Tara turned back, her voice soft but firm.
"Let's give some time to our relationship," she said, avoiding his eyes. "I think... we hurried back then."
He stood still. For a moment, silence fell between them like falling snow—quiet, heavy.
His lips curled into a painful smile. "Okay," he said. "If that's what you want."
His voice was calm, but his heart wasn't. It cracked silently.
Later, Tara and Rose walked toward their hostel. The cold air pressed against their faces, but Tara's eyes were warmer—wet with unshed tears. She quickly wiped them away, hoping Rose wouldn't notice.
But Rose did.
"Tara," she asked gently, "what happened? Everything okay between you two?"
Tara shook her head slightly, her voice low. "I don't know... Let's not talk about it now."
Rose paused, understanding. "Okh."
In another corner of the academy, Neel sat beside Arib on the steps, watching the fog roll in.
"What do you think?" Neel asked. "What will he do now?"
Arib leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "I don't know."
Neel looked sideways at him. "Is she still mad?"
Arib nodded slowly. "Yeah... I don't know what she's thinking anymore."
Neel gave a light punch on Arib's shoulder. "Chill, bro. Look at me—I've been trying to impress Rose since forever, and she still ignores me. Just wait."
Arib turned to him. "Are you sure you love her?"
Neel smirked. "I can ask you the same. How are you so sure you love her?"
Arib looked away, eyes distant. Then he spoke, not like answering a question, but like remembering a feeling.
"You know what love is?" he said quietly.
"When the heart feels heavy, just a glimpse of that one soul brings quiet peace.
A moment holding their hand, and the world starts to heal... piece by piece.
The thought of seeing them tomorrow brings joy to today.
Each word they speak lingers like a song... a melody that never fades.
Even sorrow feels lighter when it's about them.
Their voice doesn't just touch my heart—it passes through me,
like a whisper of light."
Neel blinked. He wasn't expecting poetry.
"I mean... I'm not the serious type, but even I felt butterflies after hearing that."
Arib gave a faint smile. "So you understand."
Neel grinned. "Wait, wait, say it again—I'll record it and say the same thing to Rose. Maybe she'll finally say yes!"
Arib's smile faded. "Are my feelings a joke to you?"
Neel raised his hands, laughing. "Okay okay! I'm sorry, lover boy. Relax. Go smoke or something. You'll feel better."
Arib's tone turned serious. "I quit smoking."
Neel looked surprised. "Really? Why?"
"She didn't like it," Arib replied.
"One day... she just threw my cigarette away. Didn't say a word. But I understood. I stopped from that day."
Neel stayed quiet. For once, he had nothing to say.
At school, as students were heading back, Rose saw a familiar car parked near the gate. Her mother was waiting.
The moment Miss Evelyn saw her daughter, she rushed forward and wrapped her in a warm, tight hug.
Rose groaned softly. "Mom, I'm okay. Don't overreact."
Miss Evelyn pulled back, smiling through worry. "I believe you're okay. You're acting stubborn again."
She looked at her daughter carefully. "Wanna come home with me for a few days?"
Rose shook her head. "No, Mom. I'm fine here."
Tara stood beside her, speaking softly. "You should go. You'll feel better."
Rose turned to her mom, voice calm. "You remember Tara, right? She saved me today. Actually, she saved all of us."
Miss Evelyn looked at Tara, her eyes soft with gratitude. "I heard from the principal. Some students broke rules to protect Rose. Can I meet them now?"
"Not today, Mom," Rose replied gently.
Miss Evelyn nodded. Then she took Tara's hand. "Thank you, Tara. I'm really grateful."
Tara smiled. "It's okay, ma'am."
Miss Evelyn smiled warmly. "Call me Aunt. Come to our home with Rose someday.
Tara nodded. "Sure, Aunt."
Rose's mom had just left.
The room was quiet as Rose and Tara stepped inside. Zoya and Nadia were already there.
Nadia looked up.
Nadia: "Rose, are you okay?"
Rose gave a faint smile. "Yeah. I am."
Zoya: "Your mom summoned us earlier. She was worried. Also... Principal Z asked about you, Tara."
Tara's heart skipped a beat. She looked down.
(Tara, thinking)
"Was he... worried? Did he really care?"
"Maybe... just maybe."
Rose: "Yeah, Principal Z called us. We'll meet him tomorrow."
Nadia: "You two?"
Rose: "Actually, Arib and Neel will join us too."
Zoya grinned. "Oh Tara, I heard your boyfriend was so brave during the fight!"
Rose: "Ooh really?"
Tara blinked, distracted. "I should've asked him if he was okay..."
(Tara, thinking)
"Why am I thinking about Father again? Arib looked hurt. He was truly sorry. But... my father… I don't know what to feel anymore."
Nadia: "But why them too?"
Rose: (softly) "Let's talk later. I'm tired."
Zoya: "Go wash up first. Then let's have dinner together."
Tara sat on her bed, in the corner. A dim light from the window touched her face gently. Her eyes were lost, far away from the room.
Zoya: "Tara, you're too quiet. Are you okay?"
Rose: "I think… she's in shock."
Zoya: "That's why I didn't ask about what happened in the jungle."
Rose: "Let's talk more at the dinner table."
Just then, Rose's phone started ringing. It was lying on Tara's bed.
Rose rushed out from the washroom and picked it up.
Rose: "Oh finally! I was in the washroom."
She smiled. "We're about to go for dinner."
(pause)
"Sure, let's go together!"
She hung up and turned to the others.
Tara: "Who was it?"
Rose: "Neel. He and Arib are heading to dinner too. Let's go."
They stepped out into the cold air, walking toward the canteen together.
Tara: (glancing at Rose) "You were talking to Neel very calmly today."
Zoya: (raising an eyebrow) "Wait… is something going on?"
Rose: "No. And maybe you should focus on yourself instead. Ever had a boyfriend?"
Nadia: "Don't ask her that! I feel humiliated just hearing it!"
The girls laughed together. But Tara… she couldn't join in. Her smile faded before it even touched her lips.
Near the canteen entrance, Neel waved at them. Arib stood beside him, silent.
Neel: "Let's sit there."
Tara sat down quietly.
Tara: (without meeting his eyes) "Are you okay?"
Arib: "Yeah."
He looked at her, straight into her eyes. But Tara didn't look back. Maybe she couldn't. Maybe it hurt too much.
They sat at the table. Plates were filled, but Tara barely touched hers.
Zoya: "This canteen is super chaotic today."
Neel: "No one was allowed outside. Everyone's gathering here to talk."
He turned to Zoya.
Neel: "Oh, hi. I'm Neel. I don't think we've met."
Zoya: "I'm Zoya. Their new roommate."
Neel: "Nice. This is my friend Arib."
Zoya smiled and reached out her hand to Arib. But Tara's face tightened. Zoya noticed it and slowly pulled her hand back.
Neel: (teasing) "Ooohh... jealousy in the air!"
Rose: (a bit irritated) "And you understand jealousy?"
Neel: "Okay, okay, let's eat."
Zoya: (watching Tara) "Tara, you're eating like there's poison in your food."
Tara: "It's nothing."
But it wasn't nothing.
It was everything — the jungle, the blood, the silence from her father, the look in Arib's eyes, the confusion that refused to leave her heart.
End of Episode
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