紅葉

The Firefly to My Shade

Strangers were passing by and conversing with one another. Their voices mingle with the sound of the instrument being played at the far end of the room. So, how did I get here? I got into this venue by receiving a gathering invitation that, at first, I wanted to reject because I was not in the mood to meet anyone. Still, I changed my mind as soon as I saw her name on the invitation.

𝘐𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦.

Having that thought to myself, without me realizing it, the fragments of the past flooded into my head.

🎇🎇🎇

Like any other girl, I chat about things, but never about my concerns. I don't think it matters because everyone around me never asks me about it and we still have fun and hang out like usual. I was wrong. Someone finally asked at the most perfect time.

It's her.

Seulgi, the life of the party. 

It happened when everyone split up on their way back home. I am supposed to walk alone, and yet,

“Can I accompany you? It's already so late and dark. It's better to have me by your side, don't you think?”

I'm cornered. All I can do is just nod my head, even though I almost refused her offer. Along the way, I can see her figuring out my other side. She doesn't even complain, just listens to my blabbering till the end. With only a single question, she succeeded in uncovering my hidden part. That day, seeing her felt like finding a light at the end of a tunnel. She sparks warm without harm.

🎇🎇🎇

“Hey!”

I suddenly snapped out of my thoughts when someone tapped me on the back. Again, at that exact time, she comes to me and stays as gorgeous as ever in her dress.

“How did you find me?” “By my sense, I guess? I also sensed that you seemed down. How about having a chat with just the two of us somewhere?”

𝘐'𝘮 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵, 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘮 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘐'𝘮 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬?

Showing approval, she pulls me out of the lounge and what I had in mind was, “Even my shadow is willing to keep you by my side.”

Memory in a Melody

𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼

“How about taking a break?”

It's cold and getting colder. In my eyes, her shoulder looks heavy, like how the rain is pouring outside.

“Uh, okay. If you say so, then—”

She shivered and stopped her sentence. Hands that I offer to calm her down are rejected by her grey gaze.

“Then, I don't think the break will be over.”

I was knocked out. What she said felt similar to a thunderbolt; it struck deeply and hurt me even more after she left in the stormy haze.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁

A buzzing alarm stings my ears and makes me jump off the bed. 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱??? I'm in literal confusion. The last thing I remember was me listening to a sad song. Calling it a sad song because it's the song I made for her with the help of my friends and I gave it on “that night”, which made me sad.

Years go by, yet the pain remains. Speaking about truth, I just decided to listen to the song tonight after I hide the file somewhere rarely seen on my computer back then. Not only did I discover the song, I also have to be slapped by the fact that the song kinda heals me in a weird way that is unexplainable.

𝘎𝘰𝘥, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵'𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺?

I hurried up to get outside, heading to the place I used to visit with her. I intend to listen to the music again so that I can be confident of how I genuinely feel. That's the plan, but the fresh air that felt so good at first is now suffocating.

𝙎𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚.

𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙜𝙤.

My legs feel numb. A part of me telling me to run away. 𝘕𝘰! 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘪𝘤𝘦. Conscious of my presence, she cuts the distance by approaching me. I grind my teeth and collect any energy I have to start the conversation.

“What a surprise!” “Indeed, it is. How's life?” “Quite nice, I guess? And u?”

She took a deep breath before answering my question. The tension between me and her is becoming increasingly intense. Fortunately, she brings the tense down with her reply.

“I've been wanting to tell you that even though my life is cool and nice, there's always a moment to reminisce about that day. That's why I'm here after endless years of feeling guilt. The truth is, I don't want to break your heart, but if we keep on going back then, I can't stay okay with you. Things around me have become so rushed that I'm afraid you'll get enough of me. Your song is the only way I can connect with you, and I'm so blessed to be able to listen to your voice whenever I'm down. It's all thanks to you.”   “I- I don't think you are at fault. I mean, me and you were in a relationship. It can be said that both of us failed to keep it up. We lost communication and chose to escape from it.

Also, there's a thing I want to ask. Why would you listen to my song when you are down? I always got rid of that song because I thought it was just a sad song. I don't think it would cheer you up....”

“I got your point and I should remind you that, isn't the song supposed to be a happy song? Filled with things we liked about each other? How we were madly in love?”

𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵.

I'm silently mocking myself for forgetting that, and that's the reason why the song gives me healing. She comes close to me and gives me a little pat on my head.

“Of course, it will cheer me up despite the fact that things switched to a bitter end. Your song somehow teaches me how to just receive things as they are. That's how I keep it as one of the songs I'll listen to when I'm in sorrow. It reminds me that we were so happy, that it was such a joyful memory.”

“Yeah, I couldn't agree more with you, and I'm so glad we met today. Don't you think this could be another prelude for us?”

She nods her head lightly.

