SENIORS

Take Raina

Today is the day I have been waiting for the most. At 10am we were on campus. Right on this Monday Me, Minah, Christina, and the others officially became freshmen. For two days we will have ospek.

Hearing the word ‘ospek’ reminded me of conical hats, name papers, and all other strange equipment. Honestly, I really don't like that kind of activity. I don't think it's all beneficial. However, I am very happy because ospek here is completely different. We just gathered in the hall and were given an explanation and introduction of everything related to the campus. Fun, right? I no longer have to worry about meeting the crowd, then being told to be weird and unclear like High School. That's very upsetting. I had a bad experience with that.

 

This time Christina and I were already sitting inside the hall which was filled with freshmen and seniors leading the event. It hasn't started yet. But people are very calm, some are a little noisy, and the rest are very organized. By the way, the room is very spacious. I can't explain how big it is, which is obviously really big. I think I can afford to set up a school so wide. Enough to accommodate many people.

 This is just one hall. Because this university is among the favorite, surely who graduated here a lot. There are about three or four halls used for this ospek, accommodating new students.

My eyeballs swept the scenery around, watching the surroundings. Most of the students are Korean. And I see they always seem to be busy with their own world. Although there are some who talk to their friends while joking.

 

“I feel like a chick that lost its mother,” I muttered slowly. Although there was Christina beside me, but still I felt lonely, foreign, and did not have many acquaintances here. I'm an introvert who doesn't like to be lonely. And I feel sorry for myself remembering that.

 

Christina who realized my turmoil immediately took hold of my hand, giving strength. “Never feel alone, I'm always by your side, right? Remember Reva, your main goal is here to learn. Don't think about anything else. Stop your negative thinking. If you're feeling anxious, I'm ready to go for a walk. Relax, okay?”

 Christina's words spontaneously awakened me. I nodded steadily. No. gabe. I can't be like this. I have to be independent. It's true what she said, Christina was always by my side. Then why should I feel worried and lonely?

 “Minah was not seen from this morning. Where is he?” Ask wonder. Minah does have a lot of friends, which is what makes Me and Christina not too close to her. She always spends a lot of time with her friends. We met only in the dorm. It was a little bit of time because we had to learn.

 His shoulder he raised, “No idea. Hm.. I think he has his own world.”

 “Hahaha. Obviously, Tina. This, right, his country,” laughs slowly I let out.

 Tina's face looks gloomy, “I mean, I'm just sad. We are one dorm but rarely meet. She spends more time outside with her friends.”

My hand was raised stroking the shoulder of the blonde girl beside me. “It's okay. We're alone if he doesn't want to join.”

 “Hmm.”

 Our conversation was interrupted because senior brother had already spoken through the mic. Seized the attention of the entire occupants of the large hall.

They speak Korean. Maba from outside Korea like me and Tina had to pass the Korean proficiency exam first. Yes, at my University requires overseas students to pass the Korean language test. If it wasn't like that, how could we possibly understand the lesson, right? If with Indonesian or English alone we are made difficult to understand the material, especially those that are not at all biased Hangeul? I think it's gonna be pretty fucked up. This was the reason why I had prepared this long ago.

 The event went smoothly, senior students who served as the organizers of this event I think they have been fifth semester. Seen from the style of speech that is very heavy. Not like me. They talk about what the rules on campus are, the learning method, the campus facilities. Until the organizations that exist. Everything explained.

 Three hours passed. This time it was the turn of another senior who spoke. A man smiles before he speaks. Chuckle, then say warm greetings to us. Handsomest. One word came to my mind right then and there. Coincidentally Me and Christina chose to sit on the front seat, not too far from the hall stage. So that my eyeball can record clearly how he speaks.

 “Wah, he is very handsome,” muttered me involuntarily.

 Tina flicked my ears suddenly, making me grimace over it. “Yak, same focus what he said. You are this.”

 I put on a pouting expression. Sucks. But, I accidentally muttered.

His voice speaks to me very sweet. I really have lost focus. Damn, he's like a celebrity. White, clean, neat, smart, elegant, also sweet. I even forgot the last time I praised a man except my family. This time I praised others. That was so amazing. He greeted me with a smile. That smile. Making my lips unconsciously lift the corner of my lips.

 “REVALIA ARVENTA!”

 I was shocked to hear it. Christina shouted right in my ear. I think my eardrum will break in a moment. I grumbled. “Hey, what are you doing, Tina?”

 The first day is over. Just three hours. Not very long. People have walked outside. While I was still here looking at the senior before unconsciously. And wait, are we not served food?

 “The event is done. Yuk out. I'm not gonna let that eyeball get dislodged for too long looking at that guy. Come!” He pulled my hand out.

 Tina invited me to walk down every corner of campus. Again we were surprised at how vast the campus is.

 We decided to stop for a rest in the park. Sitting under a clean shade tree. The back is also well maintained. Green, airy, and comfortable to sit on even without a pedestal. I even almost want to fall on it if I don't remember being in the land of people.

 “Tina, I've been hypnotized since. Senior brother talk about anything?”

 "It's your own fault that you don't listen. I don't want to explain.”

