Rebirth in Southeast Asia

Besides hunting for culinary delights, we also enjoyed the distinctive atmosphere of Malioboro. We took photos in front of the 'Malioboro' sign, watched melodic street music performances, and occasionally went into souvenir shops to browse. I saw my friends so happy, enjoying every moment. Their cheerful faces made me happy too. This holiday mission was a success.

As evening approached, our feet started to ache, but our hearts were content. We decided to return to the villa, rest for a bit, before heading out again later to enjoy Malioboro at night, which was rumored to be much livelier. The first day in Jogja truly started perfectly, full of laughter, delicious food, and togetherness.

After a full day exploring Malioboro and sampling various snacks, we returned to the villa to clean up and rest for a while. However, our excitement to welcome the New Year in the heart of Jogja did not fade. When night fell, we were ready to head back to Malioboro.

"So, are you ready to celebrate New Year's in Malioboro?" I asked my friends.

"Ready, of course! Can't wait!" Ridwan answered enthusiastically.

We returned to Malioboro, and the atmosphere that night was vastly different from the daytime. The streets were filled with a sea of people, gathering with locals and other tourists. The sounds of laughter, street music, and lively chatter filled the air. Street vendors were even more numerous, offering a wide variety of goods and food. The city lights twinkled, adding to the festive mood.

We pushed our way through the crowd, trying to find a comfortable spot to enjoy the night. Tirani occasionally held my arm so we wouldn't get separated from the group.

"This is so much fun, Lon! Crazy, I've never seen Malioboro this crowded!" Tirani exclaimed, her eyes sparkling at the sea of people around us.

"Yeah, right? The atmosphere is so different during New Year's," I replied, smiling along.

Nabila, who was usually quiet, also commented. "Satay smoke everywhere. Makes me hungry again."

"See? You just ate so much this afternoon," Tasya teased.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, the euphoria became more palpable. People started counting down. We joined in, shouting the final numbers along with thousands of others.

"FIVE... FOUR... THREE... TWO... ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

The sky immediately lit up with an endless burst of fireworks. Beautiful colors filled the sky, accompanied by cheers and loud applause. We all looked up, mesmerized by the light show.

"Wow, crazy! That's so cool!" Ruli exclaimed.

Tirani stood beside me, her eyes fixed on the fireworks. "It's so beautiful, Lon," she whispered. Her smile was so sincere, radiating happiness.

That night, amidst the crowd and the euphoria of the New Year's transition, I felt a closeness starting to form between Tirani and me. We were already close, often going home together and hanging out. But that night, in the middle of a sea of people, it felt different. We often exchanged glances, laughed together, and shared moments that felt special. I knew Tirani already had a boyfriend, and I didn't have serious romantic feelings for her. But, for some reason, we could be this close now. It felt comfortable and pleasant. This wasn't puppy love anymore, but more like a very strong bond of friendship, yet with a subtle, unspoken touch of emotional intimacy.

We spent the rest of the night walking around again, trying some newly visible snacks, and enjoying the never-sleeping Malioboro night. There were many street musicians playing hit songs, and also artists drawing face sketches. We even managed to stop by an angkringan to enjoy nasi kucing and warm wedang jahe.

"This is truly my best New Year's experience, Lon," Tirani said, sipping her wedang jahe. "Jogja really is the best."

"Yeah, the atmosphere here is indeed different," I replied. "Are you happy?"

"So happy! Thank you so much for inviting me here and for providing the villa. It's truly a dream vacation," she said sincerely.

We continued to chat and laugh, sharing stories and hopes for the new year. Time passed so quickly. Before we knew it, it was already 2 AM. Although we still wanted to enjoy the atmosphere, our bodies were starting to get tired.

"Come on, let's go back to the villa. We still want to explore Jogja tomorrow, right?" I suggested.

Finally, with tired steps but hearts full of memories, we returned to the villa to rest. The New Year's Eve in Malioboro, amidst the crowd, unexpectedly forged an unforeseen closeness between Tirani and me. This was a beautiful start to 2008.

