The on-the-go streets of Malioboro are still filled with people from various countries, coming and going, gathering here for multiple purposes.
Saturday, September 16th, 2023, local buskers and street musicians all the same perform in some spots and continue to sing joyfully, entertaining the eclectic crowd.
In the midst of them is Wikwik Ambiar, a transgender is singing for her fans. She has become viral on social media, and her performances now attract crowds of tourists.
Undoubtedly, she's like an idol, this rocket actress was previously known as Ikke Arindia. A good deal of tourists are eager to snap photos with her.
Within reach from where Ikke was singing, I sat playing with my device, reading while waiting for my close friend to arrive. She domicile in Heidelberg, Kreisfreie Stadt in Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Around twenty-one o'clock, give or take a few minutes, we at last met. She tried to greet me in French, saying she wanted to practice the language.
In the face of appearing tired from our tour of Yogyakarta, exploring several tourist spots, Lir's voice still resonated with cheerfulness, a typical trait of a cheerful friend, that I have always known.
Despite the fact that I could tell that beneath her expression, she carried a lot of burdens.
I couldn't help but admire Lir's resilience. Even though it's only human to express moments of exhaustion with phrases like "What if I just give up?" I often respond, "If you're tired, take a rest, don't give up."
Throughout this meet-up, we chatted about diverse topics, just like confiding in a close friend, with nothing held back, high key, no cap. This included our shrinking circle of friends, some of whom had drifted apart due to misunderstandings.
Before we knew it, it was already past twenty-two o'clock.
Nevertheless, Malioboro remained bustling, even though many shops had packed up, and some had closed. People were still coming and going. The street musicians' voices were no longer as lively as before, and I could see that Lir's face showed signs of weariness.
We exchanged gifts for a moment, and I left a gift for another friend on Lir. Do you know why this gift is so blinding?
Almost all the gifts I bought had already been purchased by Lir beforehand. We couldn't help but burst into laughter, and Lir's so knackered lit up with joy once again. "Perhaps we're just on the same page," Lir said, and I nodded in agreement.
IF YOU VISIT YOGYAKARTA, call mind to stop by Malioboro because every corner of this place is filled with memories. Even for me, who has been in Yogyakarta for almost eight years, I never get fed up with coming here.
Malioboro is a vibrant and lively spot that could have a good time at any time of day. However, if you're looking for a truly best experience, the best time to visit is at night.
If you're blessed, you might even catch a glimpse of a traditional Indonesian dance performance.
The best time to attend Malioboro at night is from 6 pm to 9 pm. At the time, vehicles were prohibited from driving on the street, so you could safely walk, rent a scooter, or bike around.
After that, you could head to the Titik Nol Kilometer (Zero Kilometer Point) of Yogyakarta, explore the photo spots in old buildings, and savor culinary delights.
The night in Malioboro indeed leaves an impression on anyone, including Lir and me. Aside from the enchanting nighttime atmosphere, our conversation became even more engaging.
For this reason, we decided to change locations for our chat and made our way to the hostel where Lir was staying. In front of it, there was a mini bar, offering a variety of bottled drinks, perfect for a deeper conversation.
I took a moment to let my partner know that I would be coming home late tonight.
Lir asked me at one point, "How do I manage to get through so many tough challenges in life?" I countered, "Everyone carries different burdens, and each person has their own way of getting through difficult times. It's not something that can be compared between individuals."
I was reminded that when someone confides in me, it's important to be the best listener. It's important to remember that we don't have the full story. Don't judge someone too quickly based on what they tell you.
In addition to being a listener, I put myself in Lir's shoes, trying to feel her. And then she asked, "If you were in my situation, what would you do?"
If I were in Lir's position, let's say I was mistreated by someone, I would adhere to Stoic principles.
The Stoic philosophy teaches that we could only control our own thoughts and actions, and we could not control what happens outside of ourselves. If we are hated by others, we could choose not to let it control our emotions. We could choose to remain calm and wise, and we could choose not to repay hatred with hatred.
"If I retaliate when someone mistreats me, what sets me apart from them?" I replied.
I believe that Allah tests His servants with challenges in order to help them grow and mature. These challenges could be anything from physical hardships to emotional struggles.
Needless to say, challenges are not always easy to bear. They could be painful and discouraging. But if we trust in Allah's love and mercy, we could use these challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation.
It's already 2 o'clock in the morning, which means we must conclude our conversation. I feel fortunate to have met such an incredible woman like Lir, and I will always be there as her friend. That's the least I could do so far.
Sunday, September 17th, 2023, in the morning. We have to part ways, and the exact time we will meet again is still uncertain.
In the next few days, Lir will return to Heidelberg, where she will continue her potentially exhausting journey.
"Send my regards to your partner," she said.
Take care on your journey, Lir. Pray for me, and see you in Paris. Amin [mhg].