Sea Rhythm with Big Waves

I want to tell you a small part of the life story of a great woman, she lived in a world of deceit. Most of her life is filled with struggle and sadness. Her pillar is very sturdy, never collapses. 

However, despite its very strong construction, there are many cracks inside. She always says that she is fine, but her inner self says that she is not enough. Her pole gets stuck in a building forcing her to stay. I think she is perfect. No matter how far I search, I never find one as good as her. 

She grows from the ugliness of the world. She never gets happiness from around. She grew up almost 50 years ago in a small neighborhood on the edge of a bustling city filled with immigrants. This city is known as a tough city, a city full of competition. So did her life, very hard and full of competition. To seek knowledge that should be her right also feels very difficult. With the results of her work, she could only get education up to junior high school. 

As the oldest child, she had to give up on his education even though she had a lot of potential. She prefers to fend for herself for the sake of his younger siblings. She braved all the storms that came in her little canoe. She is not the only daughter in this family, but she is forced to be the only one because her little sister left to go to another world. She always wanted to be a man because she was always seen as weak. She always thought that the world was only fair to the strong. 

At the age when she was very ripe to continue the next phase of life, she met a man who was considered old enough for her. This man was a stranger to the neighborhood. He is an old man with dark skin, a mustache, and wearing glasses.  The woman's mother likes the man because he is good, but the woman does not like him because of the big age difference and different religion. "He's good, why don't you go with him?" her mother said. "No, mak. He's too old for me, why don't you just go with him? After all, his religion is different from ours" replied the woman. "Well, why don't you try it first? He seems interested with you" said mom. "I don't want to," the woman insisted. The man doesn't give up quickly to get the woman's heart. He had a brilliant idea that the idea was unexpectedly successful. The man approaches the mother of the woman and takes her heart for approval and support. His effort worked, the woman who had insisted on not marrying an old man slowly fell in love.

They took different paths, but the man chose the same path to be with her and chose the same amen. This man also had a life full of thunder. Nor is his life sweet, smooth, and serene. He is also unlucky to get an education, his life is full of struggles to live every day. He also grew out of sorrow and an evil life. They decided to get married after much deliberation. The wedding ceremony was held on a small scale because the woman was pessimistic and afraid that this marriage would last only a moment. This story begins when they decide to hit the big waves together with the same boat with many differences. They feel they are capable of living the rhythm of the calm sea together. They are a formidable duo who dare to crash into the blue ocean. 

Life after they tied the knot for life and death was not always colored with happiness. They are hunted by age to get small creatures as a gift from God. They didn't even have a house, they rented a small building which meant a lot for them. While waiting, they focus on growing their business, the business on which they depend in life. They are not highly educated, but they are very diligent and tenacious. The two lovebirds produce head protection for motorcyclists and sell it. They pursue this business until they become big, even though it is not big enough to be considered a successful person but they are happy because their sweat has turned into rupiah coffers. "While we are waiting for children, let's focus on developing this business first, okay? It's okay, right?" said the man. "Yes, we have to be patient, okay, there will definitely be a time when we will be given a child," said the woman with disappointment.

Time after time passed, at the age of their marriage which had been more than one year, because of the prayer of the great woman they were finally entrusted by God to take care of and raise a small gift that was the source of their happiness. With their moderate economic situation, they ventured to raise the child. They believe that children are a gift from God and God will surely make a way for them. "Alhamdulillah, finally the time we have been waiting for has arrived!" said the woman with teary eyes. "What do you mean? Why are you crying?" The man was curious. "Finally I'm pregnant!" said the woman happily. "Alhamdulillah, I hope the baby and you will continue to be healthy until it's born!" said the man while hugging her. The man wanted their first child to be a boy. While the woman wanted a daughter. "I'm sure our first child will be a boy," said the man confidently. "No, I pray that our child will be a girl. We'll see later, my prayer is stronger or yours is stronger," said the woman.

