So, you know how life can feel like one big, never-ending loop? Yup, this story is about breaking out of that grind and finding a little clarity.

(Jadi, kamu tahu kan rasanya hidup seperti lingkaran besar yang nggak ada habisnya? Yap, cerita ini tentang keluar dari rutinitas itu dan menemukan sedikit kejelasan.)

 

Breaking the Routine

The Quiet Morning Routine
(Rutinitas Pagi yang Tenang)

The alarm went off at exactly 6:30 AM. It wasn’t the loud, jarring sound most people dreaded; it was a soft, melodic chime that blended gently with the birds’ morning songs outside the window. Alaric opened his eyes, the early sunlight spilling into the room, painting the walls with a golden hue. For a moment, he just lay there, appreciating the warmth of the blankets surrounding him. The room was quiet, peaceful, and for a while, it felt like nothing in the world could disturb that stillness.
(Alarm berbunyi tepat pukul 6:30 pagi. Itu bukan suara keras yang membuat orang terkejut, melainkan sebuah melodi lembut yang berpadu dengan kicauan burung di luar jendela. Alaric membuka matanya, sinar matahari pagi masuk ke dalam ruangan, menerangi dinding dengan cahaya keemasan. Sebentar, ia hanya berbaring di sana, menikmati kehangatan selimut yang menyelimutinya. Ruangan itu tenang, damai, dan sejenak, rasanya tidak ada hal di dunia ini yang bisa mengganggu ketenangan itu.)

He stretched his arms above his head, feeling the soft pull in his muscles. The day had only just started, and yet, he already felt the comfort of the familiar. Rolling out of bed, Alaric quickly made his way to the small bathroom attached to his bedroom. He glanced at the mirror, his reflection staring back at him, as if asking, “Are you ready for today?”
(Ia meregangkan tangannya ke atas, merasakan tarikan lembut di otot-otot tubuhnya. Hari baru saja dimulai, namun ia sudah merasakan kenyamanan dari rutinitas yang sudah dikenal. Dengan cepat, Alaric berjalan menuju kamar mandi kecil yang terhubung dengan kamarnya. Ia menatap sekilas cermin, bayangannya menatap balik, seolah bertanya, “Apakah kamu siap untuk hari ini?”)

After a quick shower, Alaric stood in front of his closet, picking out a simple outfit—nothing fancy, just a plain t-shirt and jeans. He wasn’t one for spending too much time on decisions like that. Once dressed, he made his way downstairs, the scent of coffee already drifting through the house.
(Setelah mandi cepat, Alaric berdiri di depan lemari pakaian, memilih pakaian sederhana—tidak ada yang mewah, hanya kaos polos dan celana jeans. Ia bukan orang yang suka menghabiskan waktu untuk keputusan seperti itu. Begitu selesai berpakaian, ia turun ke bawah, aroma kopi sudah tercium di seluruh rumah.)

The kitchen was quiet as well. The only sound was the soft drip of the coffee machine as it slowly filled his mug. Alaric grabbed a piece of toast from the counter, spread a little butter on it, and sat at the small table by the window. He took a sip of his coffee, savoring the warmth as it spread through him.
(Dapur juga sunyi. Satu-satunya suara adalah tetesan lembut dari mesin kopi yang perlahan mengisi cangkirnya. Alaric mengambil sepotong roti panggang dari meja, mengoleskan sedikit mentega di atasnya, lalu duduk di meja kecil dekat jendela. Ia meminum secangkir kopinya, menikmati kehangatannya yang menyebar di tubuhnya.)

“Another day,” he thought, looking out the window. The world outside seemed so much busier than the calm of his kitchen. People rushed down the street, cars honked in the distance, and yet here he was, sitting in the quiet. There was something comforting about it, something that made the world feel just a little more bearable.
(“Hari lain lagi,” pikirnya, memandang ke luar jendela. Dunia di luar tampak jauh lebih sibuk dibandingkan dengan ketenangan di dapurnya. Orang-orang bergegas melewati jalan, mobil-mobil membunyikan klakson dari kejauhan, dan sementara itu, ia hanya duduk di tempat yang tenang. Ada sesuatu yang menenangkan dari itu, sesuatu yang membuat dunia terasa sedikit lebih bisa diterima.)

