Reth: The Ghost Agent

Reth's First Day

"Reth…!"

"Reth…!!"

"Reth…"

A stout woman called out to Reth, her voice booming. It was morning. Breakfast was ready. Before they could start, they had to wait for Reth, who was still in his room.

“I’m coming, Nens, just hold on a little longer,” Reth yelled from his room. He had just turned eighteen. A thin, lanky boy, approximately five foot six inches tall, with an innocent, almost cherubic appearance. He was trying to tame his hair. Today was his first day of college. He packed a few books into his bag and checked his reflection in the mirror.

A slight air of dejection hung over his face; he appeared troubled by something. He murmured to himself, "Should I tell Nens about this? For the past few days, I've been having strange dreams. Frightening dreams; they don't feel normal."

Then he came downstairs, descending the steps, and greeted his grandparents. “Good morning, Nens, good morning, Nans.”

"This 'Nens, Nans' business… what is this?" the stout woman said. "You should properly call us Nana and Nani."

Reth settled into a chair. “Nana and Nani sounds terribly old-fashioned; times have changed, and you should too. Nobody likes that sort of thing these days.”

His grandmother gestured towards him. “Enough, now. We don’t concern ourselves with anyone’s preferences. You use the terms that please us.”

Reth offered a smile. “Oh, absolutely not. I’ll only use the terms that please *me*.”

“You're always so insistent…”

“And what if I am, Nens? I will always be insistent.”

His grandfather spoke to his wife, “Do be quiet, now. Why are you constantly scolding the child? Children these days aren't like that, so why insist on this?”

“You always take his side… Humph…”

Both of them chuckled at this exchange. Reth quickly finished his meal and, rising to his feet, announced, “Alright, I’m off. Today's my first day at college, and I don't want to be late.” With that, he prepared to depart.

“Hey, at least finish your food…” his grandmother called out after him.

“I’ve eaten all I need to,” Reth replied, and stepped outside. He retrieved his bicycle and set off towards the college.

After he had left, his grandmother remarked, “It’s amazing how quickly he’s grown up. It seems like only the other day he was so small, and now, all of a sudden, he's this tall.”

“Time, my dear, has a way of escaping notice.”

“Absolutely. Eighteen years have felt like only eighteen days. Actually, I must thank you.”

“Thank me? For what?”

“I longed to be his mother, but you talked me out of it. We are simply too old to adequately serve as parents. It’s far more appropriate for us to be his grandparents. And he’s never given us cause to think otherwise.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for. I merely did what felt right.”

“Hmmm, but…” the woman fell silent, a shadow of sadness descending upon her.

“But what?”

“I perpetually find myself dwelling on this: If he ever asks about his parents, what answer will I give him? I don’t know if I will be capable of facing that day when it comes.”

“He hasn’t inquired about his parents until now; let’s hope he never does. We will show him no lack of love,”

He stood up, approached the woman, placed his hands reassuringly on her shoulders. “Whatever happens will be for the best.”

_____

The entire region was ringed by hills. Cycling among them, Reth headed towards his college, whistling a jaunty tune, utterly carefree in his demeanor. On one side, the hill was thick with forest; on the other, it sloped downward, ultimately ending at a precipice. The landscape was strikingly beautiful, yet simultaneously somewhat perilous. The residents, however, were accustomed to the risks.

For a time, Reth concentrated on his cycling, but then his thoughts drifted back to his dreams. He mused to himself, "Are dreams like these ordinary? What is the location that repeatedly appears in my dreams? That large door… the two imposing figures standing before it… the weapons they wield… as though they're safeguarding the entrance…"

After approximately twenty minutes, Reth arrived at his college.

“Why do I feel like I've arrived late…?” he muttered, setting down his bicycle. He glanced at his wristwatch. “Oh, no, I’m right; I'm fully ten minutes behind schedule.” Reth swiftly retrieved his bag and hurried towards his classroom.

Class had already commenced. Introductions of the newly enrolled students were currently in progress. Juhi, one student, was providing her introduction.

“My name is Juhi… I’m nineteen years old, and I reside in the settlement built below the slope in this town. I achieved top marks at the local school.”

“Excellent, Juhi…” the teacher stated, signaling for her to take her seat. “Next.”