“Yup. Nice to meet you again. Let's get along well in the future as a friend!”

In the end, after the loophole of hollowful sorrow, acceptance is all we need to make the cure of time work.

Score Points in the Soul

Among the masses walking to the venue, a girl looks highly enthusiastic, as if she has been showered with passion. It's her first time seeing a basketball game in real-time. The pleasure she has can't be hidden once she seats herself on a bench not far from the center of the arena. She mutters a name, hoping that her front-runner will bring victory to his team. 

The moment all the players were in, her eyes fixed on him automatically. She treasures his smile, which beams like a laser straight to her heart. Then, the game begins, and she shifts her mind to the play. Throughout the game, the audience's cheers flare in all directions. On the other hand, while keeping track of the scoreboard, a girl appears flustered as she tries to calm the flame down within her.

She had been craving this occasion for a long time. Especially this one. The man of her dream received the ball from his teammate and fired it into the ring. He blasts it off. People's cheering and shouting are ringing in her ears.

𝘞𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘵 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺?

She couldn't believe what happened until she saw the scoreboard. His side is winning with a massive victory. 𝘏𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘥?? Knowing her wish has come to reality, she is in awe and feels blessed. She screams at the top of her lungs, along with the rest of the audience.

“𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐊𝐲𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠!!!”

Without her noticing, the one she called heard her voice. His heart skipped a beat. He's looking around the audience seats to find out who is the cause of the chaos in his heart. 

“What are you looking for?” asked one of his teammates. “I know there are a lot of people coming today, but do you ever see your future reflected in someone else at a glance?”

The Day When the Sun Awaits Us to Unite

My eyes were wide open, and I found myself waking up on a bed of tulips. The warmth of the sunrise has become my blanket for a couple of hours. Not anymore, because I have to stand up tall and walk through crowded blossoms. While making my way to the bay, I realized that I carried petals along with me as they stuck to my baggy jeans.

My hand tries to reach for the tiny petal, which flashes my memory of her the moment I look at it up close. It's Lily of the Valley. Frankly speaking, I don't care much about flowers and the hidden meanings they have, but a friend of mine, who loves to question almost anything that seems trivial, makes me remember the meaning of this one specific flower that was ever mentioned by her. As my mind keeps my hands from touching the petal, I remember how the flower hides poison behind its beauty. She, who loves to bathe under the sunlight, is a poison I choose. She's addictive but in a good way. Quoting what my friend of mine once said, “Not every poison is harmful; it can be beneficial too.“ 

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘳.

My ears tingled with a luscious aria floating in the air. 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘢? I can feel my feet starting to step quickly, as if receiving a sign that the ocean is just around the corner. Yeah, that's it. From a distance, I caught a glimpse of a girl sitting inside a hut with her eyes focused on the sun. It's almost set down after painting the sky in a coral shade. Noticing my presence, she waved her hand and mouthed, 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨!

Not long after I enter the hut, the sun goes down in the blink of an eye. The night greets us with its cold breeze, but all I know is the warmness of her beside me. In that endearing silence, my mind recalls the meaning Lily of the Valley has. It means, 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.

By the Dark Side

A man in front of me looked as pale as the wall behind him. It was such a worst sight to see in the night. He took a seat on the couch while sighing heavily.

“You good?” “Nah, you've got the answer already.” “Well, I'm trying to confirm, but never mind,” I replied.

Ethan. People always see him on his bright side because he appears to be funny and genius most of the time. However, that's not the case when he's with me. Starting from the day I unintentionally got the bad side of him, I learned that he is a depressed overthinker. Since that day, he also learned about me until he entrusted me with things that he kept under the surface.

“T- these days, I can't help but think about death.”

Here comes the silence, my old friend. In this bad timing, my brain is lagging in the process of arranging words to speak.

“Are you—perhaps having suicidal thoughts?” I ask carefully.

Jokes on me. The face he makes after hearing my response is holding back his laughter, as if I was just telling him to eat his bowl of cereal without drinking the milk.

“No. It's just that when the time comes, don't you think there'll be a lot of decisions ahead?” “Even if you were on the verge of losing your soul?” “Don't you think so? Some decisions need to be made by The Greatest Force, so I won't mind it since we, humans can't interfere.” “Hmm, and then?” “There is a thing that makes me wonder, will someone accompany me at that time?”

It feels like, the silence just hugs me tightly and makes me unable to think.

“Angels will definitely be there for you, Mate.” “Excuse me, are you being sarcastic?” “I only state the fact???” “You are. But—”

Now, I can portray the situation where the silence brings a seat between me and Ethan, joining the conversation and wrapping us up.

“Ethan, hear me out. Before that time comes, things will change, right? It implies that you may only find me to be your closest companion in the present, but who knows what the future holds? Even so, I've seen you in every way that you let me know. When people only see your bright side, I'm used to your dark side. So, if the day comes, although there's a possibility that I can't be there for you, I can still make it through my prayers, you know?”

