CHASING THE LOVE OF A HANDSOME CEO

The 1998 tragedy

Life is like a spinning wheel

It won't stop until God stops it

But man, man,

He could not choose the life he wanted

Jakarta, 1998

"Bruuuuk!!!" 

 

Rashid dropped his body on the couch after coming home from work, his body lethargic and looking tired. He carried a heavy load from the office. Seeing her husband exhausted, Nengsih immediately approached her while bringing a glass of warm coffee to relieve fatigue. The heat of the Metropolitan city does make anyone feel tired and sultry. Especially considering the many conflicts that have occurred in these years. The May 1998 riots, for example, were racial riots against ethnic Chinese that occurred in Indonesia on May 14-May 15, especially in the capital city of Jakarta. The riots were started by the Asian financial crisis and triggered by the Trisakti tragedy in which four Trisakti students were shot and killed in democracy on May 12, 1998. This also resulted in the decline of President Soeharta and the inauguration of B. J. Habibie. 

In this riot many shops and companies were destroyed by the mob, especially belonging to Chinese Indonesians. The largest concentration of riots occurred in Jakarta, Medan and Surakarta. Hundreds of Chinese women were raped and sexually abused in the riots. Some were even gang-raped, brutally persecuted, and then murdered.

In 1997, the rupiah moved outside of normal pakem. The rupiah is not only negative, but more than that. Rupiah moving stagger. Then in September 1997, the Jakarta Stock Exchange (currently the Indonesia Stock Exchange) prostrated at its lowest point. The consequences in that year were declared as the beginning of the monetary crisis. As a result, hundreds of companies ranging from small-scale to conglomerates collided. About 70 percent more companies listed in the capital market suddenly insolvent status aka bankruptcy. The industrial, manufacturing and banking sectors were the hardest hit sectors. So the risk of continuation is the birth of a wave of termination of employment or PHK. Unemployment has soared to levels unprecedented since the late 1960s - about 20 million people, or 20 percent more than the employment rate.

"Drink first, Pa." Nengsih offered a glass of drink to her husband. 

"Thank you," answered Rashid coldly as he picked up the glass filled with water. 

"I've worked for this company for many years, but I've never had a conflict this bad, Nengsih."

"Patience, there is wisdom. We're gonna face this together, we're gonna get through this together."

"Hans was a kid, Nengsih. How his school will continue, while I can no longer provide him with the best facilities to meet his needs. Especially the school needs. There's no way I'm letting him bear the burden of life, he's still too small to understand this situation."

"We will speak slowly to our firstborn, God willing Hans will understand his condition."

"It won't be that easy, Nengsih. His life will turn around with his life all this time, I've lost my job."

"I'm gonna try to find a chance that we're gonna have to go through this together. Hans our son, our firstborn."

"I can hardly believe everything that happened to me, but it just happened like a gust of wind."

"It's not just you who's having this problem, it's a joint problem. This is a problem that happens to our nation."

"I am the head of the family, in an instant I have to fall. My three children will endure all this suffering, I am a useless father, Nengsih. I'm no longer useful to them."

"You are my husband, married to you not because of your position. Whatever happens to you, I'm willing to run it all. Do not feel alone or useless anymore, because as a wife my duty is to be by your side. Support everything that happens to you, help all your difficulties."

"God is very kind, sending you in my life. Nengsih, thank you for always being with me. I'll try to give my best and find a way out of the problems that have befallen us."

"Rest, Hans will be home soon. Whatever happens, we must show a calm face. Let this problem happen, children do not need to know the difficulties of their parents,"

Rashid kissed his wife's forehead, he passed leaving the living room towards the room. Hot and tired make his mood warm up at that time, lucky Nengsih present to calm and give encouragement to him. Not long after Rashid's departure, Hans emerged from behind the door of his house.

"Assalamu'alaikum, "he said as he opened his shoes behind the door. 

"Wa'alikum salam. Uh, Mama's son is home."

Hans kissed Nengsih's hand, then Nengsih kissed his eldest's forehead. A tough and amazing boy, he had the passion and persistence that his father had inherited. Ambitious and selfish is a character that has been seen since childhood. Lazily, Hans gave a piece of paper to Nengsih.

"Well, mama will see. Now you rest, change clothes and do not forget to wash your feet first. Pollution outside is not good for skin health, a lot of germs."

"Good, Ma."

Hans left Nengsih, Nengsih opened a letter from the school. Notification letter of Hans' school fees that must be paid immediately, even though this month did not get salary money from his papa. Let alone severance, monthly salary alone is not paid. Rashid was right, a child as small as Hans had to endure his family problems. Nengsih entered his eldest son's room, it was seen that he was working on his schoolwork.

"Darling, what else?"

"Working PR."

"It's finished yet?"

"Oh, Ma. Why?"

Hans placed the stationery on his desk staring at his mother's face. How fragile that face is. Hans grabbed the mother's pretty face with a sad look.

"Mom's gonna talk, shall you?"

"Of course, what?"

"Hans loves Mama and Papa, right?"

Hans frowned his tiny forehead. The tone of the question was like a grief. Something was stored up, but the mother was reluctant to come clean.

Without making the mother confused, Hans plainly answered the question. It was hard to give the right answer to her mother.

"Yes, of course. Why did Mama ask that?"

"It's okay, Mama just feels that after this Hans will grow up to be an independent child no longer need Mama or Papa."

"Later, if Hans's older, Ma. Surely there will be no one more Hans dear than Mama and Papa."

"Hans, from now on life will change son. For that Hans must be more patient and more economical in finance. Mama has read the letter, later if there is money you will deliver to school."

"Well, is there, Ma?"

"Hans, the wheel of our lives is being turned around by God. That's why you have to be stronger and more patient in running it."

"Why, Ma?"

"Son, because of the monetary crisis that hit our country, Papa was also affected. Last afternoon Papa was fired from the company without being given a salary, let alone severance. Papa's company went bankrupt, so it had to expel its workers including Papa."

"Papa's love, Hans promised to help Papa."

"I'm sorry Mama, you have to take the family's suffering because of this. Your sisters are very young to be involved in this situation."

"Just take it easy, Hans will study diligently and vigorously. In order for Hans to get a scholarship and not to trouble Mama and Papa."

"Oh my God, son. Thank you for making Mama proud to have you."

"Hans is proud to have a mother. Mama don't be sad, don't cry anymore, Hans is there for Mama."