Episode 6: The Distance Between
Tara (folds her arms, coldly):
"I knew something was fishy. Of course you had a reason to help me."
(in her mind) "I actually thought… maybe he liked me."
Arib (calm but a bit hurt):
"I didn't have any reason. I just... wanted to be your friend."
Tara (scoffs, eyes narrowing):
"Oh really? Then why didn't you mention that your father was spying on me?"
Arib (shrugs):
"I didn't think it mattered. I'm not exactly close to my family, you know."
Tara (sharp):
"Don't give me that crap. Just... leave. I'll handle my problems."
Arib (sincerely):
"Let me help you. If that's what it takes to earn your trust..."
Tara (cutting him off):
"Help me? Or help your father?"
(Arib goes silent — he looks at her, and suddenly realizes something in her eyes)
(in his mind) "Why does it matter so much to me what she thinks? Why do I care if she walks away?"
"Shit. I like her."
Arib (after a pause):
"Tell me. How does he want to use you? Maybe… I can actually help this time."
Tara (turns away, voice low and bitter):
"Hah. Whatever.
Tara's Mind
(Tara walks away, arms crossed, eyes stinging, but she keeps her expression cold. In her mind—)
Tara (to herself):
"I'm not hurt. Why would I be? Everyone's the same. Just like him."
(She clenches her fists tighter.)
Scene 2: Father & Son
(Arib storms into his father's office.)
Arib:
"What's your deal with Tara? Why are you using her?"
Mr. Rayan (coldly):
"Stay out of my business."
Arib (voice rising):
"I knew you'd stoop to anything for power. Even trying to become the Principal..."
Mr. Rayan (stern):
"Shut up. You're my son. Don't be anyone's puppet. Be my strength—be my power."
Arib (bitterly):
"Your power? After what you did to Mom? You destroyed everything we had."
Mr. Rayan (furious):
"How many times do I have to say it? I didn't kill her. I loved her!"
Arib (emotionally, with a mocking smile):
"Then go tell your loving new wife that. She might get jealous."
(Arib turns and walks away without waiting for a reply.)
The Library – Hidden Secrets
(Later, Arib enters the Academy library quietly. He searches through ancient books until he finds something titled: "Origins of Eclipse Power." Flipping through the pages, he finds an illustration of a glowing stone inside a sealed container.)
Narration (as Arib reads):
"A relic hidden within the Academy grounds. If the Stone is embedded within a host, it can grant powers beyond imagination. But the risk of death is high. Only one with immense energy can release it from its sealed chamber."
Arib (whispers):
"What the hell is this place...?"
Tara comes to her room.
Rose: what about Arib?
Tara : He doesn't know anything.
Nadia:
"So now? What are you gonna do? Will you say yes to Mr. Rayan?"
Rose:
"First, we should know what he's going to ask you to do."
Jisa:
"Yes, you're right. But how?"
Rose:
"Let's ask my mom. As you know, she was our former principal. She knows about Mr. Rayan's nature."
Tara:
"Okay, let's do that. Call your mom."
Jisa:
"Not call. Let's go meet her."
Nadia:
"Okay, everyone get ready. I'll book a cab."
Rose:
"Why cab? I have my car."
The other three girls look at Rose, wide-eyed.
Rose:
"Don't overreact."
Nadia goes to the balcony and calls Mr. Rayan.
Nadia:
"What about our former principal? Does she know anything? Tara's going to meet her."
Mr. Rayan (on phone):
"Let her do everything. I know she'll say yes to me. You just go with them."
(The girls enter Rose's house, which feels more like a palace than a home. They follow Rose to her mother's room, where Miss Evelyn is sitting with a commanding presence.)
Rose: "Mom, these are my friends. Tara, Nadia, and Jisa."
(Miss Evelyn nods and motions for them to sit.)
Jisa: "Ma'am, I'll get straight to the point. We need your help. It's about Mr. Rayan."
Tara (explaining): "We think he's planning something dangerous with me, involving a powerful stone. We're not sure what he really wants."
Miss Evelyn (pauses, thinking): "He might be trying to use you to release a stone... but that requires a lot of power, more than what most can handle. I'm not sure you have enough for it, Tara."
Tara: "So, what could he want from me?"
Miss Evelyn (shakes her head): "I don't know. I can't help you with that."
Jisa: "Thank you, Ma'am. We'll leave now."
(Before they leave, Miss Evelyn calls Rose over.)
Miss Evelyn (seriously): "Be careful. Don't get too involved in this. There's something off about this whole situation."
(After they leave, Miss Evelyn, still uneasy, calls someone.)
Miss Evelyn (on the phone): "Look into Mr. Rayan. Something's not right."
(She hangs up, lost in thought, she thinks Mr Rayan did something in past that caused massive destruction.
In the car on the way back.
Tara (determined):
"I'm going to say yes. I'll do it."
At the girls' hostel, Arib is waiting outside to meet Tara. When they arrive, Arib looks at Tara with teary eyes.
The three girls look at Tara, concerned.
Tara:
"You guys go ahead."
Arib grabs her hand, but Tara pulls away quickly.
Tara (sternly):
"Don't try to get close."
They walk near the pond.
Arib (explaining):
"Tara, the stone... If you do this, it could kill you."
Tara (coldly):
"I don't care. I'm going to say yes."
Tara's inner monologue:
What can be worse than this? I'm already in a messed-up situation. I don't even know my own identity. I have to find out.
Arib (pleading):
"Please, just listen to me—"
Tara (cutting him off, angrily):
"Don't act like you care."
Arib tries to smile lightly, but losing all confidence, he says, "Tara, I really like you."
Tara (pauses for a moment, her expression unreadable, then coldly responds: i just can't trust you so easily.
Arib : Take your time. And please allow me to help you.
Tara: Let's see.
Tara leaves the place.
Later, Jisa calls Principal Z to explain about Mr. Rayan's deal and the stone.
Jisa:
"Principal Z, you need to know what's going on with Mr. Rayan."
Principal Z (calmly):
"Okay, I understand."
Principal Z closes her eyes and remembers something—flashes of a burning house appear in his mind.