A smile that had faded from his face tonight came back in milliseconds. He gets up from his seat and approaches me with the keys in his hand.

“I'm glad, I'm glad that you made me mad back then.” “You said that for real???” “Anyway, you really blew the cloudy thoughts surrounding me before. How about I drive you to your house? It's getting darker, and I can't just let you stay at my house,” he offered to me. “Like I would say okay to stay at your house? I mean, of course, you should drive me home!”

He chuckles at my reaction, and I have never been so delighted in my life to see him brighter than ever after overcoming one of his endless thoughts.

 

Sebelum Hari Ini & Setelah Esok

Aku tak akan mengelak kalau mereka pernah dan adakalanya masih menjadi kekuatan yang mendorongku sampai sekarang. Mulanya aku tidak begitu peduli sampai akhirnya aku mencari tahu sendiri. Tanpa sadar, aku sudah terlarut dalam dunia mereka yang gemerlap bak berlian.

Menengok apa yang terjadi dulu, aku tidak bisa tidak mengingat ambisi-ambisi yang sempat kumiliki. Ketika nyala api masih begitu bergairah dan membara, sebelum padam tanpa disiram. Merekalah yang membuat gejolak itu tetap berkobar dan aku akan selalu ingat bagaimana lagu-lagu mereka seakan menjadi bahan bakar atas aksi yang aku lakukan dan pilihan yang aku tetapkan. Terutama, Dino.

Jengah tiap aku mendengar orang harus menanyaiku “Kenapa?” ketika nama “Dino” yang menjadi jawabannya. Apa salahnya? Dia punya pesonanya sendiri lantas apakah aku harus membencinya kalau dia tidak seperti yang lain?

Kalau orang-orang yang dulu mempertanyakan pilihanku melihat apa yang ada sekarang, entah respons apa yang akan mereka tunjukkan, aku jelas yakin kalau bangga adalah perasaan yang dominan. Aku, aku bangga karena bersama waktu, pembuktian itu datang.

Dalam pikiranku, Dino adalah representasi betapa ambisiusnya aku di masa lalu. Bagaimana aku selalu berupaya untuk semangat sekalipun di hari yang berat. Dan kini, setelah aku mencoba untuk kembali membuka pintu yang telah cukup lama kututup, Minghao-lah yang menyambutku dengan kehangatan tutur katanya.

Layaknya es beku yang perlahan mencair lalu mengalir jadi air. Minghao yang dulu tertangkap oleh netraku adalah ia yang tidak begitu banyak bicara karena ia belum fasih benar menggunakan bahasa yang bukan bahasa ibunya. Seiring berjalannya waktu, aku mendapati diriku beberapa kali terpana tiap Minghao menyuarakan isi kepalanya.

Bagaimana ia memperlakukan dan memandang hidup membuatku terinspirasi dan termotivasi untuk bisa mencapai titik pemahaman itu. Minghao berhasil menenangkanku, apa yang ada di dalam diriku, arusnya tak sejeram dulu. Dipikir-pikir bukannya ambisi yang dulu ada sudah tak tersisa lagi. Mungkin saja masih ada, tapi ia tidaklah liar. Masa dan pengalaman berperan besar menjinakkannya. Bisa dikatakan, Minghao adalah representasi dari apa yang ingin aku realisasikan. Realitas yang aku bentuk dengan caraku sendiri.

Terima kasih, SEVENTEEN. Terima kasih pula, Dino dan Minghao. Bilamana rasa ini suatu saat nanti tidaklah sama seperti yang sudah-sudah, aku meyakini kalau kalian akan selalu punya ruang, baik di sudut kepala maupun di relung hatiku. Akan selalu ada saat dimana aku mengenang bagaimana kita saling bertransformasi dengan laju kita masing-masing, bagaimana kita saling menguatkan dengan harapan yang kita layangkan hingga menembus awan dan melesat ke tujuan, dan bagaimana kita perlahan-lahan memahami makna sejati dari pergi dan kembali.

May I Complete the Constellation? ☆dedicated to the8 on 8th nov☆

Bila diingat-ingat kembali, langit malam pernah menjadi teman ceritaku untuk waktu yang lama. Dulu sekali, aku senang berlarian di halaman, menatap luasnya angkasa sambil bersenandung ria, menyanyikan sebuah lagu soal apa yang kurasa, mendendangkannya pada rembulan yang berpendar indah.

Pikiranku kala itu, “Ah, seseorang yang tinggal di Bulan pasti menyukainya!” Terdengar konyol bagiku yang sekarang sudah 18 tahun, tapi sama sekali tidak untuk aku yang dulu kerap melakukannya.

