My Journey to Balikpapan

It was an hour past midnight. I was just arrived home from an event in Kuningan area, sitting in my bed, with a laptop on my lap. I hesitated for a while, should I buy this ticket? Should I go to some place I never go before, located in different island, meeting someone I could meet in the weekend?

But in the end, I walked out of my room, go to the nearest ATM, and pay for the earliest airplane ticket that morning, to Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Just to meet my oshimen.

Hastily packing and with no sleep at all, I stopped the first taxi in sight and go to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. The flight was supposed to take off at 06.10 West Indonesian Time (GMT+7). And we arrived in Balikpapan at 9.13 Central Indonesian Time (GMT+8).

I’ve never been here before. I didn’t know where the radio station (the place they would sell the CDs) was. I didn’t know about the taxi fare or else. After consulting with a friend via instant messaging and searching through Google, I decided to get in the airport taxi (dubbed “Aero Cab”).

The taxi driver was very kind. We talked so much about Balikpapan. When he asked me about my purpose visiting Balikpapan, I simply answered “Meeting a friend”. Sure it’s simpler to be understood, rather than “I’m going here just to meet a teenage girl I support in a singing and dancing group.” Hhe.

The radio station, KPFM is located next to the main road, so actually it’s not hard to find. When I arrived, some fans have already been waiting in line. Later I found out, not all of them came from Balikpapan City. Some of them came from different parts in Kalimantan. I could notice (from their shirts printed with the name of their communities) some fans from Samarinda, Tenggarong and others. Then I asked some fans about the form to buy the CD. The radio’s twitter account posted yesterday that the form was already gone, but then it turns out just as publicity stunt so many fans would come. I then asked for the forms and waited in line.

While I’m waiting, I talked with some fans from Samarinda. One of them was wearing a photo of my oshimen. I really like this, which means that she actually getting more and more fans. Speaking of getting more fans, I saw some of the fans here also wearing photos of the JKT48 trainees. I believe the trainees are getting more and more fans.

Not long after I waited in line, they opened the window, and I see the members waving from the 2nd floor. I see my oshimen, and my heart skipped a beat. The crowd then started to cheer, expressing their happiness on seeing their favorite members. I see some fan girls shed some tears. Seeing the members might be usual for us living in Jakarta, but for others coming from another town, or another island, could be a moment that might only come once in a lifetime.

The CD-selling began. After giving the form and paying the price in the front desk, the fans could enter the radio building and received their CDs from the members. The line moved slowly. After a while, it’s my turn. I entered the building. When I was in, I see my oshimen’s line was already occupied by a fan. I then received a CD from another member (which is also cute >.<). I got out from the building, and started queuing again. This time I took a line which is easier to meet my oshimen. I waited, while a massive rain cloud started forming above my head, indicating it’s going to rain in any time. Luckily, it didn’t rain yet when I finally managed to enter the building.

This time, her line was empty. I went to her desk. She smiled at me. My brain melted.

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My Oshimen: Hello, kak.

Me: Hello.

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When she gave me my CD, I remembered that yesterday, in Banjarmasin, my friend also meet her, and it seems that my friend also liked her. Since I already sent my wishes to her yesterday through my friend, I think it was okay to pay him in return.

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Me: Err… do you remember F-kun (my friend’s name), the one who buy CD’s from you yesterday, wearing black-and-white stripes shirt? He says hello

My Oshimen: Ah I remember. Thank you kak… Eh… You are the one mentioned by him yesterday don’t you? Ah… (She tried to remember my nick, but it seems she don’t remember)

Me : Yes, it was me

My Oshimen: Ah thank you very much…

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I walked out the building, with a silly smile formed in my face. I was really happy just meeting her. I then try to find something to eat, waiting for the second CD-selling session to begin.

After eating a bowl of meatball, I returned to the radio station. It was 1pm. Some fans from out-of-town were just arrived, and some were just arrived straight from their school. I queue in the line again. While waiting, I looked around, and there’s nothing but happiness pictured in their faces. School girls trading the bonus photos and janken cards, telling each other “Look, I got my favorite member, Akicha’s!” “I got Melody’s!” “I got Sendy’s!”.

But then, the rain started to pour. Well just a drizzle though, but the enthusiasm of the fans didn’t wear out, they still waited in line for the CD selling.

My third and last CD buying then began. After a while waiting under the drizzle, I managed to get in my favorite member’s line, once more.

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My Oshimen: Hello, you come again.

Me: Hello, eh, my friend E-kun also said hello to you, you knew him, I believe

My Oshimen: Ah, I knew. Hhe, Say also my hello to him.

Me: Err, this is also my last CD-buying, after this I’ll go straight to the airport. Thanks for today

My oshimen: Thank you very much, Kak…

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I walked out from the radio station filled with joy and happiness. I don’t know why. I just, really happy to meet her. I thought what I felt is similar to the happiness that all of the fans here might feel. I always hope that the fans here in Balikpapan would also became her fans. The more fans she has, the happier I am.

As I entered the bus (which is strangely called taxi here) to the airport, I knew I would never regret my decision today.

Thank you, Ratu Vienny Fitrilya.