Winter in Hokkaido
Chapter 10: Substitute

It snowed so heavily last night. The park is crowded with people who play. Some make snow dolls, some form them into balls to be thrown at each other. All dissolved in joy.

Time feels fast when happy and feels slow when grieving. Towards the turn of the year, I hope to really be able to open a new leaf. Close the old book tightly. Start writing stories that are not contaminated with past stories.

I walked through the streets of the city wearing layered clothes; shirts, shirts, jackets, and coats. Plus a scarf crossed on the neck. However, the cold is able to penetrate and greet the body. I decided to stop by a minimarket to buy a glass of warm chocolate.

Either I'm the wrong one for being dumbass, or that guy's in a hurry. When he opened the door to get out of the minimarket, he nudged me. As a result, the hot chocolate I was holding spilled stained the coat I was wearing.

“Sorry..” The person apologized while cleaning up the stains on my clothes.

At first I wanted to scold him, but it was not good to spill my frustration on the person who apologized.

“It’s okay.”

I continued my journey home on foot. Yes, I want to enjoy every step that hopefully the trail can leave my memories in Indonesia. I also want to see and feel a wider life. Observe around with all movement and interaction. Man with man, man with nature.

When I got home, I immediately broke down. Just about to close my eyes, my phone rang.

“Halo, May.”

“Ken, this afternoon I came home from Tokyo.”

“Oke.”

“What are you doing, Ken?”

“I'm on a tambourine.”

“If your condition is still not restored, then I can take a taxi. You rest!”

“Let's just calm, I've recovered. Landing what time?”

“I got there half six.”

“Iya, I'll arrive on time.”

“Thank you very much, Ken.”

I hung up, even though the one who called Mayumi. If not, he might take me for a long time to talk. My eyes can't handle it.

I slept for three more hours. My body feels more relaxed. I looked at the clock on my phone at 5 p.m. I was surprised that it was almost too late. Mayumi arrived at the airport half 6, the journey from the hotel to the airport 20 minutes. I rushed to the hotel on my bike to exchange it for my Uncle's car. I promised Mayumi I'd be on time.

Arriving at the hotel, I ran to find Uncle. However, when in the lobby I hit a visitor.

“Sorry, I’m in rush.” I immediately apologized.

The visitor just smiled. It's like I've seen it. But yes, I do not have time to remember when and where the incident met.

I immediately asked the receptionist where Uncle was, was in his room or not. I don't have much time to look for him.

“Where is uncle?” I was a little breathless.

Uncle also appeared from behind the staff room door.

“Uncle, Ken borrowed Uncle yes,” car, I said while trying to catch my breath.

“Where are you going, Ken? Kok looks rushed once.”

“Fetch Mayumi, Uncle.”

“Wait a minute!” pinta Uncle while walking quickly towards his room. Uncle understood that I was chasing time.

While I was waiting, the visitor I hit earlier had a glance at me. When he caught his eyes he looked at me, I slightly lowered my head and smiled.

“It. Be careful on the road!” Quickly he handed over the car keys.

“Iya, Uncle.”

I went straight to the parking lot looking for Uncle's car. I saw the clock on the phone again, at 17:20. The plane that Mayumi was flying at that time.  It's clear, I'll be late.

From getting off the plane, picking up luggage, maybe about 10 minutes. As much as possible I drive a car at high speed, but still be careful.

My relationship with Mayumi is just a friend. However, he has helped me a lot to introduce this place. At least, I should know myself to return the favor.

Arriving at the airport, I saw Mayumi standing in the pickup area. He was seen playing his phone.

“Hai, sorry to be late,” my handkerchief that made her a little surprised.

“It's okay, Ken. I also just arrived,” his smile.

Down from the car, I swiftly lifted Mayumi's suitcase into the trunk. Then open the car door for him. He looked blushed. However, the attitude I did was not to make him misunderstand. I feel like my treatment is a reasonableness in respect for women.

“Thank you very much Ken wants to pick me up,” he said as the car started to go.

“Iya, equally.”

“You don't feel bothered, do you?”

“Of course not.” I always didn't have much vocabulary when dealing with him. “You're still a few days away in Tokyo.” I tried to find a topic of conversation.

“I forward a day, because I can't bear to miss you,” the response by continuing to smile at me.

“Oh.” I was confused how to respond.

Mayumi slightly lowered her smile. “You don't miss me, Ken?”

“Iya?” I pretend I don't hear. I saw Mayumi lower her smile again. “Emmm, every day we still meet through voice and chat.”

