The Art of Understanding Lover (2024) Movie Script
My name is Kalis.
I'm a senior in high school.
Relax, this is not my baby.
This is not a teen pregnancy movie.
PRESIDING JUDGE
This is not the baby's father.
This here is the father. He's a douche bag.
This is the mother, my best friend.
Her name is
Miss Rahayu.
And this is their divorce proceeding.
Rahayu and the douche bag.
Those are my friends.
Oh, sorry.
I meant these two.
The blond one is Fatima,
the one in a hijab is Wati.
Don't you guys know
how hard it is to handle a baby?
Zip it. It took effort to get here,
you know!
Do you think it's easy?
Wati? This is tea?
What do we do?
Just give Nurcholis the tea.
I gave my baby tea once.
- Really?
- Then I guess this is Thai tea.
Cut it out.
Hurry, you guys!
You two have children,
but I end up handling this baby?
Lis
You think we wanted
to have babies at our age?
Okay, I'm sorry.
Watch what you're saying.
Fatima and I get triggered by this place.
I wouldn't be here
if it weren't for Rahayu.
Okay, sorry, just hurry.
If my husband assaults me again,
and my baby grows up to be
as violent as his father,
will you swear in the name of God
to be held accountable
for my husband's and my son's sins?
Finally, we celebrate life
over chili chicken at Fatima's diner.
Nothing fancy, but so delicious.
Thanks for being there for me.
Now I'm free from Akmal.
Let it go, Yu.
I'm so relieved this is all over
before I leave for college.
If I didn't get knocked up in junior high,
we'd be in competition.
If I had a high school diploma,
I'd go and study speakology.
- Psychology!
- Psychology!
That's the one!
So I can teach my daughter how to separate
good men from the bad ones.
So deep.
This is my last night with them,
before Wati goes to work in Malaysia,
and I go to Solo for college.
- One, two, three!
- One, two, three!
We pin our hopes high for better lives.
After four years of college,
I found my passion to be a writer.
I learned that women can have a voice.
Today I'm meeting
my favorite writer in Yogya.
But I'm so nervous.
You bailed on me.
Sorry, my future in-laws
came to town unannounced.
I have to go see them.
So embarrassing being here alone.
Go make new friends.
It'll make you write better,
mingling with cool writers.
This sweet talker is my housemate,
Yana Wijaya.
But I'll look like a weird loner,
they'll just ignore me.
Impossible.
You write for big media outlets.
My fianc said,
"If you want to get ahead,
you just have to grow thick skin."
That's how Yana is.
Every word coming out of her mouth
comes from Supangat, her fianc.
SUPANGASIDOARJO, MARCH 29TH, 2000 - AGENCY GUY
Great place.
This is Puthut EA,
owner of Mojok Publishing.
Here you are.
Thank you.
- Congratulations.
- Thanks.
- Puthut EA.
- The Mojok Mogul.
Are you crashing the party?
I'm Kalis Mardiasih,
I've sent numerous articles to Mojok.
I know. I'm one of your editors.
Oh, so this is Agus Mulyadi.
AGUS MULYADI - MOJOK EDITOR
BLOGGER, WRITER, NETIZEN
The editor who always
annotates my writing.
I want to annotate his face.
Stop staring. Come!
A warm welcome
to Rusdi Mathari.
Kalis,
I'm glad to finally meet you.
Your writing
Is so sharp, structured, profound.
But fun to read. Witty.
Why don't you join the tour?
What tour?
Workshops throughout East Java.
Held in colleges.
But I'm nobody.
Don't be silly.
You're Kalis Mardiasih.
Activist, feminist.
- Cute-ist.
- Smooth!
Thanks for the ride.
Lis, will someone get upset
if I call you every now and then?
Yes.
I will get upset.
Such a straightforward rejection.
Look who's talking.
I sent you a friend request on Facebook,
and you haven't accepted it.
It's been six months.
Sorry. I wasn't ready to have so many fans
that I missed your friend request.
When you're famous like me,
you'll understand.
Approve my friend request
or I'll put some black magic on you.
Got it.
Take care.
Let me know when you get to Solo.
Sure.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
Why is my heart racing?
And why am I all smiles?
AGUS ACCEPTED YOUR FRIEND REQUESAGUS MULYADI TAGGED YOU
IN MOJOK TOUR'S POST.
Going on a tour with the Mojok folks
made me and dear Agus even closer.
Hold on.
Why am I calling him "dear"?
Ah, whatever.
My dear Pangat thinks
this Agus guy
is a man with a specific audience.
His charm only works with a niche market.
Like you, Lis.
Shut up!
Do you want to practice
for the "ooh" moment?
Ooh? Or the
- "Ahhh" moment.
- Stop it!
CONCERT - FIERSA BESARI
SOLO, JULY 22ND, 2017
KALIS MARDIASIH
I REALLY WANT TO WATCH YOUR CONCERI don't need
EVEN WITH A VOICE THIS TERRIBLE, I'M STILL
HAPPY; IMAGINE IF SHE COULD ACTUALLY SING.
KALIS MARDIASIH: PLEASE DELETE.
SAVE HER DIGNITY.
Life will be just
What? Hey, stop it!
WE ACCEPT FEMALE TENANTS
AZZAHRA - 0888-57854805
Since then, we grew even closer.
Wow, Kalis. LDR.
Yogya-Solo.
Lis, if my Bes has a concert,
want to go together? Tickets on me.
Take that back.
Only I have the right
to call him "my Bes".
My nickname for my favorite singer.
So, that's a no?
A big yes, of course.
I'm just emphasizing my stance as his fan.
You're not pulling my leg?
Of course not.
Swear to God, hope to die.
Okay.
Lis, I have a plan
NO CONNECTION
What's happening?
KALIS: CAN YOU VIDEO CALL ME?
RUNNING OUT OF DATA.
Hello? Why are you audio calling?
What did you mean by our text?
I'm running out of internet quota.
Can you video call me?
Then why did you pick up?
Aren't you using your quota now?
You got a point.
A bit much
for a thesis defense day, isn't it?
Too bad it got delivered by a courier.
Please understand.
My dear Pangat is working hard
to pay for our wedding.
What does this dear Supangat look like?
I've never seen him even once.
Patience. There's a time for everything.
Okay.
I thought you weren't coming.
Congrats, Lis.
Congrats, Yan.
I'm sorry, Lis.
I tried so hard to come
to your thesis defense
But my stomach was acting up.
I swung by a gas station
to use the bathroom.
When I finished,
there was no water dipper.
Here's the layout of the bathroom
A water tub is here.
This is the toilet.
So I squatted
It's like miles away, right?
How do I reach for water?
Stop it.
Too much information for Kalis,
don't you think?
Cut to the chase.
Concert date is on tonight, no?
Get straight into it!
That'll be my next apology.
Right?
Tickets were sold out.
But don't worry.
I have something to make up for it.
To avoid spilling too much
private information, just come with me.
Come where?
Just come.
So no concert today.
But, we can have our own concert.
Here.
What? This is our first private concert.
There you go.
Just a sec.
My news source is calling.
Can I tell him to come here?
So, a private concert
that involves your source?
This source
will enhance our private moment.
Whatever.
Even when my belly grows big.
This heart will never grow old.
What is that voice?
It's like a chick crushed in an armpit.
What a lovely surprise!
I love my Bes even more now. My Bes!
I'm sorry
I couldn't take you to the concert.
It's fine. That was so much better.
Just one song,
but the moment will last forever.
I was so happy
I forgot to ask for a photo.
So stupid of me.
So you don't feel so stupid.
Here's the karaoke receipt.
The artifact preserving
our private moment together.
PLAY NICE, DON'T FIGHT.
FIERSA BESARI
Is this my Bes' handwriting?
- For real?
- Yup.
Thanks so much!
This is the best graduation gift
I I have to go in.
I have an early class tomorrow.
Class? You just graduated.
You have a point.
I meant, well
I'm going in now.
Where are you going? You live over there.
What now?
Oh, dear God.
Hello?
Did I do something wrong?
What?
No, not at all. Why would you think that?
You ran away like a scared hog.
Lis?
Lis, snap out of it.
Lis, recite this.
I seek refuge in Allah
from the outcast Satan.
I'm okay. I'm just
Embarrassed.
I threw myself at you
and kissed your hand.
Maybe because I've never felt this happy.
Agus?
Agus?
So that means I made you happy?
I took your breath away?
What?
Listen.
If you don't praise yourself
just once, will the world end?
Better to praise oneself
than talk shit about other people.
That's my motto.
Whatever you say.
Okay go on home then.
Drive safely.
Let me know when you get home.
Okay, I'll be going then.
Peace be upon you.
And upon you, too.
Agus.
Hello?
Agus.
Agus!
Yeah, Lis?
Let me know, for real.
Yeah, sure.
I'll get going.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
Even when your belly grows big.
This heart will never grow old.
We were never meant to be.
A perfect couple.
I don't need.
To have everything.
Kalis! Open the door!
Kalis!
Let me tell you, child
If you have a problem,
you can tell me. It's all right.
Don't take your own life.
Who's taking whose life?
Your friend here
She had a break up.
No, Ma'am.
Kalis is actually in love.
Right?
Right, Ma'am.
- I mean
- You're in love?
I mean, no.
You got me worried sick.
I had dark thoughts.
No, Ma'am.
Don't be so extra when you're in love.
When I was young,
I fell in love so many times.
I never did silly things.
- It's true.
- Sorry.
Gen-Z kids. So extra!
Ooh, so what's happening?
Do we have an "ooh" moment?
Are you sure, Yu?
Have you thought this through?
I'm sure.
I hope in Taiwan...
Peace be upon you.
- Kalis?
- And upon you, too.
- I missed you, Lis.
- I missed you, too.
When did you leave Solo?
Just after noon prayer time.
- Hi!
- Say hello to Kalis.
Handsome little guy!
- No!
- What?
Why not? Auntie Kalis missed you.
No. I'm not a child, you can't pick me up.
Okay, you're a man now.
Such a handsome man.
I'll let you girls catch up.
I'm so proud.
My friend is a college graduate.
Well it's not only that.
I met a guy.
You mean, you have a boyfriend?
No, not yet.
We're just getting close.
His name is Agus. He's from Magelang.
But you just graduated.
Focus on your writing career first.
Don't waste time dating a guy.
It's such a waste of your talent.
That's the thing.
Agus is also a writer,
so we can grow together,
because we share the same dream.
It all starts the same way.
You two click.
Everything looks beautiful.
Then he shows his true colors.
Well, life's not all roses and rainbows.
The thing with love is
The good and the bad come in one package.
What do you know about love?
Once you get screwed, you life caves in.
Your dreams crumble!
You'll find out that love
is chocolate-covered shit.
Why are you saying all this?
Did I do something wrong to you? Huh?
You did nothing wrong to me.
What you do wrong will impact your future.
When a woman has no money,
she has nothing,
she ends up getting walked all over.
I'm not you, Rahayu.
I know what to do with my life.