Alaric checked the time—7:00 AM. It was time to get going. He grabbed his backpack, gave the coffee cup one last look, and headed out the door.
(Alaric melihat jam—pukul 7:00 pagi. Saatnya untuk berangkat. Ia mengambil tas punggungnya, memberikan cangkir kopinya satu pandangan terakhir, lalu keluar dari pintu.)

As he walked down the street towards his office, Alaric couldn’t help but notice the small details around him—the way the light hit the leaves of the trees, how the streetlights flickered off as the sun fully rose, and the distant sound of the bakery’s door opening. It was a rhythm he had gotten used to, one he didn’t mind at all.
(Saat ia berjalan menyusuri jalan menuju kantornya, Alaric tak bisa menahan diri untuk memperhatikan hal-hal kecil di sekitarnya—cara cahaya mengenai daun-daun pohon, bagaimana lampu jalan mati seiring matahari yang semakin tinggi, dan suara pintu toko roti yang dibuka dari kejauhan. Itu adalah ritme yang sudah ia kenal, sesuatu yang tidak ia keberatan sama sekali.)

The path was familiar—five minutes through the park, past the bakery, and across the small bridge over the stream. Alaric walked at a slow, steady pace, not in a hurry.
(Jalan ini sudah dikenalnya—lima menit melewati taman, di samping toko roti, dan menyeberangi jembatan kecil di atas sungai. Alaric berjalan dengan langkah pelan dan stabil, tidak terburu-buru.)

When he passed the bakery, he could smell the fresh bread baking. It was a scent that always made him smile, a little reminder of how simple things could make life feel so full.
(Saat ia melewati toko roti, aroma roti yang baru dipanggang tercium. Itu adalah aroma yang selalu membuatnya tersenyum, sebuah pengingat kecil tentang bagaimana hal-hal sederhana bisa membuat hidup terasa begitu lengkap.)

He arrived at the office right on time, just as the clock in the lobby ticked to 7:30 AM. The doors opened, and he stepped inside, ready to start the day.
(Ia tiba di kantor tepat waktu, begitu jam di lobi menunjukkan pukul 7:30 pagi. Pintu terbuka, dan ia melangkah masuk, siap memulai hari.)

 

The Routine Unfolds
(Rutinitas yang Terbuka)

The office was buzzing with activity as Alaric walked in. His colleagues, already busy with their morning tasks, greeted him with a simple nod. He wasn’t the most talkative person in the room, but he had his place, his own little corner of the office where he could quietly focus.
(Kantor sudah ramai dengan aktivitas saat Alaric masuk. Rekan-rekannya, yang sudah sibuk dengan tugas pagi mereka, menyapanya dengan anggukan sederhana. Ia bukan orang yang paling banyak bicara di ruangan itu, tapi ia punya tempatnya sendiri, sudut kecil di kantor di mana ia bisa fokus dengan tenang.)

He settled into his chair, the soft hum of the computer starting up filling the air. His desk was organized, just the way he liked it—nothing out of place. A cup of coffee sat at the corner of his desk, already half-empty from his earlier refill. The files he needed for the day were neatly stacked, awaiting his attention.
(Ia duduk di kursinya, suara lembut dari komputer yang menyala mengisi udara. Meja kerjanya teratur, sesuai yang ia suka—tidak ada yang berantakan. Secangkir kopi terletak di sudut meja, sudah setengah habis dari isi ulang yang ia buat tadi. Berkas-berkas yang ia butuhkan untuk hari itu teratur tertumpuk, menunggu perhatian.)

The morning passed by slowly, the hum of the office becoming the backdrop to his work. He focused on the numbers, the reports, and the constant flow of emails. There was nothing extraordinary about his tasks today; it was just another day of checking things off his to-do list. Yet, as the hours passed, he found comfort in the rhythm of it all.
(Pagi hari berlalu perlahan, suara riuh kantor menjadi latar belakang bagi pekerjaannya. Ia fokus pada angka-angka, laporan, dan aliran email yang terus mengalir. Tidak ada yang luar biasa dari tugasnya hari itu; itu hanya hari lain untuk memeriksa daftar tugasnya. Namun, seiring berjalannya waktu, ia menemukan kenyamanan dalam ritme itu semua.)

