How did we meet?
On March 31, 2019, a day after leaving Medan, I met Nadila, my sweetheart, at a Pangkalpinang coffee shop.
Not thing special about the setting, except it united student journalists preparing for the Fourth National Meeting (Rapimnas) of the Indonesian Student Journalist Association (PPMI). I had led PPMI since August 10, 2018.
At the time of the meeting, we debated. She objected due to youthful passion, a sentiment I shared. However, our shared goal of supporting Suara USU - nowadays
@bopm_wacana - sparked a connection.
Communication intensified post-Rapimnas. On April 6, 2019, a Saturday, we vacationed at Vihara Puri Tri Agung in Sungailiat.
Sungailiat is ideal for enjoying white sandy beaches. Reaching it takes 40-50 minutes, around 35 km from Pangkalpinang's center.
We savored the beach close to the Vihara, then continued to Pantai Tongaci's 'De Locomotief,' a few km away.
"Are you from Aceh, Kak Maheng?" she asked. "Why?" I countered.
We explored Pantai Tongaci, amidst a cultural parade—a contest of various cultures in Babel.
Pantai Tongaci offers unique spots for travelers, including De Locomotief, adorned with Chinese-style umbrellas at the entrance.
The Gallery Museum showcases stunning artworks by artists, perfect for sharing on social media. Beyond the beautiful, clean beach, a turtle conservation area awaits visitors.
We wandered, capturing photos together. Our story was like Rama and Sita's. I "kidnapped" her from the crowd.
I didn't want the encounter to pass by. Mischievously, I entrusted her with my cherished jacket, wanting her number.
"Return it tonight during the closing meeting," I instructed.
That night, emotions ran high. The girl who feared ghosts had red eyes, deepening my feelings.
"Did you know I raced here?" she said, annoyed.
I liked her expressions, sometimes quirky, especially when upset. What made her different was her uniqueness, moments of absence, or not realizing my presence.
We officially started dating on Sunday, May 26, 2019, six days after my birthday, or 57 days after we met. It was a beautiful gift.
In the following days, like various couples, we laughed, argued and shed tears together.