"Everyone, please turn to the next page and find Euler's theorem," instructed Mr. Shariful. Once everyone had found the relevant section, he continued, "Throughout your final year, you'll encounter various theorems developed by this man across different courses. Let's try to understand this theorem together."
As Mr. Shariful began explaining, I listened intently to every word he said. However, a group of boys on the bench in front of me were whispering and giggling. Suddenly, a boy sitting behind me tapped my back and said, "Hey, pass this letter to Toma."
Who is Toma? I don't even know her. In addition, the way he called me "friend" irked me. We never had a conversation before. To start a conversation, there needs to be a common ground (topic), something comfortable for both parties. However, lacking such mutual interests, I never talked to my classmates, let alone befriended them. Back in high school, I realized that friendships in our society are divided into three tiers. The first tier is very sweet, where friends can't live without each other. The second tier is 'time-pass' friends—when the first-tier friends are busy, people turn to these. So toxic! The third tier is the casual acquaintances: you exchange a few words and then go your separate ways. My relationship with everyone falls into this third tier, except recently I've had a few brief conversations with the CR (Class Representative). I glanced at her; she was writing something. In my self-created tier system, she would be at level two, where there are daily small talks. Maybe in a few days, we'll both get busy with our tasks. I feel neither sad nor particularly interested in this kind of relationship.
Returning from my thoughts, I whispered to the girl in front of me, "Excuse me, could you please pass this to Toma? It's from the back."
She took the letter from my hand annoyed and said, "I am Tama. It's me." She then turned away with a huff. Such an irritable person! Meanwhile, the class ended, and Sir was marking the attendance list. As soon as he finished, the CR stood up. Sir put his pen back in his shirt pocket when he asked, "Yes, do you have something to say?"
"Sir, today is the last day to submit our assignments."
Assignments! When were they assigned? I had no idea. What should I do now? Sir placed his books and files on the table and said, "Everyone, put your assignments on your desks. CRs, collect everyone's assignments."
I hadn't noticed until now, but there wasn't an empty seat in the classroom. Everyone had come to submit their assignments today. The male CR said, "Sir, except for one, all sixty-two students have submitted their assignments."
Sir asked, "Who hasn't submitted the assignment?"
Gathering my courage, I stood up. I was the only sinner in the entire class! What an embarrassing situation! With everyone's eyes on me, I felt like a rare animal. Some were laughing, while others glanced at me before returning to their tasks. They were the good ones. The female CR was still looking at me, her gaze different from the others, as if silently asking why I hadn't done it. The male CR collected the assignments and placed them on the table before returning to his seat. Sir then asked me, "Why haven't you done the assignment? What was the problem? Please explain."
"Sorry, Sir, I didn't know when the assignment was given," I confessed truthfully.
"Were you absent?"
"I don't think so. I was present in class."
"Then why didn't you know?"
It didn't surprise me that Sir switched from formal to informal speech. He genuinely wanted to know the reason. After a moment's thought, I replied, "Sir, I must have fallen asleep listening to your lecture. That's why I didn't hear it."
At this, even those who were busy with their own things turned to look at me. Their attention and open-mouthed stares suggested they were witnessing a great and mysterious drama. What's their problem? I was just telling the truth. Sir stood silent for a moment, like a robot, seeming to have lost his senses. Then he composed himself and said sternly, "Is it my fault that you didn't hear? And what do you mean by falling asleep during my lecture?"
The tone of his last question suggested he was holding something back. "No, Sir, it's the fault of this society for not informing me about it."
"Why didn't you ask others?"
"Because it's a waste of time."
Everyone looked at me as if I were an alien visiting from another planet. What a situation! Even Sir seemed to be dumbfounded. "Which is a waste of time? Doing the assignment or asking about it?" Sir asked in a serious tone.
"Both,"
"Really? What do you say about not getting five marks if you don't do the assignment?" Sir pushed his glasses up onto his forehead and glared at me angrily.
I could hear a few whispers from nearby, "What are you saying? Just apologize quickly."
Pointing at the table, I explained, "Sir, each assignment on that table is forty to fifty pages long. Doing one would waste an entire day. I think spending so much time for just five marks is foolish."
Hearing this, Sir became visibly angry. "Then, what is a useful use of time for you?"
"Sleeping and anim--" I paused.
If I mentioned watching anime, everyone would laugh. "What is 'anim'?" Sir asked, trying to control his anger.
"Sorry, I meant animal," I said.
Sir got even angrier. "Are you making fun of me?"
"No, Sir. I was just merely demonstrating myself."
The look on Sir's face was unlike anything I had ever seen. He looked like he was about to turn into a Super Saiyan. Before things could escalate, the male CR interjected, "Sir, our next class teacher has arrived."
Yes! Saved! With no other option, Sir left the classroom but not before saying to me, "I will see you tomorrow." Everyone in the class was giving me murderous looks as if they wanted to eat me alive. However, their attention shifted as the next teacher entered the room.