By noon, the office had quieted down a little. People were taking their lunch breaks, and the once-bustling office now had a more relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. Alaric stood up from his desk, stretching his legs and walking towards the break room.
(Menjelang tengah hari, kantor sedikit lebih tenang. Orang-orang mulai mengambil waktu istirahat makan siang mereka, dan kantor yang tadinya ramai kini memiliki suasana yang lebih santai dan rileks. Alaric berdiri dari mejanya, meregangkan kakinya dan berjalan menuju ruang istirahat.)

The smell of reheated leftovers filled the room as he entered, and he couldn’t help but laugh softly to himself. It was funny how everyone had their own lunch routines—some people brought their meals from home, while others grabbed whatever they could from the nearby deli. Alaric, on the other hand, always packed a simple sandwich, never too much, never too little.
(Aroma makanan sisa yang dipanaskan memenuhi ruangan begitu ia masuk, dan ia tak bisa menahan tawa kecil. Lucu bagaimana setiap orang memiliki rutinitas makan siang mereka sendiri—beberapa orang membawa makanan dari rumah, sementara yang lain mengambil apa saja dari deli terdekat. Alaric, di sisi lain, selalu membawa sandwich sederhana, tidak terlalu banyak, tidak terlalu sedikit.)

He grabbed his sandwich from the fridge, took a seat at one of the small tables, and unwrapped it slowly. As he ate, he watched his colleagues chat and laugh, their conversations blending into the hum of the office. It was moments like these—small, insignificant moments—that made the routine feel worthwhile.
(Ia mengambil sandwichnya dari kulkas, duduk di salah satu meja kecil, dan membuka bungkusnya perlahan. Sambil makan, ia mengamati rekan-rekannya yang mengobrol dan tertawa, percakapan mereka berpadu dengan riuhnya kantor. Inilah saat-saat seperti ini—saat-saat kecil yang tampaknya tak berarti—yang membuat rutinitas terasa berharga.)

“Got any plans for the weekend, Alaric?” someone asked from across the table. It was Rachel, a colleague from the finance department, always cheerful and full of energy.
(“Punya rencana apa untuk akhir pekan, Alaric?” tanya seseorang dari seberang meja. Itu Rachel, rekan kerja dari departemen keuangan, selalu ceria dan penuh energi.)

He looked up from his sandwich, surprised by the question. “I’m not sure yet,” he replied with a shrug. “Maybe just relax, nothing too exciting.”
(Ia menatap dari sandwichnya, terkejut dengan pertanyaan itu. “Belum tahu sih,” jawabnya sambil mengangkat bahu. “Mungkin cuma santai, nggak ada yang terlalu seru sih.”)

Rachel nodded, understanding. “Sounds good. Sometimes, it’s nice to just have a quiet weekend.”
(Rachel mengangguk, memahami. “Kedengarannya bagus. Kadang-kadang, enak juga punya akhir pekan yang tenang.”)

He smiled, appreciating the simplicity of it all. Sometimes, that was all he needed—peace and quiet. The rest of the world could be loud and chaotic, but here, in his routine, he found a sense of calm that made everything else easier to handle.
(Ia tersenyum, menghargai kesederhanaannya. Kadang-kadang, itu saja yang ia butuhkan—kedamaian dan ketenangan. Dunia yang lain bisa jadi keras dan kacau, tapi di sini, dalam rutinitasnya, ia menemukan ketenangan yang membuat segala hal lainnya terasa lebih mudah untuk dihadapi.)

The rest of the lunch break passed in a blur of idle chatter, the kind of casual conversation that filled the silence in a way that felt comfortable, but not intrusive.
(Sisa waktu istirahat makan siang berlalu dalam percakapan santai yang terjalin, percakapan biasa yang mengisi keheningan dengan cara yang terasa nyaman, tapi tidak mengganggu.)