The subsequent student rose. She was just about to introduce herself when Reth reached the classroom doorway. “May I enter, sir?”

“Certainly… tell me, what is your business? If you're here for the waste bin, it's located over there…” the teacher responded, adopting a dismissive and somewhat condescending tone.

Reth felt a surge of apprehension. He was late, and the teacher's expression unmistakably conveyed his displeasure.

“Sir… I… I'm a student.”

“A student… but students don't arrive after the commencement of class. In this college, only the janitors appear after class time.”

All the students erupted in laughter. Reth hung his head, remaining silent.

“Very well, come in, but ensure you're punctual from this point onward.” The teacher finally granted him permission to enter. Reth nodded, silently took a seat, and the teacher gestured to the girl who had previously been standing, directing her to proceed with her introduction. All the boys in the class observed her with evident fascination. The girl, with her light brown hair, stood out distinctly within the classroom. She possessed a commendable height and a slender, almost willowy figure.

Once Reth had settled into his seat, he found himself captivated by her presence; he was utterly mesmerized by this remarkably beautiful young woman. A slender girl adorned in form-fitting attire; she possessed an air of self-assurance, a subtle awareness that all the boys in the class were fixated upon her.

“My name is Annie,” the girl announced. “I’m new to this town. My parents hail from Mumbai, and I currently reside here with my guardians. My parents will be joining me shortly. I achieved top marks in my studies at St. Herin's in Mumbai.”

“Very commendable, indeed. It seems our college is gaining significant popularity; we’re attracting students from far and wide. Though I must say I am somewhat puzzled. We find ourselves in a rather modest town; why, then, did you elect to pursue your education here, having left behind the metropolis of Mumbai?”

It was, indeed, a curious circumstance. Compared to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai, this town was essentially insignificant. And yet, this young woman had chosen to forsake Mumbai to pursue her studies here.

Annie responded promptly, “There are certain personal reasons, sir, which I prefer not to disclose publicly. Suffice it to say, I and my family will remain here until the completion of my graduation.”

Reth thought to himself, "What precisely is this teacher's agenda? If a strikingly beautiful young woman desires to pursue her education at our college, why obstruct her?"

The teacher signaled to the girl to sit. He then proceeded with the introductions of the remaining students. After several introductions, it was finally Reth's turn.

Reth felt a sudden rush of anxiety. As he stood, he could feel his heart pounding. He rose and announced, “My name is Reth…” He hadn’t even completed the sentence when several students began to laugh. These were students who had known him since their days in primary school.

In academic matters, Reth's record was, to put it mildly, less than stellar. He had always just managed to achieve passing grades.

“Yes, continue, my boy.” the teacher said.

Reth shifted his gaze to the surrounding students. Everyone was laughing at him. He stole a quick glance at Annie. All the students in the class were focused on Reth, but Annie's gaze remained averted. Reth was loath to make a poor first impression, yet he possessed nothing noteworthy to share. He turned his attention to the teacher and said, “I reside with my grandparents. That is all.”

“Is that truly the case?!” The teacher offered an incredulous response. “Do elaborate further.”

“I’ve already stated it; my name is Reth. I live in the small community situated atop the hill. I completed my schooling there… at a small, local school.”

“And you didn’t achieve top marks…?”

Reth shook his head in negation.

“Let every student who did *not* achieve top marks in their previous school raise their hand,” the teacher instructed, surveying the classroom. Not a single hand was raised. The teacher smiled wryly and commented, “Congratulations, you are the lowest-scoring student in this class. How does it feel to be utterly alone in that distinction?” The entire class erupted in laughter once more.

From the back of the room, a student jeered, "He’s going to be the biggest example in this class!"

Another student added, "Not just an example, but the ultimate example. Every class needs one!"

Annie stole another glance at Reth. Reth quickly turned away and squeezed his eyes shut.

He thought to himself, "Oh, man, for the first time, I actually regret not studying."

Someone else chimed in, “Why'd he even apply here? He clearly doesn't know that only the top students are admitted.”

Yet another voice added, “He should’ve applied to a different college.”

The majority of the students were now openly mocking and insulting him. The teacher displayed no apparent concern. Reth remained standing, his head bowed low.