SUDIRMAN 12190

ratna.dmyt: Hows the new building?

erie.nugroho: It’s alright.

ratna.dymt: Seriously?

erie.nugroho: All right, all right. I love my new building. Damn rat, this building is like so cool. To the extreme. The view is amazing, but only if you get the side of the building where you can see all of Sudirman. Amazing how many buildings we have on that road.

ratna.dmyt: I’m so jealous right now. Totally. While the whole magazine division has moved to the new building, all the other divisions are here to rot in this…shit-hole.

erie.nugroho: Don’t say that rat. The BNI 46 building is a very nice building. It’s not bad.

ratna.dmyt: Well compared to the building you’re using now, ours look like a pig sty. By the way, what internet service are you using there?

erie.nugroho: Three letters. C B N.

ratna.dmyt: NO. How fast?

erie.nugroho: Facebook Home takes exactly half a second to open.

ratna.dmyt: I hate you so much right now Ri. How dare you leave me in this ugly building with the stupid coffee machine that never works and the shitty Telkom Speedy internet? You’re a traitor to the whole TV division you know. Just wait until tomorrow, when the whole building will find out of your new Talavera building and you’re oh so classy internet provider.

erie.nugroho: Chill my dear. But please, keep it on the down low. Anyway, if it makes you feel better, we have to walk to Citos to get Starbucks. For you, you just need to go down the elevators and wall-ah, it’s right there.

ratna.dmyt: True, true. So, why haven’t you gone home? Are you magazine people pulling an all-nighter tonight?

erie.nugroho: No. It’s just, I don’t know if I want to part from my new super speedy internet access anytime soon. Cecilia’s still in her office. It’s 7 p.m. and I have no idea why she hasn’t gone out of her office since she got back here from lunchtime. Usually she doesn’t even come back after lunch. I was just about to ask if she wants dinner. But she shut all her blinds, so I’m a bit weary.

ratna.dmyt: Ahahahaha, I wonder what she’s doing in there.

erie.nugroho: OMFG. You will never believe who just arrived on our floor.

ratna.dmyt: Who? Who?!

erie.nugroho: Charles and James. With their “mistresses”.

ratna.dmyt: OMG, are you serious? Like the four of them? Now?

erie.nugroho: C U. Time to greet them. Bye.

erie.nugroho has left the conversation.

Sudirman tonight: Erie Nugroho was indulged in an online chat with her friend Ratna Damayanti when they came. Two of the most powerful men in her company. One of them was Charles Muhammad, a Malaysian man sick of his country and has fled to Indonesia. Charles is head of the television division of Gondokusumo Media Group. He is a very tall, huge man with perfect english speaking skills. He looks smart, and really he is. Too bad his intentions usually include crushing people’s career and naked women. The other one is James Pudjiadi, executive director of all the divisions at Gondokusumo Media Group. Unlike Charles whose worked for his position, James easily earned a high-ranking position at his family’s company when he finished college.

While stupid Nate Archibald would easily turn down an opportunity at a high ranking career he feel he doesn’t deserve, there are people out there who would take those opportunities and let those other people, who deserve it more than him/her, to go fuck themselves instead. James is one of those people. He’s not smart and his english reeks of faked Australian accent with a dab of Singaporean accent, but he’s super rich. Like totally. The Gondokusumo Media Group is a very powerful company in Indonesia. They’re offices are based in the BNI 46, but the most recent stunt was taken by Cecilia Kusmulyana, the head of the magazine division. Who, under her own cost, moved the whole magazine division to the new Talavera office building in Cilandak. She is a powerful woman, and Erie was her assistant. The presence of Charles and James on this unusual night can only mean one thing. Someone is about to be taken down.

“Hello,” said Wanda, James’ beautiful, dark-haired, pixie-like assistant. “James and Charles would like to see Cecil,” she says to Erie. Wanda was Erie’s enemy. It was a mutual hate shared among them. But it was shared. Shared to the other assistant next to Wanda. Charles’ assistant, Stefani. Wanda and Stefani have been rooting for Erie’s job since forever, but Cecil gave it to Erie instead because Wanda and Stefani have been to devoted to James and Charles. And of course, Cecil new better than to give a job to someone associated with James and Charles. “I’ll check in to see if she would like to see anyone,” Erie replied.

At that remark, Stefani let out a low snort. Erie let it go. She didn’t want to start a fight in their new office. Expensive M.A.C. cosmetic might stain the carpets. Erie stood up from her chair and went towards the door near her desk. The door that would lead her to her boss’ office. She went in and shut the door. Cecilia Gondokusumo was wearing a YSL suit and was staring at the computer screen. She was 65 and stunning. Though she might look like Medusa’s mother at times, no one really knows how motherly she is. Cecilia looks up. “Yes?” she asks.

“I’m sorry to bother you ma’am. But Charles an-”

“Send them in,” she says immediately as she types something on her iMac. They used Windows in the old office. It was time for change. Erie nodded and headed for the door when Cecil looked up and said, “Oh and Erie, can you please call Audi, tell her that I’ll be missing the jet. She can just go ahead with her friends. Don’t forget to tell the pilot to come back as soon as they arrive in Bali. I’ll be leaving as soon as the jet gets back. I want you to go home now and pack. You’re coming with me. Call all the editors and tell them to cancel their summer plans, excuse the chief editors if they couldn’t cancel, but I expect all the junior editors to be there in Bali. Tell them to open their emails, I just sent them all the details.”

“Yes ma’am,” Erie says. Then she excuses her self and nods at Stefani and Wanda, who were currently laughing at something on Erie’s desk. Stefani and Wanda call their bosses from the waiting room and when they came back, Erie was already seated. There was a sofa across Erie’s desk, in which Stefani and Wanda sat in after their bosses went inside Cecil’s office. The room went silent. Stefani whispered something into Wanda’s ear. And then Wanda giggled. “Is that Chanel bag real or fake Erie?” asks Wanda slyly.

“It’s none of your business.” Stefani laughed at that reply. “Well then it must be fake,” said Stefani taking her Blackberry from her Chanel purse. She began to type her password and reply something that someone just sent her. Or probably she was just looking to see if she finally made it on Jakarta Social Blog*. “You have The Job Erie. You’re the assistant of the head of the magazine division for heavens sake. And you don’t even think of taking advantage? How stupid is that,” added Stefani. Erie decided it was those times she should defend herself by saying something she knew was going to make them look bad. 

Erie sighed. “Well, Cecil bought me this purse for my birthday after she watched the ready to wear show in Paris. Where did you get your purse Stefani? Grand Indonesia? But I bet your boss didn’t buy it for you did he… What does he do? Oh yes, he’s the head of television. Does he get sex tapes of you and him for your birthday?” Wanda let a discreet laugh. Stefani, obviously defeated, shoved her elbow at Wanda. “Oow that hurt,” said Wanda at Stefani. Erie hid her smile and began to dial Audi.

Stasiun Kota: She got out of the train that just arrived from Garut. The speakers were still announcing the arrival of that train. She walked over to the A&W, which was where she was told to go to by her mother once she reached the train station. She saw an old man in a chauffeur’s uniform holding a small whiteboard with her name on it. It was the first embarrassing thing upon her first arrival in Jakarta. The board said a name she knew but never thought she would hear again; Dani Roitfeld.