When the break was over, Alaric returned to his desk, ready to dive back into his work. Another day in the office, another set of tasks to complete. Yet, even in this monotonous cycle, there was a strange kind of contentment.
(Saat istirahat selesai, Alaric kembali ke mejanya, siap untuk melanjutkan pekerjaannya. Hari lain di kantor, serangkaian tugas lain yang harus diselesaikan. Namun, bahkan dalam siklus yang monoton ini, ada rasa puas yang aneh.)

 

The Unexpected Break
(Istirahat yang Tak Terduga)

The afternoon dragged on, just as predictable as the morning. Alaric sat at his desk, clicking away at the keyboard, entering data and reviewing reports. The sound of the office remained the same—people talking on the phone, the distant hum of printers, and the soft murmur of conversations from the break room.
(Sore itu terasa panjang, seperti yang sudah bisa diprediksi sejak pagi. Alaric duduk di mejanya, mengetik dengan cepat di keyboard, memasukkan data dan meninjau laporan. Suara kantor tetap sama—orang-orang berbicara di telepon, suara mesin printer yang terdengar jauh, dan bisikan percakapan dari ruang istirahat.)

Around 3 PM, just as he was getting lost in his task, he felt his phone buzz. It was a message from his old friend, Levi. He hadn’t heard from him in a while, and seeing the message made him pause for a moment.
(Sekitar pukul 3 sore, tepat saat ia mulai tenggelam dalam pekerjaannya, ia merasakan ponselnya bergetar. Itu adalah pesan dari teman lamanya, Levi. Ia sudah lama tidak mendengar kabar darinya, dan melihat pesan itu membuatnya berhenti sejenak.)

“Hey, wanna catch up later? I’ll be around the city, thought we could grab a drink or something.”
(“Hei, mau ngobrol-ngobrol nanti? Aku lagi di sekitar kota, pikirku kita bisa minum atau apalah.”)

Alaric raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t exactly someone who went out often, but the idea of meeting up with an old friend was tempting. He thought about it for a second, then replied, “Sure, why not? It’s been a while.”
(Alaric mengangkat alis. Ia bukan orang yang sering keluar, tapi ide untuk bertemu dengan teman lama itu cukup menggoda. Ia memikirkannya sebentar, lalu membalas, “Oke, kenapa nggak? Sudah lama juga.”)

Levi’s response was almost immediate. “Great! I’ll pick you up at 6. See you soon.”
(Balasan Levi datang hampir seketika. “Bagus! Aku jemput jam 6. Sampai ketemu nanti.”)

The decision was made. Alaric leaned back in his chair, staring at the screen for a moment. It wasn’t like him to make sudden plans, but something about today felt different. Maybe it was the monotonous grind of the office, or maybe it was just the thought of reconnecting with an old friend. Either way, the thought of a break from the usual routine was refreshing.
(Keputusan sudah dibuat. Alaric bersandar di kursinya, menatap layar sebentar. Itu bukan kebiasaannya untuk membuat rencana mendadak, tapi ada sesuatu tentang hari ini yang terasa berbeda. Mungkin karena rutinitas kantor yang monoton, atau mungkin hanya karena memikirkan untuk bertemu dengan teman lama. Bagaimanapun, pikiran untuk beristirahat dari rutinitas biasa terasa menyegarkan.)

As the clock ticked down, the last few hours of the day flew by in a blur of routine. He finished the remaining tasks, wrapped up his work, and logged off his computer. It wasn’t long before the workday ended, and the office began to empty out.
(Saat jam terus berjalan, beberapa jam terakhir di hari itu berlalu begitu saja dalam rutinitas yang biasa. Ia menyelesaikan tugas-tugas yang tersisa, menutup pekerjaannya, dan mematikan komputernya. Tak lama kemudian, hari kerja pun selesai, dan kantor mulai sepi.)