Don't bother thinking about my future.
Rahayu. Sorry, I didn't mean
My bad, Lis.
Let's not talk about it anymore.
I don't want us to fight before I leave.
What do you mean?
I'm going to Taiwan
to be a migrant worker there.
Tomorrow I'm leaving for Jakarta.
I didn't go to college like you did.
But I have to earn money.
I'm done getting belittled like this.
I need to make my son proud.
What about Nurcholis then?
Can't you come home tonight?
I still want to spend time with you.
I have to earn money, son.
Don't go, Mom.
Can't you go after evening prayer?
Be a good boy.
Do what the Kyai tells you to.
Mom
- Sir, please look after Nurcholis.
- Of course.
Be safe. Take care of yourself.
Don't skip your daily prayers.
Mom
Don't leave me, Mom.
I want to go with you.
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom! Mom!
Mom, let me go with you. Don't leave me.
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
- I can't, Lis. I'm not strong enough.
- I seek forgiveness from God the Almighty.
Mom, I want to go with you.
Don't leave me.
Be strong, Yu.
Seeing that handsome boy cry
makes me ask these questions.
Can I be responsible?
Am I ready to commit to Agus?
AZZAHRA WOMEN'S HOMESTAY
ROOMS FOR RENPick up.
You've been ignoring his calls for a week.
You have to face him.
I'm running out of things to say to him.
You don't even know what to tell him.
My dear Pangat hates it when I lie.
Pangat this, Pangat that.
You understand my position, right?
There! Your phone just dinged.
Text him back.
Yan! I got a job!
As an editor!
Give me that!
Oh, thank God. Finally.
Solo, Agus, and you
will be my past!
Ma'am, be careful.
Kalis?
I'm surprised to see you here.
The universe keeps bumping us
into each other.
Honey, let's break up.
You're never on time.
What did I do wrong, Lis?
You moved here and didn't let me know.
Nothing.
It's 670,000 rupiah, Miss.
It's actually 270,000 rupiah.
But you also have to pay
for the damaged trash bins,
the broken cooking pan,
and everything else.
Do you take debit cards?
Sorry, cash only.
Let me get this.
No need!
Where's the nearest ATM?
But
What if you never come back?
Take this for collateral.
Excuse me. Let me get this.
What are you doing?
- What's wrong with you?
- Let it go, sir.
The lady is right.
A woman has to be independent.
Me I have sacrificed so much.
The beauty salon,
the boarding house, gas.
I even paid for her internet quota.
But to her, I'm just a walking ATM.
So I go up to her and say,
"Darling, this is a heart,
not a ball for you to dribble
- "or kick around."
- Sir! Can you vent later?
I've been a regular here since forever.
You complain endlessly. No improvement.
Complaints are needed in life, Miss.
We humans can only complain.
Only God can set the course.
Okay, enough talking. Do your job!
If you can help me carry my groceries,
I'll agree to let you help me pay. Deal?
Got it.
Excuse me, lady. You're blocking the way.
Feisty girl.
- Wait here, I'll get the rest.
- Thanks.
Lis, sorry for the cramped space.
But he left you some space to sit.
It's safe.
12 MERPATI STREET, BANTUL, YOGYAKARTA
What's this?
The address of my boarding house.
I'll meet you there.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too, Agus.
And upon you, too.
Look at those.
Well? You found her at the store?
- I did.
- That's great.
And you bought everything. Darn.
The struggle is real.
- I'm all for that. I support you.
- Struggle!
I see.
So was it the universe that connected us,
or was it my landlord?
Of course it was me.
I'll see you.
- See you, Miss Kalis.
- Yes.
See you.
The struggle is real, Agus!
Struggle! Struggle!
Sorry, I have to take this.
Hello?
Agus, you've been an editor
for how long now?
Why did you accept
a crappy piece like this?
Yes, I'll edit it later.
It's just some typo.
Your typo is taking the whole country
by storm. Understand?
It's "public". That's the word.
Not "pube lick". Embarrassing!
Got it.
All right. Peace be upon you.
- Pube lick! Pube lick!
- Bring my stuff in.
And clean my room.
But I have an appointment.
Oh, that's fine.
If you're not up for it, it's fine.
I'm not forcing you.
It's not that
I know, I'm not as important
as your job. Right?
Why do you say that?
You're not ready to listen
to an outspoken woman, are you?
Pubic hair!
We'll talk about this tomorrow.
I have to go.
If I can't rely on you, fine.
Here's your money.
Sorry for the trouble.
Just put my stuff over there.
- Drive safely!
- Lis!
Struggle! Pube lick!
Eh? That's a bit harsh, Lis.
Let him learn his lesson.
Miss Kalis?
Someone's here for you.
I swung by the hardware store.
I want your room squeaky clean.
I've done it myself.
The windows, too?
Yes.
And your laundry?
Have you ironed them?
They're at the cleaners.
I got your favorite veggie rice.
That's not good for my acid reflux.
Sickly girl! Sickly girl!
To best resolve your acid reflux,
I'm implementing the market mechanism.
Three companies. You choose for yourself.
My product is called Morn-Eve.
Once in the morning
and once in the evening.
It has three elements in the ingredients.
Animal, plants, and air.
In the ingredients,
we also use water and soil.
The water is from nine springs.
A spring around the Hilamayas.
- Himalayas!
- Himalayas!
This one is called Splatter.
My neighbor took this. Instant results!
It's made from scorpion extract
and features thorn apple
from the Tangkuban Perahu mountains.
Be careful of dodgy products.
Let's get back to the Holy Quran.
I have honey from the Sahara desert.
This is healing!
That's enough.
Let me level with you.
I don't have acid reflux problems.
I'm fine and healthy.
I just don't want to keep troubling you.
Sorry for disturbing your life.
It's not that. I just
I just want to be independent.
Perfect!
My product is perfect
for an independent woman like you.
Oh, please Nonsense!
Now leave religion out of your argument.
- Hey.
- Yeah?
At this hour, a woman should be home
taking care of her husband.
Cooking.
Not doing a
- Presentation.
- Presentation!
Hey! Say more
and I'll throw a goddamn tire at you!
Hey!
- If you were a guy, I'd kick your butt.
- I'm not scared of you!
- Apologize!
- Hey, lady.
Everybody go home.
Don't make a scene here.
- Apologize!
- Never!
Apologize!
Everybody, please, go home.
Big mouth!
Big mouth!
Have a look at this! Have a look at this!
Have a look at this! Have a look at this!
- What's going on?
- Big mouth!
Take my body slam!
Dead! Dead!
What's going on here?
Hey! Break it up!
Break it up!
Neighborhood Chief's here.
Neighborhood Chief's here.
What's going on?
What's with all the noise?
The residents are supposed to sleep,
play cards, or do neighborhood watch.
We'll explain it later.
Yes, later is better.
How messed up!
Everybody in the neighborhood
knows my face now.
You should've been honest from the start.
If you were in his shoes,
how would you feel?
Try to understand my position.
It's not easy
to reject a good guy like Agus.
Exactly. You know he's a good guy,
so why reject him?
Think about it, Lis.
The more you try to get away,
the closer you two get.
According to my dear Pangat
That means the universe
brings you two together.
- Okay then.
- Yes, sir.
I take full responsibility.
It's not Kalis's fault.
Oh, my dear God he's here again.
I understand. I was once young, too.
Excuse me.
But those guys are not young. They're 45.
Yes, I mean
I once sold insurance, like your friends.
It's not insurance.
It's multi-level marketing.
Hey, listen.
- I'm the Neighborhood Chief.
- Chief's mad!
I have pride.
- Understood?
- Yes, sir.
You want to be like my wife?
Everything I do is wrong in her eyes.
Pube lick!
Calm down, sir.
Men are destined for pain and humiliation.
- Excuse me, sir
- Enough, young lady!
Chief's mad! Chief's mad!
Don't dig up buried wounds.
Go to work, with your boyfriend.
Excuse me, sir
What, I'm wrong again?
- Come, Lis. Excuse us.
- Yes.
Hey! Well, then? Am I wrong or what?
Boy!
Am I wrong or what?
- Boy! Am I or am I not?
- Sir
Can you sweep this area?
What's this?
I'm the Neighborhood Chief, with pride.
- I have pride.
- Pride. Pride.
- It's quite dirty.
- Yes.
- So nice to have a stupid chief.
- Pride. Pube lick!
You're wrong but won't admit it.
After a while.
How long can anyone put up with this?
What are you doing?
Stop it. You're embarrassing me.
Aren't you a fan of Indian films?
You can tolerate this. Sing along.
The more I try to get away from Agus,
the more God brings me closer to him.
Who am I to defy God's will?
What kind of house dress
are you looking for?
The feminine kind.
Feminine?
AGUS: KALIS SAYS IT'S FEMININE.
I THINK IT'S WILD, FERAL AND FIERCE.
So this is what you mean by feminine?
What?
You making fun of me?
It was my fate to meet an annoying guy.
But he's good at heart.
God, please make the rain stop.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Lis! God granted our wish!
God is indeed a comedian.
Just shut up.
400,000 for this? So expensive.
This one's the cheapest, 250,000.
It's good. Minimalist design.
Let's go look somewhere else.
Give me back the umbrella then.
Hey, hey, hey!
- It's raining!
- Okay, I'll buy it.
Don't fight over it!
God is a great comedian.
God, please make it rain!
Make it pour! This cost 400,000,
don't let it be for nothing.
Can we just pull over?
Let's take off our raincoats.
I'm burning in here.
Agus!
I love you, Lis!
Will you be my girlfriend?
Lis. Answer me, Lis.
Agus.
Cheif's here.
Yes, sir.
Chief's here.
Nice raincoat.
For you.
Nice helmet, too.
Chief can't get enough.
It's expensive, Sir.
Want to borrow my raincoat?
Chief's stupid.
You're not Rahayu.
You and her are different.
You just know me here.
You don't know my village.
Because I went to college,
I have a responsibility.
I have to set an example for my friends.
And whose responsibility are you?
That's on Agus.
I don't think it's fair.
My dear Pangat said
Pangat again.
Can't you have your own opinion?
It's always what he says.
AGUS: SO THIS IS WHABEING GHOSTED FEELS LIKE.
NO WORD FROM YOU.
I'M LIKE A PLASTIC BAG IN THE WIND.
ANSWER MY CALL, LIS
LORD, GIVE ME PATIENCE.
- Your snack, Miss.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I haven't had breakfast today.
I'm really sorry. I feel really bad.
The event's been postponed
by half an hour.
Mr. Iqbal cancelled last minute.
And we only managed to get
a new speaker late last night.
Yes, he said he'd be half an hour late.
Who's the new speaker?
Where do you want this?
- Right by the door.
- Here?
Dis, over there.
NON-FICTION WRITING SEMINAR
THANK YOU
And that'll be all from me.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
As a teacher here, I am very grateful
to have new insight
from two young writers,
who are both amazing.
Any questions?
Once I was interviewing a source.
