Halfway into their Bangkok show, Hasan’s eyes just finally catch the existence of that sign. Far in the back row, there stands a fan holding up a board sign they keep waving, scribbled: OBAR COME BACK TO BELIS KEKASIH.

Hasan titters reading that. He already knows what their fans thought about it, read it on Mojati; that Obar fits more in Belis Kekasih than in Fajar Menanam Padi—well, yeah, because Obar is chaotic, because his style is more classic punk rather than preppy like the rest of FMP kids. Else and else. He inches closer to his microphone again, says, “yes, Obar is really Reandra’s youngest brother.” Hasan points at the sign. Some audience on the front row turns, laughs and cheers. “We find him on Reandra’s trash. So we, uh, we take him together.”

He hears Levi giggling behind them. Obar comes across, face scrunched, eyebrows creased, but his mouth drawn to a wide grin. A playful sulk.

“They say you’re better in Belis Kekasih,” informs Hasan, staring at Obar. “But you’re our friend. I’m sad if you leaving.”

Obar laughs. He scoots to Hasan’s mic, responding to the audience after glancing at him quickly. “I’m not leaving.”

“Not to BK?” asks Hasan.

Obar shakes his head, his layered metal necklaces jangling, smile toothy and merry. “No.”

Hasan claps. On the other end of the stage Arsyad shakes his head, but his hand moves to encourage the rumbling of their fans. “He’s not leaving!” exclaims Hasan to the microphone. “Obar is FMP!”

The arena shakes from laughter and holler. When their break is over and Catapult Stone is playing, Obar hugs Hasan in the middle of his singing.

Yes, even if his outer appearance is deceiving, Obar is thoroughly a Fajar Menanam Padi boy.

Saturday, 31 December 2022 — 4:24.