"THANK YOU, BUDDY!" in "NOTES ABOUT AND TO ANYONE OR NO ONE IN PARTICULAR"

Hi, I never thought you’d suddenly greet me on social media. We haven’t talked in like, ages. You’re busy there, and so am I here.

“Do you know something?” you suddenly asked, cheerfully. “We have been friends for 12 years, you know. Never expected this, huh? “

True, I thought. I still remember when we first met. We met in one of the community sites for students around the world. At that time, I was a 25-year-old freelance blogger and writer who was still looking for a permanent job in Jakarta. You were a 19-year-old Accounting student in the South Asia region, as well as a local indie rock musician and math tutor.

Because you commented on my blog at that time, I replied by placing a message on your guestbook. You were right, none of us had thought that history could ever have started there.

We also continued by exchanging e-mail addresses, messengers, and telephone numbers. We shared stories, two people from different backgrounds.

“Yeah, I didn’t expect it,” I agreed. “And we still haven’t met in real life.”

“Ah, there will be time for that.”

Ah, you are always optimistic. I have too many memories to tell here. We have already laughed and cried together. When you told me about your cousin’s naughty cat and when I told you about my embarrassingly failed singing audition.

We’d shared sad stuff too. When you broke up with your girlfriend and when my father passed away. We’d also had our fights that we weren’t on speaking terms for a long time. Honestly, that was the part I could never really stand. But, I think it is common in every relationship, whether it’s with family, friends, or partners.

“I was too sensitive at the time,” as if reading my mind, suddenly you brought up the subject. “Sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore who was wrong now,” I replied immediately. “All I know, I just don’t want to hurt you anymore.”

“Same thing here.”

Do you know, there are a lot of good things I’ve been praying for you? One of them was that you immediately found the best woman for you. It has come true. I haven’t been so lucky myself with men, but decided not to think too much about it. But you have always convinced me:

“Just focus on your dreams first. I guess for now, they make you feel happiest. “

Yes, I think you are right. Now I’m 37 and you are 32 on January 22. Two friends who have never met, until perhaps sometime later …

Lots. There are so many reasons that make me grateful to have met you. No, not because of you who made me love rock music and literature even more. Not also because once you sang to me over the phone, only to comfort me who was sad.

What I didn’t know back then, your lips had been badly cut because they had been slapped by your own Fender strings.

I’m grateful, because we can still forgive and accept each other’s faults. Because you are a living proof that a true friend really exists. Hopefully someday, we can really meet in the real world, even if only for once.

Thank you, buddy. Happy 32nd birthday.

(Jakarta, 21 November 2018 - 8:00 - 8:30 pm)