Dani, only carrying a duffel bag with her, approached the man. He was being starred by the many people that passed him on that bustling evening in the train station. As Dani walked closer to him, she let out a kind smile, one of her best qualities. “You must be Dani,” said the driver in English. Dani looked at him once more and he was…Indonesian. Caught off guard, Dani replied in a stutter. “Y-yes, I am.” The driver, indicates her to follow him. They walk out of the authentic train station and Dani is led to a stunning black Mercedes Benz. The driver unlocks the car and opens a door to the back-seat for Dani. “Do you mind if I sit in front?” The driver closes the door and heads to the door in front of it. But before he could open it, Dani stopped him. “I-I can get that. You, you just start the car.” The driver smiled and Dani swore that he let out a little hidden laugh. Once seated, the driver asks, “Would you like Prambors or Trax FM?”

“Gen FM please,” replies Dani. The little hidden laugh then came again. But he was an expert in hiding it. Dani thought that his ability to hide laughs might be the reason why they sent him to pick her up from the train station.

The car slides through the streets of Sudirman with the engine rumbling really low. “That’s a really huge…hotel,” Dani says to the driver. “But why does it have a BCA tower?” she adds. Dani ignored the hidden laugh this time. She had gotten used to it. And the fact that city people think she’s a village freak.

“That is not just a hotel. That is a mall, an apartment, an office tower and a hotel all in one spot,” replied the driver.

“Seriously?” asks Dani.

“It’s called Grand Indonesia. Just officially opened today by the president.”

“Impressive. But, but it’s just so big. Although the land looks like it’s the same size as my uncle’s rice fields; or is it just me. And it looks so crowded this…this mall,” says Dani as the car passes through the Harvey Nichols banner that changes from the shades of brown to pink as you pass by it. “Welcome to Jakarta my dear…welcome to Jakarta,” replies the driver.

A few minutes later, the driver takes a left turn and heads into the toll road. “Wait a minute, didn’t the previous street sign say that the Soekarno Hatta airport was to the right?” asks Dani in a confused manner. Unclear things like this made her scared, panicked. “We’re not going there,” the driver said. “We’re going to a different airport, Halim Perdanakusuma. Ever heard of it?”

“No. I thought all the flights in Jakarta go through Soekarno Hatta,” she replied, trying to hide her panic. She was afraid that this was all a scam and that her mother had sold her to some wicked family that wanted to rape and abuse her. But the Mercedes should have comforted her thoughts, but still, it didn’t. Then came the reply: “There’s just one problem, they don’t take private planes at Soekarno Hatta.”

I used to rule the world 
Seas would rise when I gave the word 
Now in the morning I sweep alone 
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice 
Feel the fear in my enemy’s eyes 
Listen as the crowd would sing: 
“Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!”

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing 
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing 
Be my mirror my sword and shield 
My missionaries in a foreign field 
For some reason I can’t explain 
Once you go there was never, never an honest word 
That was when I ruled the world

Songs used:

Viva La Vida -Coldplay

* http://jakartasocial.wordpress.com

Sooner or later it all comes crashing down
Crashing down
When everyone’s around 
I bet
You would’ve paid up all your cash down
Your cash down
And not make a sound 
But everyone knows now

Everything suddenly became a blur as I reached that last high note Mikki helped me practice over and over again. That Whitney Houston song was the hardest song I ever practiced singing. Mikki was there to help me though. But even if she was a military general when training me that song hours before the show, she was still considerate. She gave me water break when she thought I needed it most, she invited me for lunch at Sushi Sei in P.S. because she said I looked weak (which I declined), and she printed me the lyrics. In her hard and stern military face, I could see the regret she had for mistreating me and singing my original solo performance at the Chanel Private Party the night before. I wish I had gone with her to have lunch. I haven’t eaten anything for the past five days except for those small Party Cube cheeses. People must think Mikki poisoned me or something. But it was all my fault. I felt woozy but didn’t do anything about it.

So you’re sad
About the moment you lost your love
Damn
You couldn’t see her leaving
You were gassed
And that’s sucks 
Don’t it 
Cause God yanked the rug and holding your heart will not help you breathe

Sooner or Later -N.E.R.D.
Trainwreck -Demi Lovato

Sudirman today: It’s still Saturday. So here’s how the day went. The kids were asked to be at Hotel Mulia for a morning rehearsal from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Then they were asked to go home and get an afternoon nap (which no one really did), and be back at the theater at around 6 p.m. because the show will start at 8 p.m. But what interested everyone the most and made everyone flee from thoughts of a failure show was what the director of the show did during the company call in the morning before everything started. So, here’s how it went.

The whole cast and crew was gathered on the stage. The hall was huge. Really, really huge. All the three halls of Hotel Mulia were bared of its moveable walls and opened into this really huge open space. Since this play was based on a Japanese anime movie, and because the floors of the Hotel Mulia halls were carpeted, the school decided to make every guest sit on pillows of the same shape, size and color. One pillow for each person. Well, they were tatami pillows or whatever they may be called. They were in a light beige color. Almost pink. There were thousands of them lined perfectly all over the hall. Well, there were only 3000 pillows and it was said that the show was sold out. Ticket prices were at 200,000 rupiah for the side wings of the stage and for the part of the cushions facing the stage, they were prices at 300,000 rupiah. The Hotel Mulia workers were still placing the cushions under the deadly command of the committee mothers while the first company call of the day was held.

The director stood in front of the stage. He began talking. “Mikki Saunders, stand up.” Mikki was whispering and giggling to a friend while he said this. She didn’t hear him. The director glanced an evil eye toward her. Then he said again, louder this time. “Mikki Saunders STAND UP!” Mikki heard it this time and immediately shot upright, standing. She looked confused. She saw anger in the director’s eye. “You sang our finale song at the Chanel Party last night.” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement. Anger in his tone was noticed by the whole cast. They were listening intently now and pocketed their cell phones and all chatter stopped. Finally. “May I ask you why?”

“I-I,” stuttered Mikki. She did not know what to say. “I-I, I sang it because I thought it would give a good preview to the audience who haven’t bought a ticket yet to our show,” she continued. The director of the play was not pleased of her answer.

“Well next time! Next time! You don’t spoil a play’s finale song at a public event! And goddamn it Mikki, they all already had tickets! Last night, when you sang our finale with your introduction, we only had three spots left in the audience Mikki! So we didn’t need your personal promotion to boost the play! We put goddamn ads in the newspaper and magazines and radios and what not! We booked this HUGE hall for heavens sake!” the director shouted at her. He was walking all over the stage and at times not looking at Mikki while he said his monologue. Finally, when he was back at the center of the stage and had ended his monologue, he looked back at Mikki.

“As a punishment, I’m sorry Mikki, but I’m going to cancel your song after the curtain closes.” Whisper ran through the hall like wild fire. “Georgi,” he said out loud. Georgi then zoomed up in the air and was standing. “We’re changing your song Georgia. It’ll be I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston. I’ve seen Mikki sing this song,” he continues. He takes his wallet out of his pocket and exerts a card. He throws it to Georgi. Go to my suite. My iPod’s already docked to the speakers. Mikki go with her. Teach her the song. I’ll be there in an hour to teach you the dramatic directions alright Georgia? Can you both handle that without ripping each other hairs off?”

There was no answer.

“Oh well, we’ll just have to give it a try then,” the director said cooly. He snaps his fingers as a signal for the two girls to get going. And they do. 

Georgi also notices the glaring eyes of Mikki upon her. But Georgi keeps walking forward, in front of Georgi. Mikki walked faster and now was beside Georgi. She leaned closer to her. They walked slower. “Georgi,” she said sweetly. But her voice was somewhat bitter. “Did you know my dad completely paid for the venue of all three shows? It cost around, I don’t know, probably 1 billion rupiah? I wonder what he’ll say when he doesn’t see me perform?” She turned and looked at Georgi. Georgi did not know how to react. But gallantly, Mikki opened the large double doors and turned around to head out. Georgi stopped walking. And the doors closed behind her. The bitch and the guilt, all at once. Too bad they’ll be locked in one room.