We set a date,
but they changed their mind
and cancelled last minute.
What do I do in that situation?
Thank you.
Having a flaky source
Is indeed annoying. Not only news sources.
I think flaky, fickle people are
intolerable, mean, and selfish
Objection!
It's easy, isn't it, to call someone mean,
selfish, intolerable.
We have to get
to the core of the problem...
If one doesn't want to, why not
say so from the start? Just say it.
Not all women can do that.
You think everyone is like you?
No, you can't expect
to always be given a pass.
Be fair.
Okay. Here's the thing,
let's say your assumption is right.
Can't you have some sympathy?
- Miss Kalis, Mas Agus...
- Hold it!
Can you open your mind just a bit?
Just spit it out. The point is,
are all my efforts in vain?
Did I ever say no?
But if you're out of patience, fine.
No one is forcing you.
Well then, what you just saw was
- How we can
- How we develop fiction writing.
Yes, that's it!
It feels more immersive, right?
I have a question.
Enough!
Enough.
Kalis.
So, in a nutshell
I'm not rejected?
From how I've been acting,
you still need an answer?
What? Stop with that silly smile.
Put this on.
Come with me.
Agus!
I'll hit you!
Missed.
Fine! Take your helmet!
I was just playing around.
For real this time.
I was joking.
- For real?
- Yes.
Come.
Just my luck.
My boyfriend is annoying
but he's a really nice guy.
It's raining!
Let's stop and put on your raincoat.
I threw it away.
Did you? Why?
I don't want to talk about it.
Oh, man. It's such a pity.
It cost 400,000 rupiah.
No!
Is there anyone in the house?
Okay then, thank you. Peace be upon you.
Well, what is it?
My room's ceiling is leaking.
I forgot to move my books.
I was planning to give them away
as a birthday present
for the youth in my village.
Let's just go, then.
- Really?
- Really. Come on!
Let's go. It might flood later.
Oh, no.
- Oh, my God.
- It's leaking over here, too.
- It's leaking everywhere.
- Over here, too.
This is everything.
Everything.
- I'll go get a bucket.
- Okay.
Oh, man.
My room's soaked.
Here.
Don't you have a bookshelf?
Well I thought about getting one.
So why didn't you?
If I bought a bookshelf,
I wouldn't be able to send books
to my village's library every month.
The world map
Do you dream of travelling the world?
Not really
I use it to cover the wall.
Oh, my dear Lord.
I'm so embarrassed.
And what's this?
What's this?
Is this a carnival costume or something?
Of course not.
One outfit for four types of martial arts.
Karate, taekwondo, judo, and jiu jitsu.
Wow.
You're full of surprises.
I told you.
Actually, I know
you're kind of all over the place.
But I didn't expect you to be this random.
That's why I need you to organize my life.
Sweet talker!
SEJAHTERA MEN'S DORMITORY
Hey? Isn't this the guy who...
That's right.
You can assemble a wardrobe, right?
Of course
If I can win your heart,
I can assemble a wardrobe.
Smooth! Let me write that down.
- Write what down?
- What you said.
So good.
Here.
Oh, come on. No need to write it down.
You can get that kind of line on Facebook.
Oh, no wonder this guy looks familiar.
You're the viral and famous writer, right?
No, man. I'm not a big name writer.
Praise the Lord,
this is such a rare occasion.
Can I record you?
Please don't
I look bad, haven't showered.
It's okay. You'll look more approachable.
Then you and I will look friendly.
- Yeah?
- I'll record.
- Fine then.
- Here.
Info! I'm with the famous,
viral writer dude.
His writing is so inspiring.
Say something, Agus Noor.
Agus Mulyadi.
Who's Agus Mulyadi?
That's me.
- So, you're not Agus Noor?
- No, I'm not.
- Sure?
- Sure.
- Then this is no good.
- Huh?
- So, no photo?
- No need. You're not Agus Noor.
- But I went viral, too.
- No, man.
Thank you, Lis.
Here's your jacket, clean and crisp.
Thank you.
How long have you been
sending books to your village?
Only this past year.
Don't you think you'd be better off
spending the money on other things?
Like, to fix your motorbike.
There are many poor young people
in my village that can't afford school.
I don't want them
to miss out on knowledge.
People who don't go to school
also have the right to knowledge, right?
To know a lot of things. Right?
That's a noble intention.
Actually, Lis, my dream is
I've always wanted
to have my own bookstore.
Me, too! Want me to join you?
Perfect!
What if we start a bookstore together?
Cool!
But this is commercial.
Kind of negates what I said
and intended earlier.
Commercial depends on
how much we take profit.
Big profit, or small profit.
If we break even,
can you still call it commercial?
As long we have pure intentions.
Agus Mulyadi and Kalis Mardiasih
are making a pact to start
a bookstore together someday.
This pact can only be cancelled
if both parties agree.
Agus.
It's practically empty.
Let's go someplace else.
So what if it's empty?
Well, it can mean
the food's not good or too expensive.
Let's find another place.
This is how you and I are different.
You use your palate's perspective,
I use the perspective of doing good deeds.
Let's go.
Good deeds?
You admire a guy like that?
Rahayu. That's just the way he is.
Be careful, Lis. When you two are married,
you'll always be seen as the villain.
Be careful of such signs.
What? What are you talking about?
Come on, that's enough.
You don't know Agus.
Now let me ask you this
Do you really know him that well?
Holy shit!
This is Supangat?
Why are you cursing at my fianc?
My God.
A millennial
That looks like a Korean idol,
is named Supangat?
I don't get how the world works.
Shut up, Lis.
Stop objectifying my future husband.
Hold on.
This is not about objectification,
this is a gap between image and reality.
This is the image!
And his name is Supangat?
I'm asking for your opinion
on the pre-wedding pictures
and you're dishing about my fianc.
Okay, okay.
Who's the photographer?
We just used a cellphone and a tripod.
We waited for the magic hour
and snapped some photos.
Seriously? I don't believe it.
Impossible. These gorgeous pictures?
Don't just look at the gorgeous results.
Think about the struggle behind it.
For one month, I stayed up all night
watching tutorials on YouTube.
You're really cutting cost.
Obviously. We won't even have a reception.
Just the ceremony,
with our close families.
I want you and Agus to be there.
Sure.
But, Yan
I also want a simple wedding.
Just the ceremony,
and then a small celebration.
We'll save the money
to buy a house. Right?
You can make that happen soon enough.
You just have to tell Agus.
"Hey, Agus. Let's get married."
If he doesn't answer you, just say this,
"Married, married, married!"
Right?
Right.
That's an assumption
That needs to be tested.
Agus
Look.
That's a good car.
A Fortuner. Right?
Or is a Pajero better?
I like Honda Brio.
It's tiny.
Fortuner is better.
It's bigger. Looks sturdier.
You want sturdy, then buy a horse.
Not a car.
- Your books.
- Here they are.
Agus, it's not about how the car looks.
It can load more stuff.
We can use the Fortuner
to drive our kids to school,
carry groceries, vegetables.
You want to load more, buy a pickup truck.
Not just veggies, you can even
take the farmers with you.
Bricks, sand, cement,
and the construction workers, all aboard.
Don't you want to have kids
and take them on a road trip,
like other happy families?
We have no money
and you're already talking about cars.
Don't you want to get married?
No need to think so far ahead.
Let's live in the present.
Until when?
Am I not being clear?
Don't think too far ahead.
We should be comfortable
with each other first.
Do I need to spell it out for you?
Lis! Kalis!
Lis
I'm sorry, Lis.
I didn't choose my words carefully.
I was in a rush. Well
As an apology,
let's grab something to eat. My treat.
I'm serious.
You want soup or veggie rice?
Excuse me.
My treat, okay?
I know very well
where you were going with your words.
For matters like this,
we have to find a proper time.
Lis?
Hey!
Where did she go?
Oh, no.
Open the door, I want to talk.
I'll do anything to get you to talk to me.
Whatever!
Have it your way!
Miss Kalis.
As a fellow man who can't stand
being ignored by his wife...
Kalis. Good evening.
I'm speaking as a man
in the same boat as Agus.
Also here are men from the club called.
Husbands Fearing Their Feisty Wives.
Stupid men! Stupid men!
Are you happy?
Okay, now go home.
Let them work it out.
We'll support with prayers.
Go on, show's over.
Go home.
Chief is deaf! Chief is deaf!
Lis
When we get married
Will you get bored with me?
What kind of question is that?
We're not married
and you already ask that.
Just answer me, will you?
Honestly, boredom is inevitable.
One relationship for decades
without getting bored? No way.
So, when I have problems, or I'm in labor,
you'll leave me? You won't be by my side?
- Is that it?
- Not like that.
I'll get bored, sure
But when you're in labor,
of course I'll stay with you.
I'm not that awful.
You watch too much religious soap operas.
Enough. I'm tired
of your questions about marriage.
My questions are driving you mad?
Am I wasting my time
with this relationship?
If you're walking away from me now
Why did you pursue me with such passion?
What am I to you, exactly?
I just want to understand.
Do I still have hope with you?
You're right.
I don't want to waste your time anymore.
My love is for real.
As a man, my heart will be broken
if you marry me,
and I just turn out to be a burden.
I don't want to see you not dolled up,
not driving a Fortuner,
not having a nice house,
not wearing nice clothes.
All your life,
you struggled to be where you are now.
You deserve to be happy.
The problem is
I don't have what it takes yet.
I don't have what it takes.
All right
I'll be going now.
Thank you for everything.
Being with you made me happy.
I want
To see you happy with the man you choose.
I'm sure you will pick the right guy.
Agus
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
You did nothing wrong.
I'm the selfish one for wasting your time.
You did nothing wrong.
This is it.
I love you.
I'm sure you love me, too.
But now
We have to learn
To let go of each other.
Can we?
You can. I'm sure you can.
I'm leaving now.
PLAY NICE, DON'T FIGHT.
FIERSA BESARI
Soulmates are two of Allah's children
trying to keep their vow to grow together
through adversity.
If one of them stops trying,
the team will be crippled.
So, my child
The concept of soulmates is an art.
The art of understanding your loved one.
To let your heart grow big enough
to accept your loved one's past
in order to prepare for the future.
To complete what's missing,
to straighten up what's crooked,
and to right what's wrong.
You need patience and compassion
to do all that.
To love your husband and his family,
and to love your future children.
Why?
Because they will all be your loved ones.
Have I done him wrong, Dad?
No. That's not how it works.
Look at it this way. You are being tested.
Agus is also being tested.
Only those who pass the test
will get their reward
and meet their better half.
Lis.
Is this is the jacket, full of memories,
you told me about?
You can have it. Use it as a floor mop.
You must be thinking of him always,
even when you're having your meals.
Even when you go to bed,
he's in your head.
You're exaggerating. It's not like that.
No one said it's easy, child.
You need time to "move on".
How do you know "move on"?
Just because you went to college,
don't underestimate your parents.
I know lots of things.
Lis, usually,
someone with a fresh broken heart
can hear her ex's voice out of nowhere.
