Priceless

It was a fine afternoon when I found myself in a fast food restaurant, sitting face to face with one of my best friends since I was in elementary school. We did not order much, but there was this particular moment I recalled when I heard a song played vaguely in that restaurant. It was 'Posesif', a song that I know dearly.

My friend smiled when she heard that song. “Ciyeee... Posesif!”, she knows that the song mean something to me. I withdrawed myself a bit from enjoying the song before I asked her, quite rethorically, “Do you know where I begun to really like Naif?”
“Of course.” She said. “It all started when you were in your fourth grade of elementary school!”

Yeah, I remember those times...

*****

I was nine years old when I bought my first cassette of Naif. It came directly from every penny I saved in my piggy bank. I then started to write letters to the band, though it's rarely replied.

There was also a time when I jumped abruptly off the bus just because I saw a poster of Naif displayed on the street wall. I took the poster off and redisplay it on my bedroom wall. Never once I allowed myself to sleep without looking at the poster first, picturing five smiling guys wearing thick-rimmed glasses in it.

I grew to love Naif more and more each day, but there was nothing much I could do. Other than looking at them from my TV screen while saying “Be patient, guys. It is not like Ruth is in such a rush to meet all of you...”

Six years after, I had a chance to interview David, the vocalist of Naif, for Provoke! Magazine where I was participating as one of the writers of their student edition. In five months, I was chosen to be the head of NFC (Naif Fun Club) Jakarta. It all felt like a dream came true. I was a 'part' of something that used to be in that box with an 'impossible' tag on it.

***

The 'Posesif' song was fading out, slowly I resurrected from my thoughts when my cellphone suddenly vibrated. There was one new message from my boss, I opened it and it was read “I have transferred your salary for this month, Ruth! :) “
I pulled out my biggest grin and then told my friend, “Hey, order more! My treat!”

I am not 'just' a fan, this time. Not even a head of the fan club. Now, I'm a part of PT Naif Cipta Kreatif. This is truly a priceless experience for me, about dreams, hopes, and efforts.