This Is It?

Chapter 4: The Transition

Bagas parked the motor on the edge of the lake. He breathes long like a person who just escaped from bui – breathe freedom.

“Huh, fresh air here!”

What is fresh? In my village the air is much more beautiful.

“This is one of my favorite spots. Make me this hidden gem in Jakarta to enjoy twilight.”

Too overrated! His expression was like living in Jakarta for a month or two. I, as a nomad who is often alone, have better recommendations than this place. But let it be, handsome people are free to express any opinion.

“Di, have you been here before?”

“Heem.”

I often pass by this place when seeking tranquility. But I don't want to tell him.

“Lu from earlier I asked, I chatted, the answer, heem and heem. Your toothache?”

“Heem.”

“Ardi, don't let me cemplungin you to the lake!” gertak Bagas's.

I was not afraid of her bluff either.

Just opening my mouth, Bagas stuck his fist in front of my face. Will he punch me if I answer “heem” again? Ah, not consistent.

“Gue home yes. I want a break,” I said.

“Bent a minute! Temenin I'm here, Di.” Bagas pulled my hand.

“Ngapain? Wasting my time.”

“No need to be busy. I again need to talk,” he said. “Lu wait here, I buy drink the same snack briefly at minimarket.” He walked to the place mentioned.

I also agree. I don't know what story he wants to tell me?! One side I was curious, while the other side didn't like to care.

This was the first time a friend thought I was a friend. Only, I was still skeptical of his attitude.

Before long Bagas returned with a lot of snacks and drinks.

“Nih I bring ngunyah ingredients. Let me tell you your response is not just heem.”

“Iya.”

“Yes, come sit down! From there stand. Bisol lu?”

A whistling? Keep it on the bike, during the trip, I'm the one? Huh! So long in solitude, I actually became sensitive this way with jokes Bagas tried to make.

I was actually enjoying the water basin that was overgrown with skyscrapers on almost all sides. It is like a weathered and worn old tree among splendor. He was allowed to keep growing not because it was valuable, but because no one cared – no one would be willing to dirty their hands to touch him.

“Capek also I chased the girls,” he said while opening the lid of Coca-Cola cans.

Which is more exhausting? Have a fan or imagine having a fan every day? Bagas' words further nurtured envy in my heart.

“Enak yes so you,” connect Bagas.

I looked at him with bitter feelings. Tastier? What can I be proud of in my life? His statement grew so satirical.

“Lu can enjoy freedom. You can go anywhere by yourself quietly. Not being chased for a photo together, given this gift and forced to accept it. Huh! Though I am just an ordinary person, not a Korean artist,”.

He doesn't know how lonely it feels. I have freedom, but I have no association. Doesn't that condition include being miserable?

He also said he was not an artist. But his life was filled with luxury, from appearance to the contents of the supporting bag. Obviously, he was actually just insinuating me.

Then, Bagas closed his eyes like he was having intercourse with nature. “Sit while enjoying the view of dusk, really delicious matchless. If I could do something like this every day, life would feel perfect.”

He said, life will feel perfect just by adding an afternoon sky painting. How's my?

If likened to a dish, Bagas only need to add a little salt which is not too crucial (between necessary and unnecessary). While I, one of the spices, charred, had to re-cook the ingredients were no longer available. Enough of it to make up my life.

“Lu from earlier quipped me? Do you love my horrible life?” tanyaku.

Bagas got up, then patted me on the shoulder. “Gue does not love you. I'm talking about what it was from earlier. Lu why the hell, Di?”

I'm already upset. Upset him and me as if contemptible. The longer I stay by her side, the more I feel inferior.

“Di..”

“Heem.”

“We already know from SMA, but I noticed your nature nothing has changed,” he recalled. “I mean, why the hell are you pendiem so much from the first time? You don't believe in yourself? Why do you have to be insecure, Di?”

“Heem...” I chose to listen to his description of me.

“What the hell keeps you covered like this? Who knows we could exchange ideas.”

I shake my head.

“In, sometimes I think it's better to live in solitude like you. Sorry, I don't mean anything. Only, in my opinion, exciting so it can feel peace in every step taken.”

I turned my eyes towards him. “Peace? River with a calm surface does not mean it does not have a heavy current under it.”

My lethargic statement invited Bagas to stretch his hand to my right shoulder.

“Sorry, In. I...gue at all...”.

