by : Summer

Going to a firework festival in my old village is the only reason I am here, sitting at the corner of the food stalls. The food looked delicious, my sister would have liked it if she was here, I thought. I saw many people walking around wearing their brightly colored kimonos, with happy smiles on their faces. It looks like their eyes are smiling, too. Meanwhile I have worn the same kimono for the past three years, a plain gray kimono which color has already faded. It might look like broken white from a distance, but I still like it nevertheless. This festival was not really crowded since it is only a small village which is a bit far from the city. It feels like I know almost all the people. Everyone knows everyone here, including the one who was standing in a gorgeous pink kimono, holding her taiyaki. I am not sure she still remembers me, though. But as far as I remember, she went to Tokyo years ago to pursue her dream, to become an architect. She has always been good at drawing and has a huge interest in architectural stuff. Well, she is in her senior year right now which is one step closer to her dream, or maybe she is already living in her dream. In fact, I don’t have the right to know anything about her anymore. I don’t even remember the last time we spoke, one thing for sure that still lived in my head rent free was her sorrowful stare. Whether it was regret or just pure sadness, I don’t know. Then I continued to walk around until that gorgeous stall caught my attention. It has many colorful lights. Green, red, and yellow lights blend together to create a pleasing glow. I was thinking about trying it out, just in case I might win the prize, like a plushie or anything. But then I remember, I already spent my luck for the last 17 years and it has all run out. Suddenly I saw her again, walking towards me, she probably wanted to try her luck in this stall. I was thinking about saying hi to her but it turned out she was going to another stall, so i refused my will. I was confused, we were only three meters away, but she acted like she cannot see me, standing straightly around her. From this festival, I am usually able to see my house, which I could recognize from its roof. It was not there anymore, My house was all eaten by fire. It is all wrecked, that’s the reason I’m not living here anymore. There’s no place like my old home. What is a home without laughter to share, without welcoming hugs, or ... the comfortable silence we shared. But there’s nothing I can do after all. Suddenly I hear they lit the fireworks as the people around me started to cheer, and watch the beauty of fireworks with their precious ones. I stood in silence, I would not be here next year, I mumbled. At that time, I already decided that I would not be here anymore, I would go somewhere, I don’t know where I’m gonna be, but I will let destiny lead me wherever it is. I would go to somewhere I always wanted to be, because I saw that there was no reason to be here anymore. The world is still running, the festival is still held every year, everybody is still smiling and cheering.

. . . As the last firework were lited, people continue gathering with their loved ones, . . . and I disappear.

Writer’s Corner :

Terinspirasi dari soal UTBK, unit Idol yang disband, si dia yang ga pernah notis.

This is my second work after I learned about flash fiction in my lecture. It was somewhat inspired by hotarubi no mori e (hehe).

p.s: I open to any discussion about the writing since I also want to know how reader interpret this, just hit me up on discord, biuubiu#0 (or on whatsapp if u alr know me) Thank you in advance ^^

-Summer