Showtime: The large chandeliers on the ceiling began to dim. The geisha-looking ushers began to show the last of the guests (all of whom were rich enough to pay for the front rows and show up late without pissing the other guests off). The gong was hit once and its sound echoed throughout the hall. Whispers started to fade and the usher geishas (who really were the 7th and 8th grade girls), barefoot as they were, began to rush. As soon as all the guests were seated (while some spots were still empty), the pre-installed curtain machine began to ramble and the closed curtains began to separate. Only the school could pull off pre-installed curtain machines at a hall with no theatrical values (or machines). The drums began to beat once again on the left side of the stage. There were 20 large drums drummed by 20 male students dressed in red and black ninja costumes. The beating began softly and in seconds they became louder and louder. And at their loudest bang, it stopped. On the right side of the stage, the Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra began to pull the first note to the opening song and the play began.

Scene 1–Curios of a New World : “Chihiro, a sullen little girl, was moving to a new home with her family. On the way, her father missed a turn, got lost and decided to try an off-road trail. At the end of that trail, they stumbled upon an abandoned 90s amusement park. Chihiro and her parents saw a light coming from the end of the tunnel entrance to the amusement park. Curiosity went through Chihiro’s father and decided he would like to go through the tunnel. The spoiled and stubborn Chihiro, refused. This is the story of Chihiro and how she was, Spirited Away.”

Scene 2–The Bathhouse Comes Alive: “Run Chihiro, run! Run before it gets dark!” shouts Haku, played by Samuel Santoso. Chihiro, now still played by Mikki Saunders, runs to stage right. But spirits with black and white masks and large red cloaks started to walk slowly towards her direction. Mikki runs the other way, toward stage left, but the same spirits began to appear. The Jakarta Philharmonic Orchestra began to play rapidly, the violins, cellos and the trumpets and the drums as well. They played faster and faster. The stage, which was covered with light grew slowly dim. Then as the cloaked spirits approached Chihiro, played by Mikki Saunders, closer and closer they went, the song played faster. And suddenly, the lights were flashing on and off and so forth. The spirits had already made a shell all around Mikki. Covering her completely. Then at the height of it all, the hall went pitch black. The gong was banged, and it was loud. Immediately, the spirits huddled around Chihiro, spun around and broke the shell. Chihiro, had changed. Once played by Mikki, now Chihiro was replaced by Georgi.

Scene 3–In Yubaba’s Presence: “Yubaba is the owner of the bathhouse. She’s an old witch. Her magic turned your parents into pigs. She hates it when humans eat our spirit food without permission. Remember, you do not want to irritate, annoy or make her angry,” Rin began, played by Na. “People say she’s stingy, evil, sadistic and heartless. I agree, but she takes care of us. And she will take her of you. But be careful, be very very careful. Now go.” Chihiro, now played by Georgi, knocked on Yubaba’s doors. “Come in,” a croaky voice said from inside. It was sly. Sushila Soemarsono played her. Chihiro walked in Yubaba’s beautifully designed quarters. The mothers went overboard with this set.

Moments later in Scene 3: “So you want the job at the bathhouse eh?” Yubaba said with a croaky voice. It was husky. Sushila had made her voice perfect for the role. Chihiro nodded. “Okay fine, you’ll just need to sign your name on this paper,” Yubaba told her as she brought a paper and a feather pen towards Chihiro. Chihiro signed her name. Yubaba took back the paper and told Chihiro. “From now on, your name is Sen.” Chihiro nodded and repeated the name. “Go along Sen,” Yubaba said waving her hand indicating for her to leave in a rude way.

Scene 4–The River Spirit: It was morning in the play. Sen had just woke up. There were a row of beds on stage. Center stage. All filed with female students who played the women workers at the bathhouse. In the front stage area was a wooden bar that resembled those bars that kept you from falling of the edge of balconies. Rin was leaning on it. Sen walked towards Rin and leaned on the bars. “Rin,” Sen began. “How did you end up here?”

Rin sighed. She was played by Na. “You really want to know?” Rin looked at Sen awkwardly. “Yes, please,” said Sen sincerely. Rin began singing.

Something’s started crazy 
Sweet and unknown
Something you keep
In a box on the street 
Now it’s longing for a home

“I didn’t keep anything a secret,” Sen said.

And who can say what dreams are?
Wake me in time to be lonely and sad
And who can say what we are?
This is the season for dreaming
And now our bodies are the guilty ones
Who touch
And color the hours
Night won’t breathe
Oh how we
Fall into silence from the sky
And whisper some silver reply

“I dreamt nothing. But I still ended here. What’s your dream?”

Pulse is gone and racing 
All fits and starts
Window by window
You try and look into
This brave new you that you are

“Have I changed?” Sen asked herself.

And who can say what dreams are?
Wake me in time to be out in the cold
And who can say what we are?
This is the reason for dreaming
And now our bodies are the guilty ones 
Our touchWill fill every hour
Huge and dark
Oh our hearts
Will murmur the blues from on high
Then whisper some silver reply
And now our bodies are the guilty ones 
Our touch
Will color hours
Night won’t breathe
Oh how we
Fall in silence from the sky
Then whisper some silver reply
“Really Sen,” Rin said. “That’s really the pattern of how we end up in this shitty bathhouse. Mind my language. I know that one day, I’ll find myself. I’ll get out of here. But I need to know my real name first. You have Haku thank goodness. He remembered your name for you. Just, try not to forget it.” Rin put one hand around Sen to comfort her. “Work in the bathhouse gets really hard that you forget your past life completely. Never let that happen Sen. Your name is like your passport in this world.”

“You know about passports?” Sen asked.

“I got lost her too. It was a long time ago.”

Scene 6–No-Face the Monster: 

c’est pas possible cet amour, c’est incroyable.
Tu me fais transpirer, c’est parfait

Working so hard every night and day
And now we get the pay back
Trying so hard saving up the paper
Now we get to lay back

Sharaz Azzahra, a spirit monster in a black cloak with a white mask, ripped the costume off. Kept the mask. And underneath was a black tutu. She wore golden bangles and golden ballet shoes. While singing the song. As part of the set, the workers of the bathhouse worshipped her. From all sides of the backstage, golden coins were thrown towards the stage. The Narrator had mentioned that the monster could procure fake gold out of his hands. The workers of the bathhouse would then simply be addicted

Champagne kisses hold me in your lap of luxury
I only want to fly first class desires, you’re my limousine
So elegant the way we ride, our passion it just multiplies
There’s platinum lightning in the sky
Look I’m livin’ like a queen

Tu est si jolie c’est pas possible. C’est jamais assez… c’est jamais assez.
Tu me fais plein. Toutes les choses tu me fais sentir, c’est parfait.
Je suis bien avec toi… je suis bien

Scene Eight–The Final Quiz: There were eight pigs on the stage. Standing beside them was Yubaba, the evil witch. “Now Sen,” Yubaba began to say to Sen who was standing in front of her. “You need to choose, which of these eight pigs are your parents. If you succeed, I will transform them back into human and you are free to go.” She said it menacingly. Her voice was also sly. Yubaba was played by Sushila anyway. She was sly all the way through. 

Sen, still played by Georgi, thought. Then came the answer.

“None of them are my parents,” she said. The stage shook and the lights flashed on and off, then the pigs jumped in the air. They were students who played the workers at the bathhouse. As they jumped, the students took of their pig costume and underneath was their bathhouse costume. They all shouted in cheers, together with the other bathhouse workers present to see Sen test. Sen, now Chihiro, was free to go, so she ran across the wooden bridge (whose creation was debated endlessly, cause it was a bridge, on stage). On the other end of the bridge she met Haku. The aura on stage suddenly turned serious. Not was it the saddest part of the play, but it was the one with the hardest song. 

