Not a friend
Ivan had waited for her return for many years, so the time she was asking was far too less in front of it. Yet, he felt this time was going to have a greater impact on them than the past many years.
However, he knew forcing her beside him would be the worst thing he could do for her. She had battled for nine years and now, she was repenting of her actions of nine years and it will take time. If she wasn't taking time, then she would have probably faked it.
He felt like he was answering in the most difficult exam where he was expected to fail. His heart weighed down when he accepted her for what she wanted. "Alright." One could easily guess, he was forcing himself to say it.
Arna who was struggling with herself, who was feeling trapped, who felt like she was going to make a mistake without awareness, wanted to run out. She wanted to calm herself and think rationally. So hearing Ivan, she forced a smile through her held breath and turned around to leave quickly.