It was Friday afternoon, my favorite afternoon even way more than Saturday. The weather is too lovely, shades walk together with the breeze. And have I told you that my department (Intl' Relations) in campus, have the privilege to have the most lovely part of the campus, which is... the park. We call it "taman fisip" in Bahasa. Anyway, it was Intl' Affairs Week, and Friday is the final day in our beloved park. It was a total fun, looking at them talking about one thing... religion. I sat alone on one corner, but then I realized one of my good friend sat not far from me, alone. And so I took a place beside him. He smiled, as always.
People probably never notice that we actually quite close. I mean, put it this way, I can spend days with people I usually spend my time with but not actually talk for things that matters. Every time we bumped into each other, there's always a serious talk coming over. That put me on the highest enjoyment. We were listening to the debaters, the finalist... not until he asked, "what do you think?" I glanced back at him, "this people or the issue they're talking about." He stopped. "Both." Well I have to admit that they're great! Please, I always admire the great debaters. I really think they're as awesome as the lawyers. But then, that's me. Because when you see them, trust me, you'll be inspired. Even though you're started as a sceptic, you'll end up considerate their arguments in your mind. Again, that's me.
One of his line that I can't forget was this, "It's amazed me how these people take debate seriously. I mean, I've always been a debaters, but for me - debate is just playing. I'm just playing around while debating, while other people take it seriously." I thought his line was underestimating, but then maybe he was underestimating himself. Being humble? Because the fact is, he's THAT good. Everyone will admit it, ask them yourself! He's smart and determined, he's the Mr Brain almighty. If I mention how we met, you'll know who am I talking about. Oh screw it, we met in the Gathering of my department, the almost-like MUN. He was head of the delegates (thank God he is). It was between me and him, but end me as his vice. During our conversation, I told him that I like people, who put their heart in it while they're working at something. He laughed, and looked at me, "you've must have been hated me so much back then." And I laughed back, "I was." But you know those words of wisdom when you start at the very first time hating someone, you'll actually end up liking them that much. The truth has spoken for itself.
We went back to our first topic at the first place. Religion. He's one of the guy that always try to look at something in different point of view. Well, to be honest, he's not the only one, but he's one of the nicest. His thoughts are radical and he doesn't even bother to argue if someone points at him and said that he's stubborn. Oh I can tell, he is. We almost argued every time during our working together as a team because he's being too self-centered and work his ass on everything when everybody's acting like they don't take part in it. I can't sit around and watch that, I want everyone to participate and be a part of it. It's not rare that I end up arguing with him, in emotion. I miss those times, I miss my team.
After talking to him, I realized one thing. I'm being such a sceptic recently. Maybe it's because I'm trying too much too see the different side of one issue, or I just influenced by someone thoughts that makes me no longer can bring myself up and introduce myself, my professionality. "I enjoy talking about religion," he told me. I threw away my mind to the blue sky. I once can't stop talking about it either. But at one point, I was exhausted and stop. I didn't let myself to think any further, maybe I was disappointed that much. He continued, "and that most probably because I have different faith with my girlfriend." I smiled, "you think I don't?" Yes, I know you do too. And there he went on, explaining everything to me about the Free Mason and Utopianist. The way he talks is always that convincing that I could join his thoughts and agree on it anytime. But then I didn't, I just think and not even try to decide. I told him, "I'm still a woman in the making." His thoughts are practically similar with me, a universalist and a pluralist. That's one value we both share. He learns every religion that ever exist and after his soul searching, he finally concludes that the best for him is still Hindu anyways. "You know what's the different between Hindu and any other religion ever exist?" I frowned. "It never has a Mesiah. Moslem has Muhammad, Christians has Jesus, Buddha has Siddharta, etc." I continued, "you've been mistaken. Siddharta is not a Mesiah. He's the great teacher (guru besar), but he never refers to himself as a Mesiah." He smiled, "yes, the great teacher. Good choice of word." I don't think Buddha is a form of religion you know, it's a form of teaching. It never mentions God, it talks about the human itself. Morality and faith - but not those involved with the rituals, it's the form of faith absorbed from the nature.
Both of us exhaled.
"You know what's the Free Mason?" Heard of it, never try to acknowledge it. "What I adore about the Free Mason, is that they're all brothers. They never see someone's ethnicity, religion, or other personal backgrounds. When you're in, you're part of the brotherhood bond. And they never recruit someone, no. They always wait for the people to come to them. They're underground community, I bet you know." He continued, "...one for all." I smiled, "and all for one." You know, this free mason community reminds me of the Jews. I mean, they don't actually accept by the people, that what makes their group become very exclusive. "Exactly."
Knowing my background he asked me this, "which side do you choose among the option of religion that your parents have?" I smiled, and for once - without any tension and intention, I looked at the sky and answered... He smiled, "good to know." You know, it gave me the highest relieve. He doesn't need to know, but I know he knew - he ain't stupid. People think I'm an introvert, then they think I'm an extrovert but actually I'm exactly what they think at first. "I know," another smirk, "I know you." I looked at him, with such doubt. He laughed, "seriously, I know you." Well, quite indeed. "What do you think about me?" I teased him with such look and starting to mention his personality from my point of view. Turns out he's a good pretender and terribly similar with my Dad - well maybe that's just a pattern of geniuses. I always believe that humans have pattern to others, you can learn by their backgrounds - even, their zodiac if I may say. "Really?" I smiled, yes - oh how I still want to be a psychologist.
"I believe that people have to keep doing what it takes to achieve their dreams." - even if they'll fail at the end? "No, there's no such thing as a failure. I believe if you keep trying and doing it, something will happen." He convinced me by telling me an experiment done by some scientist to see if a spirit can really waits. "You know people call them stupid, crazy, non-sense... but you know, at the end, they can really prove it." He told me the story in detail. I looked at him and feel amazed, those optimist mind of mine - where did it gone?
The breeze blew harder, it's time for me to leave for another job and him to chase another voice. It's been nice talking to you. And yes it'll be lovely to take you for lunch, but ah that's college. You meet people, you guys can talk for hours one day - but then at the end of the day, you say goodbye and realize that each has their own life. Both of you just two people in serendipity momentum. Maybe one day you'll meet, spend another afternoon with another talk in a cup of vanilla. Then you'll separate again, with a smile which saying, "I'll see you soon."
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