Lara's Admirers

Episode 8

  This time I was at the airport, waiting for a flight to Japan. It is not without reason that I went to the land of sakura. Each year, our school conducts exchange programs for students to various countries. With a different country every year of course. Last year, three selected students were sent to Australia. This year, we were sent to Japan. Honestly, I'm not really interested in this program. But, my homeroom teacher proposed me to the principal to take the student exchange selection test with dozens of other students. I never even expected to pass that selection.

　

　

  I check my phone sometimes while I wait. Our departure schedule is different, I leave first and then followed by two other students who will leave at nine pm.

　

　

  I was scared and worried at once. I can't speak Japanese at all. How am I going to survive there? Not to mention this is my first time traveling on a plane without mom or dad. You can imagine, a 17-year-old who was sitting in the XI class of High School traveling abroad alone.

　

　

***

　

　

  I only carried a small sling bag containing tissue, money and a cell phone. I sat in a chair by the window. I didn't know who was going to sit next to me, and there was no sign of anyone sitting next to me. The cabin began to look full. Maybe the passenger next to me will miss the plane, or maybe it's empty.

　

　

  If I go to Japan, it means I will meet Sis Sendy and Renata. They are in Japan at the moment. But, very unlikely. Japan is vast and I don't know what city they are in. At least if I meet them there, at least I don't feel alone in people's land.

　

　

***

　

　

　

　

The flight crew told us to get ready soon because the plane was about to land. I'm tidying up my irregular hair.

  I chose to sit for a while on the long bench that was purposely provided at the airport. It's totally foreign. Now I'm surrounded by white people with narrow eyes.

  I went to one of the vending machines in the corner of the big room. I bought a bottle of milk for 5 Yen. At least it could be a little hungry before I go to the apartment.

***

  I put my body in bed. I'm really tired today. It is a long journey from Indonesia to Japan. Not to mention the journey from the airport to the apartment takes a long time. I go straight to school tomorrow. I was really confused as to how to deal with my days as a student in Japan. The school I attended was indeed an international standard school that in its everyday language uses English. But I'm not just going to school all day. Anyhow, surely circumstances will require me to be able to speak Japanese. Sometimes I think it's a disaster.

  "Why try, the cave is not sent to Korea alone." Dengusku.

  If asked to choose to be sent to Japan or Korea, of course I will choose to go to Korea. First, because I'm a Kpopers. At least I know the culture there. Thirdly, I can speak Korean even though I am not very fluent. God, why my life should be this complicated.

  ***

  I cleaned my bed, then opened the window curtain and rushed to take a shower. The air here is really cool. Our apartment is located on a hillside, that's why it's a good distance away from the airport. If you open the back window, you will see a view of the shady hills. And the front balcony will lead directly to the city.

  If after my uniform while in Indonesia is just a gray white uniform complete with attributes, then here is different again. We wear sailor uniforms with pleated skirts above the knees, long white socks with two black stripes on the top. And as a supplement, white shoes. It is not much different from the uniform in Korea.

   I'm getting out of my apartment. Then I hit the bell in the next room. That's Rahel's room, my Indonesian friend. Our three rooms are shackled. Before long, the owner opened the door.

"Oh, Eresha? Ready yet? Depart yuk." Rachel.

I just nodded at his words.

"Rian isn't with us?" My toot.

"He left this morning. Afraid to miss the bus, he said. We took a taxi. When I got on the bus it was late." Evidently.

"Yes, anyways, get the tickets later." My reply.

***

  We both arrived at the school. It's a little awkward indeed. Since then, we haven't seen Rian's nose. Where did the boy go?

  There were many faces of foreigners that we saw, middle east and west. But still dominated by the faces of Asians, especially the faces of Japanese people. We both went to the class we were talking about. My heart is pounding irregularly. This was my first experience. We are welcome to the teachers who teach there.

"Oh, They're coming." Said the teacher who seemed to be from mainland Europe.

"Please introduce your self." Give that woman a hand.

"Good morning all." My greeting.

"Morning too." Greet them back.

"My name is Eresha Caitlyn Zie Ananda. You can call me Eresha. I'm from Indonesia. And I'm 17 years old. Nice to meet you all." I clearly.

***

   Me, Rachel, and Rian were sitting on a bus. The first day of school was an unforgettable experience. Not a bad day or a good day, just plain. I just met some people there. One of them, Gerry. He is from Singapore. At least I can still communicate with them using English. We arrived at the stop at eight. And even we still have to walk through a small forest with a path that was deliberately made to go to the apartment. If you think that our apartment is located in the forest, it is true but also false. Our apartment is located on a hillside that is deliberately placed somewhat into the forest. Take it easy, the forest is not as terrible as you think. Although it is located somewhat into the forest, many people live there. The apartment will always be crowded 24 hours.

   Rian chose to go straight to his room. While I stopped by Rachel's room. We were not very familiar before even though our classes were next to each other once.

   I put my bag in the corner of the room. We headed to the kitchen and cooked dinner. My tongue was not used to the local food, so we cooked fried rice.