Rebirth in Southeast Asia

Many friends at school probably saw us often going home together and thought there was "something more" between us. But actually, there were no special feelings. I, Marlon, who was mature enough and had lived until the age of 30, had no romantic feelings for Tirani whatsoever. My curiosity about the 'social media artist' phenomenon and her character was strong, but that wasn't the basis of our relationship. It was more an attraction to an interesting and unique personality.

Besides, I knew, and Tirani had also told me, that she already had a boyfriend. So, we never went in that direction. Our relationship was purely platonic, like best friends. We often hung out at cafes or went out with other friends from school. We shared stories, supported each other, and sometimes exchanged thoughts on various topics.

Although our homes were indeed in Bandung Regency, because the location was quite far from school, we ended up having more time to chat and grow closer during our commute.

This dynamic felt comfortable. I found a friend I could talk to about many things, who had different perspectives but still clicked with me. She didn't know about my future secrets, of course. To her, I was just a close friend who happened to be mature for his age and had a cool motorcycle. For Tirani, I was a friend she could exchange ideas with without any complicated romantic 'flavor.' And for me, she was a reminder that high school life also had a light and fun side, beyond all the grand plans I was building.

The New Year's 2008 holiday was just around the corner. After months of being busy with school, business, and minor teenage dramas, I felt I needed a break. And what could be better than a holiday with friends?

I had an idea. One afternoon, while we were gathered in the school cafeteria, I floated the idea. "Hey, how about we go somewhere together for the New Year's holiday?"

Ridwan, one of my most enthusiastic gang friends, immediately chimed in. "Where, Lon? To Puncak again? I'm bored of that."

"How about Jogja?" I suggested, deliberately trying to elicit a reaction.

Immediately, several of my friends' eyes lit up. Jogja was always a favorite destination.

"Jogja? That's really far, Marlon!" Tasya, our most talkative classmate, commented. "How do we get there? And where will we stay? It must be expensive during New Year's."

I smiled mysteriously. "Don't worry about accommodation, I'll handle it."

Tirani, who was sitting next to me, looked at me suspiciously. "Where are you going to stay, Lon? Do you know anyone in Jogja?"

"Yes. A relative's villa in Jogja," I answered casually, secretly amused. A relative? More precisely, the villa belonged to Sundawani Property, which had already bought many assets in several regions.

Since Sundawani's business was running smoothly and the funds from the YouTube sale came in, I had indeed directed the property team to invest heavily in the tourism sector. Sundawani Property had bought a lot of assets such as villas, hotels, guesthouses, cottages, and resorts in various strategic areas. Not only in West Java, like Pangandaran, which was already famous for its beaches, but also in popular tourist cities like Jogja, Bali, and Lombok.

This was a long-term investment. I knew Indonesia's tourism sector would continue to grow rapidly. But I never told anyone about this. Even my father only knew the broad strokes, not the specific assets that had been purchased. This was one of my business secrets that I kept to myself.

"Where is this relative's villa, Lon?" Nabila, our quiet but always curious friend, asked.

"It's quite big," I said. "It can accommodate about ten people. And most importantly, it's near Malioboro." That was indeed a fact. One of Sundawani's villas in Jogja was strategically located, close to the city center.

Hearing about the tempting facilities and location, my friends started to get interested.

"Seriously, it can fit ten people?" Ruli, Ridwan's deskmate, confirmed.

"Yes, don't worry," I replied. "We just need to pay for the round-trip train tickets. I'll take care of everything else."

"Okay, in that case, I'm in!" Ridwan exclaimed excitedly.

Nabila, Tasya, Ruli, and several other friends were also enthusiastic. They began to imagine the fun of walking around Malioboro, eating gudeg, and visiting temples. Tirani smiled, "Okay then, I'm in too."

Finally, we all agreed to spend New Year's together in Jogja. A total of ten people joined the group, including me, Tirani, Nabila, Tasya, Ridwan, Ruli, and several other friends. I secretly smiled with satisfaction. This would be an unforgettable holiday. And most importantly, I could provide a comfortable and fun holiday experience for my friends, without them having to know the behind-the-scenes details. I couldn't wait for this trip.

