Ch 26: Shree reaches London
Written by Kavya and Concept by Sidhant First go to previous blogs if you have not already....
The journey home, though only two hours, felt endless. When she arrived, she found her parents busy with their morning routine. Their faces lit up at the sight of her, but a subtle, unspoken worry lingered in their eyes. It was not the first time Shree had arrived unannounced in the morning. The last time, she had spent three days bedridden after an emotional outburst sparked by an unkind remark about her brother, Dev. What was it this time? Her parents had every reason to be concerned—especially after Dev had disappeared so mysteriously. Ever since, they had grown overprotective, their concern for Shree bordering on obsession.
The last time Shree had gone away to Jodhpur, she hadn’t bothered asking for permission—three days was hardly enough for her parents to even notice. But now, with Sunday looming just around the corner, how could she explain her absence when her destination was no mere day trip?
She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Ma, Pa," she began, "I've been selected for an internship in London. I need to leave tonight."
Her mother’s response was immediate, almost reflexive. "No."
Her father, ever the more logical of the two, followed suit with a more considered, but no less disapproving, "But the visa?"
Shree had anticipated this. The answers had been rehearsed in her mind during her journey home. "Ma, Pa, it's a last-minute decision by the company. They've recruited me for my skills, and all the visa formalities have been completed on my behalf. It’s a fantastic opportunity for my career—this will look great on my portfolio." She allowed her voice to soften. "And it's London, Ma! The Buckingham Palace, Harry Potter Studios, Baker Street, Leicester Square—I’ll see so much, it’ll be an experience of a lifetime."
Her father remained silent. His protectiveness seemed to ebb away, but he still had doubts. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, it carried weight. Still, he seemed almost convinced. But her mother—her mother wasn’t so easily swayed.
"But where will you stay? What about food? Will there be other Indians there?" her mother asked, still anxious.
Shree responded as calmly as she could. "Mother, the company will provide accommodation and food. I don’t yet know if there will be any Indians, but I will have someone there to guide me through everything."
Her mother looked unconvinced, but there was a quiet resignation in her eyes. What could they do? They had always wanted the best for Shree, and how could they deny her a dream like this?
With a resigned sigh, her mother turned toward the kitchen, already planning the meals she would send with Shree—laddu, mathri, thepla. Food was always the easiest way to express care. Her father, meanwhile, left for the money exchange to get some pounds for his daughter.
Shree, feeling a sense of relief yet mixed with guilt, packed her bag carefully. She made sure to include all her essential hacking equipment, plenty of winter clothing, and, of course, the photograph of Dev. He had always been with her, even if only in spirit.
Time flew by, and before she knew it, she was at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport, ready to begin her journey. She was greeted by a striking display of art—giant mudras, the “Indian Odyssey” sculpture, and two life-sized statues of elephants and their calves. But Shree wasn’t in the mood to admire the art. She had a mission—check-in her luggage, get through security, and board the plane.
After some anxious moments, her bags were checked in, and security and immigration went smoothly. She took her seat on the plane, relieved. The journey was long—8.5 hours—but she could finally relax, look out at the clouds, and let herself dream for a while. Daniel, a man she was to meet in London, would guide her through her next steps. Cloe had ensured that Daniel and Shree would arrive at roughly the same time, giving him the opportunity to meet her at the airport and help her navigate the bustling city.
Upon arriving at London’s airport, Shree followed the instructions Cloe had given her and waited at the baggage claim. Daniel, whose flight had landed just thirty minutes earlier, was easy to spot. A Finnish man with long hair and a peculiar hat, he was unmistakable. He recognized her instantly and walked toward her, smiling.
"You're Shree, right?" he asked. "Cloe has briefed me about you."
"Yes," she replied, shaking his hand.
They had two hours before their meeting with Agent Charlie, so Daniel suggested they grab breakfast and explore a little. They made their way to Bond Street, marveling at the Christmas decorations already going up. The festive atmosphere was everywhere—London was truly alive with anticipation. Bond Street, with its expensive boutiques and glittering displays, offered a rarefied glimpse of luxury. Tiffany’s window caught their eye, and they paused to window-shop.
After some sightseeing, including posing with the statue of Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt and admiring the ancient Egyptian sculpture outside Sotheby’s, they reached their destination—a premium café. Quiet, almost serene, it was the perfect place for a secret meeting. They were led upstairs to a private lounge where they waited for Agent Hershel.