Nine months passed. The child was finally born into the world. She is a baby girl. She proved that the woman's prayers were answered. The baby was born as the first child and first grandchild in the woman's family. The baby was very much loved by their family. However, the baby's luck wasn't much either. The baby grew up with a mediocre life. Even this couple could not buy milk for their daughter. They have to owe money to the stall so that the baby can eat. The couple also had to delay paying their rent because they were penniless. Fortunately the landlord was kind to them. Life is so unfair to them, but they decided to live it happily. Lots of laughs the baby gave them. Lots of joy was created. Also too much sorrow and trouble.

Time goes fast. Now the little girl is more than 2 years old. and unexpectedly God also added one more angel in the woman's stomach. During their pregnancy, this couple was given more fortune by God to make a place to live beside the rented house they live in. This is all thanks to their tireless hard work. All the sweat they put into it ended up producing a stunning result. The house was solidly built and slowly finished. Their second child was born when the house was finished and it's a girl. Household equipment was also filled one by one. Unfortunately, the happiness didn't last long, their business went bankrupt, so they had to start their fortune in other fields. From selling medicines, working as an employee, selling beauty products they do, but that is not enough to meet their daily needs.

Because many of their efforts were unsuccessful, their savings were slowly depleting. Moreover, because they build houses, they spend a lot of capital and have money for incidentals. The family's needs also grew more and more, until finally their money ran out. One day, the man asked the woman to talk. "I have the money for us to open a new business," he said, while holding ten million rupiah. "Where did you get it from?" she replied. "Yesterday I borrowed it from my co-worker. He said just use it, we can replace it at any time." the man explained. "Seriously? Thank God.... your friend is so kind," said the grateful woman. "Then let's just open a food business, you like to cook, and your cooking is delicious. We can also look after the children at home. I'll help with shopping and serving customers, you just have to cook. We can use the money we have to buy equipment and rent a place first." said the man. "Okay, I hope the business goes well and lasts a long time. Also, I will ask mak to help me cook." replied the woman. 

Finally after thorough preparations they ventured to open a new business, namely "Warung Makan Kita Bersama". The business was a success. Their restaurant is always crowded because of its strategic location close to a campus in the West Jakarta area. Delicious food and very affordable prices and suitable for students are the reason their restaurant is busy. Their business continues to grow until they have many employees. They are increasingly successful and can afford their secondary and tertiary needs. Their children were given a very good and expensive education. They often shop at the mall, travel out of town, and eat delicious food. All that thanks to the prayers of the great woman. But unfortunately, the man did not realize that everything he achieved was not only from hard work but also from prayer. So far he has been lazy to do his duty as a Muslim. He often leaves prayers, does not fast in Ramadhan, and leaves other obligations as a Muslim. This is the biggest challenge for the woman, she feels it is her responsibility because she has changed the man's belief in religion. They often argue because the man is never grateful for what he has earned. The woman also never stops telling the man to do his duty. They often fight in front of their children and make them feel traumatic. For more than 20 years they were married, the problem never ended. The older their children were, the more commotion there was. Who were two children they didn't understand then grew up and knew a lot of things. Slowly the minds of the two children opened and they knew what was wrong and right.

"Haven't you noticed? Our current condition is not only because of our hard work, but also because of my prayers!" shouted the woman. Their two children who were studying at home were startled by the scream. "What's the matter? Why are you two fighting?" asked the eldest child. "Bapak, he doesn't want to pray and says that our business is successful only because of hard work. I'm tired of telling him and he never realized." said the woman angrily. "Pak, please listen to what ibu said. Why did you send us to a religious school but instead you don't obey religion?" said the eldest. The man fell silent. "See, your bapak doesn't even know how to defend himself. Ibu has repeatedly told bapak, ibu has given an example, it's still the same. Maybe it's my fault that made him change religion, maybe bapak changed religion not because of his heart, but because of me." said the woman with teary eyes. While crying, the eldest said "Be patient bu, there will be time. Bapak is not yet aware because from inside he has no intention to change. Now, ibu just pray that bapak will realize soon before it's too late." They ended the fight. The man was still silent hearing the words of his eldest daughter who he just realized was that the child was an adult now. 