Day Two: Exploring the Grandeur of the Kraton

After a lively New Year's Eve in Malioboro, we woke up with renewed spirits on the first day of 2008. Today's agenda was to visit the Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, the official palace of the Yogyakarta Sultanate. We left early, after having gudeg for breakfast near the villa.

"This is my first time at the Kraton," Nabila said, looking enthusiastic. "I wonder what's inside?"

"There must be a lot of history," Ruli chimed in. "This is the center of Javanese culture, after all."

As soon as we entered the Kraton area, we were immediately greeted by the majestic traditional Javanese architecture and a strong sacred aura. We walked slowly, admiring every detail of the buildings, from the spacious pendopo (open pavilions) with carved pillars, to the museums housing historical artifacts from sultans and the royal family.

We found many interesting things inside the Kraton:

Buildings and Architecture: Each building had its own name and function. We saw the magnificent Bangsal Kencana, where important ceremonies were held, with glittering gold ornaments. There was also Regol Sri Manganti, the iconic main gate.

Collection of Sacred Objects: In the small museums, we saw collections of royal carriages used by kings, gamelan instruments hundreds of years old, various types of traditional weapons, and beautiful traditional clothing.

Historical Photos: There were many old photos telling the history of the Sultanate, from ancient times to the current sultan. We came to understand the lineage and the role of the Kraton in preserving tradition.

Abdi Dalem: We also saw the Abdi Dalem (royal servants) wearing traditional Javanese attire, quietly carrying out their duties. Their presence added to the authentic ambiance of the Kraton.

"Wow, did kings really live here?" Tasya asked, amazed by the grandeur of the Kraton. "It's so huge, like in epic films!"

"Yes, this has been the center of Jogja's government and culture since ancient times," I explained. "Every corner has a historical story."

Tirani and Nabila were busy taking photos, capturing every interesting detail. Ridwan and Ruli were more interested in seeing traditional weapons and imagining ancient battles. I, myself, tried to feel the energy and history flowing through every corner of the Kraton. It was an experience that made us appreciate Indonesia's rich cultural heritage even more.

Day Three: The Wonders of Prambanan Temple

On the third day of our holiday, we continued our adventure out of the city, heading to one of Indonesia's most famous historical icons: Prambanan Temple. We rented two cars for this trip.

"This is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, right?" Tirani asked on the way. "I'm really curious."

As soon as we arrived at the Prambanan Temple complex, we were immediately awestruck. Rows of tall, slender temples soared into the sky, showcasing incredibly detailed and majestic Hindu architecture.

We began to walk around, exploring each temple. The main, largest temple was Shiva Temple, flanked by Vishnu Temple and Brahma Temple. The reliefs carved on the temple walls were so vivid, telling stories of the Ramayana.

What we found in Prambanan:

Architectural Beauty: The tall, tapering temple structures with intricate carvings were stunning. We could see how extraordinary the skills of the temple builders were thousands of years ago.

Ramayana Story: Along the walls of Shiva Temple, there were reliefs depicting the Ramayana epic. We tried to follow the storyline, from the abduction of Sita by Ravana to the great war.

Statues of Gods and Goddesses: In each main temple, we found statues of Hindu gods and goddesses. There were statues of Shiva in the main temple, Vishnu, and Brahma. In Shiva Temple, there were also statues of Agastya, Ganesha, and Durga Mahisasuramardini (better known as Roro Jonggrang).

Legend of Roro Jonggrang: I briefly explained the story behind the legend of Roro Jonggrang and the thousand temples supposedly built overnight. My friends were captivated by it.

"Wow, these carvings are incredibly detailed," Nabila said, pointing to one of the reliefs.

"How did they make something like this back then?"

"This is even grander than the Kraton!" Ridwan exclaimed, mesmerized.

"No wonder it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site," Tasya commented.

We spent hours at Prambanan, admiring the grandeur of the past and taking many photos. The midday sun didn't dampen our spirits.

Day Four: Relaxing at the Villa and Malioboro Again

Entering the fourth day of our holiday, our bodies began to feel a bit tired after two consecutive days of exploring the Kraton and Prambanan. We decided to take a break and relax.

"Shall we just relax today?" I suggested that morning. "Rest at the villa, then go back to Malioboro in the afternoon."