- Right, Mom?
- Right!
I write books and online articles.
- Can you make a living from writing?
- Mom.
I've always wanted to invite Agus
to have a conversation with Dad.
And now,
I'm hearing Agus' voice, talking with Dad.
Ah is it this hard to be brokenhearted?
That's not a broken heart.
I also hear your Dad's voice
talking with Agus.
Really?
- Women can be dramatic.
- Yeah.
These were beautiful.
I thought Yogya to Blora is not that far
So now they're all messed up.
Sorry if it's less romantic now.
Who are you to me?
Don't bring romance into this.
Well, I mean
We did have a history.
Why are you here?
I miss you.
You said you're learning to let go.
On second thought,
"missing" and "letting go"
are two different things.
You came all the way here on a motorbike,
bringing messed up flowers,
just because you miss me?
That will be my second point.
Actually, I still have one question...
Lis.
Rahayu's on the phone.
- Hello, Yu.
- Lis?
- What's up?
- Lis, help.
- Nurcholis is missing.
- What?
My handsome guy?
Okay, calm down.
I'll go to his school.
Your dad just took the motorbike.
Oh no, what do I do?
Agus, give me a ride, please.
I have to go see Nurcholis.
- Nurcholis?
- Yes, let's go.
- Fine.
- Hey.
What's with the long face?
Fine, no need then.
Honestly This is too sudden.
I'm not ready to meet your new boyfriend.
Ridiculous!
You're so slow.
Get on! I'll tell you on the way.
Kalis! Kalis! You forgot your helmet!
I'm a friend of Nurcholis' mother.
Why isn't his father here?
The boy was enrolled
to this boarding school
so his father can't track him down.
The court has ruled that
the father can't see him
without his mother's approval.
- Oh, God.
- The Kyai knows about this.
Oh, no, the Kyai.
What is it?
The Kyai has passed away.
Come, son, you ready?
One, two, three!
Very nice!
Great!
Akmal!
You spineless bastard!
Let's go back to school!
- No!
- You see what's happening, right?
Even if I ask for permission,
Rahayu would never let me.
Use your head!
Let's not forget what you did.
Lis.
Control yourself, be wise.
Look, his arms are three times
the size of my thighs.
This is the perfect time to use
the four martial arts you learned.
Right. But I'm only at white-belt level.
I didn't finish training. I'm too weak.
Dude, calm down.
We can talk this over, nicely.
No! You are wrong!
Yes. I know that.
Don't worry, I'm not my old self.
If you want to take my son now,
be my guest.
I've been trying to take him back,
but he refuses.
I don't want to go back there.
I want to stay here with Dad.
Hey, boy Want to come with me?
I'll buy you some... Ouch!
Son! Don't do that. Sorry, man.
Who taught you to do that?
I want to stay with you.
Kids at school get visits
from their parents every month.
Nobody comes to see me!
Son I'm really sorry.
But I have to work.
I need to earn money.
I want to stay with you.
You can scold me,
but I want to stay with you.
Can't do that, son.
If you come with me, I can't work.
Come on now.
You can stay with me until sundown.
But in the evening,
you go back to school. Okay?
Don't cry now.
Men don't cry. Come here.
If you want to go home, you can go ahead.
It's okay, Lis. I'm staying here.
Dad, he's a man and he's crying.
Hey
You missed it!
Dad!
Hello, Lis?
Please take Nurcholis out of there now.
Yu, you don't have anybody
to help you out.
Please trust my decision.
No, Lis. I can't have Akmal...
I'm not defending him,
I'm not defending you, or anyone.
I'm just thinking about your son.
It's better that we know
he's with his dad.
If he gets upset
and doesn't trust you anymore,
he might run away, and then what?
You want to lose your son? He's lonely.
He needs time to accept that his life
is different than other kids.
Please, be patient.
It's for your son's own good.
Okay. All right.
I trust you.
Yes.
Not your hand!
Use your foot.
Whoa, son.
You can do it. Kick it over here.
Sorry, Agus. I dragged you into this.
Thank you, everything is clear now.
Meaning?
At first, I thought
you were a demanding woman.
That everyone needs to understand you.
But I'm the selfish one.
I wasn't patient enough
to wait for everything to get clear.
If I explain this in words,
it will sound very dramatic.
One must experience it
to truly understand it.
Thank you.
No, thank you.
This is a crucial moment.
How do I become
a responsible man for Nurcholis?
- Goal!
- Goal!
Amazing!
Before my mother died,
she told me one thing.
She gave me some teak seeds.
She asked me to plant them, for Nurcholis.
When my son grows up,
we can use the wood to build his house.
Pray for me so I don't die young
and miss my son
graduating college just like you.
Amen to that.
- Dad
- What?
You said men don't cry.
Next time you come to Blora,
pay us a visit.
Definitely, Sir.
Ma'am
- Drive safely.
- Yes, Ma'am.
I feel sorry for Nurcholis.
It is what it is.
So when are you coming to Yogya?
When you propose to me.
I'm giving you one week.
Is it enough?
Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
- And upon you, too.
I'm no longer fighting my feelings.
And I'm no longer
letting my heart be weak.
The ball is in his court now.
Hopefully, he also thinks
and feels the same.
Dear God, please give
the best husband for me.
A husband that's also my best friend,
practicing our religion,
on Earth and beyond.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
So many men will only be there
for their girl during easy times.
How do you know?
Will he really ask you to marry him?
Not everyone dares to lead a woman.
It's been a week.
Check your phone. Maybe there's a message.
- I checked.
- And?
No news.
Well, there you go.
At least now we can focus on other things.
Do you think I have the heart
to let you marry a bad person?
No, right?
Of course not.
But, you've let it go, right?
Yes.
I hope everything goes well.
I'm going to get some air.
Yes, Dad.
Peace be upon you.
And upon you, too.
You want to cry, don't you?
What's this? No domestic violence
before the wedding! Agus!
Peace be upon you.
And upon you, too.
- Excuse us.
- It's a chicken.
I'm here on behalf of Agus
to ask for Kalis' hand in marriage.
They're proposing.
Shall we say no?
Do you accept, my child?
Look, she's sulking.
- We accept.
- Right.
As Kalis' father,
I accept Agus' proposal.
Praise be to God. They accept!
I apologize beforehand
Yes?
My wife and I have agreed
on the wedding date.
If we invite a lot of people,
will five million rupiah be enough?
It's enough.
We can serve rice and salt to the guests.
We don't have to rent chairs.
Ask people to bring their own chairs.
Stop overthinking.
Let's just go through with it.
It comes with the package, right?
Remember this?
Since the day we signed this pact,
I've been saving some money.
But now I have an idea.
What if we put our dreams
On hold?
Why?
I want
To invite Rahayu to the wedding.
We'll buy her tickets.
Also, new clothes
for Rahayu and Nurcholis.
Hey!
Patience. We'll be married in no time.
Be careful.
Have some drinks first.
I brought you drinks.
- Akmal?
- Where do I put them?
- You shouldn't have.
- It's no trouble.
I want to help get everything ready.
It's okay if I help out here, right?
Of course. Don't get drunk.
What? This is just a ginger herbal drink.
Akmal.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Excuse me.
- Sure
Package for Miss Kalis!
My best friend's getting married.
Congrats, Lis!
Thank you!
You're so pretty!
- Congrats!
- Thank you.
Oops, it's stuck.
Lis!
Oh, my God!
Congrats, Lis.
Finally you're marrying your Agus.
- Akal.
- What's that?
Agus and Kalis.
My gosh.
Excuse me.
Thank you.
Lis!
Dad!
My son!
You've gotten big.
It's only been a few days.
Now get down.
I'm thirsty.
- Can you get me something to drink?
- Yes, Dad.
Yu.
I want to apologize.
I did so many wrong things.
I've hurt you.
This is for our son's birth celebration.
I'm sorry I just got the money now.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
Go have a seat.
Why are you crying?
These are happy tears.
I didn't expect
your father would apologize.
That's the sign of a real man.
If you make a mistake, own up to it.
Be like your father.
- Don't cry, Mom.
- No.
Son.
When you grow up,
don't ever hurt a woman.
Don't ever hurt anyone.
Okay?
So are you two going to
My father said,
soulmates are two of Allah's children
trying to keep their vow
to grow together through adversity.
If one of them stops trying,
the team will be crippled.
Our story's not sweet like a fairy tale.
Or sappy like a soap opera.
You're no big star, and I'm no poet.
Yet this story is deeply precious.
Until your hair turns grey.
Until I grow a big belly.
This heart will never grow old.
We may not be
My father once said,
the concept of soulmates is an art.
The art of understanding your loved one.
To let your heart grow big enough
to accept your loved one's past
in order to prepare for the future.
To complete what's missing,
to straighten what's crooked,
and to right what's wrong.
You need patience and compassion
to do all that.
To love your husband and his family,
and to love your future children.
And understanding my dear Agus
will need a lifetime of trying.
Your smile makes my heart melt.
Don't be sad, you look ugly when you frown.
We may not be.
A perfect couple.
But didn't God send you.
To complete me?
I don't need to have everything.
A TORABIKA IN MY LEFT HAND
FRIED SNACKS IN MY RIGHT HAND
ONLY MY SOULMATE REMAINS IN GOD'S HANDS
As long as you are here.
Life will be just fine.
Agus took this photo
during our first meeting.
He snapped a picture of me
when I asked author Rusdi Mathari
for his autograph
at a book discussion event.
Poor and penniless,
but fearless in falling in love.
Being poor is okay,
but don't be poor in love languages.
Looking for loans by day,
spoiling my sweetheart by night.
Until your skin is wrinkled.
Until my body is no longer strong.
This heart will never grow old.
Living on minimum wage in Magelang,
but I'm still determined to love you.
Spend time with the poor, so that
your own poverty won't feel so bad.
We may not be a perfect couple.
Poverty is hard to endure,
but sweet to remember.
But didn't God send you to complete me?
A handsome man will open up the world,
but an ugly man who thinks he's handsome
will tear it down.
I don't need to have everything
I may be poor,
but I'm overflowing with love.
Jeihan Angga! Jeihan Angga!
No comment, must be nice!
No comment, must be nice!
No comment, must be nice!
No comment, must be nice!
His writing is good! His writing is good!
He drinks a lot of coffee!
He drinks a lot of coffee!
Faris Sugiarto with the two wives!
Rizal Umami! Rizal Umami!
That's his wife! That's his wife!
Devika...
Aga's wife! Aga's wife!
Oswald looks like Polo!
He's got great ears! He's got great ears!
Ajung Mc... I don't speak English!
They make good animation,
but refuse to animate a bird!
Got so many cats!
He's always single!
Baldy Ibnu! We call him Baldy Ibnu.
Princess! Princess!
Handsome when smiling!
She likes fishing!
Cries really well, got me emotional!
Hilarious and kind!
Looks good in a hijab!
One is fat, the other is ugly!
Makes good songs!
I'm a senior in high school.