A week passed. Neither waves nor storms come upon this family. the atmosphere of peace and quiet after last week's debate. The woman was in the restaurant, serving customers. Today the customers were not as busy as usual, there were only a few people. Suddenly, three men with big bodies and dark clothes broke down the door of the restaurant. "Where's that guy!" one of them shouted. "What's going on? Who dares to make a fuss here!" said the frightened woman. "Where is your husband? I want to ask for the money he borrowed, he promised to repay it today!". snapped the big man. "My husband? When did he borrow from a moneylender like you?" asked the woman. "You don't know or are you playing stupid? He used the money to open this restaurant!" said the moneylender in a loud voice. The restaurant is a mess, all the customers are running scared. With trembling hands, the woman tried to contact the man. "Hello, can you come here now?" asked the woman while holding back tears. "What's wrong? Is there a problem?" the man asked back. "I want an explanation from you now! Come here quickly!" shouted the woman. The moneylender and the woman await the arrival of the man. The woman was scared while holding her cell phone. The moneylender asks for coffee and relaxes.

In a hurry the man came. The loan moneylender stood up and crossed their arms. "Well, here he is. Where's the money you promised? It's time." they charge the money. "Sorry, I just got this." the man gave them one million rupiah. "What the heck, one million! All you borrow is twenty million with interest of five million, so the total is twenty-five million." charge the moneylender. "I promise on Sunday I will pay off everything. So please I beg you to go now." said the man. "Okay, if you don't pay it off as promised, I will confiscate this restaurant." the moneylender threatened.

With a body that was still shaking, the woman asked and asked for an explanation. "I didn't expect it, why are you lying? and why can't you pay off all your loans?" said the woman. "I don't want to see you suffer, when we didn't have any money saved at that time, I felt sorry for you. My aim is good, I do all this so that we can rise from our difficulties." the man explained. "Then why can't you pay back the money? We have savings," asked the woman while wondering. "I want to admit everything, in fact I have sinned very much, I am addicted to gambling and lost big. I used our savings money secretly to gamble, and I was cheated yesterday." the man explained. "Why are you so mean to your family? Since when have you gambled? So this is the reason you find it difficult to worship?" said the woman with great disappointment. "Sorry, I made a mistake. I was only invited to try. The first time I was invited by my friend was when our business was before this restaurant was established. The money used to build this business was actually only 10 million. But because I was greedy, I borrowed 20 million and the rest I used to gamble." said the man. "I didn't expect you to let your wife and children be like this. Why are you sending your children to religious schools with money that is not lawful? They must be sad to hear that. Now what should we do?" said the woman. "I will try to maintain this restaurant first. We still have 10 million in savings, the rest I will seek loans from our closest people or friends." said the man. "Fine, I'll help, but I want you to repent from gambling. Tell the truth to your children, apologize to them, do your worship duty to God." asked the woman. "Okay, I will do it. sorry for my mistakes." replied the man.

The man went straight home to his children to apologize. "I'm sorry, nak. I have made a fatal mistake. I feel guilty." said the man with embarrassment. "What's wrong with you, pak?" asked the youngest. "I have lied to your mother, I have also used our savings for things that are not true, from now on I promise to correct all my mistakes." said the man. "Don't just promise in your mouth, pak." said the eldest. " I'm sorry, nak. I will do better."

After a few days of the incident, the man and woman looked for a loan, it was very difficult for them to find a loan, coupled with the shame they had to endure. Luckily they got a loan from their family and managed to maintain the restaurant. Their business with the moneylender is over. They started fixing things one by one. The man has started to pray diligently, their business has begun to rebuild and become bustling. And most importantly, their family has become warmer and more complete. The storm they were going through slowly calmed down. The rhythm of the sea, which was previously hit by lots of big waves, has now become a calm rhythm with a calm wind.