Our Love Among Corona

Love is Essential

Today we decided to gather in the apartment while eating a plump meal again. Two days ago I just ate. Indeed, the longing to eat this plump together there is no cure. Vavan also emptied his schedule and brought along fruits upon arriving at the apartment. Thankfully these government regulations that loosened lockdown made it a little easier for us to get together. Although we must always use masks in various places and many cafes or restaurants are still closed at this time.

"Who wants to order who?" I asked while looking at Livi and Mauli who were giggling. I don't know what they're seeing on the screen.

"Gua just now. You see, the cave knows the most delicious branch near here" Vavan who has been busy staring at the screen took the initiative.

“Oke” I again busied myself by opening the box in front of me.

A special box containing items for my future. Some wedding gear I ordered before. A 4 meter long veil that would cover part of my head and dangle to the floor. I chose Ivory white like the color of the wedding dress I had previously bought. Silver blink heels have also arrived.

“There is still no word from Luky, when can he arrive in Indonesia?” Mauli who was busy with HP turned her attention towards me. I shake with sadness.

I feel a great pain in my heart and hope that this time of Corona will pass. Really, I'm so eager to touch and hug Luky right now. Feel our lives for real, not just through the screen. I hope Indonesia opens its gates soon for foreigners who enter here, or at the very least, there are exceptions for those who need to prepare for their marriage. I wish the Germans would do the same, starting to open the door for me to meet my love there. Our love between bureaucracy and regulation was so erratic during this pandemic.

“Eh I saw in Germany, the campaign movement Love is Essential strengthened. They continue to encourage the government to make exceptions for couples who want to meet. Both lovers, husband and wife, sisters, children and fathers, all frenzied in various media” Livi tells the condition in Germany today according to what he read and saw in the media.

“Iya, in Indonesia has also started since some time, just not too strong movement” added me.

“Why Love is Essential the name of his campaign?” Vavan's new selelsai ordering food is paying attention to us at this time.

“Because, at that time, many couples from different countries contacted their government or their embassy, asking for information about visas or open borders in order to meet, the answer given by government staff or who are on duty is always, oh it is not very important. So bringing together people who love each other is considered as something that is not important. Finally, as many people received similar answers, the campaigns for the Love is Essential Movement and Love is not Tourism came out. This movement championed the meeting and encouraged the government to loosen regulations to do something for the people who were separated during the pandemic” I answered Vavan's question.

“Is there nothing we can do in Indonesia? I think we all need to fight for this campaign. Finding people who love each other is very important and love is something that is so important in this world. Why don't people see love as something grand and worth fighting for?” Mauli's words attracted all of us and gave the same gesture.

Yes, we have an idea. We need to do something by joining this movement in the world and campaigning for it. Our eyes sparkled in a blink, like finding the fighting spirit of the soldiers within. We approached and then began to strategize how we could all engage in this campaign.

“OK, first of all we need is more information about the Love is not Tourism and Love is Essential campaigns. Yuk for duty! Livi took command of our action.

“Mauli, you are in charge of collecting as much information as possible about the campaign that has been running in Indonesia and what its branding is like, where further roles that we can help for the campaign later” Livi's orders are immediately welcomed Mauli.

“Siap. I'll start soon” said Mauli spirit.

“Vashla, you focus on petitions and content writing. Because you have a story here, and the stories you have written later can help publication and we post in many places” Livi is very appropriate in providing instructions for me.

“Van, you besides taking care of food for all of us, the next task, explore the regulation from the government. Find out more at the secretary general of immigration and other visa regulations” Vavan immediately responded with a respectful attitude to Livi.

“OK, guys, genk Clap in action. We all have our duties. While waiting for the clap order to come, let's start our action this” Livi looks so excited.

I glanced at them all. Vavan who realized that immediately responded quickly.

“Lo why?” ask Vavan.

“I'm overwhelmed by what you're doing. I know you have no interest in any of this, but seeing how eager you are to create this miracle, I don't know what to say.

“Each of you is also the spirit of fighting for your relationship. Don't be sad about the wedding dress. Just believe in universe, there must be a way, okay?” Mauli hugged me followed by another hug.

“Already do not overdue his embrace. Yuk, continue action” Livi command back followed all of us.

Not done yet we dive into all the information we need from various sources, the food comes. Vavan served the dishes to all of us and the smell of the plunge instantly blew away our focus. We laughed gigglingly because this is us, the fat chicken goons.

“Udah, later again, the cave tau lo on the saliva out. Buru wash hands and to the dining table” We immediately wash hands like Vavan's instructions and swiftly sit around the table, starting a slightly barbaric meal ritual.

Eat with your hands accompanied by steaming hot rice from the newly opened rice cooker. The chillies in the blazing red oil pan, fried chili eggplant, cabbage, tofu and tempeh, were all laid out waiting for our hands to touch it and put it in our already stretched mouths. Ah so delicious it feels. Love is Essential is as essential as the flabby feeling we are enjoying.