Jakarta.
Yuana was in the capital. Not for vacation. Not to enjoy the glitter of Jakarta, a metropolis full of stars, but also to be full of intricate knick-knacks.
Yuana stepped into the big city because she wanted to disappear from all the wounds that were inscribed so deeply in her hometown, Malang. She made up her mind, eliminating Yuana. She was a new human. Another girl, named Florantian.
It was the name she gave herself when Tina took her to apply for a job at the same place she worked. No ID card, no sertificates. Because there was no way she could reveal her true identity.
"Everything burned down. My parents also died in that incident. That's why I wanted to get away from everything," said Yuana, of course lying.
Inevitably Yuana made up a story, so that everything seemed to make sense if she didn't have any identity card. Luckily too, she was able to convince Tina with all the stories he made. Tina with open arms helped Yuana.
"Unfortunate for you, Flora. But you can start everything here. Lestari and I are your family now. Don't get lost in sadness. We fight together, okay ...." Tina was a good woman. She felt like the older sister Yuana never had.
Tina was not half-hearted to help Yuana. With a pitiful style, Tina asked for understanding from the village officials where she lived so as not to make things difficult for Yuana.
She took Yuana to buy a new cellphone and number. Yuana bought a cellphone that wasn't as good as hers before, because she didn't want her friends to suspect why she could buy an expensive cellphone.
Her parents always sent her a lot of money. Since she was in middle school, she has had her account. But because Yuana didn't like to be wasteful, her savings were quite large. Yes, her mom and dad didn't really care about her. But it was the secretary of her father and mother who regularly sent her and Yoel's allowance of pocket money. Her parents didn't mind either they received a large pocket money.
"Well, we already have a cellphone, so we can easily communicate. Sometimes we work different hours, because we work in different departments," said Tina.
"Yes, nice. Thank you." Yuan smiled.
"This is your work uniform. Don't forget the pink one for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The yellow one is for Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Just wear a black shirt on Sunday," explained Tina.
"You must be very beautiful in that uniform. Just take a look. We are just waitress at the supermarket, but the uniforms are cool." Lestari pays attention to Yuana.
"You could be," said Yuana. Her smile widened again. Lestari was also kind to her. Yuana was comfortable with her two new friends.
"For sure, I didn't think that Tina came back here with a friend as beautiful as you," said Lestari.
Yuana and Tina laughed hearing that. Lestari was a cheerful and energetic girl. Yuana was grateful, her new adventure began with getting two fun new sisters.
Tina was one of the best employees. Hence, when she invited Yuana who was without standard requirements to work, her boss believed, Tina didn't bring just anyone.
*****
Start a new life, a new place to live, leave college and become a worker. Yuana tried to enjoy it. Sometimes, there was a sense of homesickness for campus, especially for Manfred. Sometimes in the middle of the night she cried remembering the boy she loved.
But soon she brushed it off. She remembered that she wasn't Yuana anymore. Manfred loved Yuana. Manfred didn't know Flora. That was it.
That afternoon Yuana worked as usual. She served a customer who was roughly forty years old. She guided her nine-year-old daughter. A beautiful little girl.
"Please choose, ma'am. This one is also good. Suitable for this beautiful young lady," said Yuana kindly.
"Which do you like, honey?" The woman looked at her daughter. "Pink or red?"
"Just the red one, Mom. Just the yellow one, don't want the pink one. At the end of the semester, I want to sing at school too," said the beautiful girl. Her voice was cute and sweet.
"Okay. Devi can take red and yellow," said her mother.
"So, two colors right, Ma'am?" said Yuan. "She can try it on first."
Devi gave it a try and it looked great on her tiny feet. "That's good, Mom ... love it!" she said happily.
"Yes. I take them both. Thank you," said her mother.
"Okay, ma'am. I'll pick it up at Cashier A." Yuana brought the two pairs of shoes.
The woman and her child went to another part. Yuan looked at the two of them. They were happy. It was clear from their smile. Yuana never had he been held together that way by her mother.
"Ah, why are you jealous? Don't be silly," she said to herself, comforting herself.
"Hey, why are you daydreaming?" Lestari pat on Yuana's shoulder.
"Tari ... It's nice to see the mother and her daughter. They are very friendly." Yuana turned to Lestari and then looked at the mother and child earlier.
"Why? Jealous? Do you want to have children?" Lestari asked, joking.
"Ugh, what's your question? Haa ...." Yuana laughed.
"Flora, listen ...." Lestari pulled Yuana's arm, asking her to be quiet and listen to the sound of the music playing.
Yuana sharpened her hearing. "Manfred." Yuana said quietly.
"You are right. What a big fan." Lestari patted Yuana's cheek.
"It is the new song, isn't it? Just heard it. What's it title? You know?" asked Yuan. It was the first time he'd heard Manfred sing the song.
"Yeah, just released. Well …." Lestari thought. "Hmm, December Without you."
"December Without You." Yuana repeated slowly.
After work, Yuana immediately searched for the song on internet. Leaning on the bed, Yuana watched it.
The music was so soft. At first it was only the sound of guitar, then other musical accompaniment added to the harmony of the sweet song.
"Tonight, it's raining ... It's lonely in my heart ... December, you came, woke me up. Awaken me from reality, she has gone …."
Yuana's heart skipped a beat. Was it wrong if Yuana felt that the song was for her? Yuana was gone, far from Manfred.
The song continued to play, Yuana listened to it again.
"Lord, where is my princess … The one who should be by my side … God, where is my love … The one I always longed for …."
That soft voice pierced Yuana's heart. It was the scream of Manfred's heart. He missed his lover.
"Tonight, I'm alone ... Remembering you, my love ... December without you, makes me hurt ... When will we meet? When are you coming back?"
Yuana cried hearing Manfred's beautiful and gentle voice. "Fred, that song is for me, right? You miss me ... you miss me ... I miss you too ...." Yuana whispered.
"I don't know when we will meet again. I haven't been able to meet you ... I'm not ready ...." Yuana shook her head. Her face was wet from the tears that never stopped dripping.
"Flora ...." Lestari entered the room. She saw Yuana crying. "Oh, my ... to cry like this listening to the song."
Lestari sat beside Yuana, on the bed in the room. "You don't seem to be in awe of him. It's like you're in love with Manfred."
"After all, the song is really good ... it's heart-wrenching," said Yuana. She quickly rubbed her eyes. She was too embarrassed to cry in front of Lestari.
"The voice is really good, makes me melt ... You're so handsome, so Caucasian ... blue eyes, ouch ... who doesn't like …." said Lestari.
"Heee ... hee ...." Yuana again wiped her tears, but tried to smile widely. She didn't want Lestari to know how she really felt.