At exactly 6 PM, Levi arrived, and they both headed out to the nearest pub. The city lights reflected off the buildings as they made their way through the busy streets. Alaric couldn’t help but feel a little out of place, but it didn’t matter. The evening ahead promised to be different, a change of pace he didn’t know he needed.
(Pukul 6 sore tepat, Levi tiba, dan mereka berdua berjalan menuju pub terdekat. Lampu kota memantul dari gedung-gedung saat mereka melintasi jalanan yang sibuk. Alaric tak bisa menahan diri merasa sedikit canggung, tapi itu tidak masalah. Malam yang akan datang tampaknya akan berbeda, sebuah perubahan yang tak ia tahu ia butuhkan.)

Inside the pub, the atmosphere was lively—laughter and music filled the air, and the smell of food and drinks made Alaric feel more relaxed. Levi waved him over to a table by the window, and as Alaric sat down, he immediately felt the tension in his shoulders ease.
(Di dalam pub, suasana sangat hidup—tertawa dan musik mengisi udara, dan aroma makanan serta minuman membuat Alaric merasa lebih rileks. Levi melambaikan tangannya memanggil Alaric untuk duduk di meja dekat jendela, dan begitu Alaric duduk, ia langsung merasakan ketegangan di pundaknya mulai hilang.)

“Been a while, huh?” Levi said as he ordered drinks for both of them.
(“Sudah lama, ya?” kata Levi sambil memesan minuman untuk mereka berdua.)

“Yeah, I’ve been busy with work and stuff,” Alaric replied, taking a sip of his drink. It wasn’t strong, but it was enough to break the tension.
(“Iya, aku sibuk kerja dan segala macam,” jawab Alaric, meminum sedikit minumannya. Rasanya nggak terlalu kuat, tapi cukup untuk menghilangkan ketegangan.)

They sat back and started talking about old times—school days, mutual friends, and all the things that seemed so far away now. Alaric hadn’t realized how much he missed these simple moments until now.
(Mereka duduk santai dan mulai bercerita tentang masa lalu—hari-hari sekolah, teman-teman bersama, dan semua hal yang terasa begitu jauh sekarang. Alaric tak sadar seberapa banyak ia merindukan momen sederhana seperti ini hingga saat ini.)

The evening passed in laughter and nostalgia, a welcome break from the usual routine. For the first time in a long while, Alaric felt like he was exactly where he needed to be.
(Malam itu berlalu dengan tawa dan kenangan, sebuah istirahat yang menyenangkan dari rutinitas biasa. Untuk pertama kalinya dalam waktu yang lama, Alaric merasa seperti berada di tempat yang tepat.)

 

The End of the Routine
(Akhir dari Rutinitas)

The night carried on with ease, the weight of the office and its pressures slipping further away with each laugh and story shared between Alaric and Levi. The pub had become more than just a place for drinks; it was a space where time seemed to slow down, and the world outside felt less urgent.
(Malam itu berlalu dengan santai, beban kantor dan tekanan-tekanannya semakin hilang dengan setiap tawa dan cerita yang dibagikan antara Alaric dan Levi. Pub itu lebih dari sekadar tempat untuk minum; itu menjadi ruang di mana waktu seolah melambat, dan dunia luar terasa kurang mendesak.)

As the hours passed, the conversations drifted from the past to the present. Levi had asked Alaric about his current life, his work, and even his goals. Alaric had never been one to share much, but with Levi, it felt different. Maybe it was because of the shared history, or maybe it was the comfort of having someone who understood the rhythm of his life.
(Seiring berjalannya waktu, percakapan beralih dari masa lalu ke masa kini. Levi bertanya tentang kehidupan Alaric saat ini, pekerjaannya, bahkan tujuannya. Alaric bukan orang yang suka berbagi banyak, tapi bersama Levi, rasanya berbeda. Mungkin karena sejarah bersama, atau mungkin karena kenyamanan memiliki seseorang yang mengerti irama hidupnya.)

“You know,” Alaric said, after taking another sip of his drink, “I’ve always been so caught up in the daily grind. Wake up, work, sleep, repeat. It’s like a loop, you know?”
(“Kau tahu,” kata Alaric, setelah meminum lagi minumannya, “Aku selalu terjebak dalam rutinitas sehari-hari. Bangun, kerja, tidur, ulangi. Seperti lingkaran, tahu?”)

