All My Loving, Mr. A

by Catherine X'obel (Indonesia)

Making a local connection Indonesia

I don't travel much, but sometimes when life gets harder than usual or I need a short escape from my boring routine at work, I book a Grab-bike (one of popular online transportation options in Indonesia) from my workplace to The Downtown at Summarecon Mall Bekasi every Friday Night. The Beatles Night will start at approximately 8 PM and I have no intention to miss it! Okay, but why I'm fond of The Beatles Night? Firstly, thanks to my Mum she turns me into The Beatles fan. Their songs are beautifully written, dreamy and romantic in old-fashioned way, fit perfectly with our hopeless-romantic personality. And there is a second reason I'm a regular girl in The Downtown; I dance my problems away with an old man who also loves to dance his problems away (let's call him Mr. A from now on). Whether its raining cats and dogs or the moon shines tenderly, or how much people filled tables that night, Mr. A would always be there. No less than 8.30 PM near the main stage in The Downtown. As the band starts to play one of The Beatles song from their playlist, Mr. A's face would lit up with joy - and something in the way he burst out his fondness of The Beatles moves the others to, including me and dozens of people who would join him later. The band played "Oh, Darling!" at the first time I met Mr. A. I didn't have enough courage to joined him before the next encounter, when "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" filled one night. "May I join?" I asked him, ignoring other guest's eyes that started to stare at us. Mr. A was dancing in front of the stage that night. He nodded and smiled brightly. And that was it — Mr. A danced comfortably in front of 100 other guests, more or less. We even held hands when The Beatles sang, "... and when I touch you I feel happy inside!" I completely believe that I was so awkward because I slightly felt uncomfortable to dance in front of a lot of people. After the song ended, we finally introduced ourself properly. "Are you always be here on The Beatles Night?" I asked. "Every Thursday and Friday night, yes," he answered. "Especially on Friday night. You know, The Beatles. I love 'em." On the stage, the band played the intro from "All My Loving" and we smirked at each other. "Round two?" He asked cheerfully. "Yes!" From Round Two, I learned something about confidence from Mr. A. Despite wrinkles he has or he's 50, he enjoyed this very moment and comfortable with himself... and dancing around like nobody see him dance. I was so awkward because I'm worried about how would I look while I'm dancing, while Mr. A didn't worrying about it at all. "... Remember that I always be true And then while I'm awake I'll write home everyday And I'll send all my loving to you..." Mr. A and I danced our problems that night. You should try it some other time — with songs from The Beatles.