THE NOURA VAN KEMMERS

The Golden Rose

This is my daily life, sitting on the side porch reading books or playing guitar, then playing songs that I like while singing. Sometimes I record myself singing while playing the guitar and then I upload it to youtube. I love to sing and play music.

From childhood, my artistic talent has stood out. I won a music festival a few times. I do prefer the field of art rather than exact lessons or memorization. This also made me insist on taking a major in music arts instead of economics as suggested by Dad.

And neither Mom nor Dad forced their will.

Maybe they're aware of my abilities. I who was a child could not be forced to pursue matters of calculation or memorization.

The cool breeze made me remember my dream last night. A dream so real. I still remember every detail of my dreams last night. Where I walk while observing this side court. Everything seems so real.

Aaah, I haven't painted in a long time. Looks cool, if I tried to paint my dreams last night. About the courtyard of this house, where there is a cherry tree, women who are drying clothes, skinny men who are sweeping the leaves, fountains, children of Caucasians who are playing ball, and, also a beautiful woman who is painting. Alright, I also rushed to the room to pick up painting equipment.

I like to paint. Not as much as my interest in music. Some people say my paintings are good. Painting is much harder than playing music.

Painting requires patience and calm. And of course time. To be able to produce a single painting takes a long time for me. And not every time, my desire to paint appeared. I'm in the mood to paint, hehehehe.

I last painted two years ago. I made a painting for Friska, as a parting gift for her. The painting depicting our love journey was also about my crumbling feelings as she told me to no longer be able to continue our relationship.

Friska's cry still lingers in my memory. Friska says she can't go against her father's wishes. I also had no other choice but to let go of Friska, although it was very heavy for me.

I want to fight for it, but what can one expect from a final semester student like myself? I haven't worked, nor do I have the courage to convince her parents. In the end, I had no choice but to let go.

I have absolutely no contact with Friska. After graduation, she got married and followed her husband to live in Kalimantan. The social media is no longer active. He never appeared on Facebook or Instagram.

Honestly speaking, the golden rose scent that appeared at night really reminded me of Friska. The scent of golden rose mixed with the scent of citrus, sandalwood and somehow it makes me feel relaxed, calm and finally asleep.

What is that smell? is that the smell of the room you bought yesterday? or the latest perfume from Ratna? the boy was happy to wear perfume. Aah, it doesn't seem.

It was not the room-smelling scent that Mama used to buy nor was it the perfume that Ratna used to wear. I know very well the smells they used to wear.

The smell I smelled that night was really special. Very nice and soothing. And henceforth, the scent is often present on my nights. Strangely I did not feel scared or goosebumps at all. I like that smell. Like the aroma of therapy that led me to dreamland.

Seriate.