“Your parents are waiting for you across the river. They will remember nothing. Now walk and don’t look back. I’ll take you there. But you must not look at me. I will stand beside you. You can speak to me, but looking at me will count as looking back,” Haku told her.

“I’ll miss you. When will I see you again?” Chihiro asked.

“As soon as possible.”

Share my life; take me for what I am
Cause I’ll never change all my colors for you
Take my love, I never asked for too much
Just all that you are and everything that you do
I don’t really need to look Very much further
I don’t want to have to go Where you don’t follow
I won’t hold it back again This passion inside
Can’t run from myself, there’s no where to hide
Don’t make close one more door
I don’t want to hurt any more
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or Must I imagine you’re there?
Don’t walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing,
If I don’t have you, You, you, you, you.
You see through, right to the heart of me
You break down my walls
with the strength of your love
I never knew, love like I’ve known it with you
When our memories survive Uh one I can hold on to
I don’t really need to look very much further
I don’t want to have to go where you don’t follow
I won’t hold it back again this passion inside
I can’t run from myself there’s no where to hide
Your love I remember forever
But don’t make me close one more door
I don’t want to hurt any more
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you’re there
Don’t walk away from me
I have nothing, nothing, nothing.
Don’t make me close one more door
I don’t want to hurt any more
Stay in my arms if you dare
Or must I imagine you’re there
Don’t walk away from me no
Don’t walk away from me
Don’t you dare walk away from me!
I have nothing, nothing, nothing
If I don’t have you, you, If I don’t–

Then something that wasn’t supposed to happen, happened. Georgi fainted. On stage.

Songs used:

The Guilty Ones -Spring Awakening
Luxurious -Gwen Stefani
I Have Nothing -Jennifer Hudson (Idol Version)

Sudirman today: It was Saturday. The show would not start till 8 p.m. Unlike the other years where they would stage the show at Kautaman, they were staging their performance at Hotel Mulia. There would be more or less 1000 people? They were told to be there at 6 p.m. but it was only 4 p.m. now and Natalia Batubara was at Theresia Church in Menteng. She was there to find calmness and peace. 

A friend once told her: “Sometimes, you need to get lost to find yourself.” Well not a friend, but that Australian kid in the Walkabout commercial. And right now she was lost. And she was trying to find herself. She was preparing herself for the play. She was immersed in thought, trying to remember the lines. Aside from her, and like three other people who were already there praying and the choir who were practicing, it felt so spacious. The church was like a castle. And she owned it at that moment. Princesses needed her castles right? And she was in it. She was sitting on the front row looking at the altar. She was halfway through her lines when her eyes fell on the statue of Jesus on the cross. 

He looked like he was hurting. Real bad. 

But Na imagined if he hurt as much she did when Joshua bailed on her at the debutante ball. Na let out a sigh. He must’ve hurt more she thought those nails on his body were not just metal nails. They were nails of the thousands and thousands of people who requested him to be crucified. The nails pinned on her were only from Joshua Tanuwijaya. One nail against a thousand. Na couldn’t bear the pain. She imagined thousands of Joshua then and there so she stood up and headed for the church doors. 

But, as she turned around to head for the door, Joshua was standing there. Looking more wasted than he ever did. Na thought he looked pathetic, but that’s what made him look hot. The choir began to practice on of their songs.

And I 
Never thought I’d feel this way
And as far as I’m concerned I’m glad I got the chance to say
That I do believe I love you

“Oh my God,” said Na lazily. “This must be a fucking dream.” But Joshua just walked closer to her.

“Na please just listen to what I have to say…”

And if I should ever go away
Well then close your eyes and try to feel the way we do today
And than if you can’t remember…..

“No,” replied Na blandly. She turned course and headed out of the double doors on the left side of the church. “Na please wait,” Joshua said from behind her. He followed her from behind. She walked faster and soon the two were in the side parking lot of the church. He grabbed her hand from behind her. “Na please listen. Just give me a couple of minutes.” Na looked back at him. “Fine, you have my attention. What do you want to tell me Joshua?”

Keep smilin’
Keep shinin’
Knowin’ you can always count on me 
for sure
that’s what friends are for
In good times
And bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

“I want to tell you why I bailed on you at the ball,” he replied. Na didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry I left without telling you but I was foolish. I didn’t know how to face you. You were nothing but nice to me Na and I feel that it was unfair that I left you and bailed on you without an explanation. I’m very very sor-”

“Can you please just get to the fucking point Joshua,” replied Na. He was getting on her nerves.

Well you came and open me
And now there’s so much more I see
And so by the way I thank you….

“I-I…I bailed on you at the ball because…” He paused. “Because the night before, I had sex with Shiela and didn’t know how to face you. I’m very sorry Na. I thought it would be best for both of us if I left. But I felt very guilty for not telling you why I bailed. Na, I’m very sorry. Please, Na, forgive me. I hope we can still be friends Na. I don’t want to lose you. Friends?”

Ohhh and then 
For the times when we’re apart
Well just close your eyes and know
These words are comming from my heart
And then if you can’t remember….Ohhhhh

Na shook her head. “I’m sorry Joshua. I don’t think I can ever be your friend again. After everything that you’ve done to me. I counted on you to show up. I was sure that you’re going to show up. So sure that I humiliated myself Josh. I humiliated myself. And we were in a boyfriend girlfriend relationship when you made me humiliate myself. As friends, do you think I still can count on you? I stuck with you through the bad times, the fun times but I was still never enough was I? You had to go after my best friend too?” Joshua tried to cut her. “No Josh. I know you’re going to say that she approached you. Yes she did. But you didn’t love me enough to withstand her approach. You were not by my side as my boyfriend so I don’t think there is a chance you’ll be by my side as just a friend. And let’s keep it at that. Let’s not do anymore stupid things.”

Keep smilin’
Keep shinin’
Knowin’ you can always count on me 
for sure
that’s what friends are for
In good times
And bad times
I’ll be on your side forever more
That’s what friends are for

“I have a performance soon,” Na said to end their conversation. “So I guess I’ll be on my way.” Na walked away.

“Na,” Joshua called. Na turned around. “I’m sorry.”

“Yeah,” Na said. “You should be.” She turned around again and was on her way.

Later: Na was on her way to the hotel. She picked her phone and dialed a friend. After a few beeps that friend answered. “Hey Sharaz, I need help with some photos that I want you to edit.”

“What photos Na?”

“I’ll send it to your email with the details and stuff. I’m sure it’ll be a fun task,” Na said.

“What does it involve?” Sharaz asked.

“Steamy male nudity and my head cropped on the photo to cover the dick. I just sent it dear. Enjoy!”

“Will do,” replied Sharaz happily.

Stop being a dickhead,
Why are you being a dickhead for
You’re just fucking up situations
Why are you being a dickhead for
Stop being a dickhead,
Why you being a dickhead for
You’re just fucking up situations

Why are you being a dickhead for
Stop being a dickhead
Why you being a dickhead for
You’re just fucking up situations

Songs used:

That’s What Friends Are For -Stevie Wonder
Dickhead -Kate Nash

Sudirman today: Na entered the garden of the church in Menteng. She sat down in the benches put in front of the statue of Mother Mary. Looked at it. It looked right through her. She wonder what it felt like being her. Never having sex. This woman really inspired the Juno’s of the world. In a more holy and purposeful way. Then a breeze rushed and blew Na’s hair in the wind. Na felt the breeze. It was calming. She wondered if she could just live here in the Church complex and never have to worry about not showing up at Celebrity Fitness in the latest Nike shoes, university, school, parties… How calming it would be she thought. But just not this church. To many people will spot her. But she was here to meet someone. And not think about a life as a nun. “Good to see you again Na,” says a man coming from behind her. Na was waiting for him. He sat down next to her. Na leaned her head on his shoulders. “What’s wrong this time Natalia?”