A few weeks before the New Year's holiday to Jogja, the atmosphere at home suddenly turned a bit tense. My father came home from work with a grumpy face, unlike his usual self. I knew something was bothering him.

"What's wrong, Dad?" I asked when I saw him sitting lost in thought in the living room.

My father sighed deeply. "It's your elder brother, Uwa Hasan..." (Uwa Hasan was Grandpa's eldest son who had protested about the will.) "...he's been constantly grumpy. He wants to sell Grandpa and Grandma's legacy property in Buah Batu."

Hearing that, I wasn't too surprised. I just said, "I figured as much, Dad."

The house in Buah Batu was indeed one of Grandpa and Grandma's most valuable properties, full of memories. In the past, it was often the gathering place for the extended family. I knew very well from the future that after Grandpa passed away, his other assets would become targets for sale by some of my uncles and aunts, especially those who had financial problems.

"But why, Dad? Wasn't that Grandpa and Grandma's favorite house?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"That's the problem, Marlon," Dad said, looking frustrated. "Uwa Hasan says he needs money for his new business venture. He keeps pushing for the house to be sold immediately. But it's not just an asset, it's a memory."

My father clearly couldn't bear to let go of the house. For him, it was a family symbol, a place where many beautiful memories were etched.

"Dad doesn't want that house sold to anyone else," Dad said. "But Uwa Hasan is stubborn, he keeps insisting."

I saw an opportunity. This was a way to protect the family legacy, and at the same time, quietly add assets to Sundawani Property.

"In that case, Dad doesn't need to worry," I said. "Dad doesn't need to argue at length with Uwa Hasan."

My father looked at me hopefully. "Then how?"

"Dad just tell Uwa Hasan to sell the house. But, Dad buys the house on behalf of Sundawani Property," I whispered.

My father was surprised. "Buy it on behalf of Sundawani? So, the house will be ours then?"

"Not personally ours, Dad," I explained. "But our company's, Sundawani Property. That way, the extended family won't know that the house was actually bought by us, Dad and me."

"Then what's the advantage?" my father asked.

"That way, the house remains in our 'circle,' Dad. It won't fall into foreign hands. We can protect it, maintain it, and someday we can also use it for Sundawani's purposes. For example, as a guesthouse for employees, or a training center.

But most importantly, we save Grandpa and Grandma's memories from being freely sold to outsiders," I explained. "And Uwa Hasan will also be happy because his request is fulfilled and he gets the money."

My father pondered for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his lips. "Brilliant idea, Marlon. I hadn't thought of that. So we can still keep the house?"

"Of course, Dad," I replied. "We'll buy it at market price, so there's no suspicion. And we'll handle the documents neatly through a notary, under the company's name."

Finally, my father nodded in agreement. With this, another of Grandpa and Grandma's legacies was secured under Sundawani's umbrella, without causing further conflict among the extended family. A problem with the potential to become big, I could resolve with a quiet strategy.

In 2007, after graduating from a favorite high school in Bandung, Sister Putri finally flew to Singapore. She was accepted into Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, which is part of the National University of Singapore (NUS). This is one of the best universities in Asia, and I was very proud of her achievement.

Since then, it could be said that Sister Putri rarely came home to Indonesia. Initially, perhaps it was due to her extremely busy medical school schedule, which is known to be very demanding. But gradually, I could feel that she was indeed comfortable in Singapore. The well-organized environment, complete facilities, and friends from various countries made Sister Putri feel at home. She often talked about her life there via phone calls or chats, always with a cheerful tone.

Sister Putri's Perspective

Singapore, 2007.

"Marlon, Singapore is amazing! Everything is fast-paced, everything is neat," I said over the phone, my voice still enthusiastic. "This NUS campus is also incredible. The lecturers are brilliant, and all my classmates are super smart. I have to study really hard so I don't fall behind!"

I truly enjoyed every second here. The clean air, efficient transportation, and a campus library that was open almost 24 hours. This was the perfect environment for me, who loves to learn and pursue knowledge.

"Are you sure you're comfortable, Sis? Don't you miss Bandung and Mom's cooking?" Marlon asked once.

I chuckled. "I do miss it, but there's a lot of good food here too! And I've made new friends. How about you in high school? Have you found a new 'target'?"

