Episode 5: The Confrontation
Tara finally found the guy she was looking for.
Tara: "Give me the camera."
The Guy: "Not happening."
Tara: "I don't have time for this. Just hand it over."
He smirked and refused again. A fight broke out between them just as Arib arrived. Without hesitation, Arib grabbed the guy's collar.
Arib: "Who ordered you to do this?"
The guy clenched his jaw and remained silent.
Arib: "Not talking? Fine. Let's change that."
Arib threw a punch, making the guy stagger. Before he could react, Arib hit him again. Suddenly, Nadia, Jisa, and Rose appeared.
Nadia: "Tara! Stop him!"
Jisa: "Arib is going too far. Say something!"
Tara crossed her arms.
Tara: "Why? He's doing the right thing."
The guy, now bloodied, gasped.
The Guy: "Alright! Alright! It was Mr. Rayan. He told me to follow her!"
Arib released him immediately. The guy stumbled back, wiping his bleeding lip.
Arib: "Now, will you tell me what's going on?"
Tara: "Thanks for your help, but I can't tell you. It's personal."
Arib lit a cigarette, exhaled a puff of smoke, and smirked.
Arib: "Alright. Whatever. Bye."
As he walked away, Rose sighed.
Rose: "He just looks for a reason to fight."
Jisa: "Ignore him. What now?"
Nadia: "What are you going to do?"
Tara: "I'm going to talk to Mr. Rayan."
Nadia: "He might be in the library. You should go now."
Jisa: "I'll come with you."
Just then, her phone rang. Principal Z was calling her.
Jisa: "Actually, I have to take this."
Nadia: "I'd rather enjoy the party. You two go ahead."
Tara and Rose left. Nadia took a deep breath and quickly called Mr. Rayan.
Nadia: "Sir, there's a problem."
Mr. Rayan: "Calm down. Explain."
Nadia quickly relayed the situation.
Inside the Library – The Trap
As Tara and Rose entered the library, the floor beneath them shifted. A powerful force pulled them down, trapping them in a binding spell.
Tara: "A trap?! Mr. Rayan must've set this up for us."
Rose: "That means he knew we were coming… but how?"
Tara: "Could it be Arib? No, he helped us."
Rose: "Or maybe… he helped because he wanted us to come here?"
Tara: "I'll talk to him later. First, we need to get out of this."
Rose's eyes glowed as she summoned lightning and shattered the trap apart.
Tara: "That was so cool!"
Rose: "Don't try to get close to me."
They continued inside and finally spotted Mr. Rayan. His eyes widened for a split second, but then he smiled.
Mr. Rayan: "What a surprise. What brings you two here?"
Tara pulled out the camera.
Tara: "What's this about?"
Mr. Rayan: "You should be grateful I brought you here."
Tara: "What?! Why? You didn't think about my mom? She must be worried sick. Let me talk to her!"
Mr. Rayan: "She's not your mother."
Tara's breath hitched.
Tara (angrily): "What the fuck…?! What do you know?"
Mr. Rayan: "I know everything. And I can help you find your real mother… and your father."
Tara: "My father is alive?!"
Mr. Rayan: "Of course."
Tara: "Where is he?!"
Mr. Rayan chuckled.
Mr. Rayan: "Slow down, little girl. You have to do something for me first. Fix a little problem, and I'll tell you everything."
Tara clenched her fists.
Tara: "You want me to make a deal?"
She was about to agree when Rose stepped in.
Rose: "Think this through, Tara. Let's go and discuss it first."
Tara took a deep breath.
Tara: "Fine. But I want to talk to my mother from my world."
Mr. Rayan smirked.
Mr. Rayan: "Why do you still care about that world? I knew you wouldn't fit in there."
Tara: "Shut up. Don't get too personal."
Mr. Rayan: "Fine. I'll arrange it."
Tara: "Then I'll think about your deal."
Mr. Rayan: "Good. Now leave. The night guards won't be as forgiving as me."
Meanwhile, in Principal Z's Office
Principal Z: "Have you noticed anything unusual about the new girl?"
Jisa hesitated but then explained everything that had happened that day.
As she listened, Principal Z's eyes darkened. A memory flashed in her mind—the moment she had seen Tara's birthmark during training.
Principal Z: "I see. Go back to your room… and keep an eye on her."
Tara and Rose in Their Room
Rose: "Are you okay?"
Tara: "Yeah."
Tara was frustrated. She went to the washroom and started crying. She kept thinking about her mother—she had always been good to her. She always wanted to help her as a mother. But how? Tara couldn't feel at ease that night.
The Next Morning – Training & Suspicion
Tara attended class. She could now summon and control her sword more efficiently.
Rose (whispering): "Tara, control your emotions. Your flames are too high. Are you frustrated about last night?"
Tara: "I'm okay."
Nadia was growing impatient. She leaned over and whispered.
Nadia: "What happened last night?"
Tara: "After class."
Jisa: "Yeah, I want to know too."
Rose: "Don't forget about Arib."
Miss Lipy caught them whispering.
Miss Lipy: "Care to share your interesting story with the class? Maybe we should publish it?"
The whole class laughed.
Tara quickly apologized.
Miss Lipy: "Four of you. Go kneel down outside the classroom."
They went outside and discussed what had happened. After class, Tara needed an excuse to meet Arib. She called him.
Tara: "I need help adjusting to this place."
Arib: "Neel would be better suited for that."
Tara: "No, I insist."
Arib smirked, thinking Tara might be into him.
Arib: "Alright, let's meet near the pond."
When they met, Tara got straight to the point.
Tara: "Why did you help me yesterday? And after leaving, what did you do?"
Arib: "Get to the point. Wait… are you suspecting Mr. Rayan?"
Tara: "You are connected with him, right?"
Arib (angrily): "Yeah. Connected by blood. He is my father."