Gritnoise! Today I, Gritner’s Anton, went out for hotpot brunch with my friends, Roesjad’s Wonbin, Edurne’s Wonbin, Caintje’s Wonbin, Sveic’s Anton, Walst’s Wonbin, Rocheveil’s Wonbin, and Scythe’s Anton & Sohee. We didn’t plan much, just followed hunger and ended up around a table that slowly filled with steam, noise, and comfort. The broth kept bubbling, my phone stayed face down, and everyone talked over each other like we always do.

Edurne’s Wonbin was halfway through telling a story when Sveic’s Anton accidentally spilled the sauce, everywhere. For a split second there was silence, then chaos. Roesjad’s Wonbin grabbed tissues, I laughed too loud, Caintje’s Wonbin tried to save the table, Rocheveil’s Wonbin wouldn’t stop teasing, Scythe’s Anton just smiled, Scythe’s Sohee made it worse with jokes, and Walst’s Wonbin kept saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay,” while laughing anyway.

Nothing big happened, really. Just food, laughter, and time slowing down. And somehow, that was everything.

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Selamat Bertambah Usia! Untukmu,
Ibrahim Roesjad. Semoga warsa tak
menjadikanmu santapan yang pilu.
Moga-moga, donga selamat kami
‘kan senantiasa bersama jiwamu.

ㅤㅤ (13 JANUARI, 2009)

Selamat, Saudara. Selamat merayakan perayaan bagi jiwa yang tumbuh tanpa rahim Bunda maupun belas kasih Ayah yang t’lah lama mati. Kini, Tiga Belas Januari. Lembar baru ’tuk menulis sejarah pada kulit yang disayat penuh teliti pula seni. Maafkan kami, Saudara. Karena kini tak ada lagu ceria menemani. Maafkan kami, Saudara. Bila perjamuan ini ‘kan terasa begitu dingin dan sepi. Namun, ketahuilah. Bahwa dari hadiah kami, teramat hakiki. Sebuah rintihan nyawa yang sesaat lagi ‘kan kau habisi. Sambutlah belati ini, biarkan ujungnya menari-nari dalam nadi. Tiga Belas Januari ‘kan jadi saksi lahir diri abadi yang tak mengenal belas kasih pula rasa iba di hati. Selamat bertambah usia, Saudara. Terima persembahan kami dan jadilah predator tunggal pada tumpuk bangkai nan kian meresi. ✦
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Last night in Los Angeles was spent slowly. Wonbin Roesjad and Wonbin Rocheveil walked through quiet streets, watched the city lights, and drove with the windows down, music playing softly in the background. They talked about nothing important and everything at once, laughing between comfortable silences. Before the night ended, they stopped for a moment, letting LA hold the memory—just two friends, sharing a simple night before it faded.

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