Marlon laughed. "No way. I'm busy with school and business, Sis."

Our conversations were usually about school, friends, and sometimes he'd ask a little about what I was doing in Singapore. Initially, I didn't quite understand why Marlon often asked about the cost of living here, or about Singapore's economic development. But I knew Marlon's mind was truly 'beyond normal' for a kid his age.

One day, I received an email from a staff member from the same trust fund that managed Marlon's investments. They said there was an "asset I could manage" while in Singapore, a small property that could be rented out, and the profits could support my living expenses. I was surprised, but also happy. I thought, wow, Marlon is really good to his sister.

I indeed started to suspect something was up (in a positive sense, of course). Several times, I met people introduced by Marlon from that trust fund. They were very professional, and occasionally they would ask for my opinion on the property market in Singapore, or technological developments on campus. It was strange, but I just thought they were curious about a student's opinion.

I often saw Marlon at the Singapore trust fund, and he always met with important people. I'm sure, slowly but surely, I started to learn about some of the businesses Marlon owned in Singapore. Not in detail, but I knew he had many assets and investments here. He even had several properties managed by that trust fund, and he told me to manage them too while I was studying.

"Sis, if you have free time, try looking at the financial reports of this property," Marlon said once when he visited Singapore. "This is our asset here; it's good for gaining experience, right?"

I frowned, confused yet amazed. "Do you mean you want me to manage a property business? I'm studying medicine, Lon!"

"Don't worry about the details, Sis. Just take a look, so you understand the world of investment," he replied casually. "Consider it extra pocket money you can use for research or anything else."

I could only shake my head. Marlon was truly insane. But I was very grateful. Thanks to him, my life in Singapore became much more financially stable, and I could fully focus on my dream of studying medicine, while occasionally peeking into this mysterious business world of my younger brother. The longer it went on, the more I realized how far-reaching my brother's mind was. He was no longer just Marlon, who only played games, but a visionary building an empire.

Sister Putri's Perspective

Singapore, 2007-2008

Living in Singapore truly changed the way I saw many things. After living here for a few months, I started to feel a huge difference compared to Bandung. I, who used to be a bit relaxed and careless about small rules, automatically learned to be more disciplined.

For example, about littering. In Indonesia, sometimes you still see people casually throwing candy wrappers or cigarette butts on the street. Here? Don't even think about it! I hardly ever saw anyone littering. Sidewalks were clean, roads were smooth, and trash cans were always neatly available. If caught littering, the fine could be very substantial. It felt strange at first, but over time I got used to it and even became annoyed if I saw even a little trash.

Then, about smoking. In Bandung, on campus, or at hangouts, many people smoked. The smoke sometimes made me dizzy. But in Singapore, the scene was very different. It was rare to see anyone smoking in public places, let alone inside buildings. There were designated smoking areas, and people were very obedient. The air felt cleaner and fresher. I began to appreciate comfortable, smoke-free public spaces more.

This highly organized environment made me feel more productive and calm. I could focus on studying without many distractions, and life felt more structured.

One morning, as I was rushing to class, I bumped into someone in my apartment corridor. She smiled kindly at me. Her face seemed familiar. Tall and graceful, long hair, a distinctive smile.

"Hi," she greeted warmly. "Going to class?"

"Yes," I answered, a little nervously. "Good morning."

As she walked past, it hit me. My heart immediately pounded. Was that... wasn't that Nadia Hutagalung?! My idol when I was little! Back then, every time I came home from school, I would immediately turn on the television, switch to MTV Asia, just to watch her host shows. She was my fashion icon and favorite presenter.

I never expected to be neighbors with her! From then on, every time we crossed paths, we would often greet each other and have short chats. It turned out she was very friendly and down-to-earth, not like the 'celebrity' image I had imagined. Gradually, we became friends. We often chatted casually in the apartment lobby or at the minimart.

"You're studying medicine at NUS, right?" Nadia asked one afternoon when we ran into each other. "That's amazing."

"Oh, it's nothing special, Sis," I replied. "What are you busy with now, Kak Nadia?"

Nadia laughed. "Oh, just this and that. Still have a few projects, but it's more relaxed now."

