(Chapter - 10)

  [The Confrontation]

  Mehaki arrives at the Miraz Monjil. The first thing she notices are the 3 colorful brothers- Tori, Karu, and Tushar, busily engaged in the front yard garden. Karu, with his power, is brightening the liveliness in the flowers. On the left side of the garden, Tori is making small houses out of water in the fountain. And Tushar, carefree as ever, is sitting on the small front steps of the veranda, eating peanuts. The cozy, cheerful scene radiates the liveliness of the three brothers, instantly putting Mehaki's mind at ease. Three of them look over at her at once when she enters the front yard garden.

  Mehaki : Hey guys...

  Karu : What's up? You didn't go home yet?

  Mehaki : No, I-...

  Tushar : Ah-hi! Inufa! Want some peanuts?

  Mehaki : Haha... Thanks, but I'm good.

  Tori : Hey, Mehaki! Take a look at my water-wouse!

  Mehaki : Water-wouse?

  Tori : Yes! A house made of water...

  Tori sweeps his hand through the air, forming floating letters of water that spell out 'Water-wouse'. His eyes glint with confidence, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Mehaki's face lights up at the sight of such creativity.

  Tori : 'Water-wouse', or house will work too.

  Mehaki : That's cool!

  Tori : Thank you...

  Tori gently nods.

  Mehaki : You know... Whenever I see that, you guys use your powers to do housework or some creative stuff, I really like it. It's kinda fascinating, I'll say.

  Their faces gleam with joy. Tushar cheerfully speaks up.

  Tushar : Yeah, you've liked to see our stunts ever since you learned about it! That makes us reallyyy glad.

  Mehaki : Cuz it's always been fun to watch.

  Tushar : Hihihi!

  Karu : Well, dad said we should keep using our powers, even in everyday tasks. It's the best way to practice and master control. If we don't, we won't be able to rely on them when it matters the most. We must keep them polished.

  Karu's words make Mehaki realize something.

  Mehaki : I see... *He's right... I also need to start learning to control my powers, even in small ways. If I don't, I won't be able to protect myself when the enemies will approach. I haven't even tried it yet.*

  Karu and Tushar continue their lively chatter, while Tori adds a few words of his own. Mehaki keeps thinking in her mind while glancing over them. From the 2nd floor window of the house, Asroy takes a look out hearing the noise outside. His expression darkens, eyebrows twitching after he sees Mehaki in the front garden with them. She laughs at something Tushar just said. But her smile fades as soon as Tushar takes that name.

  Tushar : ...Oh and Asroy is probably cleaning inside the house right now. Using his powers too.

  Mehaki : Ah! *No wonder I didn't see him. Well, that works in my favor. I'll just get done what I came for and leave quickly.*

  Tushar : Want me to call him over?

  Mehaki : N-No! There's no need.

  Tori : !

  Tori gets cautious over the fact that Mehaki stopped Tushar from calling Asroy out here. He stops playing with water and walks over to them.

  Tori : Why don't you finish the peanuts quickly and get to work, Tushar?

  Tushar : Ha! Are you jealous of me resting or what? You're not working yourself either.

  Tori : At least I'm doing what Karu said, polishing my power.

  Tushar : Like that? Hahaha! Oh, I can freeze your little housy-house in seconds. Just like your brain.

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  Tori : You!

  Karu : Ughhh... *These two!*

  While Tori and Tushar glare at each other like a fight would break out, Karu gives up on even trying to stop them. Mehaki steps in fidgeting nervously, and quickly approaches with the two club membership cards she just took out of bag. Like hitting two birds with one stone. Getting her work done and also diverting them from further bickering.

  Mehaki : Actually! I'm here for these cards. These two are yours. Fill it up and you must submit it tomorrow. So I came to hand it over to you first.

  Tori : Huh?

  Tushar : What!? How could I forget this?

  Mehaki : It happens, I forgot too. Thankfully we still have time.

  Tori : Thanks a lot for saving our membership!

  Tushar : Mine too. You're so nice Inufa!

  Mehaki : C'mon, it's not much.

  Mehaki laughs embarrassedly. Tushar's eyes sparkle as he looks at the card.

  Mehaki : Well, that's all I was here for. So, I'll be going now.

  She turns to leave, slightly tilting her head as she waves goodbye.

  Mehaki : See you tomor-

  Asroy : Hey.

  Before she could finish, Asroy's voice cuts in. Mehaki's heart thumps as she stops... "This voice is... Of the last person I'd want to meet right now!" Her chest tightens. She tries to look composed, but her mind races. Turning back around, she sees Asroy standing at the door of the house, with a cold face and a notebook in hand. He forwards his hand to give it to Mehaki. Tushar gets up from the staircase and stands beside Karu to make way for Asroy. Tori's eyes sharpen, the only one who realizes Mehaki wants to avoid Asroy right now.

  Asroy : Here, your notebook.

