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Jakarta was raining tonight, not a downpour but enough to make Alex wet. A thin mist made the streetlights shine gold on the wet road.
Inside the GoCar, Alex watched raindrops crawl down the window of the car, and felt the heavy weight of typical Jakarta tiredness; too many deadlines, too much traffic, and too many unread chats. His laptop bag felt like a rock on his lap, reminding him that tomorrow, everything would start again.
“Radio okay?”
The driver’s voice was calm and low, with a subtle accent, cut through the sound of the rain. Alex looked up. The man wore a cap and a white shirt, sleeves rolled up at the elbows. On his wrist, a small leather bracelet.
“Yeah,” Alex answered with a faint smile. “Radio’s fine.”
The driver turned the music down. An indie song played softly. The sound of slow guitar and gentle rhythm filling the car, and for a moment, the car felt peaceful. Outside was busy and loud, but inside warm and quiet.
Alex noticed the driver tapping the steering wheel gently, in rhythm.
“Suka lagu ini?” (You like this song?)
Carlos, whose name Alex learnt from the app, chuckled softly, “I don’t know what it’s called. It just, make the traffic less annoying, no?”
“Everything in Jakarta needs soundtrack,” Alex half joked.
Carlos looked at him through the rearview mirror, “Even this?”
“This is peak romantic cinema,” Alex said, smiling. “Stranger, rain, city lights. Kalau aku nggak ngantuk (If I’m still awake), I’d be falling in love right now.”
Carlos laughed, not loudly but enough that Alex heard it. A real laugh that softens the air, and maybe Alex’s heart too. “Then it’s lucky you’re tired.”
“Or unlucky,” Alex said, leaning his head back against the seat.
The car drove one. The streetlights outside looked like moving stars. On the way from Senopati to his place, Alex felt that strange comfort only a calm stranger could give.
When they reach the stop, Alex hesitated before getting out. The rain was now just a light mist.
“Thanks,” Alex said. “Terima kasih (Thank You),” there was a brief of pause, until Alex packed up his things. “For the drive.”
Carlos smiled at him through the mirror.
“No problem. Selamat istirahat (Have a good rest), Jakarta’s louder tomorrow.”
The doors closed softly. The car sped off, its red lights faded down the wet road.
Alex stood there for awhile, watching. He could still hear Carlos’s voice in his head.
Later that night, when he couldn’t sleep, he opened the ride app, scrolled to the trip, and without thinking too hard, tapped;
⭐️ 5 stars. Favorite driver.