I thought hard. I knew Marlon had big businesses, including media and fashion. Nadia Hutagalung was a very influential figure, especially in her time. This could be a good opportunity.

One day, when Marlon called, I immediately told him about my new neighbor.

"Lon, guess who I met next door?" I said excitedly.

"Who, Sis? A new neighbor?" Marlon asked casually.

"Nadia Hutagalung! The former MTV presenter, my idol!" I exclaimed. "She's my neighbor here, and now we're friends!"

Marlon sounded a little surprised. "Oh really? Wow, what a coincidence."

"Yeah! She's really nice, friendly. She seems not too busy right now," I said, trying to give a hint. "Marlon, you have a fashion business at Sundawani, and media too. Who knows, maybe you could give Nadia some endorsement?"

I knew Marlon had a strategic mind. Nadia Hutagalung could be the perfect face for Sundawani's products, especially in the fashion or even lifestyle lines. Her reputation was clean, and she had a wide reach in Indonesia and Asia.

"Hmm, that's a good idea, Sis," Marlon said, his voice now sounding more serious. "That could work. I'll try to talk to the team later. You can introduce her to me, right?"

"Of course!" I replied happily. This was the easiest way to help my brother's business, and at the same time, introduce my idol to one of the most visionary people I knew. Hopefully, this idea could be realized.

The train bound for Jogja cut through the night. Inside, we, a group of enthusiastic high school students, couldn't hide our excitement. I, Tirani, Nabila, Tasya, Ridwan, Ruli, and several other friends, ten people in total, couldn't wait to set foot in the City of Gudeg. Throughout the journey, the train carriage was lively with chatter, laughter, and songs we sang together. Some of us even started fantasizing about Jogja's legendary cuisine.

"Once we get there, let's immediately look for gudeg, Lon!" Ridwan exclaimed, his eyes sparkling.

"Not gudeg yet, Wan! Let's try the Malioboro street food first," Tasya chimed in.

We arrived at Tugu Station in Jogja in the early morning. The cool morning air and the distinctive aroma of Jogja immediately greeted us. After getting off the train, we were immediately picked up by a van that I had arranged from Sundawani Property. The van took us to the "relative's" villa I had prepared.

"Wow, is this really a villa, Lon? It's huge!" Ruli exclaimed upon seeing the magnificent building with modern Javanese architecture.

"Yeah, it's pretty good," I replied casually. "There are many rooms, so we can be at ease."

I had deliberately arranged for the most comfortable and spacious villa, complete with a large living room and a beautiful backyard. After putting away our belongings and resting a bit, the next morning we were ready to explore Jogja.

"Okay, today's agenda: Malioboro!" I announced, which was met with shouts of agreement.

Malioboro was indeed our first destination. We decided to walk around so we could experience every corner of it. That morning, Malioboro was already bustling but not yet too crowded. Batik shops were beginning to open their doors, bakpia vendors were busy arranging their wares, and horse-drawn carriages were neatly lined up waiting for passengers.

Jogja's morning air felt welcoming, not too hot. We walked in a line, our eyes constantly looking in every direction. Tirani occasionally stopped in front of a batik shop, admiring the beautiful fabric motifs. Nabila was busy photographing every interesting corner with her camera.

"Look, there's a jadah tempe cart!" Tasya exclaimed, her eyes immediately fixed on a simple cart. "I want to try that!"

Ridwan immediately got excited. "I want to find Sate Kere! They say it's really delicious."

We started trying small foods and street snacks scattered along Malioboro. From soft and savory jadah tempe, to addictive sate kere with spicy peanut sauce, warm bakpia kukus with melted filling, and sweet and refreshing es dawet under the midday sun.

"This sate kere is so good!" Ridwan said, his mouth full. "No regrets coming all this way!"

"Try this, Lon! Geplak!" Tirani offered a colorful piece of cake. "It's so sweet!"

I tasted it. "The sweetness makes your eyes wide open," I joked.

We also found a cilok cart with abundant peanut sauce, a lotis vendor with fresh fruits, and a kerupuk melarat vendor whose crackers were fried without oil. Each snack had its own unique story and taste.

"Wow, it's only the first day, and my stomach is already full!" Tasya complained, laughing. "But everything is delicious!"