2007-03-05 - 8:20 p.m.
Last Saturday night, I was just talking online to my good friend Al when Mom suddenly texted my cellphone to tell me that she wasn't feeling well.:( It was still eight, and we usually close the restaurant at nine. I said bye to Al, logged off, and escorted Mom home. Since the only car we have left was used by The Almost Twins and my sister's boyfriend Gatot to a jazz festival, Mom and I had to use the bus.
First, we had to walk a few blocks away from The Restaurant/Grandpa's house in Panglima Polim to the nearest bus stop in Melawai, Blok M. All the way, Mom had looked pale. I was afraid that she might've fainted any second, but thankfully she could still manage.:| And when we got into a bus home...the whole seats were occupied. We had to stand. I could still take it, but I'd worried about Mom. I know I can't expect every guy to be a gentleman and just give up their seat on a bus to a woman (especially an old, ailing one like Mom that night). But I couldn't help thinking, "Hey, there's a pale-looking old lady here and you guys are just pretending to sleep on your seats!"*rolls eyes*
How fascinating.*scoffs*
Anyway, we were glad when we finally got off the bus and got home.:P Nothing else to do but sleep. Zzz...
And I had a sunny Sunday!:D After arriving in the restaurant with Mom at ten, I carried on to Blok M's bus station. (I'd been planning to go to Jelambar.:D) I bought the latest SPICE! issue. I didn't find any of my writing published in there (*snifs* just another reminder of the risk for being a mere, freelance writer), but that was okay. I found their late cover story for Hoobastank's concert last January here.:P
I took the first Trans-Jakarta bus to Harmoni, Central Jakarta. Then, from there, I went to a different door and took another bus to Jelambar, West Jakarta. (Thanks to my dear brother --- who still studies in Trisakti University --- for the public transportation tip!:D) The second bus was overly crowded, though. I got myself seriously cornered for at least forty-five minutes. (And I am a claustrophobic.:|)
I was so relieved when I finally got off the bus in Jelambar. When I crossed the bridge, I saw lots of homeless kids sleeping or either begging for money from people who mostly passed them by. Their sad, scruffy-looking faces were pitiful.:( But what I couldn't stand the most was the sight of a kid sleeping on the bridge corner, next to a crying baby.:'-( The kid must've been tired (or probably numb from being overly hit by harsh reality), so the poor, wailing infant's howl didn't seem to bother her slumber so much.
And I just didn't know what to do.*blushes* If I'd picked up the baby (at least, just to try to comfort her,'though I'm not really sure I'm good at that:|), the older kid might've possibly woken up and accused me for trying to steal the baby. (On the rough streets of Jakarta, any bad thing can happen with just one false move.)
In the end, I just walked away --- silently wondering where their parents might have been.:( I know, that just wasn't enough. But, what else can I do, right?
*deep sigh*
When I finally got off that bridge, I had to take an 'ojek' (that's how we call the motorcycles who offer us a ride somewhere for money in return here) to Surya Pemandu School.
Guess what?:P I showed up an hour early. They said it would start from one until three pm.
*giggles*
Anyway, I decided to have my afternoon prayer in the nearest mosque there. Again, I saw several homeless people just sleeping on the front porch.:-S It kind of freaked me out, but then I decided not to bother way too much.
After the prayer, the rain suddenly came pouring down.:( I didn't bring any coat nor an umbrella, so I got stuck inside the mosque until sometime around 12:30. Then I returned to Surya Pemandu. The gate was already opened, but there was no signs of life in it yet. I'd waited from a distance (it was considered spying more, I know *big evil grin*), until two Caucasian girls showed up and entered the two-story building. I joined them inside at sharp one.
It turned out that some people were already in the hall, chatting and giggling.:) One of the girls, the dark curly haired one --- spotted me and smiled. The other one with glasses asked me to come in. When I first mentioned my name, Patrick --- the slim, dark blond (?) and blue-eyed guy who's also the radio announcer of MS 3 FM's "Speak Out!" --- exclaimed with a big grin, "Hey, The First Caller!"
If you're wondering why Patrick called me that, it's only because I often call in first during their radio show at night.*giggles* What can I say? The show's been like my favourite boredom-killer at work!
Then I got to know more people.:) The curly-haired Kristie and another girl in glasses named Kristin. The red-haired (or is it strawberry blonde??) Mary Jo. Andy. Sysyl. Mila. Dian. Menti. Ria. Lilis. Lili. Menti. Marti. Benny. Januar. Farida. Janna. Wina. Ali. Rachmat...
I hope I've gotten all of you right.:) If I forget any name, then I'm sorry.:| It's completely unintentional.
I could definitely call my yesterday afternoon as a "Sunny Sunday".:D I mean, eventhough it had rained for quite a while, the rest was very joyful. Believe it or not, I felt as happy as a little girl again.*giggles* I loved the exciting games! I know I haven't seriously worked out in a while. But it felt so good to have just run around the hall and giggle like crazy. I haven't really felt this happy since...since...okay, when?:| I felt so free. It was like my stress-reliever.
*sighs* I know.:) The world of grown-ups can be very, very demanding and stressful.:|
I guess I didn't want to say goodbye and leave so soon.:P We did have the extra thirty minutes after three to just grab the snacks and talk to each other.:) It was super fun. But then the thirty minutes left us so quickly. We'd finally said bye to Patrick and friends. I walked out with several other girls to find our rides home. Then we went our separate ways.:(
I hope I'll get to see all of you people again...
Anyway, I'm back to work again.:P Mom's doing better and back to normal. I just got another invitation for a karaoke night at eight in "Happy Puppy" in Green Garden. (Thanks, Kristie.:D) But sadly, I can't go.:( It's my job.
The Author