Try thinking! Yes, I should be able to change the topic that made him unfocused on asking about my feelings towards him. Indeed, he asked that implicitly.

“Oh yes, how was the show in Tokyo?”

He was silent for a moment. “Exciting.”

Seeing her as if reluctant to tell a story, I turned to her. He also looks excited to tell a story. “I'm so happy to see my best friend get married. It feels like just yesterday we were still telling you about the men who approached. I hope to catch up soon. Wearing a beautiful dress and pledging a life-long promise with love. That would be so much fun. Isn't that right, Ken?” His mood changed with just one look.

However, I was just trying to change the topic without thinking about mastering the substance. Huh! What response should I give?!

“Ya, hope you catch up quickly.” I thought hard again to change the topic. I didn't realize that Mayumi was after attending the wedding. So, asking her to tell me about the experience in Tokyo would be connected to a question about how I felt about her.

“May, please direct the way yes. I've never been to your house.” Luckily, there are more neutral topics.

“Iya. But Ken, how about we have dinner at the restaurant on the way home? Later I show you the place,” invite him by putting on a rather clear face.

Looking at his face, I couldn't bear to refuse. But if you obey, I'm worried that I will repeat the atmosphere like in Jewel Restaurant this time.

“Sorry, May. Uncle is waiting for me. Another time yes. It's okay, right?”

He replied using the language of two lips that were tightened, then shaken slightly. I understood there was a hint of disappointment in him when I refused. But then again, I don't want to make him wish. Feel what I've felt for Dave.

After I declined her invitation, we did not engage in another conversation until we arrived at Mayumi's house. I'm not a typical one that easily liven up the atmosphere. I prefer to focus on driving the car to get to the destination safely.

I was amazed to see Mayumi's house was quite magnificent. More amazed to see the outside interior presented presents traditional Japanese design and classic European style. Pretty awesome. However, I kept that admiration in my heart.

Hearing us arrive, Mayumi's father immediately welcomed her. He offered me to stop by for a while, but I refused for the same reason to Mayumi. In order not to offend her, I promise I'll stop by next time.

Mayumi's father is tall. His appearance shows he is a businessman, all worn branded goods. Equally struggling in the hospitality business, Uncle's appearance lost far to Mayumi's father. However, I'm proud Uncle is quite unpretentious. I was also happy to see Mayumi's father, behind his luxurious appearance, he was very friendly.

I drove the car to the hotel more relaxed. I could enjoy the ride home. Maybe because it's alone and not chased by time like before.

I immediately looked for Uncle in his room. He's not in the place. Then one of the receptionist staff said Uncle was out with his partner. I decided to call Uncle alone while sitting in a soft chair provided for visitors in the lobby.

“Hello, Uncle where?”

“Hello Ken, Uncle is having dinner with friend Uncle.” Uncle's voice was indeed heard chewing food.

“Uncle didn't tell Ken? This Ken hurriedly came home, for fear Uncle was hungry.” I'm a little upset.

“Sorry, Uncle thought you were going to dinner with Mayumi.”

“Ya. Ken wants to eat first, Uncle. Call Ken if Uncle wants to go home, Ken will pick up.”

“Iya. Be careful with the car.”

As I hung up the phone and got out of my seat, I saw the person I had hit while trying to get Uncle's car keys. I try to remember again. Yeah, he hit me earlier this afternoon at the minimarket. I apologized, he was the same. No need to approach him.

But he kept looking at me. Our seating distance was about 5 meters, and it seemed like he also noticed my chat with Uncle earlier on the phone. But yes, he will not understand what I am talking about.

Although I don't know where to eat yet, but under or in the city center there will be plenty of options. Maybe I can ask the clerk here where the city's favorite ramen is. Yes, I was eating a meal that became one of the Japanese icons. Rather than going around in circles, it was better to have a goal from the beginning.

Just a few steps away, someone called.

“Excuse me!” His voice was quite loud and made some people around look towards him. I'm sure he was targeting me, because when he turned his eyes straight at me. I rushed straight to.

“Yes, can I help you?”

“I want to ask, where are the best and favorite Ramen restaurants near here?”

I was quite surprised that the person sitting in front of me said hello in Bahasa Indonesia. From his stature and face, he did not look like a native Indonesian. I don't get along very much, but I can quite recognize the origin of a person's country from his appearance. I get that from watching a lot of movies.

Sometimes I don't believe so much in coincidences. This guy I met at the minimarket. Meet at the hotel. Then, we're looking for the same dinner menu.