Relax, this is not my baby.
This is not a teen pregnancy movie.
PRESIDING JUDGE
This is not the baby's father.
This here is the father. He's a douche bag.
This is the mother, my best friend.
Her name is
Miss Rahayu.
And this is their divorce proceeding.
Rahayu and the douche bag.
Those are my friends.
Oh, sorry.
I meant these two.
The blond one is Fatima,
the one in a hijab is Wati.
Don't you guys know
how hard it is to handle a baby?
Zip it. It took effort to get here,
you know!
Do you think it's easy?
Wati? This is tea?
What do we do?
Just give Nurcholis the tea.
I gave my baby tea once.
- Really?
- Then I guess this is Thai tea.
Cut it out.
Hurry, you guys!
You two have children,
but I end up handling this baby?
Lis
You think we wanted
to have babies at our age?
Okay, I'm sorry.
Watch what you're saying.
Fatima and I get triggered by this place.
I wouldn't be here
if it weren't for Rahayu.
Okay, sorry, just hurry.
If my husband assaults me again,
and my baby grows up to be
as violent as his father,
will you swear in the name of God
to be held accountable
for my husband's and my son's sins?
Finally, we celebrate life
over chili chicken at Fatima's diner.
Nothing fancy, but so delicious.
Thanks for being there for me.
Now I'm free from Akmal.
Let it go, Yu.
I'm so relieved this is all over
before I leave for college.
If I didn't get knocked up in junior high,
we'd be in competition.
If I had a high school diploma,
I'd go and study speakology.
- Psychology!
- Psychology!
That's the one!
So I can teach my daughter how to separate
good men from the bad ones.
So deep.
This is my last night with them,
before Wati goes to work in Malaysia,
and I go to Solo for college.
- One, two, three!
- One, two, three!
We pin our hopes high for better lives.
After four years of college,
I found my passion to be a writer.
I learned that women can have a voice.
Today I'm meeting
my favorite writer in Yogya.
But I'm so nervous.
You bailed on me.
Sorry, my future in-laws
came to town unannounced.
I have to go see them.
So embarrassing being here alone.
Go make new friends.
It'll make you write better,
mingling with cool writers.
This sweet talker is my housemate,
Yana Wijaya.
But I'll look like a weird loner,
they'll just ignore me.
Impossible.
You write for big media outlets.
My fianc said,
"If you want to get ahead,
you just have to grow thick skin."
That's how Yana is.
Every word coming out of her mouth
comes from Supangat, her fianc.
SUPANGASIDOARJO, MARCH 29TH, 2000 - AGENCY GUY
Great place.
This is Puthut EA,
owner of Mojok Publishing.
Here you are.
Thank you.
- Congratulations.
- Thanks.
- Puthut EA.
- The Mojok Mogul.
Are you crashing the party?
I'm Kalis Mardiasih,
I've sent numerous articles to Mojok.
I know. I'm one of your editors.
Oh, so this is Agus Mulyadi.
AGUS MULYADI - MOJOK EDITOR
BLOGGER, WRITER, NETIZEN
The editor who always
annotates my writing.
I want to annotate his face.
Stop staring. Come!
A warm welcome
to Rusdi Mathari.
Kalis,
I'm glad to finally meet you.
Your writing
Is so sharp, structured, profound.
But fun to read. Witty.
Why don't you join the tour?
What tour?
Workshops throughout East Java.
Held in colleges.
But I'm nobody.
Don't be silly.
You're Kalis Mardiasih.
Activist, feminist.
- Cute-ist.
- Smooth!
Thanks for the ride.
Lis, will someone get upset
if I call you every now and then?
Yes.
I will get upset.
Such a straightforward rejection.
Look who's talking.
I sent you a friend request on Facebook,
and you haven't accepted it.
It's been six months.
Sorry. I wasn't ready to have so many fans
that I missed your friend request.
When you're famous like me,
you'll understand.
Approve my friend request
or I'll put some black magic on you.
Got it.
Take care.
Let me know when you get to Solo.
Sure.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
Why is my heart racing?
And why am I all smiles?
AGUS ACCEPTED YOUR FRIEND REQUESAGUS MULYADI TAGGED YOU
IN MOJOK TOUR'S POST.
Going on a tour with the Mojok folks
made me and dear Agus even closer.
Hold on.
Why am I calling him "dear"?
Ah, whatever.
My dear Pangat thinks
this Agus guy
is a man with a specific audience.
His charm only works with a niche market.
Like you, Lis.
Shut up!
Do you want to practice
for the "ooh" moment?
Ooh? Or the
- "Ahhh" moment.
- Stop it!
CONCERT - FIERSA BESARI
SOLO, JULY 22ND, 2017
KALIS MARDIASIH
I REALLY WANT TO WATCH YOUR CONCERI don't need
EVEN WITH A VOICE THIS TERRIBLE, I'M STILL
HAPPY; IMAGINE IF SHE COULD ACTUALLY SING.
KALIS MARDIASIH: PLEASE DELETE.
SAVE HER DIGNITY.
Life will be just
What? Hey, stop it!
WE ACCEPT FEMALE TENANTS
AZZAHRA - 0888-57854805
Since then, we grew even closer.
Wow, Kalis. LDR.
Yogya-Solo.
Lis, if my Bes has a concert,
want to go together? Tickets on me.
Take that back.
Only I have the right
to call him "my Bes".
My nickname for my favorite singer.
So, that's a no?
A big yes, of course.
I'm just emphasizing my stance as his fan.
You're not pulling my leg?
Of course not.
Swear to God, hope to die.
Okay.
Lis, I have a plan
NO CONNECTION
What's happening?
KALIS: CAN YOU VIDEO CALL ME?
RUNNING OUT OF DATA.
Hello? Why are you audio calling?
What did you mean by our text?
I'm running out of internet quota.
Can you video call me?
Then why did you pick up?
Aren't you using your quota now?
You got a point.
A bit much
for a thesis defense day, isn't it?
Too bad it got delivered by a courier.
Please understand.
My dear Pangat is working hard
to pay for our wedding.
What does this dear Supangat look like?
I've never seen him even once.
Patience. There's a time for everything.
Okay.
I thought you weren't coming.
Congrats, Lis.
Congrats, Yan.
I'm sorry, Lis.
I tried so hard to come
to your thesis defense
But my stomach was acting up.
I swung by a gas station
to use the bathroom.
When I finished,
there was no water dipper.
Here's the layout of the bathroom
A water tub is here.
This is the toilet.
So I squatted
It's like miles away, right?
How do I reach for water?
Stop it.
Too much information for Kalis,
don't you think?
Cut to the chase.
Concert date is on tonight, no?
Get straight into it!
That'll be my next apology.
Right?
Tickets were sold out.
But don't worry.
I have something to make up for it.
To avoid spilling too much
private information, just come with me.
Come where?
Just come.
So no concert today.
But, we can have our own concert.
Here.
What? This is our first private concert.
There you go.
Just a sec.
My news source is calling.
Can I tell him to come here?
So, a private concert
that involves your source?
This source
will enhance our private moment.
Whatever.
Even when my belly grows big.
This heart will never grow old.
What is that voice?
It's like a chick crushed in an armpit.
What a lovely surprise!
I love my Bes even more now. My Bes!
I'm sorry
I couldn't take you to the concert.
It's fine. That was so much better.
Just one song,
but the moment will last forever.
I was so happy
I forgot to ask for a photo.
So stupid of me.
So you don't feel so stupid.
Here's the karaoke receipt.
The artifact preserving
our private moment together.
PLAY NICE, DON'T FIGHT.
FIERSA BESARI
Is this my Bes' handwriting?
- For real?
- Yup.
Thanks so much!
This is the best graduation gift
I I have to go in.
I have an early class tomorrow.
Class? You just graduated.
You have a point.
I meant, well
I'm going in now.
Where are you going? You live over there.
What now?
Oh, dear God.
Hello?
Did I do something wrong?
What?
No, not at all. Why would you think that?
You ran away like a scared hog.
Lis?
Lis, snap out of it.
Lis, recite this.
I seek refuge in Allah
from the outcast Satan.
I'm okay. I'm just
Embarrassed.
I threw myself at you
and kissed your hand.
Maybe because I've never felt this happy.
Agus?
Agus?
So that means I made you happy?
I took your breath away?
What?
Listen.
If you don't praise yourself
just once, will the world end?
Better to praise oneself
than talk shit about other people.
That's my motto.
Whatever you say.
Okay go on home then.
Drive safely.
Let me know when you get home.
Okay, I'll be going then.
Peace be upon you.
And upon you, too.
Agus.
Hello?
Agus.
Agus!
Yeah, Lis?
Let me know, for real.
Yeah, sure.
I'll get going.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
Even when your belly grows big.
This heart will never grow old.
We were never meant to be.
A perfect couple.
I don't need.
To have everything.
Kalis! Open the door!
Kalis!
Let me tell you, child
If you have a problem,
you can tell me. It's all right.
Don't take your own life.
Who's taking whose life?
Your friend here
She had a break up.
No, Ma'am.
Kalis is actually in love.
Right?
Right, Ma'am.
- I mean
- You're in love?
I mean, no.
You got me worried sick.
I had dark thoughts.
No, Ma'am.
Don't be so extra when you're in love.
When I was young,
I fell in love so many times.
I never did silly things.
- It's true.
- Sorry.
Gen-Z kids. So extra!
Ooh, so what's happening?
Do we have an "ooh" moment?
Are you sure, Yu?
Have you thought this through?
I'm sure.
I hope in Taiwan...
Peace be upon you.
- Kalis?
- And upon you, too.
- I missed you, Lis.
- I missed you, too.
When did you leave Solo?
Just after noon prayer time.
- Hi!
- Say hello to Kalis.
Handsome little guy!
- No!
- What?
Why not? Auntie Kalis missed you.
No. I'm not a child, you can't pick me up.
Okay, you're a man now.
Such a handsome man.
I'll let you girls catch up.
I'm so proud.
My friend is a college graduate.
Well it's not only that.
I met a guy.
You mean, you have a boyfriend?
No, not yet.
We're just getting close.
His name is Agus. He's from Magelang.
But you just graduated.
Focus on your writing career first.
Don't waste time dating a guy.
It's such a waste of your talent.
That's the thing.
Agus is also a writer,
so we can grow together,
because we share the same dream.
It all starts the same way.
You two click.
Everything looks beautiful.
Then he shows his true colors.
Well, life's not all roses and rainbows.
The thing with love is
The good and the bad come in one package.
What do you know about love?
Once you get screwed, you life caves in.
Your dreams crumble!
You'll find out that love
is chocolate-covered shit.
Why are you saying all this?
Did I do something wrong to you? Huh?
You did nothing wrong to me.
What you do wrong will impact your future.
When a woman has no money,
she has nothing,
she ends up getting walked all over.
I'm not you, Rahayu.
I know what to do with my life.
Don't bother thinking about my future.
Rahayu. Sorry, I didn't mean
My bad, Lis.