I immediately disconnected the sentence, “Gue sometimes envies you, people who have special privileges in life. Especially the same you, Gas.”

“Gue?” Bagas made sure with an astonished expression.

“Iya. You have everything, physicality, treasure, and intelligence. While I, everything is mediocre maybe even substandard. Sometimes I want to feel just one of the 3 privilege of your life.”

“What is it?”

“Why?”

Maybe it's time I express my feelings to Good. Nope. Not that that's what it meant. It's a feeling that wants to feel life as him.

“Gue wants to hear people call my name happily, smile when facing each other, and feel the name compliment.”

“Lu again like someone?”

“Why can you think like that?”

“Lu answer me! Yes or no?”

He's correct. There's one girl I've liked since High School. Unfortunately, it is obviously difficult or even impossible to go far with the woman.

“Who, Di? I can help you get close to him.”

Help out? Instead the woman may have (or has) fallen in love with him.

“Gue go home first yes, Gas!”

“Wait!”

“Lu want me anterin home too?”

“Iya. But, that's not what I want to talk about.”

“What?”

“Lu sit here first. I still want to talk to you.”

“Gas!” Long breath.

“Di, if I may give you advice, you increase your confidence. You're just not sure of yourself.”

“Lu can say that, because you're not like me. You diem are hysterical girls just like you. Want anything, go anywhere, you are surrounded by friends,” I explained.

“Terus you want to spend your life like me?”

His guess is very accurate. He must have understood every comparison I throw about his life with mine.

“Terus you want to say it's impossible, right?” my tent. However, my accusation is not without reason.

“Gue knows how to change lives. You're me, and I'm so you.”

“Gas, don't joke,” grin.

“Gue seriously, In.”

“Udahlah, Gas. We live in the real world, not in a world of magic or fantasy like in the Harry Potter series. Your goal from earlier was just to mock me, right?”

“Di, I'm serious.” He put on a serious face.

Just watch out if then he says “prank”. I'll drown him to the bottom of the lake.

“Oke, how do I do? Let's just say I believe in the same genitals (hallucinations) lu.”

Bagas reached into the right pocket of his pants. “Nih!” He also showed a bright red round object.

“Lu rhyme marbles?”

“This is not a marble. It's called the Fate-Changing Pearl. I got this from a dream when I was tired of living life as it is now.”

“Gue swallowed that thing?”

“Heem.”

“Terus tomorrow morning when I wake up, my body will be swapping equally your body. Is that so? Haha...” I laughed so he wouldn't underestimate me. I'm not as smart as him, but I'm still sane.

“Fast. Our bodies will change, and so will our lives. You want to, right?”

“Truly, Gas? I really want to if that,” I said with a soft expression. “But unfortunately, I believe more in reincarnation than in the words of lu.”

Bagas pulled my right hand. He also handed the thing over to my palm. “Terasu lu deh! This you bring first. You proved yourself!”

I'm stunned. Once it touched the skin of the palm, it seemed as if it was emitting a powerful energy. Then, if I look more carefully, the look in Bagas' eyes does not indicate a lie. Ah, but I can't be too early to draw conclusions.

Not felt, the clear sky had been lifted into darkness. The sun that sank I could not see because the focus was diverted.

“Now anterin I'm home!” pinta Bagas's.

“To your home?”

“Iya. My car was taken by Andy to my house.”

I was silent, wrestling with trust. Sangsi is still burning against the thing Bagas gave him which he said was a magic pearl. However, since when was there a fiery red pearl? Lest this was just a toy he bought at Gembrong Market.

“Come!” Bagas is already in front of my motorcycle handlebar.

After driving Bagas home, I also drove the motorbike at high speed to get to the boarding quickly. As soon as I got into my room, I dropped my body on the bed. I let go of the tired for a moment. It feels like my heart has been working so extra all day.

Before I decided to close my eyes, I took it and looked at the pearls Bagas gave me. Can this thing really change the body? What if I die after swallowing it? However, there is no harm in trying. If I die, at least it's not suicide.

I took a deep breath, then quickly swallowed the pearl with the help of a glass of water. When he passed through the esophagus, my breath was bloated. Plus the body feels the heat like it's burning.

Don't be this useless or desperate! But why would Bagas do that to me?

My eyes began to blur, chest tight, and head as if pierced by thousands of jarrums. I screamed until I finally fell on the bed.

The next day, I woke up in better condition. The pain that last night ruled the body left a little in the head.