Palembang, June 1st, 2001
"Happy birthday Aneska!"
I woke up when I heard those words. I saw they were already in my room and brought me a pink cake that was full of cream. I was 19 years old and this was my first birthday without my family.
"Happy birthday! I'm sorry I can't give you the gift but I hope you will always be happy!" Dika said.
"Happy birthday, Nes! I wish you a long and healthy life!''
Those words came from Yonna.
"Happy birthday," Haden said.
"Thank you all! I am very lucky to be able to celebrate my birthday with you guys."
I've just received a call from my mother. I was very happy today. I was grateful, I was still given the opportunity to breathe and be surrounded by lovely people. This afternoon, to celebrate my special day, we went to the cinema in Cineplex Studio near Pasar Cinde. We would watch the Pasir Berbisik film.
"Everyone is ready?" Mrs. Sari asked us.
"Yes ma'am. Let's go," I replied.
We arrived at the cinema. It was my first time watching a movie in the cinema. The building was quite magnificent and crowded because today was Sunday. Mrs. Sari bought the ticket for us and she also bought popcorn and drinks that would accompany us while watching the movie. We sat in rows on the top bench and I sat next to Haden.
"Have you ever watched a movie in the cinema at Yogya?" Haden asked me in a voice slowly.
"No, I haven't. This is my first time going to the cinema, how about you?"
"I went to the cinema in Yogya in 1997. I went to Empire Cinema but people said the cinema was closed."
"Yes, that's right."
Empire Cinema was one of the favorite cinemas in my city in the 90's. However, in 1999, the building was hit by fire, so now the land has been vacated. We finished watching the movie for almost 1, 5 hours. The film told about how a young girl had to live with her mother without a father in a poor village. The young lady was played by Dian Sastrowardoyo, an actress who not only had a beautiful face, but was also very good at acting. No wonder many people like her.
"We just go home, okay? I cooked at home," Mrs. Sari said.
"Yup! Your food is no less tasty than the food in a restaurant," Dika replied.
After finishing dinner, I chose to breathe the air on the rooftop.
"This is for you. I'm sorry, I can only give you this," Haden gave the gift for me.
"Thank you, Den!" I said.
He went back inside after giving it to me. I was curious so I immediately opened this gift. He gave me the Supernova novel and I just remembered I had told him before that I wanted to buy this novel. However, the thing that made me confused was why someone as cool as him would suddenly give me something I wanted so badly. It was true that we had become closer because we often came home and ate together, but I still didn't expect it.
"I'm Aneska," I knocked on Haden's room door.
"Yes?" he opened the door.
"I want to say thank you for giving it to me."
"You're welcome. These are only small things that I can give to you. It's late, I'm going to sleep, bye!" he closed the door.
"Later, you can go home first with Haden. I will go to my friend's house," Yonna said to me.