Na sighs. “Joshua Tanuwijaya, my boyfriend.”

“The guy who bailed on you at the debutante ball?” asks the priest.

“Yes father,” Na replies. She sighs again. “He never came back. As you might already heard. Or not cause he’s a Protestant. But,” Na begins. She sighs one more time and looks at the priest in the eye. “But he wants to meet me this summer Father Nico. He…he want’s to privately talk to me and I just can’t wait another month for that time to come. I want to know why fuck (oh I’m so sorry) he left. I… I… I have a play coming up father. I have the Spring Play where I have a significant part and I have exams too. I- I just can’t get my mind off Joshua to really focus on these two things… It’s frustrating but I- I don’t know father. How should I focus on the play and the finals with this Joshua thing. I’m going to Bali for the summer and he has a tournament there. He wants me to meet him there.”

“Na… Joshua has a very good reason to tell you why he bailed. It must have taken something very very significant for him to leave like that. But he did not tell you. He just left. He was the one who wronged you Natalia darling,” the father tells her. He puts a hand on her shoulders. “He wronged you. And you agreeing to meet him is partly forgiveness in the works. So you’re right and he’s wrong. Yes, I know, waiting in patience might not be one of your strongest fortes. But he is the one who should be anxious to tell you his reason. Not you. In fact, if he really was sorry and he really wanted to justify his bail on you, he should be here, now, to tell you instead of keeping you waiting.” Na nods her head.

“Well…I think you’re right. Yeah, he should be the one coming here to tell me actually. Thanks father,” Na says as she gets up from the bench.

“Anytime Nat,” he replies.

Later that night: “So,” G asks his sister Georgi. “What part did you get?” The two were eating dinner at Oyster Plaza Senayan. G had just finished a business meeting and his car and driver went to pick up Georgi at school so G decided they have dinner together. “I got the part of Chihiro in the play Spirited Away by Hayao Miyazaki. And why is your name on the script?” asks Georgi confused. “Don’t tell me you wrote it?” she continues after another bite of her oyster topped with melted cheese.

“Yes I did Georgi,” G replies. “So, which Chihiro did you get? The one who only shows up in the very beginning and the very end or the Chihiro in the spirit world who is practically in every scene?”

“I got the spirit world one. Guess who got the Chihiro in the human world?” asks Georgi with a slightly irritated tone in her voice. “Oh…know what? Mikki Saunders got the part. Which Mikki? The Mikki that sang with Mark Ronson dj-ing. Guess what? Now she’s gonna show up in the beginning and in the end of the play. So I’m fucked. Everyone’s first impression will be on her and what if she does a really great Chihiro for the first five minutes of the play and then I show up and people start leaving the theater?” Georgi drops the oyster meat on her shirt. “Mother fucker.”

“Well them leaving five minutes into the play will be highly impossible since they’ll be paying 200,000 per ticket,” G replies. “And I’m sure that you’ll steal the show. I mean, you’re singing almost all the songs while she has only like one song in the beginning…”

“And guess what? She’s saying the last sentence of the finale song when Chihiro finally goes home from the spirit world. That’s the like cherry on top of the whole fucking sundae that I’m gonna eat and get fat from,” Georgi tells her brother. “And Mikki will perform at the Chanel Private Party the night before the show so everyone at the Chanel Private Party who’ll watch the play the next day (which I’m sure will be almost everyone-except the celebrities) will be waiting to watch her and not me. I mean, if Mikki got the part of Rin the sidekick, I’ll be fine but she gets to play the same part I’m playing only for a shorter time. I’m so pissed, defeated and pissed and defeated. So fuck her, fuck the play, fuck everyone. Oh my God……why did she have to get that part. I mean, her getting that part is like a step away from her getting my part.”

G shakes his head. “Here, let me tell you the real reason why she got the part. Her father is the ambassador of the United Kingdom. If he comes, then the ambassador of Spain, Portugal, France, Germany and Italy might come because I heard they’re really tight, so I heard. And this Mikki girl loves theater. She loves it to death. So it was necessary to have her given a significant part. Though only five minutes, I heard they’re giving her the Solo.”

Georgi drops her spoon.

“What? The Solo? I thought the Solo was mine? I thought that Ruben Studdard song in the finale was mine? The one where she only sings the last sentence?” Georgi asks worriedly. 

G shakes his head. “They’re adding another song. For Mikki. The song will come after your solo finale song. I heard after that the ‘Celebrate Me Home’ song in the end where all the cast sing for the last chorus, they’re closing the curtain and adding Aly and AJ’s song ‘Like Whoa’ with a whole new set. They told me its a more upbeat contemporary song to end the play with. To sum up Chihiro’s whole experience at the Spirit World they chose a song titled Like Whoa. So it should match the play.” Georgi was bewildered.

“I-I need to go to the bathroom…” Georgi left the table and as she walked to the bathroom, on the fourth floor of the parking building of Plaza Senayan, she saw Dania Simanjuntak, her best friend and Mikki Saunders laughing as they were about to go down the escalator. They spotted her looking at them. They stopped walking as they were a few steps from the escalator. Georgi’s face saddened and with a disappointed face immediately ran for the bathroom. “Wait here,” Dania said to Mikki.

“No,” Mikki said. “I’ll go,” she continued. “Wait for me at Sushi Tei.” Mikki walked fast toward the bathroom and Dania went down the escalator. Mikki then reached the bathroom and opened the door. There was no one except for Georgi who was on the floor sitting down with her back on the marble wall of the toilet. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?! WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?!” shouted Georgi.

Mikki was stunned.

“What is your problem with me?” Mikki said in the middle of the bathroom looking at her. “Look Georgi, if you have a problem with me you should tell me right now. And for your information, I have been nothing but nice to you and this is how you treat me.”

“I DON’T TREAT YOU LIKE ANYTHING! YOU’RE THE ONE MAKING ME TREATING MYSELF LIKE THIS! YOU THINK THAT I LIKE MISTREATING YOU?! YOU THINK THAT I LIKE HATING YOU?! NO MIKKI!” shouted Georgi. She got off the floor and began to shout some more. “I WANT YOU TO BE MY FRIEND! I WANT YOU TO BE MY GODDAMN FUCKING BEST FRIEND! BUT I ALWAYS FEEL SO DEFEATED WHEN I’M WITH YOU MIKKI! I YEARN TO BE YOUR FRIEND!” Georgi took a moment to breathe. “I YEARN FOR US TO SING TOGETHER WHEN NO ONE’S WATCHING! I WANT US TO BE BFFS AND HAVE A SLEEP OVERS WHERE WE MAKE VIDEOS OF US SINGING FUCKING DEMI LOVATO TOGETHER BUT I JUST CAN’T STAND IT! I CAN’T STAND FEELING DEFEATED AROUND YOU!” Georgi walked closer to her. “And if I become your friend and we start doing things together, I’ll just be lying to myself. You and I are competition. I can’t lie to myself. I can’t be your best friend. Because then there’ll be this Georgi inside of me dying to shout and scream at you. A Georgi that will want to rip your heart out when you get chosen to sing at a school event or what not….” Georgi scrunched her hair. She slammed her hands on the marble wall. “SO I JUST CAN’T STAND YOU! WHY THE FUCK DID YOU EVER HAVE TO COME?!” Georgi looked at her to find an answer.

