Four days after I came back from community service, I went to this kinda festive gig with my friends. The last band had not finished yet, but we decided to get out of the crowd. I took out a cigarette and lit it. Menthol taste crawled through my lungs, and exhaled a brisk sense of air through my nostrils. I know the menthol taste was somehow contradicted the cold air at this very night, but it still felt good.

There, I saw you. Standing about five meters in front of me, talking to your friend, who was also my friend.

Pink lips, brown-frame glasses, slightly oversized white shirt, blue ripped jeans – no, not that extreme ripped jeans, white vans, and red cap. I must say, that red cap looked a lil bit off, but you looked peculiarly beautiful in that outfit.

“hey, I don’t know you guys are here as well”
“oh right, this is my friend”

“oh.. hi..”

I shook your hand. And when my eyes met yours, I get this overwhelming emotion. I hardly remember that I froze for like 2 seconds. That was super awkward. Like really, really awkward.

We both smiled, and there, we talked. She told me how crowded it was in the venue, she can barely enjoyed the gig. I totally agree with her. She really likes music; from Britpop like The Beatles, Blur, Arctic Monkeys, Indonesian 20’s pop like Naif, Peterpan, Dewa 19, some Jazz such Louis Armstrong, and John Coltrane, to nowadays indie songs like Boy Pablo, Lauv, and Mac Ayres. We once argue about which one is the better singer: Once or Ari Lasso. A second-year dental student with a very good taste in music, and slightly interested in philosophical conversation. I was really impressed by just talking to her. I mean, who would have thought?

…
naik vespa keliling kota
sampai binaria
hatiku jadi gembira
…

“I always like this song, you know. Every time I heard this song, my mind will visualize a perfect image of a super calm afternoon.”

“let me guess, you once experienced a memorable story with your loved one while listening to this song somewhere, right?”

“I’m not saying yes about it, but how can you come out with that question? You barely know me.”

“I believe that everyone always has a particular song that reminds them of some memory. Let it be sweet, bitter, or happy memory.”

“Well aren’t you just defining yourself? If that romantic sentiments about songs is yours, then so be it”. She said with a smile, while tied her hair up.

I smiled. She was an intelligent girl with a hint of beauty that came from her presence.

...

“jeeezz, what happened to you, bud?”

I turned my head as I heard one of my friends said that. There, I saw my friend (the other one) fell to the ground. Well, he was drunk. That explained why he fell as he tried to stand up.

“Aren’t you supposed to look after him?”

“Goddamn! he’s such pain the ass. I don’t know why he drank so much Arak before we went here.”

I helped him up so he could stand properly.

“He looks so much worse than I thought. I think you need to take care of him.”

“I’m sorry that this thing happen. I definitely need to take him home now.”

“Ah it’s okay, I pretty much understand about the bro code things.”

We both smile. Well she is really something.

“Well, It’s nice to talk to you. Until we meet again.”

“Yea, I think we should meet again someday.”

...

It’s our fifth date, nothing special. Just casually watch a movie, some Chatime, bookstore, some burgers and fries, and city park (which is actually alun-alun, damn this city doesn’t have a proper park!).

Right after our first meeting that night, I’m the one who texted you first. Since then, we talk a lot over text, and we become closer and closer. I still giggled when I remember how this all started.

After we stroll around alun-alun, we pick a nice place just to sit and enjoy the vibes. The weather, the people, the air. It is really a nice afternoon, indeed.

“You know, it’s always nice to have someone I can rely on and talk about everything. Someone that always gonna be there when I’m feeling down.”

She smile, and slowly hold my hand.

“Thank you”.