The Bracken Woods zindgani ke safar mein

he nodded, not surprised. she was standoffish to begin with; that their interaction was cut short was no problem to him.

be well, he said to her retreating form, preparing to return to his own foray through the thick woodland.

in time, he'd wonder whether the combination of his open nature and the yoke around his neck would alienate him from others forever. 

for now, he'd forge on.