Chapter 5
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The elevator dinged. Robby stepped onto the ninth floor. Zara was just outside her room, still twiddling on her phone. She flinched when Robby called out for her and hustled to open the door to her room.
"Why did you follow me?"
"I wanted to make sure you're ok."
"I told you I'm fine," she said, removing her key from the card reader. "I can't be seen talking to you."
"That makes a change," Robby said, from the doorway, "Seeing as just yesterday you were the one that said I shouldn't ignore you."
"I'm sorry," Zara said, now feeling a little embarrassed at his words. "Thank you for coming to check on me. Good luck in the finals. Goodbye."
Robby put his hand on the door before she could close it on him. "Zara, hold up. Come on…" Zara sighed and gave in. She gently pulled him in the room and closed the door. "Look, this is about more than just your Sensei, ok? This is about what you and your dojo are getting yourselves into if you don't be careful. And this…" Robby pointed to her face. "This is just a preview of it."
"I can take care of myself."
"So, why're you afraid to be seen with me?"
"I have to obey my Sensei, Robby!" Zara responded, "It's because of him I'm here. He trains me to be the best."
"There are better ways to train…" Zara shook her head and stayed silent. Robby's brows furrowed. "Question…"
"Yes?"
"You said you're not allowed to talk to your opponents…did you find that out before or after we…slept together?"
Zara blushed, running a hand through her hair. "I always knew not to."
"But you did anyway…"
Zara sighed. "If you want me to be honest…I found you attractive from the moment I saw you, but I saw that…" Her expression changed slightly, shifting to a bit of annoyance, "you only had eyes for Nichols. Then I saw you at the bar looking so sad and I couldn't keep away." Robby nodded, standing there with his arms folded listening to her. "Now, I'm facing my consequence. I knew better…"
"Why're you acting like you've done something wrong?" Robby asked, "A real Sensei challenges you. He doesn't bully or intimidate you. And I feel bad that this happened because of me."
Zara immediately shook her head, putting her hand on top of his. "No, don't be silly. It's not your fault. I came to you." After a few moments of silence, she spoke up again. "Anyway, enough about that. Why don't you tell me about your story…" She sat on the bed, crossing her legs.
Robby shook his head, "What do you want to know?"
"Anything you want to tell. Like why you hate Mr. Silver for a start…"
Robby scoffed, "Don't call him Mister. And it's…"
"Let me guess…it's a long story," Zara said, with a knowing smile.
"It actually is," Robby sighed.
"Well, you obviously think I need protecting from him…which I think is sweet," Zara looked up at him with a twinkle in her eye. She sat up and stood close to him, so they were only inches a part. "So…don't you think I have a right to know what I'm up against?"
Robby couldn't help but smile. "Well, you should really make up your mind. Yesterday, you said I shouldn't ignore you, then it's we should avoid each other, now it's tell you everything."
Zara smiled. "Only if you want to." Her fingers started playing with the collar of his shirt. "Besides, you're right. Why should I be letting someone dictate who I can and cannot talk to?"
Robby stood there, and locked eyes with hers. He raised his hand and gently stroked her bruised face. He then asked with a low and attentive voice. "Are you sure you're ok?"
Zara smiled and answered, "I'm better now." She tiptoed once again to reach Robby's level and pressed her lips against his. This time, Robby did not just stand there and let her kiss him. This time, he reciprocated. He couldn't help himself. He held her face and kissed her back. In his sane mind, he was telling himself that he shouldn't be doing this, but at the same time he wanted to. Zara grinned against his mouth as Robby found his enthusiasm. Robby could feel her hands rise underneath his shirt. He found himself removing his shirt. Zara took it from him and tossed it aside. She let out a breath as she felt the tightness of his six-pack through her wandering fingers. Robby heard her moan as he started kissing his way down her neck towards her collar bone. He hoisted her up in his arms, causing her to squeal in delight. She brushed her hair aside as he placed her down on the bed. Robby grinned down at her, as she did up at him and the two kissed passionately again.
XX An hour later XX
Robby laid blissfully on his back, breathing in and out. His arm was wrapped around Zara who laid contently on his chest. The two had been silent, taking in the moment.
"Sooo, what are you thinking?" Zara then asked.
"Really? Why did I know you were going to ask that?" replied Robby.
Zara giggled. "You've been silent."
"So have you."
"Come on, seriously, what are you thinking?" she asked again.
Robby shook his head and chuckled. "That, this is crazy. What the hell I'm I doing? What the hell are we doing?"
Zara huffed in offense at these comments. "Ok…"
Robby frowned as she sat up. "What?"
"Sorry, that being with me disgusts you so much."
"What? No, no," Robby immediately said, grabbing her arm. "I didn't mean that! You completely misunderstood what I meant. I just meant that I never expected to be doing this with the captain of one of our dojo's biggest rivals."
Zara's chin was now on his chest. She smiled. "Mhmm…well, I promise I won't get in your way, but as you can see on the mat, I never hold back."
"I know."
"Anyway, back to what we were talking about before and don't divert from the subject again. Don't worry, we don't have to talk about Silver. I don't want to ruin the mood. Tell me about your karate journey…"
"How much time do you have?"
