Sadali

My name is Sadali.

I paint with words.

Sometimes color is not enough to express everything.

I was born in Bukitinggi.

A cold town, with a warm heart.

That's where I met my first love.

Arnaza.

Sadali, will you be my son-in-law?

Then I went to Jogja,

where they say dreams can flourish like flowers.

I'm looking for a room, not a house.

I'm renting out a house, not rooms.

- May I look around? - For what?

Maybe I'll find what I'm looking for.

How did you know this house is for rent?

From the campus' bulletin.

You're the institute of arts kid?

I'm my parents kid.

Your joke is so old-fashioned.

My name is Mera.

I was planting hopes, but got a new love instead.

Mera.

That woman, who's complex and strong, she became my inspiration…

Of painting, writing, and also hope.

Arnaza, I hope it doesn't take a million years for my letter to reach you.

What are you talking about, dear?

You know that light from a star will arrive on earth

after traveling for a million years.

By the time the light arrives on earth,

the star itself has died.

TO LOVE WITH SURRENDER

Reality didn't walk hand in hand with hope.

Mera disappeared from the face of the earth.

I looked for her,

and every trace of her ended in silence.

It's as if

she didn't want to be found.

Now, here I am,

wishing for time to help me forget.

Though I know in my heart,

the ones I want to forget are the ones who stay.

This is your first solo exhibition, Sadali?

You never had one before.

I've never had a solo exhibition.

Usually, it's with other painters

because I fear being alone.

What will you express in your exhibition?

It's still a secret.

The late Mr. Jim would be sad

if he could see his favorite painter like this.

AN OLD LOVE THAT NEVER ENDS

I've forgotten how to feel uneasy.

I've stopped feeling restless, stopped hoping.

Eventually, I stopped feeling anything.

Anything.

EVERY PLACE YOU'RE WITH ME BECOMES THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD

SADALI

Arnaza, what are you doing here?

Mr. Akbar, your boss…

He's into paintings, isn't he?

Yes. He's about to make his speech.

Come.

He's a partner.

Mustofa.

- How are you? - Good, sir. My wife, sir.

Hello, sir.

Ma'am.

- Hello, ma'am. - What do you think?

Nice? Lively?

- Very lively. - Yes.

- How is it so far? - It's been very fun.

Yes.

- Shall we go inside? - Yes. Please, sir.

- Ma'am. - Come!

TWILIGHT ALMOST CAME

EVERY PLACE YOU'RE WITH ME BECOMES THE SAFEST PLACE IN THE WORLD

Here you go.

You'll make the table thin, Sadali.

You paint on it, then you erase it,

and then you paint again, and erase again.

So don't erase it.

Sadali's work is expensive.

Say that to my boss.

Latifah, how far have you come with your painting class?

I barely started.

Sir, please.

You should drop by at my place.

When I have a day off.

- Sadali. - Budi.

- You're okay, Budi? - Healthy and good.

Latifah.

Some beer for you?

I can't, my friend.

I've been sober for some time.

Just water.

Just a moment.

Since when have you stopped drinking, Budi?

An hour ago?

Living in Jakarta has made me a better man, Sadali.

- Please. - Thank you.

You've always been a better man, even when you're boozing, Budi.

I met Mera in Jakarta.

She's living in Jakarta now?

Maybe.

I didn't ask.

We just saw each other briefly.

Mother!

Mother!

Hi.

You come home so late, my dear.

Yes.

-Mother, guess. -Okay.

Who won the painting competition at school today?

- Not you, right? - It's me, Mother.

- Where's the painting? - Displayed at school.

Wow!

What did you paint?

My favorite object.

Favorite object? What could it be?

Guess.

A pineapple tree?

- It's you. - Me?

- Yes. - Sure?

You're the source of endless inspiration.

- Says who? - Somebody.

- Want something to drink? - Yes.

- It's very hot, isn't it? - It is.

- Kikan? - Hi, Jessica.

Hi, Kikan. Hi, ma'am.

What happened with your face?

- The usual stuff. - Had a fight with your father?

Yes.

- Okay, I'm going to the front office. - Yes.

Arnaza.

You miss Bukittinggi, don't you?

You want to go there tomorrow?

I will always miss Bukittingi, dear.

But no need to go there.

You're busy with work also.

What about a holiday?

Hmm?

Aren't you busy with work, dear?

See? You do want to go on holiday.

Your face is beaming with joy.

When?

I'll let you know.

I must wait until Mustofa gets permission from his office.

Why don't you come here first? We'll go sightseeing.

Your husband can come later.

Interesting.

Will he let me, though?

Ask his permission, Arnaza.

Okay, then.

Listen to the sound of your sigh.

Why?

The sigh of someone in need of entertainment.

Ah, Latifah.

I have to go.

Oh, okay. Go ask.

Sadali?

Sadali?

Sadali?

THIS HOUSE IS SADALI'S STUDIO. IT MAY BE SMALL, BUT AT LEAST IT'S HIS OWN PLACE

The first one. The rest will follow.

HOLDING ON FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG

Is this really your painting?

I can't see your personality in here.

Two months.

You have two months.

It's not a short time.

I'm warning you.

Let me.

Thank you.

Latifah?

Arnaza!

I missed you.

I also missed you. You look so beautiful.

And so are you.

- Please, Arnaz. - Thank you, Latifah.

We have just a short time before Mustofa arrives?

Yes.

Why don't you take a day off tomorrow so we can hang out and sight see?

Say yes.

Well… Come on.

You still act like a spoiled kid.

I wonder how you're allowed to travel on your own.

Mustofa was actually about to go with me,

but then his work interfered.

He asked me to postpone the trip.

Of course, I disagreed.

And I pulled out that spoiled kid act.

You know, Sadali still drops by from time to time.

I almost lost it. I had to restrain myself.

"Hey!

It's my friend whom you've hurt!"

I've let go of my pain.

Are you sure?

I know you so well.

That's why I was confused

when you accepted Mustofa's proposal.