Ivan really wasn't expecting Arna to return to him. He felt his instincts were betraying him when it strongly said she was leaving him.

Having no idea what was going on in her head, he coaxed her for the period she was going through. He gently rubbed her back, "Snow, everything will be alright. You don't have to show yourself strong all the time. Speak with me, okay?..."

​​

He cajoled her while she cried hearing him as she reflected on her thoughts and actions of two weeks. Everyone at home treated her the same as before to avoid making her feel guilty but if they behaved naturally or special, she wasn't able to overcome her guilt no matter what.

Even though everything felt normal with their actions, a part of her was thinking they might be doing it to cheer her up as she wasn't with her family for so many years. They used to share if there was any good news, but she had none, other than being happy for them.

So she smiled, mingled with them to keep them worry-free. Whereas each of them knew they were trying to repair what wasn't fixing. The more she pretended to be happy, it won't make any of them merry. To be happy there should be a reason and for that reason, she should go out and do something.

If none were around her, she used to stare into darkness or air without knowing what to do. Her mind used to flood with everything that happened at home after she left. those bad days were making her more miserable and did no good to her or her family.

Of course, how could her brother and parents bear to see her lost and broken behind her smiles?

They would make sure to accompany her in their free time and take her out to ease her up. Stayed by her until she fell asleep. Sometimes her father would willingly and unwillingly let her mother sleep with her.

But before morning, Arna had noticed, Aria always went back to Alan even if it's for just an hour.

Her parents always taught her to walk together. Being alone isn't a strength and being together isn't a weakness. If you can't spend a lot of time with your love, spending quality time is important.

How could she forget that she shouldn't leave or ignore her love because of other issues and mistakes?

She had gone to the extent of thinking she doesn't deserve Ivan and she might become trouble in his life. She always stayed positive about her love even though Ivan never accepted her, but a huge setback in life caused her to back away from her love and prepared to become a friend.

If she had left the Skyline, probably she would have really gone away from him. She didn't like herself for having those negative thoughts and she was glad she turned around this time.

Thinking back, Ivan was always there to listen to her. In fact, he used to reach her so that she could speak out and cry instead of suffering inside. He never left her to feel lonely and always managed to give time for her in his busy schedule.

Sniffling, Arna slipped off his arms and looked at his handsome face filled with worry. Her face was flushed and her eyes swelling, she looked like a ripe tomato to his eyes. He cupped her face and gently wiped her tears. "Enough of crying."

She pursed her lips, and punched him, taking him by surprise. Then she rained painless punches while he tried to hold her, "Snow… Snow…" Ivan was confused with her change of emotions.

He had almost held her little fists, and she started crying again, "You are heartless." She again hugged him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Ivan really had no idea what he had done. Anyway, he silently accompanied her to wait for her to calm down.

Arna noticed Ivan wasn't hugging her anymore and started his act of a good friend. Her tears soon stopped as she thought if she should tease him back for waiting and making her wait for so many years. 'A friend.'

She stood back with a serious look, Ivan tried to study her but couldn't. He really wanted to spend a lot of time with her and know her every action and reaction. So that he could start understanding her silence too.

He took her near the washbasin in the pantry and twisted the tap for water and wet his hands. He was about to help her wipe her tear-stained face, Arna looked away showing her rejection of his actions.

She felt dumb, he always took care of her yet she always assumed he sees her as a friend just because he said so. She splashed cold water on her face while he stood confused.

Why was she angry? He couldn't discern

He was about to take her to the table and make her sit, Arna slipped his hand and went ahead. He felt something amiss but couldn't point it out.

This time, he didn't try to wipe her face, instead, he pulled tissues from the box and extended his hand towards her. He really thought she would take it but she feigned ignorance and pulled a new set of tissues from the box.

She gently dabbed tissue on her wet face, carefully watching Ivan who was confused as hell. Her goal wasn't to make him sad but confused and she was on the right track.

Ivan, who had the whole world of patience to tolerate Arna, didn't ask her to avoid seeing her cry again. "Coffee? Let me get you one." Ivan went towards the coffee maker.

Arna saw him check the coffee bean before placing a cup to brew a fresh cup of coffee. She stood up and reached the tea section where the tea packet tray had different types of tea flavor bags.

She took a cup and placed the teabag. She poured hot water from the kettle into a cup to prepare her tea without revealing any of her emotions.

Ivan: "..."

Arna doesn't really drink tea. He gave a thought before asking her, "Snow… A-are you alright?"

Arna glanced at him before looking back at her tea, "None of your business." She purposefully sounded rude.

Ivan hissed, disliking her behavior, "Arna Morgan." He couldn't believe that she just cried and started ignoring him like a stranger.

"Oh, I shouldn't say that to a friend." She faked a smile, "I am fine, Ivan." She sounded friendly but distant.

'Friend? Why did it sound like a mock?' Ivan was at loss again.

In the next ten minutes, he heard her say 'friend' so many times that he was afraid to ask her anything.

'Did she cry to get over me?' Ivan started doubting.