“Well you know what Georgi,” Mikki said to her ear. Mikki had moved closer to her and was now centimeters away. “I’m not going anywhere. So you’ll just have to deal with all the singing parts I’m going to get. Like that solo in the end of your play? I bet you’ve heard of it…or not. But one thing is for sure.

“I’m going to steal the show from you. And make you suffer, like you’ve never suffered before. Watch out bitch, Mikki’s in town.”

Mikki walks out of the bathroom.

Oh my god 
Did you hear (yeah) 
About that bitch 
And what she did? 
I don’t believe it 
Aw, aw 
What a ho 
What a tramp 
What a slut 

The trash washes up to shore 
Even in this landlocked place 
The shit gets thicker 
It’s toxic 
Get it out my face 
And don’t be surprised 
If they don’t buy your lies 
Some of us can see through 
Your stained glass eyes

Song used:

Tilly and the Wall -Pot Kettle Black

Sudirman a few years ago: In the life of the kids part of the Debutante Party, they will spend their last year of high school wondering about which college or Ivy League university they will attend (University of Southern California is the most basic selection while for some, Parsons the New School of Design is simply out of the question) and come spring, they will leave the country and come back 3-4 years later adults brainwashed of all the lies and stabs they experienced in high school. Remember, the kids of the Debutante Party are not merely rich kids or semi-rich Chinese kids who’ll end up studying in Australia but the Debutante Party consists of the really, really rich kids with connections as thick as the Yellow Pages (and not Karl Marx’s 23 page pamphlet).

But tonight is the night when teenagers take their first leap into society, spend their final school year or two choosing universities and prance around the social circuit until the time comes for them to leave the country (again Europe or America and not Australia) and come back adults. Everyone is dressed to the nines tonight and mingling with one another while the boys and girls part of the event are kept in separate rooms away from one another. As all mayhem is on the loose in the girls room, the boys prepare in total peace and calm but with a tad bit of confusion. Finally when ready, the girls and boys are lined up on the stairs. On the left side are the girls and on the right side stand the boys. One by one, they will be called and both boy and girl will go down. But first, once dressed, Na approached Sushila (who was also dressed already). “Shiel, can I speak with you outside?” Sushila nods and the two step outside the changing room which was really only a hotel suite.

“What’s up Na?” asks Shiela.

Na gulps. “I don’t know how to say this to you but you’re my best friend. I’d do anything for you and I’m sure that you’d do anything for me,” Na begins. “I-I made this like pact with Joshua when I found out that you kissed him last year. We don’t talk, we don’t communicate, nothing. If we go down together at this ball, despite anything, then he’ll prove to me that he still loves me. I know, I know, that he’s partnered with you and if you don’t go down with him the whole society will be disappointed with you but I really need this Shiela. I talked with Ezra and he said he’ll be okay if I go down with Josh and he goes down with you. I don’t know what favor I’m asking from you but I just want your approval…”

Shiela looks at Na. “I’m sorry, very sorry to say this Na but…but what if he doesn’t go down with you? What if Joshua doesn’t go down with you?”

“That’s impossible. We love each other.”

“Na…I heard from the other girls that he isn’t even here yet when Justin and Jason are already in the boys changing room.”

Bewildered, Na said, “What?”

“Josh isn’t here Na. I think he’s bailed out on you…”

“No…No…” Na begin to run towards the boys changing room with was on the other end of the hotel. She was holding the train of her Betsey Johnson dress in both hands while she held her flower bouquet in one of her hands as well. Some petals dropped as she ran. But she didn’t care. The fear of losing Joshua, she runs even faster for the boy’s changing room. Once there, she knocks loudly on the door and anxiously, she tapped her feet. Fortunately, Jason opened the door. “Where is Joshua?” Na said as tears were welling up. “Where the fuck is he?”

“I’m sorry Na, I don’t know,” replies Jason light-heartedly.

“What the fuck do you mean by I don’t know? Of course you know where he is Jason… The three of you have the most fucking common name Chinese-Indonesian parents give their children. You’re like the Chindo Brethren. How come you don’t know?” Beep. Beep. Jason looks at his Blackberry and points his pointing finger upright in front of Na as a signal asking her to wait.

Jason began to speak in a softer voice, “Listen, Josh would kill me if I told you this but you’re the fucking best girl he’s ever been with (despite your religion and his). You need to run down now to the driveway in front of the main lobby (not the ballroom lobby). Now. Go Na!” And so, Na begins to run towards the elevator just in time for someone to step out of it and for her to step into it. Once she reached the floor, the elevator door opens, and she runs out. She was in the hall in front of the ballroom and found the stairs that went up to the hotels main lobby.

Gasping for breath, she saw Joshua in a tux running up the stairs. Na ran towards that direction but after a few steps a lady from the committee familiar with Na shouted. “Natalie! We’re starting in five minutes! Where are you going?!” Na looked at the lady. Then looked back up the stairs. “But Joshua just went up the stairs!”

“He cancelled,” the lady began. “He declined his attendance just now.”

Na, without another word runs up the stairs leaving the lady behind her calling for her. Finally the calling stopped as Na reached the last step. She saw not far from where she was a black Mercedes on the driveway. A driver steps out and opens the door to the car. Joshua steps out of the glass doors of the lobby. Natalia runs and as Joshua puts his feet into the car, she slams the bouquet on his back.

Everyone, the doorman, the driver, the people getting on and off cars, people sitting in the lobby and the reception desk people together with the security force were all staring at the flowers scrambling all over the scene. Na took another hit at Joshua after he turned around to see who it was. Then, seeing who it was, his face was shocked. An angry, sweaty Na shouted.

“YOU LEFT! I AM HUMILIATED!”

Natalia was gasping for breath… She looked Joshua in the eye. Joshua looked at her in the eye. He had nothing to say. Na was still gasping for breath. Tears started to roll down her cheeks. Make-up clad tears stained her shimmering face and begin to drip on her velvet dress…

Then Joshua stepped in the car.

Closed the door.

And left.

He walks away, 
The sun goes down, 
He takes the day but I’m grown, 
And it’s OK, 
In this blue shade, 
My tears dry on their own, 

He walks away, 
The sun goes down, 
He takes the day but I’m grown, 
And it’s OK, 
My deep shade, 
My tears dry

Joshua Tanuwijaya then left and was never heard of again. Jason and Justin claimed that he was pursuing a better tennis career in a boarding school at an English countryside. But then he was never talked about again. Not in front of Na. The buzz of his leaving and the scene at the driveway of Hotel Mulia died a week later.

Sudirman today: Na was playing Rin, Chihiro’s somewhat bigger sister at the bathhouse after Chihiro’s unfortunate stumbling into the spirit world and began working for the witch Yubaba as she waited to free her parents (whom have been turned into pigs) with help from Haku. It was another rehearsal and the adrenaline was high. Everyone was in the zone. The scene rehearsed now was Chihiro begging a job from Kamaji, the man who runs the hot waters in the bathhouse and make sure the right combination of herbs are correct for certain guests at the bathhouse. Na was backstage, waiting for her turn to enter. She was to bring Kamaji’s dinner and then ordered by Kamaji to take Chihiro to Yubaba. In Na’s hand was a tray with fake food on a plastic plate borrowed from a Japanese restaurant at Kamome to become a prop. Then Na’s romper began to vibrate. It was her phone. She opened it and found it was a new message from an unknown number.

Na, I’ll be in Bali for a tournament this summer. If maybe you’re going there with the rest of the guys, like we usually do, I’d like us to meet and talk. Privately. Sincerely yours, Joshua.

Songs used:

Amy Winehouse -Tears Dry on Their Own

Sudirman after last years Christmas: Na was sitting on her L-shaped sofa watching Ugly Betty. Then G enters the TV room and turns off the television. “Hey! I was watching that!” Na shouts at him. In one of G’s hand were three infra boards and on the other a huge Starbucks paper bag. He places in on the coffee table in front of her. “Do you have what I ordered?” she asks.