Everyone immediately agreed. So, our fourth day was spent resting at the villa. Some of us chose to nap, some read books, and some played cards in the living room. The villa atmosphere felt comfortable and calm. We made use of the spacious villa facilities to simply relax, joke around, or watch TV together.

Towards the afternoon, after our energy was fully recharged, we went back to strolling around Malioboro as usual. This time, we were no longer in a hurry to find snacks or tourist attractions. We simply enjoyed the bustling afternoon atmosphere, browsed shops, or just sat on a roadside bench watching people pass by. We bought some typical Jogja souvenirs like bakpia, geplak, and batik to take home.

"This holiday has been really fun!" Tirani said, leaning her head on my shoulder as we sat at an angkringan. "Thank you so much, Lon. This is an experience I'll never forget."

"You're welcome, Ran," I replied. "The important thing is that you all had fun."

That night, we had dinner at one of the lesehan (floor seating) restaurants in Malioboro, enjoying our last Jogja meal before returning to Bandung tomorrow. This holiday was indeed very memorable, not only because of the places we visited, but also because of the togetherness and memories we created together.

After four days full of adventure and camaraderie in Jogja, it was time for us to return to Bandung. On the fifth day, we hurried to Tugu Station, ready to board the train that would take us home. Our faces looked a little tired, but our eyes still radiated the lingering joy of the unforgettable New Year's holiday. This time, the conversations on the train were mostly filled with funny stories and promises to have another holiday together.

Upon arriving at Bandung Station, the atmosphere of farewell began to set in. One by one, our friends were picked up by their parents or drivers. We hugged, promised to see each other again at school, and thanked each other for the exciting holiday.

"Take care, everyone!" Tasya exclaimed, waving her hand.

"See you at school!" Ridwan chimed in.

As the group started to thin out, only Tirani and I remained. Since our homes were in the same direction and not too far apart, I offered to drive Tirani home with the company car, driven by the office driver.

"Want to go straight home?" I asked.

"Yes, please. I feel so tired," Tirani replied, stretching.

I drove Tirani to the front gate of her house in Taman Kopo. The area in front of her house was quiet; perhaps her family was still inside. I turned to her.

"Thanks, Lon, for driving me home," Tirani said as she got out of the car, which I had opened the door for. "The holiday was so much fun! I'm happy."

"You're welcome, Ran. I'm happy you came too," I replied.

Tirani looked at me for a moment, her smile slightly different than usual. There was a faint blush on her cheeks. Then, unexpectedly, she leaned in slightly towards me. "This is a thank you and a farewell, okay?" she whispered softly, and a moment later, a light kiss landed on my cheek. A farewell kiss.

I froze for a moment, a little surprised. Even though I knew she had a boyfriend, and I didn't have romantic feelings for her, the kiss was still... sweet. I smiled faintly. "Take care, Ran. See you at school."

Tirani nodded, then turned and went into her house. I restarted the motorcycle engine and slowly drove home. The kiss became a sweet ending to our holiday. I knew it was just teenage 'puppy love,' or perhaps a form of deep appreciation for friendship. But still, it was an unexpected moment.

Although there was still a week of holiday left before school resumed, I couldn't relax for too long. I had a much more important agenda awaiting me. As soon as I got home, I immediately told my father.

"Dad, we have to go to Singapore tomorrow."

My father looked at me in confusion. "Why, son? There's still a week of holiday."

"There's something important we need to plan with the trust fund team there, Dad," I explained. "It's about our target for 2008."

My father nodded; he knew I was serious. "About that crisis you mentioned?"

"Exactly, Dad," I replied. "We need to make sure all preparations are in place. The sale of our shares must be fully completed by the beginning of this year, and the purchase of CDS must be done very carefully."

The next day, without wasting any time, my father and I were on a plane to Singapore. A serious atmosphere immediately enveloped us as soon as we arrived at the trust fund office. I, Dad, the trust fund's financial manager, and several senior analysts gathered in the meeting room.

"Okay, everyone," I said, getting straight to the point. "As we've researched, 2008 will be a very volatile year in the global financial markets, especially in America. The subprime mortgage crisis will reach its peak, and this will cause many large financial institutions to be on the verge of collapse."

