THROUGHOUT BRAGA

Hira couldn't just skip the chapter of the meeting with Bu Tita, the Odading cake seller in the Supratman field.

She quietly collects donations through the Fundraiser application platform with the subject Peduli Bu Tita*). A family breadwinner takes care of nine children while supporting her husband who has been in a wheelchair for years because of a stroke.

Bu Tita started to make cookie dough before dawn, then fried and sold it herself in the morning, door to door, without intermediaries, because she made a tiny profit. Sometimes it's hard to believe because Bu Tita was a multi-talented convection entrepreneur.

It wasn't until a week later that Hira managed to raise enough funds to buy a sewing machine, a job that matched ibu Tita's passion, at least she could work at home, she didn't have to go to the streets and spend the energy in the heat of the day in her age.

"Bu Tita, this is a gift from friends... it's enough to buy a sewing machine to restart a convection business..." Hira handed over some money to Bu Tita. "This is a mandate from my friends, and I'm just passing it on." she continued.

Bu Tita's face immediately changed. She didn't expect such a big surprise from someone she had just met. Even her wealthy brothers and sisters didn't care that much. Immediately her tears spilled over, unable to hold back the overwhelming novelty.

Bu Tita looked at the girl beside her, unable to say a word but wiping the wet tears on her cheeks. She couldn't believe there were still people who truly cared, felt her struggle to conquer the harshness of life, and reached out willingly to help without saying much.

***

The afternoon was still not ripe when Bu Tita left.

Hira continued her journey, cycling past her office on Jalan Asia Afrika turned left along her favorite street, Jalan Braga.

Who does not know the name of Jalan Braga, the Malioboro of Bandung city? The street has been well-known since the reign of the Dutch East Indies. Until now, the name of the road is still maintained as one of the mascots and a tourist attraction in the city of Bandung, formerly known as Parijs van Java.

Passing Braga Street is passing through history.

But for Hira, there is its own history about this street. She remembered the name of Jalan Braga the most because of a short story she had read in Teen Magazine.

Sepanjang Braga, the short story title that won the competition, was so imprinted as if she had experienced it. The story of a painter who loves his girlfriend that has become someone's wife.

Whether there is a connection, her situation now has something in common with the story's core. And throughout Braga's story has now become real.

How powerful a pen is can linger the story in readers' minds for so long, maybe even a lifetime, and affect the side of their lives.

Crossing it on her bicycle, she inhaled the smell of its history.

Hira stopped at one of the classic coffee shops passing the gallery boutique. The cafe's exterior and interior design, typical of the colonial period, makes Hira feel as if he is entering the passage of time in the past.

Hira ordered Capuchino and mango cheesecake for her Brunch. Break Fast Lunch.

The song Snowman & I, bring her back to the present.

=========================================================

Don't cry, snowman, don't leave me this Way

A puddle of water can't hold me close, baby

Can't hold me close, baby

I want you to know that I'm never leaving

Because I'm Mrs. Snow, 'til death, we'll be freezing

Yeah, you are my home, my home for all seasons

So come on, let's go

Let's go below zero and hide from the sun

I love you forever where we'll have some fun

=========================================================

The rhythm of the song calmed her heart. It's been a long time since she felt the peace she feels now.

She remembered her spiritual friend in America, who had been in constant contact with her in the past few months, Dean. Dean reminded Hira of the figure of Brave Heart, Mel Gibson. Dean is a fun place to vent. Dean is very loyal to her. He is willing to do anything to make Hira happy.

The waitress brought Hira's order to her table. Immediately cut off the memory of Dean.

***

Now her memory returned to what happened this morning. Remembering Bu Tita's expression, tears, and how she looked at Hira without words, Hira was looking at herself, looking into her soul.

Now she counts on herself. Something in the past was considered a duty or normal. Now she can appreciate herself. She did everything not because she felt sorry for Ibu Tita or wanted to be called a good girl, but because she knew the best thing she could do. That was the best version of her in that occurrence.

People like Bu Tita are somewhat marginalized because they do not categorize any group that needs to be supported.

She said to be a widow; she has a husband. Said has a husband, but she is dependent; she is, in fact, the backbone of the family. Not an orphan, not poor either. Her body looks healthy yet too old; there is no reason to be pitied at first glance. The only place to depend on when she has no money are moneylenders who come to his house daily to collect debts.

Some women who are not used to working will quickly leave their husbands in such a slumped condition, as other women of her husband dumped them. However, someone like Bu Tita has a vast soul; she is willing to accept her husband back, who is helpless.

Hira knows very well how hard and challenging life is because Hira has experienced it in the past with a different version. AHHH!!!! Now Hira is Aware, not by chance Bu Tita is present in her life. She was the one who 'attracted' Bu Tita come in her life.

Everything in this universe is energy. The cells in our body, mind, water, air, trees, and sun are all energy. The energy speaks not with words but with vibrations, and the vibration is measured by frequency—the lower the frequency, the more negative the energy. Emotions are also a form of energy; negative emotions attract negative or less pleasant things. And vice versa.

Remember the meeting with Bu Tita was happen when her heart was confused and longing for Billy. Her mouth might say okay, but energy can't lie. What comes before her is something that matches her energy. Her past wounds in her domestic life are manifested in the real world in the form of Ibu Tita.

The meeting with Bu Tita has become her destiny. And Hira was grateful for what she had done. She may have helped Bu Tita outwardly, but in essence, she had allowed herself to heal her past wounds in her domestic life. Only when she deals with her past would she allow to enjoy the present. Her homework now is to keep her heart and mind having good thoughts and feeling because good energy will attract good things.

***