Night of 25TH

Alternate Ending Part 3: Timeless Soulmate

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Shubman gently brushed her hair back, stuck to her forehead from sweat, and asked, "Do Uncle and Aunty know you're here?"

Anya looked away, avoiding his gaze. "I ran away."

"What do you mean you ran?" Shubman almost shouted, his voice tinged with disbelief and concern.

Anya took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. "I didn't want to burden them anymore.

 They did everything they could for me, but it was too much. I needed to give them a break and... I wanted to see you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shubmanfrowned, his worry evident. "Anya, you know they love you. You're not a burden to them."

"I know," Anya replied, tears welling up in her eyes. "But I felt like I was holding everyone back. And I needed to be here, with you, even if it's just for a little while."

Shubman pulled her into a tight embrace. "You're not holding anyone back. We all care about you. And I'm glad you came, but we have to let them know you're safe. They'll be worried sick."

Anya nodded against his shoulder, understanding his point. "I just... I didn't know how to face them after leaving like that."

"Just text them that you're with me and okay," Shubman said gently. Anya nodded, burying her face in his neck. She inhaled his scent, feeling transported back to twelve years ago when she first saw him.

"It feels like yesterday," Anya whispered a hint of nostalgia in her voice.

Shubman chuckled. "Yes, and I still remember how you scared me with your driving just because I offended you."

Anya laughed softly, pulling back slightly to look at him. "You deserved it for being so full of yourself."

Shubman grinned, shaking his head. "Maybe I did. But it was worth it to see that fire in you."

Anya's eyes sparkled with warmth. "And I guess it was worth it to see you admit you were wrong."

He laid his head on her chest as she sat on his lap, caressing his hair. "You know, every year on the night of December 25th, I went there hoping to find you again."

Anya's fingers gently stroked his hair. "Really? All those years, you kept going back?"

Shubman nodded, his voice soft. "I did. I kept hoping I'd run into you again, that maybe fate would give us another chance."

Anya looked down at him, her voice tinged with wonder. "And did you ever think it might be for nothing? That maybe you'd never see me again?"

Shubman shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "I never gave up hope. I figured if I stopped looking, it meant I was ready to let go. But every year, I still felt like I had to try."

Anya's eyes softened. "I had no idea you were holding on like that. I thought I was just a distant memory to you."

Shubman lifted his head to meet her gaze. "No, you were never a distant memory. You were the one I kept coming back to, the one I wanted to find again."

Anya's heart fluttered as she took his hand. "And now that we've found each other again, what happens next?"

Shubman looked at her, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. "I might sound like a party pooper, but we're going to New York to get you treated."