For good, they said.

Hi, I’m Nata. A girl just turned 22 more than a week ago and graduated a week ago. I bet you think time flies as fast as a cheetah, right? A few years ago, in February 2022, I came to Purwokerto without having a family. Ahh, I know you’re kind of shocked, right? Yeah, that was the response of people knowing that I don’t have family here. I’m so brave, I guess (I am). I just only have one friend right after I came here. Lucky me.

Alright, maybe this is the last story I write in Purwokerto, cause tomorrow I gotta go back to Tangerang. Did you become the Jabodetabek girl? I dunno. Hmm, I feel sad coz I have to leave this city. I do remember why I chose this city, it was because I didn’t wanna to continue studying in Indonesia, I wanna work and study in my dream country, Germany. Then, I was accepted into Unsoed. I don’t research this city that much, I know one thing, the cost of living is cheaper than the city that I wanna stay in (Jogja). This city is beyond my expectations.

If people asked me, “Do I regret ending up here?”. I do not know. Maybe yes or maybe no. Because the city I want is a city like any other city, I mean, this city is similar to a city near my hometown, then I go to overseas and experience the same city. This city is not pedestrian-friendly. You only have a sidewalk on the main road, and you can not even walk there because people set up stalls to sell anything. You will never find a sidewalk on campus in Karangwangkal, which has many faculties.

I don’t have much time to spend here alone or with my buddies. I came here in the second semester, when we had a hybrid class, and in the third and fourth semesters, when we had our major. Little did you know that the fourth semester is the chaos semester ever. I dunno, I feel like I can’t continue this life. Since I became a linguistics student, I have had so many projects, stress, and I ended up with so many illnesses. I don’t wanna experience it again. Then I leave Purwokerto for a while in the fifth semester, spending about one semester in Bali. Please do not ask me about how I feel at the time. Yeah, I became the happiest girl ever. It is such an honor that I could spend my one semester with my new friend. I left Pwt almost a year before returning in the sixth semester. I joined Kampus Mengajar in Baturaden. I was happy because I got the best view every day. My fellas and I have a long-distance friendship. Because most of us joined Kampus Mengajar in the seventh semester, we have time in the eighth semester to spend with each other; that is such a short time with my friend, yet I am grateful we spent the last minute very well. Now, I’m officially signing out from Unsoed and Purwokerto.

I dunno about this feeling. This is weird. Do I feel sad because I will leave Purwokerto, I am not ready yet to live with my family, or because I am pressured to be an adult woman? Someone said I don’t have someone special here like a boyfriend, so why am I sad about leaving this city? She is probably right, but I think I have some good memories. Besides my regrets about being here, I also have something to be grateful for while staying here. I am thankful because I met such friendly and kind people (unless someone said that some of the purwokerto’s are fake). Thanks to the people who take a role in my life. I am so grateful.

By the way, I have a special place that always stays in my heart. Yeah, Pasar Wage. A traditional Market that changed my mind. Every Sunday, I will always go shopping because I always cook for myself. I got a lot of things to be grateful for and found a reason to stay alive. You will find every person there, from a young age to the very old grandma and grandpa. I had a different story every time I went there. Isn’t it weird when you don’t know them but end up as your family? An old man who always wears a white t-shirt and always waits for us after we finish our shopping. He would always ask are we thirsty, or wanna eat something? Oh girl, I wanna cry, because the last time I knew about his condition, he was sick, I dunno how he feels right now, I hope he feels well. I wanna say thank you to a man who sells tofu. Sir, you are very welcome. How can you sell your tofu for only 5k to me but 7k to others? I am grateful we met, and I wish you all the best. For the family selling the vegetables, for a man who sells cassava and sweet potato, a woman who sells chicken, a woman who sells papaya, and a man who sells eggs, and gave me the cheaper price? I am so grateful. I am happy to become your loyal customer. Thank God because I met them. I learned so many things from them. I wish you all the best. See you next time.

Last, I want to thank and apologize to the people around me while I stay here. Thank you for being friendly and kind; your presence means a lot to me. I know someone says that most people here are fake, but I remember having a friend from outside this city. Thanks for making me not feel alone, I dunno, I wanna say thank you. I do feel sorry for my mistake, which made everyone feel uncomfortable and sad, and many more. Sometimes I can’t control it, but right after that, I felt bad. For a man I used to love, he didn’t know me, but I wanna say thanks for your existence in FIB, because it was a reason for me to go to campus eagerly hahaha. Long last with your girlfriend.

All right, it is enough about the things that I experienced here. Thank you and see you in Purwokerto.

Purwokerto, 19 June 2025 Nata Silalahi