The city of Noida was a whirlwind of noise at eight o'clock in the morning. Buses, cars, and motorbikes roared down the streets, their clamor a symphony of speed. Amidst this rush, Sixteen-year-old Saru Rigunume walked slowly toward his new school, his backpack slung over his shoulder. The city's noise didn't seem to affect him; he was lost in thought.
Saru mused to himself: "This school is counted among the most successful institutions in the city. The number of students who land a government job from here is over 80%. And those who don't, are provided private sector jobs by the institute itself. My mother, Reena, worked incredibly hard for my admission to this high-tech college. I was the topper at my previous school, scoring 95%, and my mom works constantly at a restaurant to manage the steep fees for this place."
Just as he reached the main gate of the school, Saru suddenly paused. His eyes were drawn to a massive Neem tree right outside. Perched on its highest branch was a Spirit. It was currently in a white and blurry motion, a vaguely moving mass of light.
Saru Rigunume thought to himself: "You might be wondering why all the other students are unaware of this Spirit, yet I can see it. I hail from a Japanese family that moved to India after the Second World War. Due to this hereditary trait, I have possessed 'Spirits Vision' since childhood. I can clearly see all spirits, day or night, whether they are in motion or in a transparent form."
Lost in these thoughts, he arrived at his classroom door. He checked the roll number and bench number before entering the room with a calm demeanor.
Inside the classroom, there was a loud commotion. It seemed someone was being bullied. Saru sighed and sat down at his assigned seat. "In every school, someone has to be the one who gets bullied," he thought. "Even as a topper, I was bullied at my previous school."
He saw that a girl was being harassed. He resigned himself to the fact that he couldn't do anything about it. Just then, a tall, self-assured boy entered the class, and suddenly complete silence fell. Several boys and girls immediately began to flatter him. Saru wondered: "Is he the class topper, or just a rich kid?"
A sycophantic boy pointed toward the girl being tormented and said: "Mister Yonk, Hinube here claims she went to Red Rose Park during the holidays, where a swing started moving all by itself. She saw this horror firsthand."
Yonk looked slightly surprised but quickly laughed loudly: "You think we are fools! If you saw something like that, you must have recorded a video, right? Show it to us."
Saru noted the details: "The girl's name is Hinube, and the rich kid is Yonk. She's being bullied over some kind of horror incident."
A sharp voice broke Saru's focus. Yonk thrust an expensive camera at Hinube and demanded: "Take this. And tonight, go there and record whatever happens."
One of Yonk's lackeys eagerly added: "Don't sell that camera! It costs more than your dad's monthly salary!"
Distressed, Hinube threw the camera at Yonk. Yonk's face twisted in fury, and all the students froze in fear.
Yonk was about to slap Hinube when someone grabbed his arm mid-air. Yonk turned to see a tall, thin boy—it was Saru.
All the students stared at Saru as if he was about to be beaten black and blue.
Saru released Yonk's arm and spoke calmly: "Red Rose Park is close to my house. I can go tonight and get the video for you, on the condition that you stop bullying this girl."
Yonk was stunned. Red Rose Park was notorious throughout the city for paranormal activity. He had only been trying to assert his dominance in class, but now someone was genuinely offering to go. He thrust the camera toward Saru and said: "If you don't bring the video back, she'll be safe, but your bad time will start."
Saru smiled, took the camera, and returned to his seat.
The school day passed with classes for various subjects.
After school, Saru walked toward his home. The Spirit he had seen on the Neem tree in the morning was no longer there.
Suddenly, a voice called from behind: "Saru!"
Saru wondered: "Who knows me at this school?" Hinube ran up to him and said: "Thanks for this morning."
Saru and Hinube walked together for a short while. Hinube asked: "Do you also live near Red Rose Park? I live nearby, next to the Amul store."
Saru replied briefly: "I live in Y-Apex Colony, and I need to go this way."
Saru walked toward his house without looking at Hinube.
She asked: "Are you really going there?"
Saru: "Perhaps not."
Walking ahead, he thought: "This girl talks so much!"
Saru reached home deep in thought.
"Mom, I'm home. And why are you home so early from work today?"
Saru's mother, Reena Rigunume, smiled: "We got an early closing today."
Saru went to his room, and soon, evening turned into darkness.
Saru told his mother: "I'm going to my friend's house. I will have dinner after I return."
Reena asked with surprise: "Did you already make a friend?"
Saru hesitated and said "Yes."
Reena: "Alright, come back soon."
Saru stepped out onto the street and pulled the camera out of his underwear, where he had hidden it from his mother. He put it in his pocket and started walking toward Red Rose Park.