Jelas begitu karena dulu aku benar-benar tidak tahu harus menyuarakan apa yang di kepala kepada siapa, aku... tidak ingin orang-orang kebingungan dengan apa yang aku utarakan. Gadis kecil yang senang berkeliling mengitari tanah lapang ditemani bulan dan bintang itu saja kebingungan dengan pikirannya sendiri.

Seiring waktu berjalan, kebiasaan itu memudar. Realita menampar gadis kecil itu keras-keras.

“Nyata bahwa kelinci tidak tinggal di Bulan sambil mengaduk adonan mochi!”

Tersentak dengan pikirannya, gadis kecil yang tak lain dan tak bukan adalah aku, yang telah mengetik sesuatu yang entah bisa disebut dengan surat ini, tersadar sepenuhnya bahwa fantasi bukan lagi sesuatu yang bisa menjadi penawar dalam hidup.

Bila seseorang bertanya dengan singkat,

“How is life going?”

Jawabanku kira-kira akan seperti ini, “Sometimes, life being harsh to me. When they've done to hit me so hard, I start to brace myself that I can be rough to life itself. It's not because I'm cruel, I just try to give myself strength.”

Jawaban itu, terbentuk atas apa yang sudah hidup ajarkan padaku. Semakin sadar bahwa hidup tak melulu sesuai ekspektasi, tak selalu indah seperti dongeng sebelum tidur. Bahkan, dongeng-dongeng yang pernah aku dengar saja belum tentu mengandung kebahagiaan. Rasanya, fantasi kian lama menjadi ilusi.

Walau begitu, sesekali aku kembali mendongak bila purnama mulai menampakkan diri. Serasa melepas rindu, ketika menatapnya, memori berseliweran, mengundang gelak tawa atau isak tangis.

Seringkali, aku memilih diam. Aku membungkam perasaanku yang membuncah. Dari situ, kalau sudah tak ada lagi wadah, semua tumpah ruah. Aku menangis. Kembali bergelut dengan pikiranku yang kadang terdengar bengis.

Haha, kamu benar. Bantal bisa jadi pendengar setia tiap air matamu mengalir tanpa diminta.

Kamu benar, bukan menjadi seperti orang lain yang baik di mata kita, tapi menjadi versi terbaik bagi diri kita sendiri.

Aku sempat berpisah dengan apa-apa yang bersinggungan denganmu, benci tak menjadi sebab, aku hanya butuh rehat. Kemudian, banyak kejutan saat aku memutuskan menengok pintu yang telah lama kututup rapat.

Aku terkesan dengan perubahan pesatmu. Duh, kapan sih kau tidak membuat setiap orang terkesan? Kamu kan bersusah payah untuk itu, benar begitu?

Kalau boleh kusebutkan, salah satu hal yang membuatku terkesan adalah kau menggambarkan perasaanmu, bukan hal yang mudah ya? Itu menjadi tak mudah ketika kita masih membatasi pikiran kita dengan sesuatu yang terlalu konkret. Padahal, perihal rasa bisa jadi lebih abstrak dari bentuk yang kita ketahui.

Dari gerakan, goresan, nyanyian, kurasa aku bisa tahu, ada perasaanmu disana.

Di hari perayaanmu, tergambar jelas pada raut wajahmu. Kamu bahagia dan bersyukur karenanya. Coba tebak? Ah, tidak perlu ya, kan sudah ketahuan....

Bahagia, dalam sepersekian detik, menit, atau jam, kita berhak merasakannya. Kadang tidak perlu kita sendiri yang melalui momen menyenangkan itu, bila menyederhanakan definisi bahagia, melihat orang lain yang merasa saja sudah lebih dari cukup.

Ada suatu hal yang kurasa akan menjadi amat membahagiakan selama itu kenyataan. Aku selalu ingin mengelilingi kota atau menyusuri jalan setapak atas keinginanku sendiri. Aku selalu ingin memiliki percakapan sembari mengamati hasil karya pilihan yang terpajang di pameran. Aku selalu ingin menenangkan diri sambil menatap deburan ombak di atas pasir pantai yang butirnya menyelinap di sela-sela jariku.

Bagiku, itu sudah cukup. Kalau bersamamu? Bilamana Tuhan berkehendak mempertemukan kita di garis waktu, kau tahu? benar-benar menjadi temanmu, lebih dari cukup bagiku.

“Oh, you who have seen your reflection You realize the light? It's on you, you shine so bright! And there's still more, twinkling by your side Shimmering in the darkness of the night

What a beautiful phenomenon, I've seen Is the whirling wind tells the scene? About me, being one of shining star on sea Just too good to be true, let it be”

ps. let me give you a hint! the word “constellation” in the title refers to seventeen! It doesn't mean that I want to be one of the members— It's about us, carats, complement their constellation with our moments together<3