“I always have what everyone orders,” G replies. “I’ve got you two Green Tea Frapucinno in Venti and a Caramel Java Chip beverage for myself. I bought you five waffles in plain and another five with the chocolate coating. Three quiches, and I want you to share me or else you’ll get fat. And last but not least the soda lollipops. Aside from that, I dropped of at XSML just now and saw that they were having this Anniversary Sale and everything was 50% so I bought everything they had in your size and my size. My God, were the clothes beautiful.” G takes out the Green Tea drinks and hands them over to her. “What are on the infra boards?” Na asks. “One of your more ridicule ideas?”

G laughs. He picks them up from the coffee table. “You don’t seem to be so sad anymore about what just happened between Shiela and your boyfriend Joshua. It’s either that or you’re eating your heart away with all these Starbucks fat. So, I prepared on three infra boards options that you can take to deal with this shit. I thought that would be necessary because the debutante ball is in two months and you wouldn’t want to fight with Shiela on that day and make a fool of yourself.” He opens up one board. “Option one: We go to her Church on Sunday mass and tell everyone that she kissed your boyfriend without your consent. They wouldn’t need proof because I’ll be saying it and everyone trusts what I say because I’m such an angel and Sushila is less of an angel. After she got caught drinking in the Church toilet by her grandmother. Option two: You pretend like nothing happened so you don’t have to jeopardize your relationship with Sushila and Joshua although you’ll all feel awkward. Oh wait, let’s not do option two.” G throws the option two board on the floor.

“The last option: we go have lunch and talk about it like grown-ups and make them pay for it. But we eat somewhere expensive. Since I heard what happened, I feel obliged to be there and since Sushila is not denying it, I think that it would be okay if I attend. I mean to protect you,” G says with a sly smile. Na laughs. “I think we’ll do that option. I’ll text them now. But I don’t want you there. It will be awkward. I’ll go have lunch with Shiela first then I’ll meet Joshua somewhere else though. I don’t want them to draw back anything they’d like to say because both of them are there,” she tells G. “Where do you think I should eat?”

“Uhhh, I suppose since I’m not there you might as well eat in Sederhana Benhil,” G tells her. Na gives him a piercing look. “Okay fine, you could go to….hmmm…..Cilantro. Wisma BNI 46 on the 46th floor. You’ll be able to talk there I’m sure. And if anything goes wrong you can ask the waiter to chuck either Sushila or Joshua of the building and let them fall off a 46 story building for all I care. But seriously, go eat there. Eat dim sum and drink hot tea. It’ll calm your nerves.” Na smiles and picks up her phone and begins to text.

A few hours later: “Are we going to work this out Josh?” asks Na. “I really don’t want to lose you.”

“Me either. I don’t want all the years we’ve been going out to go to waste. And I am terribly sorry for what happened between Sushila and me. We were foolish and we got caught up by temptation. We didn’t really mean to end up kissing each other. And I promise you, kissing was all that we did,” Joshua tells her. He holds her hand. They were sitting face to face. “I promise that it would never happen again. I promise. I swear my life on this Na.” Na looks down to her food. “But Josh,” says Na. “I-I can’t be sure and trust you enough that you wouldn’t do this to me again. Josh, for heavens sake, you kissed my best friend.” She looks back at him. “I can see it in your eyes that you regret it,” she continues, “but do you still love me enough to make sure that something like that will never happen again?”

“I do Nat, I do,” he says sincerely. Then the two fall silent. “Nat, please say some-”

“I know what we can do Joshua,” Na tells him. “February 14 is the day of our Debutante Ball. Consider this a break for us. Let’s not talk to each other until then and try our best not to get involved with each other and think about this individually. We cut all contacts from each other and we’ll be on a plain and simple break. We don’t meet with each other, we don’t talk at school, at the dance rehearsals, we don’t talk online or anywhere. At the briefing but we make sure that we are paired with one another for the ball. That is step one. Then, on the day of the event, I will wait for you on the stairs and if you are there on the other side of the stairs waiting for me to go down the stairs into society, then that’ll answer everything. If we go down together side by side, then, we’ll be back together and I can trust you…I can trust that you can still love me and our years we’ve spent together won’t go to waste.”

“Okay, I’ll be there.”

A few months later: We’re back again to when Na first discovered that Joshua Tanuwijaya was paired with Sushila Soemarsono for the debutante ball. They were given slips to fill in their partner preference. Joshua wrote Sushila as his first preference. And Na found out. On this day, as she slouched on the bench in front of the Namarina Dance Studio, crying, she was thinking of all the things. She just broke the pact she and Joshua made by screaming at him previously. Joshua doesn’t want to go with her to the debutante ball. Her sister Belle, was nowhere to be seen… Her life was crashing down… Everyone had left the dance studio and left her behind there. No one sat next to her to help her and talk to her. They just left. All of them.

Then Na heard someone go out from the Dance Studio. She looked to see who it was. Sudira Soemarsono. “Hey Na, what are you still doing here?” Sudira asks her.

“What are you still doing here Dir?” asks Na. Sudira laughs. “I practiced some more dancing, individually,” Dira says. She takes a seat beside Natalia. “Look, if it helps,” Dira continues, “I can tell you why Joshua did what he did. Okay, so…….here it comes. You’re Moslem, I’m Catholic and Joshua is Christian. My family have been friends with Joshua’s moms family for a long time and our mothers have planned them going to the debutante ball together for a long time. Worse comes to worse, they go with other people. That happened, sucks to them Na, but everyone attending the ball are their family friend and they’d hate to see like Joshua going…you know…with someone who’s not Christian…”

Na laughs with a crying voice in her sound. “But we’re just 16 and 17! It’s not like we’re getting married!” Dira laughs together with her and tells her, “I know I know, I get it but like, my grandparents-who’ll be there-and his grandparents-who’ll be there too-don’t get it. Like, Sushila screamed about this over and over when our mother brought up this thing at home. My mom suddenly brought it up yesterday on the way to school and then Sushila was like screaming, ‘MOM! I don’t want to talk about it!’ It happens all the time, and don’t get me wrong, my mom loves you Na but she just wants Sushila to go with one of the Tanuwijaya brothers. Justin is taken, Jason is taken as well and there’s only Joshua left. And guess what, my mom doesn’t like this new guy Sushila is dating. You won’t believe how much they’ve fought about it-my mom and Sushila.” Na laughs. “Seriously! Sushila suggested to my mother once that she’d like to go with him and they fought about it for the next two hours and we were at Senci so you can imagine how embarrassing it was!”

“My God, I can’t believe that. Sushila doesn’t tell me anything anymore,” Na says to Dira.

“So there’s nothing you should really cry about Na. I know, I know that Josh and Shiela were caught kissing once at last years Christmas Dinner but I promise you that Shiela has forgotten all about it now that she has her new boyfriend. She even forgets to take me to school with her when her boyfriend picks her up at home,” Dira tells Na with a laugh. “So you shouldn’t feel bad about it. If he loves you Na, he’ll be there tomorrow. Not with Shiela. But with you.”

“Thanks Dira…you really know how to cheer people up.”

“Na, sleep a good sleep tonight. He’ll be there.”

That night: Joshua walked into his room after he brushed his teeth and a late night shower. He opened the door and found Sushila sitting on the edge of his bed. “Sushila? What are you doing here?”

