Episode 5 — Someone Is Watching
Hoor Pari remained in the garden long after Ji Han left.
His last words kept repeating in her mind.
Someone knows you're here.
She folded her arms.
"Great. I come to Korea against my will, discover that my father has secrets, and now apparently someone is watching me."
She shook her head.
"My life was definitely more peaceful in Pakistan."
Just then, she heard footsteps behind her.
She turned around.
Meera was standing there.
Hoor Pari immediately noticed the worried expression on her face.
"What's wrong?"
Meera looked around before speaking.
"Did Ji Han tell you anything?"
Hoor Pari raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Are you scared of what he might tell me?"
Meera's expression hardened.
"Answer my question."
"And you answer mine."
Meera sighed angrily.
"Hoor Pari, this is not a joke."
"I know. That's why I'm asking questions."
Meera stepped closer.
"Stay away from Ji Han."
Hoor Pari almost laughed.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because you don't understand who he is."
"Then explain."
Meera remained silent.
Hoor Pari nodded slowly.
"Exactly."
She walked past her.
But Meera suddenly grabbed her arm.
Hoor Pari immediately pulled away.
"Don't touch me."
Meera looked shocked.
"I am trying to protect you."
"Protect me?"
Hoor Pari looked directly into her eyes.
"You brought me here without asking me. You hide things from me. And now you want me to believe you're protecting me?"
Meera had no answer.
Hoor Pari turned and walked away.
---
That evening, Hoor Pari was sitting in her room when her phone rang.
She quickly answered.
"Dad?"
Her father's voice sounded nervous.
"Hoor Pari, listen to me carefully."
She sat up straight.
"What's wrong?"
"Don't trust anyone there."
Hoor Pari frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"Just be careful."
"Dad, stop talking in riddles! Why am I here?"
There was silence.
Then her father said quietly,
"I made a mistake years ago."
"What mistake?"
"Hoor Pari—"
The call suddenly ended.
She looked at her phone.
"Dad?"
She called again.
No answer.
Once.
Twice.
Again and again.
Nothing.
Hoor Pari stood up.
"This is unbelievable."
She grabbed her jacket and walked toward the door.
The moment she opened it, Ji Han was standing outside.
She stopped.
"Do you have a habit of appearing outside my room?"
Ji Han ignored her question.
"Where are you going?"
"Out."
"Where?"
"I don't know yet."
"Then you're not going."
Hoor Pari stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"It's not safe."
She crossed her arms.
"Ji Han, I didn't ask for permission."
"I know."
"Then move."
He didn't move.
Hoor Pari looked up at him.
"You're really testing my patience."
"And you're testing mine."
For a second, they simply stared at each other.
Then Hoor Pari pointed toward the hallway.
"Move."
"No."
Her eyes widened.
"Did you just say no?"
"Yes."
Hoor Pari took a deep breath.
"Fine."
She turned around and went back into her room.
Ji Han looked slightly surprised.
She turned back.
"Don't look so shocked. I'm not escaping through the window. It's the second floor."
For the first time, Ji Han smiled.
A very small smile.
But Hoor Pari noticed it.
"Oh."
Ji Han's expression immediately returned to normal.
"What?"
"You can smile."
"I didn't."
"You did."
"I didn't."
Hoor Pari smiled.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Ji Han shook his head.
"You are impossible."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll still take it."
---
A few minutes later, Ji Han received a phone call.
His face immediately became serious.
"What happened?"
The person on the other side spoke quickly.
Ji Han looked toward Hoor Pari's room.
"When?"
He ended the call.
Hoor Pari stepped closer.
"What happened now?"
Ji Han looked directly at her.
"A man was seen near the house."
"So?"
"He was asking about you."
Hoor Pari's expression changed.
"Me?"
Ji Han nodded.
"What did he want?"
"We don't know."
Hoor Pari became quiet.
Ji Han stepped closer.
"From now on, you won't leave this house alone."
She looked at him.
"And if I do?"
Ji Han's voice remained calm.
"Then I'll come with you."
Hoor Pari stared at him for a moment.
Then she smiled.
"So, are you my bodyguard now?"
"No."
"Then?"
Ji Han looked directly into her eyes.
"Someone who doesn't want you to get hurt."
For the first time, Hoor Pari had no immediate answer.
Their eyes met.
The silence between them suddenly felt different.
But before either of them could say anything else—
A loud sound came from downstairs.
Both of them immediately turned toward the door.
Ji Han's expression changed.
"Stay here."
Hoor Pari frowned.
"Oh, absolutely not."
"Hoor Pari—"
But she was already walking toward the hallway.
Ji Han closed his eyes for a second.
"Of course."
Hoor Pari looked back at him.
"What?"
"You really don't listen."
She smiled.
"Now you're learning."
And together, they moved toward the sound downstairs—
Completely unaware that someone had just entered the house.
And this time…
They weren't looking for Ji Han.
They were looking for Hoor Pari.
To Be Continued…
