A Bond Beyond School Days

Jahan and Dharshu had been inseparable since childhood. Living in houses directly opposite each other, they shared more than just proximity — they shared a deep bond of friendship that had grown stronger over the years. From the very first day of school, they had been together, always looking out for each other, helping with homework, and playing after school hours.

Their friendship was the envy of others. Whether it was studying for exams, exploring new interests, or simply sitting and chatting on their verandas, Jahan and Dharshu were always side by side. Every day, they would walk to school together, their backpacks slung over their shoulders, chatting excitedly about the day ahead.

One morning, however, things were different. Jahan waited for Dharshu at their usual spot, but she didn’t show up. Initially, he thought she might be running late, so he headed to school, thinking she'd catch up. But as the day progressed, Dharshu was nowhere to be found.

Jahan started feeling uneasy. Dharshu had never missed school without telling him. As he wandered through the hallways, looking in every classroom, every corner of the school where she might be, he began to worry. When lunchtime came and Dharshu was still absent, Jahan’s concern grew even more.

Unable to concentrate in class, Jahan made a decision. He asked the teacher for permission to leave school early. Something was wrong, and he needed to find out what it was. With a heart full of worry, he rushed to Dharshu’s house.

As he approached, he noticed that the house was unusually quiet. When he rang the doorbell, Dharshu’s mother answered the door with a soft smile.

"Where's Dharshu, aunty?" Jahan asked, concern evident in his voice.

"She's not feeling well, Jahan," her mother replied gently. "She caught a cold and has a bit of a fever, so she stayed home today. She's been resting in bed."

Jahan’s heart sank. The thought of Dharshu feeling unwell made him feel terrible. Without saying a word, he glanced towards her room and saw her resting, her face pale and tired. It pained him to see his lively friend like this.

"I'll go get her some medicine," Jahan said, determined to help in whatever way he could.

Her mother smiled appreciatively. "That's very kind of you, Jahan."

He hurried to the local pharmacy, picked up some fever medicine, and returned to her house. Handing the medicine to Dharshu’s mother, he couldn’t help but ask, “Will she be okay by tomorrow?”

"With rest and the medicine, she should be better soon," her mother reassured him.

Jahan felt a little relief but was still worried. He stayed for a while, sitting outside Dharshu’s room, hoping she’d recover quickly. Before leaving, he whispered through the door, "Get well soon, Dharshu. We have to go to school together tomorrow. I miss you."

The next morning, Jahan was anxious. He woke up early and glanced across the street at Dharshu’s house, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.

Just as he was about to head out, the door to her house opened, and there she was — Dharshu, looking much better. Though still a little pale, she smiled as she waved to him.

"Are you okay now?" Jahan called out, running over to her.

"Yeah, much better. Thanks for the medicine, Jahan. Mom told me you went out of your way to get it," Dharshu replied with a grateful smile.

Jahan shrugged, trying to hide how relieved he felt. "I was worried. You’ve never missed school without telling me."

Dharshu laughed softly. "I didn’t mean to make you worry. But hey, I'm back now. Let’s go to school."

And just like that, things were back to normal. The two of them walked to school side by side, like they always had. The day without Dharshu had been a long one for Jahan, but seeing her better now brought him a sense of peace. They laughed, shared stories, and returned to their usual routine, knowing that no matter what happened, they would always look out for each other.

Their friendship, already strong, had grown even deeper after this small episode. It was a reminder that true friends are always there, in sickness and in health, through thick and thin, always willing to go the extra mile. And as they walked to school that morning, Jahan couldn’t help but feel grateful for the beautiful friendship he and Dharshu shared — a bond that would only grow stronger with time.