"Sounds like I'm in for an intense story…"
Robby sighed, "Well, it starts from drugs, stealing, hanging out with the wrong crowds, a deadbeat mom, a deadbeat dad, almost killing someone, being on the run, sleeping rough, switching from one dojo to another…" Robby went into detail from when he started training with Daniel and Sam at Miyagi-Do to the brawl between him and Miguel at the high school and how he ended up putting him in the hospital.
"And then after I got out of juvie…I still had trouble figuring out who I was. It was like I was pretending to be someone I wasn't without realizing. I was angry at the world. That's part of the reason I joined Cobra Kai…I was looking for something." Zara was looking on, so engaged in his tale. "I found that being in Cobra Kai…for the first time I was able to confront my past. All the anger I had built up for sixteen years at the time came out and I used it against my enemies. Particularly against my dad."
"But then you realized…they weren't your enemies," Zara said, softly.
"Yeah, exactly," Robby said to her. "All the anger I had started to eat away at me. I even saw it reflected through someone else I mentored. That's when it hit me…it's not who I wanted to be. I learned to forgive my dad."
Zara ran a hand through her hair. "He must be proud of you. How far you've come. Being able to be by your side at the biggest international karate tournament. And as Captain."
Robby smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it took a while, but…our relationship is pretty good."
Zara gently ran her fingers along strands of his hair. "If you don't mind me asking…, is it really Terry Silver you hate? Or do you hate that he is a stark reminder of the person you used to be?"
Robby was silent. She did ask a good question. He did learn to control his anger, and it was only people like Kwon and Silver who brought it out.
"That's a valid point," he replied. He didn't respond, but in a way, Zara got her answer.
"It must be very beneficial for you though," she continued, "to now have two Senseis to lead you and guide you."
"Yeah, it is," Robby said. He laughed, "It's an interesting dynamic that my dad and Mr. LaRusso have. They were once enemies. Now they're side-by-side teaching. Personalities and techniques do clash sometimes, but they've come a long way." Robby now decided to change the subject. "Anyway, let's move on from me. Tell me about you. How the hell did you learn to fight like that? Was that all under your Sensei's teachings?"
Before Zara could answer, she heard Robby's stomach grumble. She laughed. "Why don't we order some room service? I assume you came to the lounge to get some food, and you didn't because you came after me." She sat up and pulled Robby's t-shirt over her head.
"Yeah, sure," Robby said, putting his arm behind his head.
And so, they ate. Zara ordered some food for them, and it was brought up to her room.
"I started Taekwondo and karate when I was a little girl, a baby practically," Zara said, forking up some of her food.
"I had a feeling," Robby said.
"Both my parents are Chiropractors, so naturally they wanted me to pursue something in the healthcare sector and follow the tradition. Typical Desi family."
"Mhmm…and you chose to live dangerously," replied Robby with a smirk.
Zara blushed, "I was bullied when I was small, and I was very timid. I could barely look anyone in the eye because I was so intimidated by everyone. So, when I started to learn martial arts, it was like an escape for me. I never wanted to be in a position where I was helpless or defenseless. I wanted to be the one in control."
Robby nodded his head, "Yeah, I feel that."
"I was about six and a half when I got my first-degree black belt and by the time I was seven, I was already participating in world championships."
"Damn…" Robby took another bite out of his food.
"That's when I realized I had a place in this world."
Robby smiled as Zara told her story. "What do your parents think now?"
"They've come around. They've always been proud of me, because I wanted to become the leader of my own life." As he listened on, Robby found that he didn't have the ideal parental upbringing like Zara had, but he realized what they had in common. It was how karate had not only taught them self-defence but how it had also provided a sense of belonging and empowerment. Zara placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. "Hey, we all have our own battles, right? What matters is how we find our way through them."
"Yeah, you're right." Zara's phone buzzed. She picked it up and smiled as she looked at it. "Did you gain a new follower or sponsor?"
Zara shook her head. "Neither. It's my mom, sending a message on behalf of my favourite follower." Robby noticed her eyes soften. She turned the phone toward him. He saw a picture of Zara next to a small boy. He had a big grin on his face, a bo staff in his hand, and Zara was kneeled beside him giving him a kiss on his cheek.
"That's cute. Who is he?"
"That's my little brother, Kiyush," Zara said, "He's eight. He's my everything. Who I do it for."
Robby finished off his food. "Zara Malik. I'm learning a lot about you."
"I don't usually open up to just anyone like this."
"Well, I'm glad I was here to listen," said Robby, now getting off the bed. "Anyway, I should be heading back now. Team is going to start wondering where I got to."
"Sure, no problem," said Zara, clearing up the plates and cutlery.
"We're moving into the last group event," Robby said, slipping on his shoes.
"Before the finals," Zara said, coming towards him with her hands on her hips. "Do you feel ready?"
"I do…no more distractions. I'm going to give it all I got."
"Good for you," Zara said.
Robby stood and looked at her before opening the door. "I really enjoyed today…all of it." Zara blushed. "And thank you, for the talk."
"Thank you, for looking out for me," Zara said, in a soft tone, "I really enjoyed as well. Good luck tonight." Robby smiled and wished her the same. They leaned in for a short kiss before he turned and left the room.