“Shortly yes!” I asked him to wait, because I had not received an answer from the employee I asked.

After getting an explanation about the desired ramen place, I thought of inviting the people. “How about we go together? Coincidentally our destination is the same.” He's a guest of this hotel. My soul service just popped up.

“You're serious?”

I convinced him by nodding.

While in the car, he told me a lot about what happened today. Specifically, the initial incident met me at the minimarket. He said he still felt guilty spilling chocolate on my jacket. He also felt lucky to see me back to apologize again. Even at the time of the incident, he wanted to change my drink, but I left quickly.

I told him to forget about the incident. I also unintentionally replied to her actions this afternoon.

“OK, we've arrived.” I put the brakes on the car and took the man down.

“My name, Add.” He hands to get acquainted.

I can't avoid this introduction. “I, Ken.”

The recommended restaurants are quite crowded. We were a little confused looking for a seat. I became sure the Ramen restaurant we went to would not disappoint. Although Japan is a very totality country in any case, sometimes everyone has different expectations. Especially about food, which is very tendentious to taste.

“How about over there only, Ke..n.” His voice was still hesitant to say my name.

“Oke.” I approved of the place he was pointing at, because as far as the eye could not see there was an empty table.

While waiting for the order to come, I tried to ask. This is not something I usually do.

“In Indonesia where do you live?” My prediction is that he is not Indonesian. Even so, it could be that he is a citizen who settled in the country with the 4th largest population in the world. His eloquence in the language made me curious.

“I live in Pattaya,” he answered with a smile.

“Pattaya?” many ensure. I have never heard of that area in Indonesia.

“Emmm, Thailand. I'm from Thailand.”

“Oh.” Although I also did not know which part Pattaya was in, but when she said from Thailand, I was very surprised. His mastery of Indonesian is like native. From his accent and accent, like the Jakarta people.

We continue the conversation while eating Ramen who is the champion of delicacy. Add explained that he studied in Indonesia, even we have one campus, one class, only different faculties. I am quite salute and proud he speaks fluent Indonesian.

He also described his profession as a photographer. His visit to Hokkaido Island is for a vacation as well as hunting photos of natural scenery during winter. Yes, because in our country there is no winter.

I can already guess he was a photographer when he collided in the minimarket. It was clearly visible from the camera hanging around his neck. The camera it carries is not a camera that is commonly taken by tourists for a vacation. It's a professional camera that's expensive.

Add explained more about himself. Previously, he worked as a photographer for weddings or official office events. But because his hobby is also adventurous, this year, he began a trip around to various countries to photograph the beauty of the whole world.

The coverage of the countries he visited today was limited to the Philippines, South Korea, India, Kazakstan, Mongolia, and now Japan. However, in the middle of next year he already has a tour plan to Europe and America. Hearing her story, I found her profession quite enjoyable. Photographers sound a profession that can be done all circles, even though professionally it takes perseverance and a long time.

Add also said he majored in Civil Engineering. Quite contrary to his hobby from SMP is capturing images.

After graduating from college, he chose to work according to his preferred field. He said, paid hobbies are what is called the best job in a person's life. It takes a long process to be said as a professional photographer, he continued. Wh why? Because shooting is not only capturing the moment, but must be able to create a moment in the photo itself. So that the photo that is seen feels alive, and takes us back in that time or in the place that we see.

Add is quite passionate about storytelling. It made me excited to hear his experience.

Suddenly Uncle called. Our conversation stopped too.

“Halo, Uncle.”

“Ken, when you have finished eating pick up Uncle yes. Later Uncle share location.”

“Iya, Uncle.”

I immediately took Add away from the restaurant. I offered to take her back to the hotel.

“Add, sorry, I have to pick up my Uncle. I'm taking you to the hotel now huh?”

“Not necessary, Ken. I'll just go home by myself. I don't want to trouble you a second time.” He refused, probably out of spite.

I tried to offer you one more time. “It's okay, Add. I'll take you first, I'll pick up my uncle.”

“I still want to travel here. I can take a taxi to go home to hotel.” He patted my shoulder. I feel a bit surprised. However, this may be a form of familiarity.

“Alright, then. I go first.”

“Be careful, Ken!”

I turned around, then gave him the okay symbol by hand. We met in a few minutes, but it felt like an old friend. I can even chim in on the chat, even if it's just digging so he wants to tell a story. But this was not the case when dealing with Mayumi, it took me a long time just to make a question sentence. No, I'm just serving the customer so he's comfortable in Uncle's hotel.