Levi nodded, taking a sip from his own glass. “I get it. It’s easy to get stuck in the routine, especially when you’re good at what you do. But you’ve got to break it sometime. Take a step back.”
(Levi mengangguk, meminum dari gelasnya sendiri. “Aku mengerti. Mudah banget terjebak dalam rutinitas, apalagi kalau kamu jago di apa yang kamu lakukan. Tapi kamu harus keluar dari itu, sekali-kali mundur sedikit.”)

Alaric considered his words. It wasn’t the first time someone had said something like that to him, but tonight, it hit differently. For the first time in a while, he could see that breaking free from the endless cycle might be exactly what he needed.
(Alaric mempertimbangkan kata-katanya. Ini bukan kali pertama seseorang mengatakan hal seperti itu kepadanya, tapi malam ini, rasanya berbeda. Untuk pertama kalinya dalam waktu yang lama, ia bisa melihat bahwa keluar dari siklus tanpa henti mungkin adalah apa yang sebenarnya ia butuhkan.)

The night grew deeper, and as the clock struck midnight, Alaric knew it was time to head home. He had work the next day, and while the break had been refreshing, it was only temporary. The cycle was inevitable, but now, at least, he had a moment to step outside of it.
(Malam semakin larut, dan ketika jam menunjuk tengah malam, Alaric tahu sudah saatnya pulang. Ia ada pekerjaan besok, dan meskipun istirahat itu menyegarkan, itu hanya sementara. Siklus itu tak terelakkan, tapi setidaknya sekarang, ia punya waktu untuk keluar sejenak darinya.)

Levi stood up as they both prepared to leave. “We should do this more often,” he said, patting Alaric on the back.
(Levi berdiri saat mereka bersiap untuk pergi. “Kita harus lakukan ini lebih sering,” katanya, menepuk punggung Alaric.)

“I agree,” Alaric replied, feeling a sense of gratitude he hadn’t realized he was missing.
(“Aku setuju,” jawab Alaric, merasakan rasa syukur yang tak ia sadari telah hilang.)

The walk back through the streets was quiet, the city now feeling like a different place than it did earlier in the day. Alaric didn’t feel the weight of his usual routine pressing on him. It was a small break, but it had reminded him of the simple joys of life outside the office.
(Perjalanan kembali melalui jalanan sepi, kota sekarang terasa seperti tempat yang berbeda dibandingkan sebelumnya di siang hari. Alaric tak merasakan beratnya rutinitas biasanya menekan dirinya. Itu hanya istirahat kecil, tapi itu mengingatkannya pada kegembiraan sederhana hidup di luar kantor.)

When he arrived home, Alaric sat down in his favorite chair, reflecting on the night. He realized that maybe, just maybe, there was more to life than the daily grind. He didn’t have all the answers yet, but he knew one thing for sure: he wouldn’t let the routine define him forever.
(Sesampainya di rumah, Alaric duduk di kursi favoritnya, merenungkan malam itu. Ia menyadari bahwa mungkin, hanya mungkin, ada lebih banyak hal dalam hidup selain rutinitas harian. Ia belum punya semua jawabannya, tapi satu hal yang pasti: ia tidak akan membiarkan rutinitas itu mendefinisikan dirinya selamanya.)

The next morning, as the alarm went off, Alaric didn’t feel the usual dread. He was ready to face the day, knowing that sometimes, a little break from the norm was all it took to find clarity.
(Pagi berikutnya, saat alarm berbunyi, Alaric tidak merasakan kecemasan yang biasa. Ia siap menghadapi hari, mengetahui bahwa kadang-kadang, sedikit istirahat dari norma sudah cukup untuk menemukan kejelasan.)

And so, the routine began again—but this time, with a new perspective.
(Dan begitulah, rutinitas dimulai lagi—tapi kali ini, dengan perspektif baru.)

 

And just like that, the routine continues, but with a fresh perspective. Sometimes, all it takes is a little break to remind us there’s more to life than the daily grind.

(Dan seperti itu, rutinitas berlanjut, tapi dengan perspektif yang baru. Kadang, yang dibutuhkan hanyalah sedikit waktu untuk mengingatkan kita bahwa hidup ini lebih dari sekadar rutinitas harian.)