Will You be Happier?

Will You be Happier?

In awkward pauses in our chats,

I take a look at you, secretly.

I like it when you have your ponytail.

You seem cute, and cheerful.

I want to look strong for you, too.

I’m trying to be the person

You can always rely on.

But weakness can’t always be hidden.

Can I love you well enough

That you can be happy?

While we’re waiting for the class,

I let the music play from my cellphone.

A song sounds wordless, at times,

But someone special will give it meaning.

Maybe that’s why I often miss you.

This is something you understand, right?

Do you think I should just give up?

Please help me go through this.

Have I loved you well enough?

You aren’t smiling, you’re frowning

It’s not a miracle that will come true.

But that’s fine, simply because

As long as I’m waiting for something,

I can be hopeful, and walk on.

I remember you once told me,

“Just cry a little. It’s all gonna be easier.”

Would the tears ever stop flowing?

I wanted to trust you, you know?

Do I love you well enough now?

Lie to me, fake a smile, just this once.

I’ve let you down, twice, or more.

I’m such a loser, am I not?

But, anyway, thank you, thank you

For letting me be with you for a while.

Our graduation is approaching, and

I’m afraid that when we’re parting

All I can say is a sad ‘goodbye’

And not a sincere ‘I love you’.

Will anyone else love you better?

I don’t want that to happen, but . . .

Creative Writing: Food Review

I’d Love to Have One ‘Shadow Theater’, Please, on Plate

And it began with the strumming of the traditional gamelan orchestra, solemnly heard from the Kura-kura (Turtle) quarter of Gadjah Wong Restaurant, Jogjakarta. The young waitresses had been so kind as to walk me there.

We made our way through Gadjah (Elephant) area offering a colonial feel and the lush garden in the complex. Another section was Bebek (Duck) part, downstairs, offering a more contemporary and jazzy atmosphere.

The mysticism of Javanese shadow theater was being chanted in those melodious thumps of the brass instruments. The interior—all wooden—and traditional decorations glow intimately Javanese under the dim lighting.

But what even immersed me more was yet to come, soon.

Distracted away from her friendly smile, my eyes traced the gracious movement of a waitress serving the Curry chicken rice I ordered. And the shadow theater could have come to life here, on my plate.

The brownish biryani rice was flanked with slices of tropical fruits, just like all the eccentric puppet figures tacked aside ready for action in a performance. And the sail-shaped cracker backdrop hid three kinds of sambals (chili sauces) and a loaf of naan bread. Spotlighted on the center were the chicken chops, shimmered in curry sauce and parsley.

This exquisite dish was of great pleasure for the palates as the Javanese shadow theater to the eyes.

The rice was a perfect and as soft complement for the chicken, which was juicy in texture and finely mild in flavor. Meanwhile, the pungent, fresh fruits could quench thirst, although they might taste too sharp on the first bite. But, no worries, the crispily bland cracker and naan bread were ready of any help.

As I was enjoying this delicacy, as well as my self, so much, I forgot to take the sambals. And, you could bet on what sambals would do to your meals.

Priced at between Rp. 35,000.00 – Rp. 120,000.00, this restaurant was a full recommendation for both locals and foreign tourists. They serve traditional Indonesian, Italian, Indian, and other dishes such as Australian tenderloin and Norwegian salmon. Vegetarian cuisines were also on the menu; Vegetarian curry and tomato soup were among them. However, it’s quite unfortunate that the beverages did not vary as the meals did, although wines, both local and imported, were available.

The gamelan orchestra was slowing down in tempo, as it tuned on the coda. And so was my ‘shadow theater’, as I crossed the spoon and fork on the empty plate, fading out into a memorable culinary experience.

Gadjah Wong Restaurant

Jl. Gejayan Soropadan 79-D

Yogyakarta

Tel. 0274-542815

Crying in the Rain

Crying in the Rain

You once said you wanted to cry in the rain

That no one would notice your tears.

On the way home, I looked back to this afternoon.

You seemed so happy.

Don’t you wish it could last forever?

Us, our friends, together? I do, you know?

The photographs where you’re smiling,

You’ve got new friends there.

But, you’re in pain, somehow, somewhere.

Aren’t you?

You once said you wanted to cry in the rain

That no one would notice your tears.

The rain starts to fall

Have you ever felt like you deeply cared for someone

But you didn’t have what it took to show it?

“Are you okay, my friend?”

I’m still afraid to press the ‘Send’ button

We’ve known each other for some time

Maybe I’m timid, maybe I’m a bit of a coward

And seeing someone else holding your hand,

Listening to you, that hurts

You once said you wanted to cry in the rain

That no one would notice your tears.

The rain starts to fall,

And I start to cry.

You’re holding back your tears,

Even in this rain.

I have to be strong, too, right?

But, promise me you’ll be fine, okay?