The second step to happiness

"So, Ania, will you go to the wedding with me, or should I look for another partner?" Marcin asked.

They'd known each other since childhood; they'd been a couple before, but nothing came of it, despite their friends' claims. They were a perfect match. He was calm, witty, and full of energy, she was the life of the party.

Now, after four years, their relationship was taking a strange turn. They'd both been through long and unsuccessful relationships, which meant that evenings spent with friends always ended in long evening conversations in front of the stairwell.

Everyone knew they were a perfect match, except for them.

"Of course I'll go with you; I can't miss such fantastic fun, and in such pleasant company, to boot."

They both burst out laughing.

Indeed, they had a wonderful time. They even managed to become the new bride and groom. They celebrated it with a truly passionate kiss, which, of course, surprised no one; on the contrary, a smile spread across each of their faces.

"I'm going to get some fresh air, the alcohol is making me a little dizzy," Ania said to her friend.

"Just don't fall asleep somewhere in the bushes, ha ha."

Leaning against the railing, Ania mentally reviewed the events of the night. Something was bothering her; that kiss wasn't like any other; it had captured her heart.

"This can't be, it's probably temporary, tomorrow everything will be back to normal," she said to herself and went back into the building.

However, for the next week, nothing returned to normal; on the contrary, it got even worse. There was only one person in her mind, Marcin. She already knew what she wanted, but something was holding her back, perhaps fear of something she'd tried before. She'd heard so many times that you shouldn't step into the same river twice. She avoided Marcin like the plague; there was work, there was studying, there was always something to do. However, their meeting was inevitable. As usual, evening, a local bench, only this time a different atmosphere. No laughter, no conversation, just deafening silence. It was as if something was hanging in the air.

"Okay, I can't take it anymore," said Ania. "I want to try again, I want to be close to you like I used to. To have you by my side, to talk to you, to cuddle you. I care about you, I always have; I was drawn to you by an unimaginable power and magic. It didn't work out that time because maybe we were too young, I didn't appreciate you."