Sometimes, the deepest wound is hidden behind the loudest laughter.60Please respect copyright.PENANA6PG5ykGTj2
60Please respect copyright.PENANA9Xxsj23rzC
And in Jogja—in the middle of coffee shop chatter, small jokes, and too familiar dusk—Aksa chose to keep laughing.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAoZHQeD67wG
Not because he is happy. But because he was afraid of the question 'what's wrong with you?' It comes from someone who is too sincere.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAqXaf4QjjQ5
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANAU54hyOt9cd
The sky of Jogja that afternoon was so familiar.
60Please respect copyright.PENANATwdisxi3FU
As if this city knows how to welcome feelings that want to hide. Gentle, but never let someone be completely forgotten.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAewaHgssb3s
Aksa sat on a bench near their favorite places, letting his back lean and his eyes swept over the sky that was slowly changing in color. Senja is indeed good at disguising something—like himself.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAxcHF5c9jlZ
"Yes, just one toast, Sir," said Rere while laughing, adding the order while chewing.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAM2ZKNtBP86
"Don't be hungry like that, Re. That toast is not your ninja way," Niko snapped, then laughed loudly to himself.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAjK88trn5PT
Aksa laughed too.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAkxsapLMdsk
Not too loud. But quite convincing.
60Please respect copyright.PENANA42CByNUfUh
Enough to disguise that since he came, he hasn't touched his tea.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAglu2S6XqB5
"How come you're still holding the warm tea, Sa?" Arul asked while pointing to the glass that had not been drunk.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAPzNyvCcYal
Aksa smirked, spontaneous. "Let someone do it. After all, the heart is already cold."
60Please respect copyright.PENANA1hEga5hPg9
Others simultaneously cheered, teased.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAftfLAbhWnp
"Wow, wow, you're starting to be poetic, bro!" Said Tari with a seductive style, following her opening her jacket because the wind started to fall.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAUgkqTcmRkW
But only Aksa knew, his left hand trembled slightly. He held it under the table, then pretended to be busy cleaning the glass with a tissue.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAo7WIoA7sGU
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANAf7wjQxlXzD
There are six of them. Best friend since high school.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAdjPnmCO6of
Jogja that unites them: a city that feels like going home, but often also slaps with silence.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAixoiHOfw5s
There is Arul, the moodbooster.
60Please respect copyright.PENANANdFioRYSXR
Rere, who is too chatty but entertaining.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEe3M1CtsR0
Tari, the listener is silent.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAgtRGmXSCi1
Niko, who likes to overthink but denies.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAADBkjLaPUU
Dina, the secret analyst.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAw1KswFCoJ9
And of course, Aksa. The one who always laughs the loudest—but always the first to go home.
60Please respect copyright.PENANA7lMRQEV1D1
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANAvCLafuAiE6
The night is starting to fall slowly.
60Please respect copyright.PENANA5P2tcm6erZ
The sound of motorcycles, the chatter at the next table, and the smell of charcoal from the fried food began to mix with the cooling air.
60Please respect copyright.PENANABDIHZ1OU32
"Eh, have you ever thought about it," said Tari, suddenly serious, "if one of us actually keeps something that can't be told?"
60Please respect copyright.PENANAmlbkL6qfth
The atmosphere suddenly became quieter. Even Mr. Lik, who used to fan the satay, stopped for a moment, as if he caught the tone in that question.
60Please respect copyright.PENANA4OdHj3VUp0
Rere said, "You said that while looking at Aksa, you know. Poor him, hahahaha."
60Please respect copyright.PENANAQUDkCLDbY2
Everyone laughed. Except Aksa.
60Please respect copyright.PENANANs0hnH8FND
He also smiled, but his eyes didn't smile.
60Please respect copyright.PENANASe8TbD4nd4
If I tell you, are you sure you can accept it? Or even stay away?
60Please respect copyright.PENANAife8BJZlrV
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANAfMJJuuMljj
Jogja, 3 years ago
60Please respect copyright.PENANApXaQeYo3rQ
There was one night where Aksa sat alone in a small ditch near the angkringan. It was raining at that time. And his hands were bleeding because of something he wouldn't tell.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAcyfDIr6jy6
Someone once left—leaving a huge hole in his chest that couldn't be patched.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAoSazpEpdVP
Not because of death. But because of losing self-confidence that was destroyed after a long night.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAwNgpSKy3TC
He knew, that night changed him.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAB7DLxV7rj7
But he never talked about it. Even on himself.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3XAtMhufC
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANALpZ6OHMboV
Back to tonight
60Please respect copyright.PENANAM4PhXmL5uf
"Sa, why are you silent?" Dina asked softly, the most sensitive as usual.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAlNzCDqErR3
Aksa glanced at his best friend. His lips formed a small smile, and the sentence slid slowly,
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbfS3T6AnX9
"It's okay. I just... want to shut it a minute."
60Please respect copyright.PENANAehrMNrGnwF
And everyone knows, the phrase "it's okay" from Aksa is the clearest sign that something is not going well.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAcSNTdBS9zu
After the chat, everyone tried to switch the chat to make atmosphere better and relax again.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAZSS8YCMBWx
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANA4TgW7TjQ1w
When go home
60Please respect copyright.PENANAGWfAAznzVO
Aksa refused to be dropped off.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAi12vi4ZTWU
He chose to walk, along the narrow road near the ditch, where his memories are hidden.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAbQ2TQqlofL
The Jogja wind brings the smell of soil and wet paper. One brochure fell at his feet: Freelance Job Vacancy - Creative World
60Please respect copyright.PENANAz7dJrKagsa
He smiled slightly. Ironic. A creative world, but inside it feels empty.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAC7R9LFAb1L
"I'm alive, yes. But do I really exist?”
60Please respect copyright.PENANA4mDtUyUUtG
While walking, he turned to the dark corner near the tree. The place is quiet.
60Please respect copyright.PENANATwftG1t5tQ
And...
60Please respect copyright.PENANALIAKxvBw0J
There, Sekar will appear for the first time—but not tonight.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAFtyQmNDl5y
⸻
60Please respect copyright.PENANAX8VK3N64hx
Aksa stopped in front of his boarding room, staring at his reflection on the window.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAmwzpQVQ6kx
He looks fine. But he knew, it was just a reflection.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAAcenYDcAtK
And the reflection can't cry.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAgoXYYSsxxi
"When... can I look sad without having to wonder?"
60Please respect copyright.PENANA6tTIJWrBv6
He looked down.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAEgnkNMgqbN
Then enter.
60Please respect copyright.PENANAIyGPrwYkHx
Then... shut up.
ns216.73.216.213da2