The streets were quiet, lit only by warm yellow streetlights.

The night air was cool as Aiah and Mikha walked side by side, their footsteps slow and unhurried.

For a while, neither of them spoke. Their hands brushed against each other once… twice…

Then Mikha gently reached for Aiah’s hand.

This time, she didn’t let go.

Aiah looked at their intertwined fingers, then up at her. “You’re really not letting go, huh?”

Mikha smiled softly. “I don’t want to.”

They kept walking like that, hands together, the silence between them comfortable and warm.

After a few moments, Mikha stopped.

“Aiah.”

“Hm?”

Mikha turned to face her, her expression softer than usual.

“Do you know why I like night walks?” Aiah shook her head.

“Because the world is quiet,” Mikha said gently. “And when it’s this quiet… ikaw lang yung gusto kong kasama.”

Aiah felt her heart skip. She tried to hide her smile, but the blush on her cheeks gave her away.

“You’re being so romantic tonight,” she teased softly.

Mikha stepped a little closer, still holding her hand.

“I’m not trying to be romantic,” she said. “I’m just really happy… because it’s you.”

For a moment, they just looked at each other. No words, just the quiet night and the feeling between them.

Then Mikha carefully tucked a loose strand of hair behind Aiah’s ear.

“Honestly,” she whispered, “as long as you’re with me, anywhere feels like home.”

Aiah’s eyes softened. Slowly, she leaned her head against Mikha’s shoulder.

“Then don’t walk away from me,” she murmured.

Mikha tightened her hold on her hand, gentle but sure.

“I won’t,” she replied softly. “You’re where I want to stay.”

Under the quiet night sky, they started walking again—slow, close, and peaceful.

And somehow, the night didn’t feel cold anymore.