Let's not talk about it anymore.
I don't want us to fight before I leave.
What do you mean?
I'm going to Taiwan
to be a migrant worker there.
Tomorrow I'm leaving for Jakarta.
I didn't go to college like you did.
But I have to earn money.
I'm done getting belittled like this.
I need to make my son proud.
What about Nurcholis then?
Can't you come home tonight?
I still want to spend time with you.
I have to earn money, son.
Don't go, Mom.
Can't you go after evening prayer?
Be a good boy.
Do what the Kyai tells you to.
Mom
- Sir, please look after Nurcholis.
- Of course.
Be safe. Take care of yourself.
Don't skip your daily prayers.
Mom
Don't leave me, Mom.
I want to go with you.
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom! Mom!
Mom, let me go with you. Don't leave me.
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
Mom!
- I can't, Lis. I'm not strong enough.
- I seek forgiveness from God the Almighty.
Mom, I want to go with you.
Don't leave me.
Be strong, Yu.
Seeing that handsome boy cry
makes me ask these questions.
Can I be responsible?
Am I ready to commit to Agus?
AZZAHRA WOMEN'S HOMESTAY
ROOMS FOR RENPick up.
You've been ignoring his calls for a week.
You have to face him.
I'm running out of things to say to him.
You don't even know what to tell him.
My dear Pangat hates it when I lie.
Pangat this, Pangat that.
You understand my position, right?
There! Your phone just dinged.
Text him back.
Yan! I got a job!
As an editor!
Give me that!
Oh, thank God. Finally.
Solo, Agus, and you
will be my past!
Ma'am, be careful.
Kalis?
I'm surprised to see you here.
The universe keeps bumping us
into each other.
Honey, let's break up.
You're never on time.
What did I do wrong, Lis?
You moved here and didn't let me know.
Nothing.
It's 670,000 rupiah, Miss.
It's actually 270,000 rupiah.
But you also have to pay
for the damaged trash bins,
the broken cooking pan,
and everything else.
Do you take debit cards?
Sorry, cash only.
Let me get this.
No need!
Where's the nearest ATM?
But
What if you never come back?
Take this for collateral.
Excuse me. Let me get this.
What are you doing?
- What's wrong with you?
- Let it go, sir.
The lady is right.
A woman has to be independent.
Me I have sacrificed so much.
The beauty salon,
the boarding house, gas.
I even paid for her internet quota.
But to her, I'm just a walking ATM.
So I go up to her and say,
"Darling, this is a heart,
not a ball for you to dribble
- "or kick around."
- Sir! Can you vent later?
I've been a regular here since forever.
You complain endlessly. No improvement.
Complaints are needed in life, Miss.
We humans can only complain.
Only God can set the course.
Okay, enough talking. Do your job!
If you can help me carry my groceries,
I'll agree to let you help me pay. Deal?
Got it.
Excuse me, lady. You're blocking the way.
Feisty girl.
- Wait here, I'll get the rest.
- Thanks.
Lis, sorry for the cramped space.
But he left you some space to sit.
It's safe.
12 MERPATI STREET, BANTUL, YOGYAKARTA
What's this?
The address of my boarding house.
I'll meet you there.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too, Agus.
And upon you, too.
Look at those.
Well? You found her at the store?
- I did.
- That's great.
And you bought everything. Darn.
The struggle is real.
- I'm all for that. I support you.
- Struggle!
I see.
So was it the universe that connected us,
or was it my landlord?
Of course it was me.
I'll see you.
- See you, Miss Kalis.
- Yes.
See you.
The struggle is real, Agus!
Struggle! Struggle!
Sorry, I have to take this.
Hello?
Agus, you've been an editor
for how long now?
Why did you accept
a crappy piece like this?
Yes, I'll edit it later.
It's just some typo.
Your typo is taking the whole country
by storm. Understand?
It's "public". That's the word.
Not "pube lick". Embarrassing!
Got it.
All right. Peace be upon you.
- Pube lick! Pube lick!
- Bring my stuff in.
And clean my room.
But I have an appointment.
Oh, that's fine.
If you're not up for it, it's fine.
I'm not forcing you.
It's not that
I know, I'm not as important
as your job. Right?
Why do you say that?
You're not ready to listen
to an outspoken woman, are you?
Pubic hair!
We'll talk about this tomorrow.
I have to go.
If I can't rely on you, fine.
Here's your money.
Sorry for the trouble.
Just put my stuff over there.
- Drive safely!
- Lis!
Struggle! Pube lick!
Eh? That's a bit harsh, Lis.
Let him learn his lesson.
Miss Kalis?
Someone's here for you.
I swung by the hardware store.
I want your room squeaky clean.
I've done it myself.
The windows, too?
Yes.
And your laundry?
Have you ironed them?
They're at the cleaners.
I got your favorite veggie rice.
That's not good for my acid reflux.
Sickly girl! Sickly girl!
To best resolve your acid reflux,
I'm implementing the market mechanism.
Three companies. You choose for yourself.
My product is called Morn-Eve.
Once in the morning
and once in the evening.
It has three elements in the ingredients.
Animal, plants, and air.
In the ingredients,
we also use water and soil.
The water is from nine springs.
A spring around the Hilamayas.
- Himalayas!
- Himalayas!
This one is called Splatter.
My neighbor took this. Instant results!
It's made from scorpion extract
and features thorn apple
from the Tangkuban Perahu mountains.
Be careful of dodgy products.
Let's get back to the Holy Quran.
I have honey from the Sahara desert.
This is healing!
That's enough.
Let me level with you.
I don't have acid reflux problems.
I'm fine and healthy.
I just don't want to keep troubling you.
Sorry for disturbing your life.
It's not that. I just
I just want to be independent.
Perfect!
My product is perfect
for an independent woman like you.
Oh, please Nonsense!
Now leave religion out of your argument.
- Hey.
- Yeah?
At this hour, a woman should be home
taking care of her husband.
Cooking.
Not doing a
- Presentation.
- Presentation!
Hey! Say more
and I'll throw a goddamn tire at you!
Hey!
- If you were a guy, I'd kick your butt.
- I'm not scared of you!
- Apologize!
- Hey, lady.
Everybody go home.
Don't make a scene here.
- Apologize!
- Never!
Apologize!
Everybody, please, go home.
Big mouth!
Big mouth!
Have a look at this! Have a look at this!
Have a look at this! Have a look at this!
- What's going on?
- Big mouth!
Take my body slam!
Dead! Dead!
What's going on here?
Hey! Break it up!
Break it up!
Neighborhood Chief's here.
Neighborhood Chief's here.
What's going on?
What's with all the noise?
The residents are supposed to sleep,
play cards, or do neighborhood watch.
We'll explain it later.
Yes, later is better.
How messed up!
Everybody in the neighborhood
knows my face now.
You should've been honest from the start.
If you were in his shoes,
how would you feel?
Try to understand my position.
It's not easy
to reject a good guy like Agus.
Exactly. You know he's a good guy,
so why reject him?
Think about it, Lis.
The more you try to get away,
the closer you two get.
According to my dear Pangat
That means the universe
brings you two together.
- Okay then.
- Yes, sir.
I take full responsibility.
It's not Kalis's fault.
Oh, my dear God he's here again.
I understand. I was once young, too.
Excuse me.
But those guys are not young. They're 45.
Yes, I mean
I once sold insurance, like your friends.
It's not insurance.
It's multi-level marketing.
Hey, listen.
- I'm the Neighborhood Chief.
- Chief's mad!
I have pride.
- Understood?
- Yes, sir.
You want to be like my wife?
Everything I do is wrong in her eyes.
Pube lick!
Calm down, sir.
Men are destined for pain and humiliation.
- Excuse me, sir
- Enough, young lady!
Chief's mad! Chief's mad!
Don't dig up buried wounds.
Go to work, with your boyfriend.
Excuse me, sir
What, I'm wrong again?
- Come, Lis. Excuse us.
- Yes.
Hey! Well, then? Am I wrong or what?
Boy!
Am I wrong or what?
- Boy! Am I or am I not?
- Sir
Can you sweep this area?
What's this?
I'm the Neighborhood Chief, with pride.
- I have pride.
- Pride. Pride.
- It's quite dirty.
- Yes.
- So nice to have a stupid chief.
- Pride. Pube lick!
You're wrong but won't admit it.
After a while.
How long can anyone put up with this?
What are you doing?
Stop it. You're embarrassing me.
Aren't you a fan of Indian films?
You can tolerate this. Sing along.
The more I try to get away from Agus,
the more God brings me closer to him.
Who am I to defy God's will?
What kind of house dress
are you looking for?
The feminine kind.
Feminine?
AGUS: KALIS SAYS IT'S FEMININE.
I THINK IT'S WILD, FERAL AND FIERCE.
So this is what you mean by feminine?
What?
You making fun of me?
It was my fate to meet an annoying guy.
But he's good at heart.
God, please make the rain stop.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Lis! God granted our wish!
God is indeed a comedian.
Just shut up.
400,000 for this? So expensive.
This one's the cheapest, 250,000.
It's good. Minimalist design.
Let's go look somewhere else.
Give me back the umbrella then.
Hey, hey, hey!
- It's raining!
- Okay, I'll buy it.
Don't fight over it!
God is a great comedian.
God, please make it rain!
Make it pour! This cost 400,000,
don't let it be for nothing.
Can we just pull over?
Let's take off our raincoats.
I'm burning in here.
Agus!
I love you, Lis!
Will you be my girlfriend?
Lis. Answer me, Lis.
Agus.
Cheif's here.
Yes, sir.
Chief's here.
Nice raincoat.
For you.
Nice helmet, too.
Chief can't get enough.
It's expensive, Sir.
Want to borrow my raincoat?
Chief's stupid.
You're not Rahayu.
You and her are different.
You just know me here.
You don't know my village.
Because I went to college,
I have a responsibility.
I have to set an example for my friends.
And whose responsibility are you?
That's on Agus.
I don't think it's fair.
My dear Pangat said
Pangat again.
Can't you have your own opinion?
It's always what he says.
AGUS: SO THIS IS WHABEING GHOSTED FEELS LIKE.
NO WORD FROM YOU.
I'M LIKE A PLASTIC BAG IN THE WIND.
ANSWER MY CALL, LIS
LORD, GIVE ME PATIENCE.
- Your snack, Miss.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
- You're welcome.
I haven't had breakfast today.
I'm really sorry. I feel really bad.
The event's been postponed
by half an hour.
Mr. Iqbal cancelled last minute.
And we only managed to get
a new speaker late last night.
Yes, he said he'd be half an hour late.
Who's the new speaker?
Where do you want this?
- Right by the door.
- Here?
Dis, over there.
NON-FICTION WRITING SEMINAR
THANK YOU
And that'll be all from me.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
As a teacher here, I am very grateful
to have new insight
from two young writers,
who are both amazing.
Any questions?
Once I was interviewing a source.
We set a date,
but they changed their mind
and cancelled last minute.
