Chapter 1
James Hollow Promises
It’s last day of the college and students in James class are nostalgic about the times they have spent together and the memories they have made. All of them are telling their plans or dreams. James and his group is also sitting together. They decided to meet atleast once every quarter to catch up since they have been friends from elementary school however busy they would be in life.
December has approached and James calls Emily, his best friend, to decide the place for next friends connect before Christmas. They talked for long and finalised Emily’s home for Christmas party and decided to meet on last Friday before Christmas. Emily informs Erika and Peter as well about the same.
It’s Friday, Erika, Peter and many other friends have arrived at Emily’s place. They were waiting for James. Emily said, “James gonna be late as usual.” As she completed her statement, James came in his big new car. None of his friends were surprised to see the new car as James is used to change his car every year. He handed over gifts to all of them. They started the much awaited party. There were other college friends as well. Peter was talking to Emily about her vacations and her plans for next year then Erika joined them and they called James as well. They were reflecting back and discussed about what they did throughout the year, fun they used to have in college times, what they achieved this year and what they were all aspiring. Peter clued, “I have applied in various companies and chances are high that I will be selected in the company where I have given the interview. Fingers crossed, guys!“. Everyone toasted for him. James reverted, “I am sure, you are gonna make it and I am also planning to join my dad’s business.” Everyone started laughing. Erika jokingly said, “We are waiting for the day.”
Two months passed, Peter runs into James outside cinema hall. Peter mentioned that he got selected in the company he had been eyeing for and would be starting as an intern from next month i.e. March 2018. Peter also mentioned about Erika and Emily that both of them launched their own cosmetic brand and would be moving to France soon. Peter enquired, “What about you, James? Have you joined?“. James saw his car coming and tried hushing the question by replying to Peter, “Not yet buddy, I will join soon. Catch you later, bye.”
The group met during the year with each other as and when they got time.
It’s Christmas time again and as a ritual James called Emily in first week of December 2018 to meet. Emily said happily, “Yeah, ofcourse, we are coming next week to meet mom and dad and then will meet up.” They decided Emily’s home for this Christmas also.
Everyone arrived and James was late again. They had so many things to take hold of this time since Erika and Emily had gone out of town therefore all of them could not meet and Peter was busy in his internship. They were waiting for James and as he came, they started discussing about their lives and what’s happening in their lives, what they were planning for the next year. Everyone had progressed in their personal or professional life except James who was still enjoying the life with no purpose like a child. Erika and Emily’s business was prospering well, Erika got engaged to Samuel whom he met in France, Peter would be moving to Washington in January 2019 on secondment for two years and James still did not get time to join his dad’s business.
Time flies. It’s December 2022. James called Emily to meet however Emily refused this time since they have taken a big project which needs to be fulfilled before Christmas anyhow and Erika’s pregnant also. Emily stated, “Peter, also won’t be coming since his secondment has been extended for another year due to pandemic his project deadline has extended and he can’t leave yet. ” She hangs up phone. James is disappointed that he will not be able to enjoy Christmas this time, he has nothing to do and will be alone. He comes out of his room and hears his father talking to Mary, their housekeeper, asking about her son. Mary said happily, “He has graduated and got selected in campus placement and would be joining a very reputed company at a decent package.” James hears the Mary and his father’s discussion and he is more disheartened now that he has wasted so many years and achieved nothing. As James approached towards exit to go out and then his father shouted, “James, James, where you are heading to?” James replied with a depressing tone, “Just going for a walk, dad”. His father softly said, “Come here, I want to talk to you for a minute.” James approaches towards his father then his father said very softly, “I have everything you need and all this is yours only but still want to know what are your future plans? May I know, what my son is upto?”
James thinks deeply and says, “You have given me everything, dad and will be always showering your love. Now when I reflect back, I find that I have just wasted time and have no purpose to live for, no direction in my life, I just do whatever I feel to do. But, I feel that today the turning point in my life has come. Now, I too wish to achieve greater heights and want to make my own name, just like you, dad. I am a reformed person now and I promise to join your business. I will join your organization but as an intern so that I can learn from you. I promise, I won’t disappoint you this time. I am saying this from bottom of my heart. Treat me like an intern only and not as your son in your office. Can you show me the path to proceed ahead? Will you guide me and become my mentor? ”
His father replies smilingly, “This is my best Christmas gift ever.”
