(flash story)

It happened many years ago, one winter evening, when Kyiv lay blanketed in fluffy snow, and the main Christmas tree on Sofia Square shone with thousands of lights.

Among the New Year’s celebrations, two young people, Andriy and Oksana, stood in the crowd, embraced each other, and made a promise to be always together. Standing under the majestic Christmas tree, it seemed as if even the air was filled with  happiness that nothing could destroy.

However, life had a different plan. Shortly after New Year’s Eve, circumstances tore them apart—Andriy received a job offer abroad, while Oksana stayed in Kyiv to care for her sick mother. They said goodbye with heavy hearts, not realizing this would be their last farewell. The promise made in the glow of the Christmas tree stayed with them, a bright but painful memory. Their paths diverged, and neither dared to return.

Years passed, winters replaced one another, and with each one, Andriy and Oksana remembered the promise that had taken root in their hearts forever. Each winter, the memories of their lost love would fill them with longing and sadness. To avoid reopening old wounds, they both carefully avoided Sofia Square and stayed away from the Christmas tree during the New Year’s festivities.

But this time, both older now, they found themselves on the square, though not by their own choice—they were brought there by their children and grandchildren. Oksana agreed to come only after much persuasion, not wanting to disappoint her family, though she felt lonely and out of place as she watched the lights of the Christmas tree shimmer in the evening darkness. Andriy was also there at his family’s urging, comforting them despite feeling that New Year’s Square was a strange yet painfully familiar place.

Then, among the festive noise and commotion, Andriy noticed a familiar silhouette. She stood a little apart from the crowd, wrapped in a warm scarf, gazing into the Christmas tree’s glowing lights. Tentatively, he took a step closer. Her eyes, though now touched by years, still held the same warmth he remembered so well.

Oksana turned, and their eyes met. When the initial shock faded, she smiled, as though all the years between them had simply dissolved into the crisp winter air. They stood, silently looking at each other, as if the world around them had paused. Only snowflakes continued to dance gently in the air.

“Andriy,” she whispered.

“Oksana,” his voice trembled. “Do you still remember our promise?”

“How could I ever forget?” she replied, trying to hold back tears.

They both smiled, realizing that time had taken so much from them, but it could never destroy their love. Standing side by side, the weight of their years apart suddenly began to melt away, like a snowflake disappearing on a warm palm. Their hearts beat as strongly as they had when they first stood there, young and in love.

Their hands found each other again, and they stood under the towering Christmas tree, like two people who had finally come home. The promise, once forgotten, now resonated in their hearts with new strength. And when the clock struck midnight, they kissed, surrounded by festive lights, finally embracing the happiness they had so long awaited.

At that moment, they had a second chance to live out their final years together, grateful for this extraordinary New Year’s gift—the opportunity to love once again.