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Sampai Waktunya Datang
Writer: Maulida Ayu
Published: Stilleto Books
Pages: 122 pg

This book is a work of fiction and a well crafted illustration book which the reviewer comprehends has the centrepiece theme of waves of recollections of memories, emotions, sensations of being with the person you were with.

The writer describes this book as dedicated for those who is brave to keep going on even though their world has shattered right before their eyes. Your dream come true gone just like that. Yet manage to stay strong, resilient in the hard times of crumbled loss and persevere. It's about holding on to the slight glimmer of hope that you believe is there at the end of the tunnel, albeit wildly perplexed about the turn of events that render you into who you are today, from the person that you thought you were.

Having said that, the book is divided into four parts, all with a different tone. Like glimpses of memory recollections and the sensations one can relate or associate with each memory, you get a sense of different glances the writer goes through as she recalls her current or recent state of emotion, under the "irrationality" part. Although the centrepiece of the book is on the loss and unrequited love, this first part goes to describe how, in light of the current state they are in, the writer will keep holding on to whatever feeling she has left. Love is irrational, it has no specific reason or motivation. When it hits you, they become the song you sing night and day. You start to see them everywhere, in everything that exists, they become you reality.

Just like dreams, love comes slow and go so fast. The person you have fallen in love with becomes your destiny, the reason you keep going on. Rendering you "imperfect" without them. Hence the pain that prevails when you are no longer the most important thing in their lives.

In the "memoirs" part of the book, we get a glimpse of how their first proper conversation (or one of their first conversations) and some excerpts of selected conversations went. We get to see little flashes of her memories and feelings associated with their exchanges and the little things they share. For those who have never been in love or had a crush, this part of the book might seem a bit unrelatable or that might feel only those involved would understand what the author is trying to convey.

The last part of the book "sampai waktunya datang" (when the time comes), wraps up the overall tone of the book back with a high note, of clinging on to the last strands of hope. In a separation that is one sided, perhaps some of us that has experienced it has a sense of longing that perhaps one day, one day they will come to a realization that they feel the same and they've been letting go of someone so precious all along.

As I read and proceed to each pages of the book I can't help but recollect several nostalgias of a long lost love I once had. It's true that we lost a little of ourselves when we fall in love. The person you admire and adore becomes what makes you, you. To put it into words I can't help but quote Night and Day, that took the words right out of my mouth "I see you everywhere, in the stars, in the river, to me, you're everything that exists, the reality of everything."

In a nutshell, this book is a poignantly written and a recommended must-read for those who has no plans of going down even if the ship has (or has seemed to) sailed. Not putting one's hand and surrender. Not putting a white flag. Will always be in love and always will be.

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• Astrid Nadya Rizqita