buddha

one day a chinese couple came to my counter. chinese guy did the talking. "PRB, two tickets, please." i couldn't believe what i've heard, this guy must be kidding, i rebuked angrily, "what?" "P, RB," chinese guy pointed at the poster behind me, "is the show on?" i was stunned for a moment, then burst out a huge laugh. everybody looked at me in disbelief. "why? what happened?" chinese guy seemed bothered, he lapped his hand over his chest, trying to squeeze some smile on his face. "oh nothing, this is the first ticket, you two are the only watching," and feeling that i have the responsibility to explain to them, "its a malay movie u know." "ya i know," chinese guy answered coldly. then there's a moment of silence. "i mean, everyone's watching mamamia, u know, those movies." he didn't reply, i could almost see "no, i don't know." on his face. "you guys are weird." still he didn't say a word. "is it good?" i tried to show some interest, to calm him down. "not a good one, i suppose, since nobody's watching." for a moment a strong feeling of guilt gushed onto my head. i felt that i have violated their rights. i was tearing apart their little hope and pure honesty of just wanting to watch a not so famous, local movie.

they were right. just being not famous and local doesn't mean the movie is not good. maybe they were here to enlighten me. i recalled i see light shining behind their shoulders when they just smiled standing there peeping on me through their sepet eyes. i felt i see buddha. i decided to give myself a chance. the next day i bought myself a ticket and walked into the theater. i was the only one watching.

and what crap. i wasn't seeing buddha. i was just being sentimental too easily.