BEYOND THE BOND

CHAPTER 3

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Life in the village moved slowly, but for Jack, each day felt like a silent battle—between exhaustion and purpose, loneliness and pride. The house felt empty without James’ laughter. The fields, once filled with shared chores and conversations, were now Jack’s alone. At night, after long hours of labor, Jack sat at the old wooden table and wrote letters to James. He never sent them. --- Dear James, How’s the city treating you? I hope you’re eating well and making friends. Things are okay here. The cow gave birth to a calf—she’s healthy and strong. You should have seen her wobble on her legs for the first time. I named her Daisy. She misses you... I do too. Study hard, Jamie. You’re meant for great things. Love, Jack --- Jack folded the letter and placed it in a box under his bed, along with the others. Over time, the box filled with unsent words—expressions of care, loneliness, and pride he didn’t want to burden James with. Jack didn’t want James worrying about village life when he had the world to conquer. Meanwhile, in the city, James was overwhelmed by a new world of towering buildings, rushing crowds, and endless noise. He was grateful for Jack’s sacrifice but also felt pressure to succeed—failure wasn’t an option. Still, as weeks turned into months, the phone calls became fewer. When Jack called, James would often say, “I’m busy, bhaiya. Classes, assignments... I’ll call you later.” Jack smiled through the phone. “It’s okay, Jamie. Just take care of yourself.” After hanging up, Jack would sit in silence, staring at the flickering candlelight. He wanted to say more—but he always held back. Back in the city, James was changing. Surrounded by people who talked about ambition, wealth, and success, he felt ashamed of his roots. When classmates asked about his family, he’d say little. He never mentioned Jack’s sacrifices—the hard hands that bled to pay his fees, the meals Jack skipped so he could eat. Jack, meanwhile, continued writing letters. One night, he wrote: --- Dear James, It’s been a while since we talked. The roof leaks again, but I’ll fix it. I hope you’re doing well... I heard the city can be lonely. Don’t forget to smile sometimes. Always with you, Jack --- He folded the letter and placed it in the box, unsent like all the others. Because Jack believed James didn’t need to hear about broken roofs or tired hands. He only needed to know that Jack was okay—and would always be there, no matter what. Even if the distance grew, Jack’s love never wavered.