I have been doing quarantine, just like everybody else, for these past three weeks. I think being home doesn't make me do something better than before. I do my job (joining the online learning of course, how can I pass this semester without it?!), spend my whole day with Aunty (random talk to deep talk for sure), take free online course with Aunty (we study together, literally, and she looks like a friend this is cool), call my dear friends from junior high school, sew bed sheets, purchase e-books, and text friends of mine randomly (only to say hi, to remind them things such as doing quarantine, even to burn longing). Have I ever mention that Aunty is a nice mother? (re: Mom is the best and no one would beat her position) But Aunty is nice. Despite of the fact that she is fragile and somehow reminds me of myself (about how hard she is to herself or crying over things), she listens to me and takes a good care of me. She asks me to drink ginger and tea every day, forces me to do my job every time I want to help her, and keeps telling me to have my breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time. She is just nice and being here with her is a nice thing to do (although I really want to be home, REALLY). When semester is done and everything is better, I will buy any ticket to come home! How's your quarantine doing? Whatever you do, please note that the world has been being good to us. In return, we have to take care of it for the rest of our life. When this is all over, I wish we all do our best to become a better person, better version of ourselves. So, whoever you are reading this, I wish you good health!
Do you ever sit alone pretending your favorite person is sitting next to you? Because you know you can't do it in real life no matter how hard you wish Because you need to remind yourself what you have to let go, What you have to live with, and which is which Do you ever sit alone pretending one's still talking to you like you are one's favorite person? Because you have successfully erased catastrophe As if it never happened, never became part of the story Do you ever sit alone pretending you are the happiest creature on earth? Azmi, Maret 2020
I have been waiting for this day for years, turn around I don't like it. Because I don't get what I want although it is as simple as spending the whole day with myself only. Because I don't get something for myself, like trying food I never eat before (either because I don't want to try or it is just too much to afford), doing my nails (so I don't have to bite them every time I get nervous), or anything else which is illegal for me to do everyday but today. Illegal means anything that would be a waste of time and money but worth for February 29th.
BUT there's always good in something (and it makes me happy). I go home at the right time! My baby brother is home and we all do pizza time at night while watching TV. I go to cinema with my crush, have my favorite crispy chicken as my lunch, and take selfies with him. I receive greeting from dearest friends of mine. Meaningful greeting, no copy-paste, and straight to the point because they know me for real. I get cake from my head/mentor/sister/you name it. I put star on her message because she says something I never thought I would capable to hear (like is this really for me?!). So, yeah, happy birthday, Azmi Lathief! Sorry I put you in trouble for times. Sorry I wake you up at night only to wonder and to cry. Sorry I write "you are the champion of fool" on your wall. Sorry I send you nowhere but here. Sorry I can't give you what you want for now. Sorry I always let you down and fail you. Sorry I make you should try harder. Sorry for all the pain. Sorry for every time you want to undo things, erase your memories, or even go straight and fast just like Alaska does. I would patiently wait for the next February 29th while trying my best to give you everything. Everything you wish. Everything you ever wish.
There is no something special about my first day except everything is new and I have to get used to it. I woke up earlier to the radio, the announcer told me life is beautiful and I have to thank God every morning for this bless. I got heater for bath, it was really helpful for me to become completely awake. I had my breakfast earlier, sky was dark but the food was ready. It wasn't egg or nugget or else (like I used to have at home. I used to have it that way only because it is easier to do in the morning) but rice, I also had tea. I kissed Aunty on cheek (like I used to do to Mom every time I go somewhere) then I said see you as I went by. The road was new for me, so was the morning view. It kept me wondering what day it is today and what I did to live this day today. Till I realized the building I have to walk in was completely new and it consisted of people I have never met before.
New friends always scare me. What if they don't like me? What if they don't like the way I dress up, the way I talk, the way I do things, or even the way I think of something? What if I can't fit in? What if I don't understand what they are talking about? What if I'm not good enough to become their friend? BUT what if I am?
I just land on my bed! Though I like it better when it is covered by pink, the bed itself is my savior. While I am laying down, my head spins around. Imagine what I have done in the life before so the earth turns this into something. I feel bad for myself because I have to live far from whom I should take care of (and whom I am crazy about of course). But it feels good to be the reason of their happiness at the same time. I wish I could share this moment with Ponyo, Milo, Madison, and Snowy. I miss them. A lot. I remember friends of mine and I wonder what the earth has done to them. It would feel great to hear their voice, stories, and any other details. I miss them. But then I remember the line saying the right people will stay in your life. Even when you both apart, you will never become stranger to each other. I know that line only works when you both doing something. As simple as saying hi, making call, and texting. It is not you who walk out when you have done something but they don't. It is not your lose when you try to mend the bond but they keep silent. No people have to be the right people. Not even ourselves. I guess I will leave my wonder here.
Yey! Daddy is already home. And Mom does what she always does. And my baby sister is busy with the college. And my baby brother goes to school again. And my younger baby brother goes back to dorm. And me is sitting on a couch way far from them and missing them. The reason I am being where I am right now is them, I told you I have people to take care of, remember? That's them! I wish this would mean something but I only know about it on couple days later. I'll tell you even at my worst. We'll see. By the way, another heartbreaking moment. I told Mom days ago about something I kept from her for so long. At midnight. It started with the feeling I couldn't hide it any longer and I cried. Then I walked myself down stair to tell her but she saw me when I was on stair. I didn't know she was awake because she never did. She came to hug me, walked me back to my room, and asked me why. So, I told her. While crying. While being hugged around her arm. And she forgave me. Told me that was nothing. Told me that was fault I would never do again. Told me that she loves me all the way. Me? I cried way harder because her words was beyond my expectation. I knew it would hurt me but I didn't expect it would be so hurting like this. Keeping things from Mom is a huge burden I should not do. It haunts me every times and it still leaves major regret. But Mom is a magical creature. She is always be and will always be. God is way too kind to give me her. God is way too kind.
I dare myself to write about anything this year for such a healing. I have been spending all the year I could count on doubting myself, wondering whether it is a good life or not, or trying to figure out what will I do for my life. I have been being so mean to myself and I know it is hard to forgive. I promise myself not to do it anymore since I have people to take care of. Not because I have to, it is because I need to. So, I wish the dare would work. Wish I could keep my promise to myself.
As I write this, Daddy has been being hospitalized for four days. It was a heartbreaking moment, the day he went to hospital by ambulance (but every day he had to go to hospital this way is always a heartbreaking). It was around six pm. My baby brother knocked my door rapidly and he only said my name and dad's like it could explained everything that happened. I ran down stair only to see Mom held his hand and repeated her prayer over and over while he's laying. My another baby brother was beside her and crying. My baby sister was on her phone trying to get the ambulance. Me? I sat beside Mom and tried not to cry because I knew she needed me that way. That day was a picture, a capture of thing that's worth million things. And just like every day I have spent around hospital, I would never ever forget it.