A Piece of Asa In A Taste
Asa or Sasa?

In a cafe that is not too luxurious, Ghani sits opposite an adult man who invites him to talk. They sat in the corner seats, enjoying the warm white coffee and chocolate-flavored toast.

Every now and then Ghani takes a quick glance at the man sitting before him, in his heart he is very curious, who is he, and what is necessary? Two questions kept swirling in his mind.

"Where do you live?" ask the man.

"At the end of a small alley, not too far from here," Ghani replied with a smile.

"My name is Tommy Dinata, just call Om Tom. I'm a producer, there's a couple of bands in my lineup, one of which is Boundaries, you've heard his name?" ask Tommy.

"Ba..limits?" ghani repeated Tommy's words. His eyes widened when he heard that name.

Boundaries is one of the most famous bands in Indonesia. His songs are quite dominant among young people. Ghani did not expect to be able to deal with the producers, all this time he only admired them, and often sang his songs. One of the songs that Ghani really likes is Girl In Miss. A song that seemed to describe his feelings for Bylla.

"You know about Boundaries?" ask Tommy.

"Of course I know. Boundary is a very famous band, I often hear his songs." Ghani answered nervously.

"You're right, Boundaries is quite up-and-coming at the moment. But unfortunately, their journey was not smooth" Tommy said as he sipped his white coffee.

"A..What's up, sir? Mmm I mean Om," asked Ghani stammeringly, he was unusually nervous when dealing with a big man.

Judging from the look on his face, the man in front of him was like harboring sadness or maybe even disappointment.

Tommy let out a long sigh, before blurting out the sentence he had already strung together.

"The plan is next month, we will launch a third album, but still constrained by personnel. The second album yesterday was quite successful, and was able to deliver the name Boundaries to the top. But that also made them lose the vocalist." Tommy said at length.

"Lost?" ghani asked slowly.

"Yes, that's why I'm so scared to find a replacement. Actually last week I opened an audition here, but I haven't found the right one yet. I overheard your voice, and honestly I was very interested. Your voice is very similar to the old vocalist, if you want, I want to invite you to work together" Tommy said without hesitation.

Along with the word 'cooperation' coming out of Tommy's mouth, a mouthful of white coffee also came out of Ghani's mouth. Being too shocked, he choked and spouted out the white coffee he had just wiped. Ghani coughed, and shut her mouth. His heart was beating fast, digesting every word that entered through his hearing.

"Cooperation, does it mean that Om Tom asked me to replace the vocalist. Am I dreaming?" inner Ghani while rubbing the corners of her lips using a tissue.

"Sir..meaning how ya, Om?" ghani asked very nervously, his body had been soaked in cold sweat that had been pouring out since.

"I'd like to invite you to work together, Boundaries needs a new vocalist, and you're perfectly suited to that position. So, are you ready?" tommy asked while looking at Ghani.

"But, but I'm just a regular busker. What, can I?" ghani replied hesitantly.

A guy like him, who usually just sings by the side of the road, then suddenly appears on stage, what about not fainting? Thought Ghani at the time.

"Your talent is amazing. Just relying on a guitar like this, your voice is already stunning. Later, if you're in the recording kitchen, I guarantee you a voice equivalent to an international singer" Tommy said with a big smile.

"Ah Om could. Me, I'm not that good. Mmm, is Om sure, if I can?" ghani asked, rubbing his face.

"Very sure, as long as in your heart there is a will, I'm sure you can, '" Tommy replied, pointing to Ghani.

"Is that so?"

"So how, are you willing?" tommy asked while raising both eyebrows.

"Is this the way that You have laid down, to give a decent life to children, O God. The servant did not expect, if there would be today in the life of the servant. Being a singer, ahh all this time I have not dared to dream. Thank God, God." Ghani in his heart.

"You ready?" Tommy repeated the question.

"Yes, yes I am ready. But if you can tell, what are the conditions?" ghani answered, asking.

For days he was looking for a replacement for the vocalist, and now he has got one.

"Tournaments?" ghani asked quickly.

"Yes, our building is in Jakarta. Do you mind that?" Tommy asked back.

Ghani looked down, thinking hard. If he goes to Jakarta, what about the kids, what about Arron, and how it relates to Bylla. Just imagine, Ghani felt heavy. For many years, he stood in Surabaya and hung his life in the city. Can he leave this land?

"What are you thinking?" tommy asked, looking at Ghani's face.

"Actually I live with orphans, I find it hard to leave them." Answer Ghani.

"And I also love a woman, I don't know whether or not to leave her." Ghani said his heart.

"You live in a parlor?" ask Tommy.

"A neglected home, perhaps more precisely a former home." Answer Ghani.

"How many children are you living with?" ask Tommy.

"Seven children." Answer Ghani.

"only seven. If you find it hard to leave them, take them to Jakarta. I can find a boarding place for them, for a while, I'll pay for his life" Tommy said seriously.

Ghani is still doubtful, because it is not only children who become burden, but also Bylla. Now that his relationship is getting closer, Ghani is very hard to get away from him. But this is also a golden opportunity, Ghani does not want to miss it.

"This is my address in Surabaya, I live in that apartment. I wait there tomorrow afternoon, think carefully, then tell me what decision you made" Tommy said, handing Ghani a piece of paper.

"Well, I'll think about it first" Ghani replied with a smile.

"Yes, I hope you make the best decision. It's a rare opportunity, don't waste your talent" Tommy said as he patted Ghani's shoulder gently.

***

The twilight had been extinguished, changing the night that came to say hello. The cool breeze that blows on the sidelines drizzle, painting a dark night atmosphere.

There was no moon, and no stars, only a black mega-mega that stretched over a vast expanse of sky.

Ghani sits alone on the porch of his home, occasionally glancing at the children who are studying with Arron in the living room. He was too late in his own mind, to the point that he ignored the drizzle that was descending more and more.

Ghani felt a dilemma whenever he remembered the offer earlier this afternoon. Being the singer of the capital is a very extraordinary thing. If he succeeds, the children's future is assured.

But what about Bylla? Their relationship is now getting closer, it seems Ghani is powerless to leave him. He doesn't have a cell phone, how do they relate. And again, at the moment Bylla is still a little fragile, she needs a lot of motivation. Would it be okay if he left her?

The greatest Asa in Ghani's life was to provide a decent life for his foster children. But now, he was hesitant to reach for that despair, because a sense of slowly reigned in his heart.

Ghani held onto his temple, thinking about what decision he should take. To Jakarta for the sake of pursuing despair, or remain in Surabaya for the sake of pursuing taste?

If he obeyed the word logic, he would definitely go to Jakarta. All this time he knew how difficult it was to live in deprivation. But if he obeyed his heart, he would still stay in Surabaya. Like a step, the distance with Bylla is only a moment. Will it remain so, if they live far apart.

Then Ghani got up from his seat, he walked to his room.

When two options lay before his eyes, Ghani could only ask for guidance from the Power.

Seriate...