  Mehaki : *The notebook I lent him...* Oh, um... Thanks.

  She accepts the notebook politely, forcing herself to stay calm while avoiding his gaze.

  Mehaki : See you then.

  Before she can turn away, Asroy speaks, his tone cold and edged with restrained anger. But his words puzzle Mehaki at first.

  Asroy : That notebook had a nice cover.

  Mehaki : ...Sorry?

  Asroy : The notebook that you left inside your desk by mistake, and I unfortunately saw... Had a nicer cover than this one.

  Mehaki flinches at the mention of the pink notebook, but her expression stays stern. The 3 brothers glance at Asroy, their eyes widening slightly.

  Mehaki : *He saw it!?* What do you-

  Asroy : Well, how great of you! That was the only thing you had to do as a friend.

  Mehaki : *Did he... Found out my real name? Or is he just nagging me for not showing him that notebook?* I don't know what you're talking about.

  Asroy : Oh, looks like you have a bad memory despite being good at hiding, Inufa...

  Mehaki is shaking from irritation, lips pressed, head tilted to cover her darkened expression. "I really wanna disappear from here!" She clenches to the notebook and slowly looks up, to keep her demeanor stern despite being nervous.

  Mehaki : You can think whatever you want. I'll be going now.

  She turns away to leave. Just as she takes a step or two, Asroy lets out his suppressed words that he has been wanting to until the moment..

  Asroy : Yes, of course... Anami.

  Mehaki : !!!

  Mehaki's feet stop midway, as if struck by lightning. Her eyes widen, her heart races. "Oh no... He did find out... Everyone found out!" She is at a loss for words, breath caught in her throat. The atmosphere is so tense that even the 3 brothers are speechless. Tushar's cheerful face drains of color. Karu stiffens, his shoulders tense as if bracing for impact. Tori's sharp eyes narrow, a flicker of panic behind them.

  Asroy : Isn't your real name- Aria Inufa Zaman Mehaki Anami??

  Tori : *Asroy!! What is he even doing?*

  Tushar : *Whisper* He wasn't supposed to say anything to her! *Glances at Karu* What now???

  Karu : *What's wrong with him!?* Asroy.

  Mehaki says nothing, just standing there, frozen by the fear she has always carried-fear of her true identity being found out. The once-cozy air now feels suffocating. She turns to Asroy, whose eyes linger on Mehaki's face, as if searching for the emotion hidden beneath her terrified yet steady expression.

  Asroy : My bad, I just couldn't resist reading a few pages. How nicely you've said you trust us, yet all this time, you've been hiding yourself behind sweet lies. Isn't that a nice way to treat your close friends?

  His mocking tone pricks at Mehaki's nerves. She frowns, looking directly at Asroy's eyes. Her voice finally breaks the silence she's been holding.

  Mehaki : You're no one to say that...

  Asroy : Yeah?

  Mehaki : ...When you yourself had been going by a completely new name, a new identity!

  Karu : ...!

  Asroy : Huh?

  Mehaki : You've been hiding it too, that you four aren't even blood related and you're from the Newaz family, Asroy Onil Newaz!

  Asroy : What...?

  Each boy freezes in shock, for none of them expected Mehaki to reveal that she knows Asroy's real name so bluntly. Karu gulps, more nervous than others for he is the source where Mehaki verified the truth from. Asroy tries to act unfazed, but the furrow of his brows and a bead of sweat betray him.

  Asroy : How did you-

  Mehaki : You found out my real name, so it's only fair that I find out yours. What will you say now?

  Asroy : W-Well, I had a valid reason for that! My real name... Had to be changed strictly, because of my family. I had to take a new name and I was left with no other choice.

  Mehaki : Oh? So now that you're the one accused, your reason becomes valid, and mine doesn't even matter?

  Asroy : That's not-...

  Mehaki : Or did it not even cross your mind that I might have a reason as well?

  Asroy : ...

  Asroy falls silent, eyes tense, searching for words. Tori glances over them. Karu stares at the grass, eyes unable to look at any of them, weighed down by unspoken guilt. Tushar's eyes lock on Mehaki, seeing the reactions he had never seen from her before.

  Mehaki : If I did wrong, you're not any better... Why should I tell? When you've been hiding that you're from none other than the Newaz family!

  Asroy : ...What do you mean 'none other than'? What's wrong with me being from the Newaz family!?

  Mehaki presses her lips tight, her heart thudding in her chest. Karu raises his head up in anticipation, to see what Mehaki will do now.

  Mehaki : It seems like you don't know it yet.

  Asroy : ...Know what??

  Mehaki : Asroy... You... Are from one of our enemy families, the Newaz family...

  Her words strike the colorful brothers like thunder. A cold shiver runs down their spines, their chest tightening from the heaviness of the moment. Asroy's mind blanks, his feet numb, as if the ground beneath him is beginning to crack.

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