IV. Elion Ashoka
Daniel swears today is the best day that ever happens in his life and Elion plays the biggest key in his happiness. Daniel screamed, “Taylor, it’s not a cruel summer anymore. This is the best summer in my life.” Some people around him laugh at his words.
They make a heart together during the ‘Fearless’ bridge. Lalu diakhiri dengan Elion menghentakan-hentakan kepalanya sesuai dengan ketukan drum pada lirik terakhir,
And I don’t know why but with you, I’d dance
In a storm in my best dress fearless
His fearless act or shameless (we would say) makes Daniel laugh and Elion will do it again to see that sickeningly sweet smile.
When ‘You Belong With Me’ plays, Elion sings the lyrics word for word for Daniel who is currently jumping and having fun with the new friend he just made. This song reminds Elion of how much he hated him when Daniel and Redacted were dating and hated that boy even more after they broke up and made Daniel upset like a damsel in distress.
Minutes pass and the last song of the ‘Fearless’ era is playing. The song of every girl and boy's dream because so many people get proposed in this song. He asks the people beside him if they could do him a little favor and they agree to help him. When the venue becomes a little quiet Elion kneels to the ground lips syncing to the lyrics, “Marry me, Daniel, you’ll never have to be alone. I love you, and that’s all I really know.” While holding out a baby pink heart paper ring. Everyone around them goes crazy and Daniel’s eyes glow like a black pearl. He holds out his hand for Elion to put it on his ring finger.
Daniel pulls Elion from the ground, hugs him and kisses his cheek. Like he did when they were both young. When Daniel wasn’t shy to share an innocent kiss on their cheek. Until a couple of kids bullied him for being affectionate.
After the whole drama both of them didn’t say anything. They just enjoy the next era while hugging each other. Elion put his chin on Daniel’s shoulder. Swinging their bodies side to side. Later. He told to himself. Don’t be impatient and ruining the mood.
As the concert comes to an end Elion grows restless. He gonna have to confess now or never. “Daniel Cassia Gray, what if I’ve been having a crush on you since we were little,” Elion talks a little louder hoping Daniel can hear him in this crowd. “What if I tell you I’m not surprised?” Elion heart skips a beat then two beats faster.
He is shocked Daniel can hear his confession. The venue is very loud with all the people who are singing along louder than before. Pouring their heart out, Elion just does the same thing as them. But his heart is only for Daniel.
Many people in this venue are screaming about their feelings that were ignored by their loved ones, but Elion doesn’t get ignored. His feelings are heard by Daniel.
“Would you be mad if I needed some time to answer you?”
He will give his whole life, “I— I don’t actually expect an answer from you but, yes. Oh my God, Daniel Cassia Gray, absolutely fucking yes. You have all the time of my life.” Elion ends his confession by returning the kiss Daniel gave to him.
The boy blush like crazy. It’s just a kiss on the cheek but it feels so unexpectedly different. All his senses are numb with a heavy sensation. He is in a state of euphoria and might explode if he gets more happier than this.
When Elion shout, “Taylor dateng ke Indo dong, ntar kita main ke PIK.” Daniel laughs so hard. He can’t believe Elion still has the energy to do that after singing for 3 hours straight. Memorising all the songs on The Era’s Tour setlist. He even sing along to the surprise song. Daniel knows Elion doesn’t originally listen to Taylor Swift. What a big effort he puts for him.
They are waiting for their Uber to arrive. Daniel shivers a little from the cold breeze at night. Elion gives the hoodie he’s been holding to Daniel, “Wear it. We might have to walk a little, it’s a too crowded in here.” Daniel wears the hoodie and giggles. “Kamu dari tadi lancar banget deh inggrisnya.”
“Lah iya juga.” Elion menggaruk tengkuknya yang tidak gatal. “Soalnya rambutnya udah warna bule masa akunya ceplas ceplos bahasa indonesia terus.” Lanjutnya membuat Daniel geleng-geleng kepala.
“Ni, pegel ga?”
“Pegel sih tapi gapapa masih kuat jalan kok— Eli bangun ga.”
Elion menengok ke belakang dan menyuruh Daniel untuk segera naik ke punggungnya. “Udah sini cepet naik atau mau aku gendong kaya pengantin?” Daniel langsung naik ke punggung kokoh temannya. “Yah, kok naik sih. Baru aja mau aku gendong kaya pengan—”
“Ssttt… Berisik.”
“Loh kan tadi abis aku lamar pake paper ring.”
“ELIIIIIII!!!”
Setelah berjalan 10 menit akhirnya mereka menemukan mobil Uber yang mereka pesan. Setelah akhirnya duduk di dalam mobil rasa lelah langsung melanda. Sang supir bercerita sedikit kalau anaknya baru akan menonton konsernya besok, setelah itu mereka diam sepanjang perjalanan. Beruntung bapaknya mengerti kalau mereka sudah di tahap sangat lelah. Ia juga menyetel lagu-lagu Taylor pada radio mobilnya. Saat mereka berhenti di lampu merah terputar lagu yang Elion sangat nantikan sebagai lagu kejutan.
Uh oh… I’m falling in love
Oh no. I’m falling in love again
Oh, I’m falling in love
I thought the plane was going down
How'd you turn it right around
His eyes pooled at the sight of Daniel in his arms, singing along beautifully with the sweetest smile he could ever see. He doesn’t regret pouring his feelings tonight. What happens tomorrow will remain a mystery to them. Now, Elion only wants to swallow down the night with his beloved boy.
It only feels this raw right now
Lost in the labyrinth of my mind
Break up, break free, break through, break down
You would break your back to make me break a smile
You know how much I hate that everybody just expects me to bounce back
Just like that
The words pierce through Daniel into his bones. When he was going through the episode of grieving his breakup with Sadam times were running slow for him. Some of his friends in cheerleaders told him to move on. He hates them for telling him so. Just because they say there are a ton of men wanted to be with him doesn’t mean he could just forget everything especially since it’s his first relationship.
What they said wasn’t wrong. It's just not the right timing to hurry him to move on. Instead of helping they just keep pushing him to find a new guy, except for one person. Elion helped him to heal. When some days were extremely gloomy and he had no control to relapse. In those days Elion somehow always found a way to make him smile. Today not only did he heal a heart he doesn't break but also made Daniel realise a feeling that probably has always been inside of him.