The party ended around 1 AM.
Outside, the air was cool and the street was almost empty. The music was still faintly playing behind them.
Anna stood on the footpath, holding her shoes in her hand.
"My feet are dead," she said, laughing.
"Wear mine," Sid joked.
"They won't fit."
"Then I'll carry you."
"You will not."
He crouched down. "Get on."
"Sid!"
"Come on."
Anna laughed so hard she couldn't say no. She climbed onto his back, and he carried her down the quiet road, both of them laughing like kids.
After a few minutes, he stopped near a small bridge with a view of the city lights. He put her down gently.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
The wind moved her hair. The city glowed behind her.
"Thank you for tonight," Anna said softly.
"I should be thanking you."
"For what?"
Sid took a breath.
"For giving me another chance. For being patient when I didn't deserve it. For showing me how to be someone better."
Anna's eyes shone.
"You did that yourself."
"No," he said. "You just believed I could."
She stepped closer.
"Sid…"
"Yeah?"
"I'm not scared anymore."
His heart was beating so loud he thought she could hear it.
"Of what?"
"Of this. Of us."
Sid lifted his hand and slowly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered.
Anna smiled. Barely a nod.
He leaned in.
The kiss was soft. Slow. Like they had both waited a long time for it.
When they pulled apart, their foreheads stayed together.
"That was worth the wait," Anna whispered.
"Then let me do it again."
This time she kissed him first.
Longer. Warmer. Her hand rested on his chest, his arm wrapped around her, and the whole city seemed to disappear.
No fear. No silence. No distance.
Just two people who had finally found their way to each other.
After a while, Sid held her close and said, "I love you, Anna."
She closed her eyes and smiled.
"I love you too, Sid."
They stood there, wrapped in each other, as the night slowly turned into morning.
And this time, nobody walked away.