None of the classes I had so far been interesting, and this one was no exception. I was feeling sleepy and needed to freshen up. "Sir, may I go to the washroom?" I asked, standing up.
"Yeah, sure."
I left the classroom and went to the south corner. There, a cool breeze was always blowing, and the view was beautiful. With all the teachers conducting their classes, it was less crowded now. I enjoyed the view alone for about five minutes before heading back to the classroom.
Class ended at eleven. "Why did you make Mr. Shariful so angry? He'll get you tomorrow," the CR said, standing next to me.
"No worries. Sir will forget about a non-player character like me by tomorrow."
"Why do you call yourself a non-player character?"
"Never mind. You'll understand eventually. Besides, did you notice Sir never called me by my name? He doesn't even know me properly, so I'm not worried."
"Alright," she said, pausing for a moment. "I forgot to tell you something. Wait here; I'll bring Rima."
Rima? Who's she? I didn't know and didn't care to. Meanwhile, someone approached me.
"How could you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Tell Sir that doing the assignment is a waste of time?" he laughed.
I hadn't thought much about it when it happened. If I had, things wouldn't have gone this far. He walked away to discuss it with someone else, and they all started laughing like idiots. Instead of dealing with this nonsense, I put on my earphones and started playing the song "Gosick Ending 2" on my phone. Ah, what a beautiful song. It lifted my spirits and made me feel refreshed.
Suddenly, someone yanked the earphones out of my ear. It was CR! And with her, the girl who always played Ludo—Rima. So, this was Rima. "What's going on? Give me back my earphones."
"Listen to me first, then I'll return it."
I realized I had no other choice. "Okay, go ahead."
"Wait. Not here. Let's go outside the classroom."
I had never stepped outside the classroom to chat or talk. I never had the need. After the incident with the teacher today, everyone was talking about me. No matter where I went, all eyes would be on me. As I walked out of the classroom, people paused their conversations to look at me and whisper, "How did this guy dare to speak to the teacher like that? If I were the teacher, I would have thrown him out of the class."
I noticed all this, but it didn't matter. We reached the southern corner outside, where I had been earlier. Then I said, "Alright, speak."
"Last Monday, during class, Rifat returned my assignment. Later that day, I went to the library to get some books. After getting the books, I went to a bench in front of a room next to the library. I organized my books and put them in my bag. Then, I went to Nila's place. I stayed there until eight in the evening. Before leaving, I checked my bag and realized I had forgotten my assignment. So, I went back to the university to get it. The assignment was still there, and there was no one around.
When I went to get the assignment, I heard a strange noise coming from an upstairs room. I was terrified since I was alone. But my curiosity got the better of me, so I went up. The noise was coming from one of the rooms. I peeked through the window and saw a ghost wrapped in a white cloth. I ran for my life, barely escaping. If I hadn't, the ghost would have snapped my neck that day."
I clapped my hands sarcastically. "That was quite the story. But I'm not in the mood for stories right now. Give me back my earphones. It looks like this class won't happen."
Ignoring my request, CR said, "She came to me yesterday and told me about this. I comforted her, saying it was just her imagination because I don't believe in ghosts either. But her fear didn't subside. So, to prove it was nothing, I went to the library with her last night at the same time. We saw the same thing and ran away in fear. This morning, we checked the room. It was spotless with nothing inside."
"Listen, there's no such thing as ghosts. You're just confused by something you saw in your sleep," I reassured them.
"So, you're saying we're lying. I didn't believe in ghosts either, but after what I saw last night, I had to."
"Alright, let's say there are ghosts. Now, about my—"
CR cut me off, saying, "I won't come to university anymore."
"Hmm, studying at home might be better. You can educate yourself. Now, my earphones…"
CR looked at me with teary eyes. "Would you be happy if I left the university? Don't you want me to attend classes with you?"
Seeing her about to cry from fear, I tried to console her. "Coming or not is up to you. And besides, ghosts don't come out during the day."
"Why wouldn't they?" Rima asked curiously.
"Ghosts can't withstand sunlight. It destroys them," I said.
Rima scolded me, "Are you trying to fool us? That only happens in movies."
I responded with a wise look, "Exactly! Ghosts only appear in movies. You're mixing fiction with reality."
CR said firmly, "I'm not listening to anything else. I'm quitting university."
Rima added, "If you don't come, I won't either. The ghost will snap my neck too."
I listened to their conversation, thinking, Are these modern-day people? Still afraid of ghosts? CR looked at me and said, "Do something."
"What can I do? I'm not an exorcist."
"I don't care. You have to check it out tonight."
"It's impossible to come to campus at night. I—"
CR interrupted me, "You must find time tonight. No excuses."
I understood there was no way out. "Okay, I'll be in the library room at nine tonight."
CR said, "Fine, I'll be there too. Thank you."
She handed me back my earphones.