even left a note for you in it."

Alysé peeped inside the box and pulled out the note. It read – "Coats and old friends warm our bodies and hearts."

Alysé was ready to melt and flow with the shower water into the drain. "Of all the people in the world, why should he…" she agonized; "How did he know that I was shivering in my flimsy dress?"

"You look confused. Isn't he is your boyfriend?" the poor girl had started becoming uncomfortable and wondered if she had been played?

"Where is he?" said Alysé

"He had a flight to catch; he asked me to give it to you."

"Isn't he your boyfriend? Don't you know him?"

"I do." Alysé admitted shyly; "He is my brother's friend."

"Oh! That's a relief." the girl sighed; "I had started getting worried…you know the stalkers and all."

Alysé scooped out the coat and inspected it – "Did he say something?"

"He just looked for something long and warm." said the girl as she surveyed Alysé's dress. "It is freezing cold outside the airport! Wear this…you will love it."

Alysé tried on the overcoat. It was soft and elegant.

"See? That's what he meant." – said the girl. "Don't trust those flimsy dresses…they are made by devils."

Alysé thanked the girl and offered her the tip. "Oh no!" – the girl protested. "It is my pleasure. I got to meet Kian Jindal; he gave me free gift voucher too! I can purchase anything with it at our store." she exhilarated.

"I am happy to hear that." Alysé smiled

She looked at herself in the mirror again and thought - "It fits well" She read his note again and felt her cheeks burning.

"Ladies and gentlemen, flight no. 3683 going to India is boarding now."- came the announcement.

"That's my flight," said Alysé.

"Oh! Then, have a safe journey."