She was guarding and with good reason. The seams that had been so neatly stitched in her heart dissolved the longer she stood in the same space as him and part of her despaired at that weakness, keeping her firmly in a subtly agonizing whirlwind that was classified as 'of her own making'.

God save her from men with her best interests in mind.

Devi walked towards him until they were a few feet away, unwilling to cage herself X number of yards away from him and wearing a slanted half smile. She was sure there would be ample opportunity, rife with all the right reasons to do so later.

"Thank you. It's a shame you missed opening night; I wanted you to see it." To celebrate what he had helped her build. "Business has expanded a little bit now," she said, stepping past him with a gesture of her hand towards the chest high counter, and one such example.

"Things could be worse." Her way of saying things weren't horrible. And they weren't. It made the whole situation.. Sadder. But she would smile her crooked half smile, since she was glad to see him back, in spite of everything.

"How long have you been back?"