Born in the biggest---but cruel----city in Indonesia. The most prestigious city with many dreams and hopes from people who come to that city. But you only born there. You were born several days before the country in the neighbour in your parents' hometown get freedom. After born, your parents bring you to their hometown---the furthest place from that city as people said. The place that you will spend almost half of your life is the place in the east of the country with different cultures and ethnic groups.Â
Even so, the most different things are race and physical appearance even though it is in the same country. That is because the country is so big with heterogeneous people---thanks to your predecessor that is success to unite different areas with different people in them.
You spend your childhood well. You play with your friends without thinking anything about what will happen in your life. You---and your friends---don't have any image about what is different, because you think you're just a child. At that time, when you mirror yourself, you would imagine that you will be a hero that can save many people or be a superstar that you watched on TV. Also, you used to think people would always be by your side and love you. That sounded utopian, but that was the fact at your age.
Year after year, you started to grow. Your age was getting increased. You had entered a place where you would discover the difference. You met a teacher, new friends, and even the officers. You knew they were different, but not a big difference, just like several minor differences---even though you had known that unconsciously from the superstar on TV. From that, you learned that you're not alone. But you didn't see that as a problem. You still accepted them and were accepted by them. You were still good friends and played with your friends. That happened until you reach adolescence.
When you entered middle school, just as you were starting to experience your teenage years, your parents brought you back to the city in you were born.
"What? Moving to the town?" You shocked when your papa had said about that.
"Yes, we will move to Jakarta because Papa has got a job in that city." Your papa told you without a doubtful face. Your papa was the type of person for sure; one day when you were hurt because of being pecked by the chicken, your papa without thinking twice, immediately cut the chicken and processed it into soup. Maybe that was the time the chicken should be cooked; but you didn't know that was sure or not, that's just your observation at that time.
"But why does this sound impromptu?" You tried to interrupt your papa's decision. "This is a decision, no matter if this sounds spontaneous or not, we will move to that city." Yeah. His determined face stated your interruption was not matter.
"Sure, Norman, we have to move in. This is the best decision. Also, that's best for your education too, because just to be realistic, education in here not too well." Your mom added to your papa's words. Your mind thought that was better. 'Yeah. I knew if metropolitan city has good education than here. It should be' monologue yourself.
"Okay, we will move. But, let me say goodbye to my childhood first, mama." You replied softly. Your childhood---childhood friends, childhood place, and so on---would be gone; except for childhood friends you could still have communicate them but with different media, right?
"Well, don't worry about your school, we have enrolled you in a good school." Your mom reassured you. Sudden but already planned? So weird.