 I'm snapped. Tina was very cute while putting on an angry expression. “I don't understand myself. In India, I never had a boyfriend. Never in love. My days are spent studying, studying, and learning. No time to think about that. I have never praised the opposite sex except my family. But, this time I admit myself this fascinated with the senior earlier.” My eyes glare. My mind turned to the man.

 Chistina let out a huffed breath. He got up to his feet making me raise an eyebrow as if asking. “I'll buy some snacks. You just wait here. And remember,” he folded his hands on the chest, “ when I came back, your mind should have been focused.”

 He left without hearing my answer first.

I who was ready to open my mouth immediately closed it again. Tina doesn't seem to like me like this. Yeah, he's right. I need to focus. My goal here is not to fall in love.

While waiting for Tina to return, I opened the phone. Telling Mama and Papa. Ask them about their situation too Rezi. Does he not miss his sister?

For me, singing can relieve stress and anxiety. The burden will also disappear. So I love music. I used to make covers of songs and record them myself. I don't share it on social media because I'm a closed person. My voice is also quite good, my friends often tell me to sing when they are upset or stressed. And I obey him. Yes, only with my best friend can I be that free and open.

 We also often make small concerts to entertain each other. Sometimes I play guitar while singing. And the rest, playing another musical instrument.

 Ah, I miss them. I plan to contact them one by one. Ask how OSEK in Indonesia. Is it weird or is it weird?

Before long, Christina came up with a hand toting out some white plastic. It must be food. My eyes immediately glinted at him. “You bought this much snack?”

He sat down and started opening it. “At first I just wanted to buy snacks. But I caught my eyes on these foods. Don't think Long, I just buy it. You definitely can't resist it because I think we have the same taste.” A small rarity sounded at the end of his sentence.

 “Of course. You are the best, Tina!”

 Corndog, Samyang, egg cakes, Korean fry dog, sausage satay, and canned drinks and ice cream. The owners of rubber stomachs like us where possible can refuse if served food as good as this? For me, eating as much as anything is safe. No need to be afraid of fat. Christina and I know how to handle it. Hehe.

 Before I went to Korea, Mama was very fussy about what food I would eat here. He was afraid I was eating recklessly and unhealthy. Because usually you are the one who always prepare healthy food for me every day. Although sometimes I'm wayward, I secretly taste Korean food so that my tongue gets used to living in Korea. Luckily, my mom never knew about this.          

 I've always assured Mama that I can take care of myself. And thankfully Mama and Papa believed in me, especially when I introduced Tina to them. Tina's a good person, my parents believe that.

 We ate quietly while listening to music. A gentle breeze blew round out our small picnic. The new students seem to be busy surrounding the campus area.

 “After this we go to where, Tina?”

 “You like music, right?”

 I'm nodding.

 “We go to the music room at our Faculty.”

 “Ha? Is there?”

Oops. I closed my mouth with my hands. No. gabe. I mustn't look tacky in front of this new friend of mine.

“I mean-“

 “So. Come onl. Let me show you. After from there we go to his library.”

 “AYO!”

 We left after taking out the food waste and quoting the little trash left behind. In Korea is very clean, along the way there is almost no garbage scattered.

 At two o'clock in the afternoon. Thanks to Tina's direction, I was invited to go to the music room. I asked Tina, why does she know the location of every room and faculty? He said that he had been down every corner of the campus with his brother. So, Tina already knows more about this campus.

 “We want to do something here?” Tina kept holding me inside, ignoring me who was timid to follow in her footsteps.

 My eyeballs look around. Wow, the music room is huge. His musical instruments are also complete. The people inside were not too many either. Maybe because this music room is in the science faculty. Not in the art school, whose people really like music. Tina was so nice, she always chose a place that was comfortable for me.

 “You like it, right?” tanyanya looked at me smiling. I smiled back and nodded.

 “Then, play an instrument and sing as much. I'm sitting there, huh?” His index finger led to a long chair that was indeed reserved for sitting whether it was waiting or what.

I frowned, worried. “Tina, you're not going anywhere, are you? Don't leave me alone, I get lost later.”

 Christina stroked both my shoulders. He seems to understand how I feel right now. He nodded and promised.

 Seeing that, I immediately stepped my foot towards the guitar, then sat down and started picking the strings. I sang happily. Not many people are watching me. I am free to sing anything.

 While playing the guitar, my eyes caught what I was looking for. The piano. Damn. I really want to play it. Besides the guitar, I also love playing the piano. I can't wait for my fingers to dance on the piano keys and listen to the sound. Huh.

After I was satisfied playing the guitar, I stepped into the piano. I will definitely feel at home on this campus if I often come to the music room. Of course, I didn't ignore the lesson. All of this I can balance.

 I can't wait to play it, I'll sit down in his chair. Then, start playing that thing. The tone is very soft. I played it with feeling. I love the song I brought. Perfect - ed Sheeran. My favorite song when stress hits. My mood is always good when I sing it.

 It has been a long time since I played the piano. Last time I played at my cousin's house in Bandung. About six months ago. But I did not forget the key.

 Right at the end of my game, someone clapped. A little surprised, I looked back.

“Your pianom games are so heart touching. You play it with feeling. I was quite washed away by that,” he said casually. I can't control my surprised expression. He who looks at me like that also laughs. “Sorry, surprise you.”

 Wait, he speaks English. And he-and

 “Can I request a song?” 

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