What do I do in that situation?
Thank you.
Having a flaky source
Is indeed annoying. Not only news sources.
I think flaky, fickle people are
intolerable, mean, and selfish
Objection!
It's easy, isn't it, to call someone mean,
selfish, intolerable.
We have to get
to the core of the problem...
If one doesn't want to, why not
say so from the start? Just say it.
Not all women can do that.
You think everyone is like you?
No, you can't expect
to always be given a pass.
Be fair.
Okay. Here's the thing,
let's say your assumption is right.
Can't you have some sympathy?
- Miss Kalis, Mas Agus...
- Hold it!
Can you open your mind just a bit?
Just spit it out. The point is,
are all my efforts in vain?
Did I ever say no?
But if you're out of patience, fine.
No one is forcing you.
Well then, what you just saw was
- How we can
- How we develop fiction writing.
Yes, that's it!
It feels more immersive, right?
I have a question.
Enough!
Enough.
Kalis.
So, in a nutshell
I'm not rejected?
From how I've been acting,
you still need an answer?
What? Stop with that silly smile.
Put this on.
Come with me.
Agus!
I'll hit you!
Missed.
Fine! Take your helmet!
I was just playing around.
For real this time.
I was joking.
- For real?
- Yes.
Come.
Just my luck.
My boyfriend is annoying
but he's a really nice guy.
It's raining!
Let's stop and put on your raincoat.
I threw it away.
Did you? Why?
I don't want to talk about it.
Oh, man. It's such a pity.
It cost 400,000 rupiah.
No!
Is there anyone in the house?
Okay then, thank you. Peace be upon you.
Well, what is it?
My room's ceiling is leaking.
I forgot to move my books.
I was planning to give them away
as a birthday present
for the youth in my village.
Let's just go, then.
- Really?
- Really. Come on!
Let's go. It might flood later.
Oh, no.
- Oh, my God.
- It's leaking over here, too.
- It's leaking everywhere.
- Over here, too.
This is everything.
Everything.
- I'll go get a bucket.
- Okay.
Oh, man.
My room's soaked.
Here.
Don't you have a bookshelf?
Well I thought about getting one.
So why didn't you?
If I bought a bookshelf,
I wouldn't be able to send books
to my village's library every month.
The world map
Do you dream of travelling the world?
Not really
I use it to cover the wall.
Oh, my dear Lord.
I'm so embarrassed.
And what's this?
What's this?
Is this a carnival costume or something?
Of course not.
One outfit for four types of martial arts.
Karate, taekwondo, judo, and jiu jitsu.
Wow.
You're full of surprises.
I told you.
Actually, I know
you're kind of all over the place.
But I didn't expect you to be this random.
That's why I need you to organize my life.
Sweet talker!
SEJAHTERA MEN'S DORMITORY
Hey? Isn't this the guy who...
That's right.
You can assemble a wardrobe, right?
Of course
If I can win your heart,
I can assemble a wardrobe.
Smooth! Let me write that down.
- Write what down?
- What you said.
So good.
Here.
Oh, come on. No need to write it down.
You can get that kind of line on Facebook.
Oh, no wonder this guy looks familiar.
You're the viral and famous writer, right?
No, man. I'm not a big name writer.
Praise the Lord,
this is such a rare occasion.
Can I record you?
Please don't
I look bad, haven't showered.
It's okay. You'll look more approachable.
Then you and I will look friendly.
- Yeah?
- I'll record.
- Fine then.
- Here.
Info! I'm with the famous,
viral writer dude.
His writing is so inspiring.
Say something, Agus Noor.
Agus Mulyadi.
Who's Agus Mulyadi?
That's me.
- So, you're not Agus Noor?
- No, I'm not.
- Sure?
- Sure.
- Then this is no good.
- Huh?
- So, no photo?
- No need. You're not Agus Noor.
- But I went viral, too.
- No, man.
Thank you, Lis.
Here's your jacket, clean and crisp.
Thank you.
How long have you been
sending books to your village?
Only this past year.
Don't you think you'd be better off
spending the money on other things?
Like, to fix your motorbike.
There are many poor young people
in my village that can't afford school.
I don't want them
to miss out on knowledge.
People who don't go to school
also have the right to knowledge, right?
To know a lot of things. Right?
That's a noble intention.
Actually, Lis, my dream is
I've always wanted
to have my own bookstore.
Me, too! Want me to join you?
Perfect!
What if we start a bookstore together?
Cool!
But this is commercial.
Kind of negates what I said
and intended earlier.
Commercial depends on
how much we take profit.
Big profit, or small profit.
If we break even,
can you still call it commercial?
As long we have pure intentions.
Agus Mulyadi and Kalis Mardiasih
are making a pact to start
a bookstore together someday.
This pact can only be cancelled
if both parties agree.
Agus.
It's practically empty.
Let's go someplace else.
So what if it's empty?
Well, it can mean
the food's not good or too expensive.
Let's find another place.
This is how you and I are different.
You use your palate's perspective,
I use the perspective of doing good deeds.
Let's go.
Good deeds?
You admire a guy like that?
Rahayu. That's just the way he is.
Be careful, Lis. When you two are married,
you'll always be seen as the villain.
Be careful of such signs.
What? What are you talking about?
Come on, that's enough.
You don't know Agus.
Now let me ask you this
Do you really know him that well?
Holy shit!
This is Supangat?
Why are you cursing at my fianc?
My God.
A millennial
That looks like a Korean idol,
is named Supangat?
I don't get how the world works.
Shut up, Lis.
Stop objectifying my future husband.
Hold on.
This is not about objectification,
this is a gap between image and reality.
This is the image!
And his name is Supangat?
I'm asking for your opinion
on the pre-wedding pictures
and you're dishing about my fianc.
Okay, okay.
Who's the photographer?
We just used a cellphone and a tripod.
We waited for the magic hour
and snapped some photos.
Seriously? I don't believe it.
Impossible. These gorgeous pictures?
Don't just look at the gorgeous results.
Think about the struggle behind it.
For one month, I stayed up all night
watching tutorials on YouTube.
You're really cutting cost.
Obviously. We won't even have a reception.
Just the ceremony,
with our close families.
I want you and Agus to be there.
Sure.
But, Yan
I also want a simple wedding.
Just the ceremony,
and then a small celebration.
We'll save the money
to buy a house. Right?
You can make that happen soon enough.
You just have to tell Agus.
"Hey, Agus. Let's get married."
If he doesn't answer you, just say this,
"Married, married, married!"
Right?
Right.
That's an assumption
That needs to be tested.
Agus
Look.
That's a good car.
A Fortuner. Right?
Or is a Pajero better?
I like Honda Brio.
It's tiny.
Fortuner is better.
It's bigger. Looks sturdier.
You want sturdy, then buy a horse.
Not a car.
- Your books.
- Here they are.
Agus, it's not about how the car looks.
It can load more stuff.
We can use the Fortuner
to drive our kids to school,
carry groceries, vegetables.
You want to load more, buy a pickup truck.
Not just veggies, you can even
take the farmers with you.
Bricks, sand, cement,
and the construction workers, all aboard.
Don't you want to have kids
and take them on a road trip,
like other happy families?
We have no money
and you're already talking about cars.
Don't you want to get married?
No need to think so far ahead.
Let's live in the present.
Until when?
Am I not being clear?
Don't think too far ahead.
We should be comfortable
with each other first.
Do I need to spell it out for you?
Lis! Kalis!
Lis
I'm sorry, Lis.
I didn't choose my words carefully.
I was in a rush. Well
As an apology,
let's grab something to eat. My treat.
I'm serious.
You want soup or veggie rice?
Excuse me.
My treat, okay?
I know very well
where you were going with your words.
For matters like this,
we have to find a proper time.
Lis?
Hey!
Where did she go?
Oh, no.
Open the door, I want to talk.
I'll do anything to get you to talk to me.
Whatever!
Have it your way!
Miss Kalis.
As a fellow man who can't stand
being ignored by his wife...
Kalis. Good evening.
I'm speaking as a man
in the same boat as Agus.
Also here are men from the club called.
Husbands Fearing Their Feisty Wives.
Stupid men! Stupid men!
Are you happy?
Okay, now go home.
Let them work it out.
We'll support with prayers.
Go on, show's over.
Go home.
Chief is deaf! Chief is deaf!
Lis
When we get married
Will you get bored with me?
What kind of question is that?
We're not married
and you already ask that.
Just answer me, will you?
Honestly, boredom is inevitable.
One relationship for decades
without getting bored? No way.
So, when I have problems, or I'm in labor,
you'll leave me? You won't be by my side?
- Is that it?
- Not like that.
I'll get bored, sure
But when you're in labor,
of course I'll stay with you.
I'm not that awful.
You watch too much religious soap operas.
Enough. I'm tired
of your questions about marriage.
My questions are driving you mad?
Am I wasting my time
with this relationship?
If you're walking away from me now
Why did you pursue me with such passion?
What am I to you, exactly?
I just want to understand.
Do I still have hope with you?
You're right.
I don't want to waste your time anymore.
My love is for real.
As a man, my heart will be broken
if you marry me,
and I just turn out to be a burden.
I don't want to see you not dolled up,
not driving a Fortuner,
not having a nice house,
not wearing nice clothes.
All your life,
you struggled to be where you are now.
You deserve to be happy.
The problem is
I don't have what it takes yet.
I don't have what it takes.
All right
I'll be going now.
Thank you for everything.
Being with you made me happy.
I want
To see you happy with the man you choose.
I'm sure you will pick the right guy.
Agus
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
You did nothing wrong.
I'm the selfish one for wasting your time.
You did nothing wrong.
This is it.
I love you.
I'm sure you love me, too.
But now
We have to learn
To let go of each other.
Can we?
You can. I'm sure you can.
I'm leaving now.
PLAY NICE, DON'T FIGHT.
FIERSA BESARI
Soulmates are two of Allah's children
trying to keep their vow to grow together
through adversity.
If one of them stops trying,
the team will be crippled.
So, my child
The concept of soulmates is an art.
The art of understanding your loved one.
To let your heart grow big enough
to accept your loved one's past
in order to prepare for the future.
To complete what's missing,
to straighten up what's crooked,
and to right what's wrong.
You need patience and compassion
to do all that.
To love your husband and his family,
and to love your future children.
Why?
Because they will all be your loved ones.
Have I done him wrong, Dad?
No. That's not how it works.
Look at it this way. You are being tested.
Agus is also being tested.
Only those who pass the test
will get their reward
and meet their better half.
Lis.
Is this is the jacket, full of memories,
you told me about?
You can have it. Use it as a floor mop.
You must be thinking of him always,
even when you're having your meals.
Even when you go to bed,
he's in your head.
You're exaggerating. It's not like that.
No one said it's easy, child.
You need time to "move on".
How do you know "move on"?
Just because you went to college,
don't underestimate your parents.
I know lots of things.
Lis, usually,
someone with a fresh broken heart
can hear her ex's voice out of nowhere.
- Right, Mom?