“Your maid let me in the house and then your mother let me in your room.” Sushila then stood up and walked over to him. “I want to tell you something,” she tells him as she walks closer to him. Joshua was a few steps from the door that he just entered from and Sushila was walking toward him. She put a hand on his chest when she was a step away from him. She whispers in his ears. “I love you…” 

She withdraws and looks at him. “But you-you have a boyfriend…and-and I-I have…”

“Who do you have Joshua? Na? If you had her then you wouldn’t have written her as your preference to be partnered with for the ball,” says Shiela. “I love you Joshua and I know…I know that you love me… You love me Joshua… You can’t get enough of me… At parties you always sit next to me, and talk to me. At school events you always make sure that I’m with you. You always invite me to wherever you’re going. You’re always chatting with me, texting me. It’s everywhere Josh. Don’t deny it. You love me.” And like that, Shiela moved closer and closer to him. And when they were only centimeters away from one another, breathing into each others face, Joshua’s back was stuck to the door, they did something they weren’t supposed to do. 

They kissed.

Cause you’re hot and you’re cold
You’re yes then you’re no
You’re in then you’re out
You’re up then you’re down
You’re wrong when it’s right
It’s black and it’s white
We fight we break up
We kiss we make up

Cause you’re hot and you’re cold
You’re yes then you’re no
You’re in then you’re out
You’re up then you’re down

Song used:

Hot & Cold -Katy Perry

Sudirman a few years ago: “WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?” shouted Natalia when the Jakarta Debutante Committee announced the partners walking down the stairs that would present them to the society of Jakarta. “Is there a problem Natalia?” asked the lady who announced the names. They had just finished rehearsing their waltz and we’re all on the floor gasping for breath. Na stood up. “Joshua can’t go with Sushila. I wrote on my slip just now that I’d prefer to be partnered with Joshua Tanuwijaya,” she says from across the room. The old lady looked back at her paper after putting on her reading glasses. She flipped to another page and read, “Well, I received a phone call, two phone calls actually, requesting that Joshua Tanuwijaya be paired with Sushila Soemarsono. And in fact, I must mention that Joshua Tanuwijaya’s preference on his slip dictates that he prefers to be paired with Sushila Soemarsono. I guess if you have any more questions, you may take it up with the chairwoman of the committee for she was the one who approved of this list. Sadly, she just left a few minutes ago. Thank you.” Then the woman steps out of the room through the door. Once out, whispers rampaged through the room and Natalia stood there bewildered. Her palms were gripped tight and were sweating. She turned her look towards Joshua Tanuwijaya, who was on the floor sitting beside Sushila Soemarsono, his dance partner. Everyone in the room looked at Natalia stare at Joshua with rage and anger.

“How could you Josh?” Natalia tells him. She walks across the room and when a few feet from the door, she saw Joshua getting up ready to catch up on her. “DON’T! Do not- Don’t try to follow me Joshua!” And like that, Natalia leaves the room shutting the door behind her. Natalia leans on the door and with tears running down her face, slugs down onto the bench.

Christmas a few years ago (before the debutante ball practice): It was a nice house in the Hang Tuah area and all the ritziest people were at the event. Ritzy Christian and Catholic people that is. It was at the Soemarsono house and all the usual (Christian and Catholic) suspects were there. G, Georgi, Sushila, Sudira and the Tanuwijaya clan together with some other rich kids found prancing the 12190 zip code. It was almost dinner time and G, as his usual ass-kissing self, was wrapped in a conversation with the Soemarsono mom. Every parent loved G for his charisma and sophistication when in conversation with him. And he loved to be in the good light of every parent he could find in his way. “Auntie Audrey! Hello!” says G as he walks over to her. He then hugs her. “How are you Auntie? Oh my, we haven’t met in so long…hahaha…you look amazing!”

“Thank you G. It’s always a pleasure to have you at gatherings like this. You always bring cheer and happiness to everyone,” says Audrey Soemarsono. She smiles and then moves closer to G and says, “But, do you have what I ordered from you G?” G looks at her with a smile and tells her, “Oh course I do Auntie Audrey! Don’t worry about it. How could I forget such an order…and from Auntie Audrey. It would be rude if I didn’t remember your order. So, I have very great news to add as well. I got you that Marcello Cartier bag you ordered and if you don’t mind, a friend of mine who styles Lipstick Jungle offered me to upgrade it. I asked what she would do to it and then I thought that it would be perfect for you Auntie. So wait and see. And then, I got a discount for the Castelbajac dress that you wanted because my friend is a PR there. And boy was it a large discount, so I’ll be sure to return back the money-” Auntie Audrey laughed. “There’s no need for that darling. You can keep the money. But did you get the light bulb shoe?”

G looks a little bit weary. “Oh yeah…I called my friend at Chanel USA but they said that they ran out of the light bulb shoe so instead they gave me the shot gun shoe for half the price. Although I’m still waiting for an answer from my friend because they said that they would first look at the storage in Paris and if they do, they’ll send it over.” Auntie Audrey smiles at him and tells him, “Oh G, you work wonders. Thank you so much. But never tell anyone how I got my Marcello bag revamped okay. Anyway dear, can you go to Sushila’s room and ask her to come down. It’s almost dinner time and she said she’ll be back in five but it’s already 15 minutes and she hasn’t come back down. Could you please check on her?” G nods. “Sure Auntie. Never mind.” G then walks away and heads up the stairs and made turns leading to Sushila’s room. G crept slowly across the hallway filled with nothing but doors and reaches the door of Sushila’s bedroom. He hears faint voices coming from within the room. Moans were heard from within. And then he heard, “Kiss me Joshua…kiss me…”

Immediately, G rips out his phone from his pocket and began to dial Na’s number. As he waits, G knocks on the door to Sushila’s room and immediately goes back down the stairs. He steps into the kitchen area where the maids are preparing the dinner. Only then did Na answer her phone. “Oh my God Na…I just caught Joshua and Sushila making out with each other in her room.”

“What?” Na asks.

“I’m sorry but I was asked by Auntie Audrey to call her down because dinner is about to begin…I’m at that Christmas dinner thing at the twins house…and when I reached her door I heard her moaning and saying things like ‘Kiss me Joshua…’ Please, please believe me…” says G.

“Are you sure? Are you sure that it was Sushila? It could’ve been Sudira or something…”

G tells her, “No Nat…Sudira was talking to my dad when I went upstairs. It’s not here. It’s Sushila. And if it wasn’t your Joshua it couldn’t have been because there isn’t another Joshua at this party.” G walks around the kitchen area and heads out to the open street. “Na, na, please answer me,” he says after a long pause. “Na, come on. Answer me…”

“SHUT UP! Shut up! Shut up! Oh my God, you fuck I’m thinking here. Oh my God, G come here now! Come HERE NOW, leave the stupid party!” Then she immediately hangs up the phone. Without goodbyes, G immediately runs over to his car, starts the engine and leaves the dinner party.

A few minutes later: “Sushila, have you seen G? I asked him to go up and fetch you because it was almost dinner but he didn’t come down,” says Auntie Audrey to her daughter. Sushila took one canape from the tray carried around by the waiters and waitresses. They walk towards the dinner table. “What?” Sushila tells her. “G didn’t come and-” Sushila stops walking. Her mother, a few steps in front of her turns around and asks her, “Is there anything wrong dear? You don’t look so well…” Sushila shakes her head, “I’m…I’m just feeling a bit dizzy. I don’t think-I need to go to the bathroom mom. There’s a phone call that I need to make…” And like that, Sushila storms off to the toilet leaving her mother behind.

“Na?” says Sushila over the phone. “Na, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry Na. Terribly sorry… Thank you for answering the phone Na…I want you to know that I’m sooooo soooo sorry. I’m sorry…I know you heard what happened from G and I regret it. I’m sorry “

“Get out of my life.”