(S)he Is Beautiful

This Monday, the day of creative writing class, was the second time of Mbak Abmi to substitute Mas Dalih, my lecturer who was absent because of having an important thing to do in Bali. Watching “Bag It” movie and reviewing it were what we had to do on the previous meeting with her. This Sunday, she brought appearing-like-a-lady guest with long hair, pointed nose, and proportional body. Her strange appearence, made our doubts came up while she was sitting at the corner. Then, we were asked to interview her by five topics from Mbak Abmi in team. In addition, our doubt revealed when Mbak Abmi called her ‘HE’. Yup, it may be queer but it’s real that she is waria, a man appearing as a woman. That made me change my mind to call him as ‘SHE’ no more but as ‘HE’.

Olivia Sonya Aresta, kindly called as Sonya, was originally from Klaten and now he has been living in Jogja since he was in vocational school (D3). Being a waria does not relieve his will to still exist in Perkumpulan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI), run his business as an online seller, make-up bride, and beauty consultant.

He has been doing his best to find his identity since the rejection from his mother as a teacher, who is regarded by people around as a good figure. That’s what she has to do to get a confession and acceptance from his family. 

Living here in Jogja for continuing his study in vocational school, brought a funny memory for him to remember about the first causes leading him to be like what he is now. His parents allowed him to play with girls rather than boys because they might hurt him. It made him like to make-up, play doll, and dress like a girl. Even as he was in junior high school, he was feeling afraid no more to go outside for hanging out in the night and it countinued until senior high school. One day when he went to a mall and wore skirt, he met his friends there and automatically they got surprised by looking him dressing like a woman.  Because of feeling shocked by their notice, he threw his shoes and ran away. This made him getting mocked and had to hide from his friend. Went out from Klaten and lived in Jogja were his choice to avoid their mockings, but it still did not make him live in peace, because people knew his rejection and throwing done by his family. However, he refused their assumption because he really wanted to restrain the inconvenience from his family of his decision to be a waria.   

Jogja is a pleasant place for her with Its fascinating atmosphere which madeit different from other place he had ever visited, like Solo, Bandung, Jakarta and even Bali. In addition, he found both lessons and his confidence here when he became a volunteer for earthquake in Bantul. Here, he also finds his true friends who care with him, looked after him when he was hospitalized and always by her side. He feels that his friends have made him meaningful, so he wants to made her life more meaningful by being a volunteer in PKBI not only for one or two months but forever. He wants to help people, especially waria to fight against HIV AIDS and to defend their identity to be admitted as an equal resident who have similar rights as others. I think It is very best for me for considering her as a beautiful one, from her inner that has inspired me a lot. Thank You..