1 A Stranger's Memory

Years had passed yet the ghost of how we first met was still clear in my mind. I still remember every detail of how you looked like during that day, the shirt you're wearing, the style of your hair, your facial expression—everything.

The weather was humid. I'm sitting decently inside a bus next to the window, enjoying every places we're passing with earphones plugged in my ears.

The bus stopped and a passenger entered. It isn't my thing to check for the newcomer but that time, there's something in me which pushed me to do so. My eyes met the gaze of a guy wearing a black bonnet, black t-shirt, faded blue jeans and earphones plugged in his ears.

The stare lasted for seconds until I returned my gaze to the window.

I felt someone who occupied the vacant seat beside me.

It's the guy. It's you. And for the second time, our eyes met.

"LANY?" I heard you asked.

I unplugged my left earphone and answered, "yes. Why? Are you familiar to them?"

"Quite. Actually, it's my favorite band."

My lips automatically formed a smile. "Same here! My playlist is full of songs of them. Look."

I showed you my playlist while scrolling up and down. If he's a fan of LANY, then he must be familiar to any other songs that are also similar with it.

"Joji, Troye Sivan, Rex Orange—you're not a sad girl, are you?"

"Of course, not!" I laughingly said. "Just a girl who's fond of listening to sad music."

"Are you also listening to rock music?"

"Yes. And metal music, too."

"Really? An innocent-looking girl who's fond of listening to 'demonic' music? How come?"

During the ride, we talked about our favorite music. While we're discussing about songs, I never felt comfortable in any stranger except for you. It's also my first time to meet someone who has the same music taste like mine because everyone around me are obsessed listening to K-pop and mainstream songs. That's why I prefer to bring my earphones every day to enjoy my favorite music and of course, to avoid hearing songs that the lyrics are not understandable. No offense.

He's a complete stranger, but I never felt unease with him.

Or, maybe, we had a "soul connection" because we have the same preference in music? Err, is that even possible?

Everything has an end, so as our conversation.

You reached your destination where you have to bid farewell to me. "Goodbye. It's such a wonderful thing to talk with someone like you."

I waved my hand. "Same here. Nice talking to you, too."

At the back of my head, I'm wishing that the universe will cross our paths again.

But it seemed like universe heard my silent prayer because the very next day, the bus where I'm riding at stopped and a passenger entered. It's you. Our gazes met and we both smiled at each other.

"Hello," you said and you sat beside me.

"Hi."

We started to talk again about music. You mentioned a lot of concerts where you've been to, and I envied you because you've been in the concert of my favorite band: Paramore. I was dreaming of being there since the day I discovered the band but Lady Luck isn't always with me.

"Someday, you'll be able to go to your favorite band with the person you love most because you deserve it."

Your words made my lips formed a curve. And even though you already got off from the bus, your voice saying those words are still echoing inside my head.

It gave me hope that I'll be able to attend one of my favorite band's concert. That I'll meet one of my idols, not only me, but with a special someone.

Days passed by. Every time the bus stops, a passenger always enters and occupies the vacant seat beside me. Every day, we are talking about favorite music and exchanging song suggestions. And I'm glad you're always listening and liking every song I suggest.

My whole weeks aren't complete without you, without discussing our music preferences. There's also an ineffable feeling I feel whenever I'm talking with you.

You're a complete stranger... but what's this?

One day, the bus where I'm riding stopped. A passenger entered but to my disappointment, it isn't the guy who has a dull expression. It isn't you.

It's alright, though. Maybe I'll be able to see you the next day—

But, I was wrong.

I hoped for another day—

Still, it wasn't you who arrived.

Maybe you're busy for something and you'll take the next bus to ride.

One day, I woke up late. I took a quick shower and didn't even bother to eat anything. I waited for a bus to stop and it looked like Lady Luck pitied me because a bus stopped in front of me. I immediately get inside.

To my surprise, I saw you.

You're still wearing your attire since the day I met you: bonnet, black t-shirt, faded blue jeans and earphones plugged in your ears.

But...

You were sharing your earphones with someone beside you. A lady who's peacefully taking a nap while leaning on your shoulder.

Years had passed since the day I saw you with her.

I'm already a successful woman who graduated and I already got my dream job. I've been into concerts of my favorite bands, but I don't have anyone to accompany me.

Years had passed, but I'm still listening to every song you suggested years ago.

Every time my playlist is on shuffle, it plays every song that gives me a lot of memories with a stranger I talked inside a bus. I didn't even get to know what's your name, where do you live, or even your social media accounts.

And every time the songs you suggested plays, it gives me a lot of questions to ask all about you. How are you? Are you doing good right now?

Did you already find your special someone who can accompany you into your favor bands? Did you already find someone who has the same music preferences like you?

Do you still remember that innocent-looking girl you talked inside a bus years ago?

Do you still remember me... like I do?