Chapter-13

Later on, we went on winter break. And I thought I couldn't see her again. I went back to my village to give my uncle a visit. My days were going good but I can't stop thinking about her. I miss her beautiful face, her sweet talk, her touch. Her everything. Everyday my longing for her was increasing.

Maybe my sadness was noticed by my uncle. One morning he came to me and suggested me to have a walk around the village to release the stress I was having. He thought I am stressed because of my studies. I nodded to him and went out of the house.

Everything was hiding under the thick blanket of fog. I hardly could see anything. It was freezing cold but it felt good. I went to the riverside where I waited for Jessica with boat. Memories started flashing in my mind. A smile unknowingly creeped on my face.

'Is this you Adam?'

I looked behind and saw our village postman.

'Yes.'

He took out some letters and searched for something.

'Adam Kate. It's your letter.'

Who could write to me? I took the letter from him confusingly. A smile automatically drew on my face when I looked at the name. It's Jessica.

"I miss you. I miss you so much. I'll die. And I'm curious how much our river has changed. Say hi to our haunted house, the shed and our row boat. Say that I miss them an I am doing okay.

Yesterday, Zach came to me with your uncle's address. He also confessed a shocking thing to me. That you were the one who wrote the letters to me. How could you hide that from me? Anyway, it's okay. I almost threw away those letters but now I can read them again and think of you.

Zach also made a suggestion. That you put Zach's name on the letters you send me. Then my parents will think that I'm exchanging letter with him."

"Look outside the window. If the branches swing gently in the wind then the one you love is loving you, too."

"Right now, it's snowing outside. When it first snow, they say you should stroll with your beloved. But I'm just writing a letter.

Adam, I miss you so much. I am going to get permission to go to Grandpa's house. If I do I'll send you a telegraph.

Is it snowing there? Look at the snow, if the snow is white and pure as love then the one you love is loving you, too."

"Open your ears, if you hear your heartbeat then the one you love is loving you, too.

Close your eyes, if there's a smile on your lips then the one you love is loving you ,too."

I felt like the happiest person in the world when I got Jessica's letter. It felt like my body got back it's soul back. But fate must not be on my side. One of my letters was returned back to Zach's home.

~~~

Zach is sitting in front of his father lowering his head. His father is looking at him with his burning gaze. His body is shaking because of anger.

'Answer me.' he said calmly.

'Jessica is in love with Adam. I don't love Jessica. Both of them really love each other. So that's why I gave up. Two people in love should be together. And it's okay with me.'

Zach saw his father taking out his belt. He started to shake in fear. He knows very well that how his father turns into a demon when he is angry.He looked at his father in horror.

'Say it again, my dear son.'

'N..no, I love her, too. I won't give up.'

'Are you mocking me? You always want things your way!'

He said and started beating the hell out of him with the belt.

'So your parents means nothing to you?'

He said and again started to beat him inhumanly.

'Do you know who she is? She's a congressman's daughter. Know what that means, you punk? You deserve to die. You can't even hold up on to a girl.'

Zach can't bear this pain anymore. There's only one thought in his mind right now. Why isn't he fainting? He wants to faint and forget all this sufferings. It would be the best if he dies right now. He has bruises all over his body. He feel like he can't move his body anymore. He looked at the corner of the room and saw his mother sitting there while crying. She is covering her ears and shaking in fear. She don't have the strength to stop her demonic husband. She is also a victim of his cruel behavior.

That's the last thing Zach saw before he became unconscious.

~~~

'I want to send a telegraph.'

'Your name?'

'Jessica Fernandes.'

'Then please sign up here.'

'Okay.'

Jessica is so happy today. Today she got permission to go to her Grandpa's place. She's going to meet Adam after whole 3 weeks. Her happiness had no bound. She send the telegraph saying that she is coming to meet him. She came home happily. But she didn't know what's waiting for her at home.

She entered her room and saw her father sitting on her desk. She cheerfully hugged her father like a happy child. But her smile faded away as soon as she saw Adam's letter on his hand.

'I gave you freedom and this is what you gave me in return.'

'D...dad, a..actually.....'

He didn't let her finish and slapped her on face. She hold her cheeks while crying. Her father never slapped her or talked to her harshly before. He threw those letters on Jessica's face and went out of the room. Jessica was left in there alone, crying her soul out. She picked those letters and hugged them while crying silently.

~~~

I stared to jump out of happiness when I got Jessica's telegraph. After this long time finally I can see her. Though it's only been 3 weeks. But I miss her so much. I waited the rest of the winter break for her. Soon, it was the end of the winter break. I had hoped so much. But she didn't came.