- Right!
I write books and online articles.
- Can you make a living from writing?
- Mom.
I've always wanted to invite Agus
to have a conversation with Dad.
And now,
I'm hearing Agus' voice, talking with Dad.
Ah is it this hard to be brokenhearted?
That's not a broken heart.
I also hear your Dad's voice
talking with Agus.
Really?
- Women can be dramatic.
- Yeah.
These were beautiful.
I thought Yogya to Blora is not that far
So now they're all messed up.
Sorry if it's less romantic now.
Who are you to me?
Don't bring romance into this.
Well, I mean
We did have a history.
Why are you here?
I miss you.
You said you're learning to let go.
On second thought,
"missing" and "letting go"
are two different things.
You came all the way here on a motorbike,
bringing messed up flowers,
just because you miss me?
That will be my second point.
Actually, I still have one question...
Lis.
Rahayu's on the phone.
- Hello, Yu.
- Lis?
- What's up?
- Lis, help.
- Nurcholis is missing.
- What?
My handsome guy?
Okay, calm down.
I'll go to his school.
Your dad just took the motorbike.
Oh no, what do I do?
Agus, give me a ride, please.
I have to go see Nurcholis.
- Nurcholis?
- Yes, let's go.
- Fine.
- Hey.
What's with the long face?
Fine, no need then.
Honestly This is too sudden.
I'm not ready to meet your new boyfriend.
Ridiculous!
You're so slow.
Get on! I'll tell you on the way.
Kalis! Kalis! You forgot your helmet!
I'm a friend of Nurcholis' mother.
Why isn't his father here?
The boy was enrolled
to this boarding school
so his father can't track him down.
The court has ruled that
the father can't see him
without his mother's approval.
- Oh, God.
- The Kyai knows about this.
Oh, no, the Kyai.
What is it?
The Kyai has passed away.
Come, son, you ready?
One, two, three!
Very nice!
Great!
Akmal!
You spineless bastard!
Let's go back to school!
- No!
- You see what's happening, right?
Even if I ask for permission,
Rahayu would never let me.
Use your head!
Let's not forget what you did.
Lis.
Control yourself, be wise.
Look, his arms are three times
the size of my thighs.
This is the perfect time to use
the four martial arts you learned.
Right. But I'm only at white-belt level.
I didn't finish training. I'm too weak.
Dude, calm down.
We can talk this over, nicely.
No! You are wrong!
Yes. I know that.
Don't worry, I'm not my old self.
If you want to take my son now,
be my guest.
I've been trying to take him back,
but he refuses.
I don't want to go back there.
I want to stay here with Dad.
Hey, boy Want to come with me?
I'll buy you some... Ouch!
Son! Don't do that. Sorry, man.
Who taught you to do that?
I want to stay with you.
Kids at school get visits
from their parents every month.
Nobody comes to see me!
Son I'm really sorry.
But I have to work.
I need to earn money.
I want to stay with you.
You can scold me,
but I want to stay with you.
Can't do that, son.
If you come with me, I can't work.
Come on now.
You can stay with me until sundown.
But in the evening,
you go back to school. Okay?
Don't cry now.
Men don't cry. Come here.
If you want to go home, you can go ahead.
It's okay, Lis. I'm staying here.
Dad, he's a man and he's crying.
Hey
You missed it!
Dad!
Hello, Lis?
Please take Nurcholis out of there now.
Yu, you don't have anybody
to help you out.
Please trust my decision.
No, Lis. I can't have Akmal...
I'm not defending him,
I'm not defending you, or anyone.
I'm just thinking about your son.
It's better that we know
he's with his dad.
If he gets upset
and doesn't trust you anymore,
he might run away, and then what?
You want to lose your son? He's lonely.
He needs time to accept that his life
is different than other kids.
Please, be patient.
It's for your son's own good.
Okay. All right.
I trust you.
Yes.
Not your hand!
Use your foot.
Whoa, son.
You can do it. Kick it over here.
Sorry, Agus. I dragged you into this.
Thank you, everything is clear now.
Meaning?
At first, I thought
you were a demanding woman.
That everyone needs to understand you.
But I'm the selfish one.
I wasn't patient enough
to wait for everything to get clear.
If I explain this in words,
it will sound very dramatic.
One must experience it
to truly understand it.
Thank you.
No, thank you.
This is a crucial moment.
How do I become
a responsible man for Nurcholis?
- Goal!
- Goal!
Amazing!
Before my mother died,
she told me one thing.
She gave me some teak seeds.
She asked me to plant them, for Nurcholis.
When my son grows up,
we can use the wood to build his house.
Pray for me so I don't die young
and miss my son
graduating college just like you.
Amen to that.
- Dad
- What?
You said men don't cry.
Next time you come to Blora,
pay us a visit.
Definitely, Sir.
Ma'am
- Drive safely.
- Yes, Ma'am.
I feel sorry for Nurcholis.
It is what it is.
So when are you coming to Yogya?
When you propose to me.
I'm giving you one week.
Is it enough?
Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
- And upon you, too.
I'm no longer fighting my feelings.
And I'm no longer
letting my heart be weak.
The ball is in his court now.
Hopefully, he also thinks
and feels the same.
Dear God, please give
the best husband for me.
A husband that's also my best friend,
practicing our religion,
on Earth and beyond.
- Peace be upon you.
- And upon you, too.
So many men will only be there
for their girl during easy times.
How do you know?
Will he really ask you to marry him?
Not everyone dares to lead a woman.
It's been a week.
Check your phone. Maybe there's a message.
- I checked.
- And?
No news.
Well, there you go.
At least now we can focus on other things.
Do you think I have the heart
to let you marry a bad person?
No, right?
Of course not.
But, you've let it go, right?
Yes.
I hope everything goes well.
I'm going to get some air.
Yes, Dad.
Peace be upon you.
And upon you, too.
You want to cry, don't you?
What's this? No domestic violence
before the wedding! Agus!
Peace be upon you.
And upon you, too.
- Excuse us.
- It's a chicken.
I'm here on behalf of Agus
to ask for Kalis' hand in marriage.
They're proposing.
Shall we say no?
Do you accept, my child?
Look, she's sulking.
- We accept.
- Right.
As Kalis' father,
I accept Agus' proposal.
Praise be to God. They accept!
I apologize beforehand
Yes?
My wife and I have agreed
on the wedding date.
If we invite a lot of people,
will five million rupiah be enough?
It's enough.
We can serve rice and salt to the guests.
We don't have to rent chairs.
Ask people to bring their own chairs.
Stop overthinking.
Let's just go through with it.
It comes with the package, right?
Remember this?
Since the day we signed this pact,
I've been saving some money.
But now I have an idea.
What if we put our dreams
On hold?
Why?
I want
To invite Rahayu to the wedding.
We'll buy her tickets.
Also, new clothes
for Rahayu and Nurcholis.
Hey!
Patience. We'll be married in no time.
Be careful.
Have some drinks first.
I brought you drinks.
- Akmal?
- Where do I put them?
- You shouldn't have.
- It's no trouble.
I want to help get everything ready.
It's okay if I help out here, right?
Of course. Don't get drunk.
What? This is just a ginger herbal drink.
Akmal.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
- Excuse me.
- Sure
Package for Miss Kalis!
My best friend's getting married.
Congrats, Lis!
Thank you!
You're so pretty!
- Congrats!
- Thank you.
Oops, it's stuck.
Lis!
Oh, my God!
Congrats, Lis.
Finally you're marrying your Agus.
- Akal.
- What's that?
Agus and Kalis.
My gosh.
Excuse me.
Thank you.
Lis!
Dad!
My son!
You've gotten big.
It's only been a few days.
Now get down.
I'm thirsty.
- Can you get me something to drink?
- Yes, Dad.
Yu.
I want to apologize.
I did so many wrong things.
I've hurt you.
This is for our son's birth celebration.
I'm sorry I just got the money now.
- Here you go.
- Thank you.
Go have a seat.
Why are you crying?
These are happy tears.
I didn't expect
your father would apologize.
That's the sign of a real man.
If you make a mistake, own up to it.
Be like your father.
- Don't cry, Mom.
- No.
Son.
When you grow up,
don't ever hurt a woman.
Don't ever hurt anyone.
Okay?
So are you two going to
My father said,
soulmates are two of Allah's children
trying to keep their vow
to grow together through adversity.
If one of them stops trying,
the team will be crippled.
Our story's not sweet like a fairy tale.
Or sappy like a soap opera.
You're no big star, and I'm no poet.
Yet this story is deeply precious.
Until your hair turns grey.
Until I grow a big belly.
This heart will never grow old.
We may not be
My father once said,
the concept of soulmates is an art.
The art of understanding your loved one.
To let your heart grow big enough
to accept your loved one's past
in order to prepare for the future.
To complete what's missing,
to straighten what's crooked,
and to right what's wrong.
You need patience and compassion
to do all that.
To love your husband and his family,
and to love your future children.
And understanding my dear Agus
will need a lifetime of trying.
Your smile makes my heart melt.
Don't be sad, you look ugly when you frown.
We may not be.
A perfect couple.
But didn't God send you.
To complete me?
I don't need to have everything.
A TORABIKA IN MY LEFT HAND
FRIED SNACKS IN MY RIGHT HAND
ONLY MY SOULMATE REMAINS IN GOD'S HANDS
As long as you are here.
Life will be just fine.
Agus took this photo
during our first meeting.
He snapped a picture of me
when I asked author Rusdi Mathari
for his autograph
at a book discussion event.
Poor and penniless,
but fearless in falling in love.
Being poor is okay,
but don't be poor in love languages.
Looking for loans by day,
spoiling my sweetheart by night.
Until your skin is wrinkled.
Until my body is no longer strong.
This heart will never grow old.
Living on minimum wage in Magelang,
but I'm still determined to love you.
Spend time with the poor, so that
your own poverty won't feel so bad.
We may not be a perfect couple.
Poverty is hard to endure,
but sweet to remember.
But didn't God send you to complete me?
A handsome man will open up the world,
but an ugly man who thinks he's handsome
will tear it down.
I don't need to have everything
I may be poor,
but I'm overflowing with love.
Jeihan Angga! Jeihan Angga!
No comment, must be nice!
No comment, must be nice!
No comment, must be nice!
No comment, must be nice!
His writing is good! His writing is good!
He drinks a lot of coffee!
He drinks a lot of coffee!
Faris Sugiarto with the two wives!
Rizal Umami! Rizal Umami!
That's his wife! That's his wife!
Devika...
Aga's wife! Aga's wife!
Oswald looks like Polo!
He's got great ears! He's got great ears!
Ajung Mc... I don't speak English!
They make good animation,
but refuse to animate a bird!
Got so many cats!
He's always single!
Baldy Ibnu! We call him Baldy Ibnu.
Princess! Princess!
Handsome when smiling!
She likes fishing!
Cries really well, got me emotional!
Hilarious and kind!
Looks good in a hijab!
One is fat, the other is ugly!
Makes good songs!