15

"Uncle... why are you home already?" Salvia asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why not? Is it not allowed?" Devan replied, a touch of surprise in his tone.

Salvia grimaced, shaking her head and lowering her gaze. She couldn't bring herself to look at Devan, especially with his handsome, unreadable expression. Usually, she wasn't easily rattled, but now she felt a nervous tightness in her stomach.

"He said one week," Salvia murmured, almost as if speaking to herself.

If only things weren't so quiet, Devan might not have heard her. But fortunately, his hearing was keen enough to catch the soft murmur of Salvia's voice.

"Does that mean I'm interrupting something fun? Did you have a good time while I was gone?" Devan's voice was icy, but there was a subtle edge of amusement in his tone. His expression remained flat, which only made Salvia's discomfort more pronounced.

Salvia, caught off guard by Devan's question, stammered, "No, it's not like that at all."

Devan raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Salvia, who stood there nervously with her fingers intertwined. The combination of her lowered head and the dim lighting made her seem even more vulnerable.

Devan wasn't sure how to respond to the sight before him. The mix of anxiety and avoidance in Salvia's posture stirred a mix of emotions within him. Despite his attempt to maintain a detached demeanor, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and curiosity about what was going on.

Devan observed Salvia's demeanor with a mix of curiosity and amusement. The stark contrast between her usual boldness and her current, almost timid behavior was striking. It was as if he was seeing a different side of her—one that was uncharacteristically vulnerable, like a teenager caught off guard by a parent's unexpected return.

"I came home early because... I was worried about you," Devan said, his voice softening slightly. "But it looks like you were having a good time."

Salvia's cheeks flushed slightly at his words, and she struggled to meet his gaze. The mixture of embarrassment and confusion in her eyes made it clear that she hadn't expected Devan to return so soon, nor did she anticipate his reaction.

Devan's eyes softened, though he kept his tone casual. "Did you really miss me, or were you just caught up in something else?" His teasing edge was still present, but there was a genuine curiosity beneath it.

Devan's sigh of disappointment was palpable, a mix of frustration and hurt. His earlier excitement at returning home to a warm welcome from Salvia now felt unfulfilled. He had envisioned a different reception—one filled with affection and joy. Instead, he found Salvia's behavior suggesting that she was engaged in her own fun, leaving him feeling unappreciated.

"So, does Uncle have to go again?" Devan's voice carried a note of resignation, tinged with hurt.

Salvia's reaction was immediate. She looked up with wide, pleading eyes and shook her head vigorously. "No, please!" she exclaimed, stepping closer to Devan. Her voice was filled with urgency and vulnerability. "Don't leave me again."

Devan's tone hardened slightly as he continued, "Why? It's not like you were unhappy. You had your fun at the bar and came home late. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Salvia flinched at his words, the reality of his disappointment hitting her hard. She reached out, her hands trembling slightly, and tried to bridge the gap between them. "No, it's not like that," she said earnestly. "I missed you. I was just... caught up in the moment. Please, don't leave."

Devan looked at her, his expression a mix of conflicted emotions. He could see the sincerity in Salvia's eyes, and it made him question the harshness of his words. The desire to hold her and comfort her conflicted with the disappointment he felt over her apparent disregard for his return.

"Alright," Devan finally said, his voice softening. "I'll stay. But you need to understand, I came back because I wanted to be with you, not just to be ignored."

Salvia nodded vigorously, relief washing over her face. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions as she reached out to Devan, hoping to make amends and show him just how much his presence meant to her.

Devan's gaze softened as he looked at Salvia, his frustration starting to dissipate. He could see the genuine remorse in her eyes, and it made him reflect on how much she meant to him. The girl standing before him, with all her flaws and missteps, was still incredibly precious to him.

"I understand," Devan said, his tone more forgiving. "It's not just about where you went, but the fact that you didn't let me know. Communication is important."

Salvia, sensing the shift in Devan's demeanor, took a step closer. "I'm really sorry," she said earnestly, her voice trembling slightly. "I should have told you where I was going. I was just... I don't know, feeling restless and wanted to escape."

Devan sighed, rubbing his temples. "I get that, but you need to understand that I worry. I care about you, Salvia."

"I know, Uncle," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I really do. I promise, I won't do it again. I was just bored and felt abandoned when you didn't contact me."

Devan's expression softened further as he looked at her, seeing her vulnerability and remorse. "Alright," he said, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "Let's put it behind us. But remember, if something's wrong or if you need to talk, you can always come to me."

Salvia nodded eagerly, her face lighting up with relief. "Thank you, Uncle. I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to be more open with you from now on."

Devan reached out and gently touched Salvia's shoulder, a gesture of reassurance. "Good. Now, why don't we spend some time together? We can catch up and enjoy each other's company."

Salvia's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "That sounds perfect."

As they moved to the living room, Devan felt a sense of calm settling over him. Despite the misunderstandings and tension, he was glad to be reconnecting with Salvia, and he hoped this moment would strengthen their bond moving forward.

Devan listened to Salvia with a mix of understanding and concern. Her honesty was something he appreciated, even if it was tinged with guilt. He could see how much she needed a distraction, especially with his unexpected absence.

"I get it," Devan said, his voice softening. "You were bored and needed to do something to take your mind off things. It's just that communication is key. If you'd let me know how you were feeling, I could've done something to help."

Salvia looked down, feeling a mix of shame and relief. "I should've told you. I was just trying to cope, but I didn't mean to hurt your feelings or make you worry."

Devan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's not just about the fun you had. It's about knowing that you're okay and that you're thinking of us. I want to be part of your life, not just the one who shows up when it's convenient."

"I understand," Salvia replied, her voice sincere. "I really do. I'll make sure to keep you in the loop from now on. I don't want to make you feel left out or unimportant."