Plot Twist

Unpacking Home

Each and everyone of us had a bag filled with memories. Some travel light, some are hoarders. Just like in real life, bigger and heavier bags are harder to carry. It may contain things you need just-in-case, but most of the time, it becomes a burden.

I had a big one. I bring all the memories of the past, thinking that they're what make me, myself. It's not. We shouldn't be defined by our past, whether it's a good or bad one.

And these bags, they're filled with lots of expectations too. Expectations could destroy you. I kept thinking why and how come, regarding all the things happened in my life.

Not all people will do the same thing you do for them. Not all people will respect thing the same way you did.

I decide to unpack. Re-doing my bag, Marie Kondo style. Only things that spark joy, lessons learnt and gratitude.
I let go of things that shouldn't be mine to worry anymore.

We plan an August wedding in Indonesia. Sebetulnya belum ngapa-ngapain sama sekali sih. Lebih ke, okaaay, kita pulang, lamaran, trus nikahan. Meski masih blank mau nikah dimana, gimana, kapan, ngundang siapa aja, mengingat ini masih pandemi...
But we plan it.
With family.
So, it's semi-official.

Hal lain yang kami capai bersama, adalah dalam pekerjaan. Proyek pertama garapan AI-Tech dan Garde sukses. China is happy, and we started to make new projects related to AI and security systems. Clients are loaded and they're willing to wait.
Avant memutuskan untuk gak lagi terlalu misterius, dan bikin TED Talk virtual pertamanya, yang mengundang banyak banget respon positif dari publik. He's smart, good looking, very charming, what's not to like?
Then, I also start my new personal project: AI for virtual school. It's still a beginning, but a nice one.

Sejak kedatangan Dipta yang ngagetin itu, aku pun merasa jauh lebih baik. Aku jadi ngobrol lagi sama Gea, sesekali video call, beberapa kali kirimin dia hadiah. Aku gak bilang lagi sama siapapun soal pengakuannya waktu itu. His secrets are still mine, even when we're not in touch.
I think I moved on pretty smoothly.
Am I?

***

"So, we're having a cute video as your early wedding gift." Sophie berkata.
Di rapat terakhir sebelum kami berangkat ke Indonesia, rekan-rekan kerja Garde ujug-ujug masuk ke meeting room yang diselenggarakan di Zoom.

"Wow. Thanks, guys!" Avant berkomentar.
Kami online dari rumah, dia di kamar yang dibanjiri sinar matahari dan aku di ruang tengah yang lebih luas dan dekat sama dapur. Priorities, dude.

"These are the footage of your cute moments at our office. It's short, and we're kinda hacking into our security tapes, but it's actually pretty sweet." sambung Jacques.

Lalu sebuah video menguasai layar kami.
Diiringi lagu Lucky. Isinya ternyata adalah video-video pendek kami yang diambil diam-diam dan secara candid. Rasanya...mendadak berasa kayak artis Hollywood!

Ternyata aku...lumayan nempel-nempel ya. Di bagian awal video, banyak banget adegan aku benerin masker Avant lah, rapiin rambutnya, melirik-lirik ngecengin dia, senyum-senyum sendiri lihat dia, bisik-bisikin Avant sampai dia ketawa, merangkul lengannya di luar kantor.
Astaga. Malu aku. Selama ini aku gak kepikir sama sekali kalau...kelihatannya tuh gini ternyata ya.
It's almost a bit sad, to be honest. Videonya bisa dikasih judul "Neria Ilsa being flirty to Avant for 3 and half minutes straight!!!" di Youtube. Aku langsung ingat sama obrolanku dan Kiky soal love language. Ya sih. Emang Avant orangnya gak touchy-touchy, dia sukanya kasih-kasih dan bantu-bantuin orang. Liat orang sedih, aku tuh refleksnya peluk, sementara dia nyariin tisu.

Untungnya di akhir-akhir, ada Avant yang peluk aku duluan, gantian mengacak-acak rambut, rekaman dia isengin aku pas Zoom Meeting...diakhiri foto kami berdua berdiri bersebelahan sambil tersenyum satu sama lain.
Anda tulisannya juga: Congratulations!