The trust fund manager spread out their graphs and research reports. "All indicators show it, Marlon. Property prices in the US continue to decline, and mortgage defaults are increasing sharply. Our experts predict a wave of bank and insurance company bankruptcies will occur soon."

"Good," I said. "From now on, make sure all our remaining shares are sold off and converted into liquid cash. We need as much capital as possible in our hands."

Then I explained my strategy for buying CDS (Credit Default Swap). "We will buy CDS from the large institutions most exposed to this risk, especially JP Morgan, Citibank, Goldman Sachs, and AIG. Make sure we get CDS contracts at the best price."

"This is a big gamble, Marlon," one analyst said, his face slightly tense. "This means we're betting on the failure of these giant institutions."

"Exactly," I answered firmly. "And we will profit greatly from it. When everyone else is panicking and selling their assets at rock-bottom prices, we will be buying valuable assets at cheap prices. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to exponentially multiply Sundawani's assets."

My father just listened quietly, his eyes fixed on me with full confidence. He trusted me completely. I knew that 2008 would be a challenging year, but also a year where we would make history. The Jogja holiday was the last rest before we plunged into the global economic battlefield.

The meeting in the Singapore trust fund's meeting room felt incredibly intense. Outside the window, Singapore's clear sky contrasted sharply with the tense atmosphere inside the room. I sat at the head of the table, flanked by my father on one side and my financial manager, Mr. Robert, on the other. Facing us was the core team of traders and analysts. They all looked at me, waiting for further instructions.

"As we predicted, the subprime mortgage bubble has burst," I began, my voice calm but firm. "Now, we just have to wait for JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Citibank, and AIG to start feeling the full impact. Sooner or later, they will struggle to pay all their CDS obligations."

Mr. Robert nodded. "Incoming data shows their liquidity is very thin, Marlon. The pressure in the financial markets is very high. The question is, what's our next move when they come to us?"

I smiled faintly. "Of course, they will come to us to settle these CDS issues. They can't pay, and we hold the ace card. When that time comes, we will compromise with them."

Immediately, the traders and analysts exchanged glances. Compromise? Wasn't this an opportunity to demand full payment and multiply profits?

"Marlon, you mean compromise?" asked one of the traders, John, with a curious tone. "Can't we demand they pay in full? Our CDS value is huge."

"That's right, John," I replied. "We could. But we don't just want cash. We want something more strategic, something that will build the foundation of our empire much stronger."

I picked up the remote and displayed a list on the projector screen. "When the time comes and they feel unable to pay, we will set conditions for them. They must help us acquire several assets that I have targeted. Consider this as the 'cost' for compromising on our CDS claims."

All eyes turned to the screen. I began to read out the list:

"First, we will ask for their help to acquire a majority stake in the NBA team Golden State Warriors."

"NBA?" Mr. Robert exclaimed, surprised. "A professional basketball team?"

"Yes," I replied. "Sports are global entertainment, and the NBA is a very strong brand. This will be fantastic branding for Sundawani in the American market, and its economic value will continue to grow."

"Second, I want us to acquire a majority stake in the Premier League team Liverpool."

"Liverpool?" This time it was David, another trader, who was astonished. "That English football team?"

"Exactly," I said. "Football is the most popular sport in the world. Liverpool is a club with a massive global fanbase. This will open the European and Asian markets for Sundawani."

"Third, we will ask them to help us acquire Under Armour."

"Under Armour? A sports equipment brand?" Mr. Robert tried to process it.

"Yes," I chimed in. "This is a brand that will be very strong in the future, competing with Nike and Adidas. This will complete Sundawani's portfolio in the sportswear and lifestyle industry."

All team members began to take serious notes, although their faces still showed a mix of confusion and awe. My ideas were always outside their conventional thinking.

"And finally, and this is the most important," I said, emphasizing each word. "We will ask them to buy shares of Bank BCA by any means necessary."

The room fell silent. Buy a bank? This was a much bigger step than just sports teams or clothing brands.

"Bank BCA, Marlon?" Mr. Robert asked, his voice more cautious. "You mean, we want to become the controlling shareholder in Bank BCA?"