Onderwêreld deur Fanie Viljoen | Boeke en Boggom | English Summary | Onderwereld

 

Onderwêreld deur Fanie Viljoen

Boeke en Boggom

In Eckhardt’s room, Greg unpacks a little bit about his friendship with the enigmatic new student at Lawson College. While reminiscing and exploring the desolate room, Greg sees a book titled “Depression” on Eckhardt’s bookshelf and his starts racing, thinking back to every single interaction he has ever had with him to look for signs that his friend might not have been okay at all. Greg considers how Eckhardt’s true nature is only apparent after a few interactions and how his first impression of Eckhardt was not the best. Greg feels guilty about nearly becoming someone who would have made Eckhardt’s time at Lawson difficult just because he is new to the school. Greg thinks about how Eckhardt is “an intense guy”, one who seems to know a lot about things that other people do not, such as quantum computing and the like. Eckhardt is an avid reader and someone who believes in amassing knowledge because gaining knowledge costs nothing but time.

Unsure about Eckhardt’s whereabouts, Greg leaves the room and heads over to his first class of the day – English, with Mr. Willem Wikklespies. He’s late but too worried about Eckhardt to care. In mathematics class with Mr. Bill Eden, also known as “Boggom” amongst the students, Eckhardt’s absence is noticed and Boggom goes to the faculty office to enquire about his whereabouts because this has happened with students in the past. While the teacher is gone, Greg’s classmates ensure that chaos ensues; which Greg knows he will be berated for allowing it to continue unabated, but he is too preoccupied with Eckhardt. Greg and Plank have a conversation where Plank tries to come up with a reasonable explanation for Eckhardt’s absence involving Eckhardt’s parents and a possible death in his family, which temporarily soothes Greg’s unsettled mind; however, Greg later remembers that Eckhardt left his cellphone in a suitcase and his laptop on his desk.

SummariesKeroshan PillayComment