Is It Possible To Fill This Empty Space In Ourselves?
Chapter 11
Ernest waited a long time before the door opened again. Milar returned with a stack of newspapers in hand as well as someone who was dressed very neatly and fashionably where Ernest remembered as the person in charge of his test a few days ago.
“Mr Gatra,” greet Ernest.
“You arrived early.”
“I hope it gives a good impression.”
Gatra smiled in response. Ernest thought it was a good sign.
“No problem if you directly work now?”
Ernest was stunned to hear the direct question, hesitating and wondering why there was no discussion of a written contract between them. Or is this job the same level as a freelancer who does not require a contract?
“Ya,” replied Ernest serene—for a while get rid of his doubts first, “I can directly work.”
Mr. Gatra sent for Milar to give a pile of newspapers to Ernest and take something from the front pocket of his suit, “you just need to send a newspaper to every written address and collect the payment.”
Ernest picked up the stockpile of newspapers Milar handed over, “let me collect payment?” tanyanya is not sure because it feels strange with the responsibility given it.
“Ya, is there a problem?”
“No.”
Mr. Gatra gave a paper containing a list of addresses to him, “after finishing back here for further confirmation.”
“How much is the price for this one newspaper?”
“40 Flo.”
Ernest nodded in understanding, “then I go,” he said slowly.
“Use this,” saw Ernest wanted to go Mr. Gatra immediately stopped him and handed over an identifier with a rope that could be hung around the neck, “you need it to get into some housing.”
Ernest took the card and hung it around his neck before nodding and turning away to run his first job after more than half a month of relaxing.
*
“What's the matter of letting that person just like that without making a contract first Sir?”
The man who had turned mid-30 glanced at his employee who asked.
“How about he runs away with all the money earned?” milar could not hide his doubts any longer.
“Because of that now we test it.”
“It's not safer to sign it first?”
“Even if there is a contract now if he escapes where we want to look?” reply to Gatra with rhetorical questions.
Milar was silent for a moment, looking at the thought, “then why keep hiring him Pak?”
“He has an identity with an army mark, we can try to give him a chance first and see it.”
“So.”
“Go open the door and window, it's almost time to open,” his command to Milar before turning back to the door he passed earlier.
“Siap Pak.”
There is another reason why he did the test with the risk of losing some money it—again the amount of money it will not cause too big a loss for him, he said, last night he managed to contact his friend in the North to ask for the authenticity of Ernest's identity. It gave Gatra more courage to trust the young man.
This job actually does not have much risk so it requires absolute trust, only if someone does something bad using the identification mark given to each employee here it will make the name of the company tarnished.
He did not want that to happen, let alone his company just opening a branch here and yet having a strong foothold among the people. The rich families here would take whatever loopholes there would be if something happened and Gatra could not let them have that chance.
This book and newspaper printing company is not only to benefit from the establishment of public schools and the increasing need for literacy in Lutua Regency. The main purpose of establishing branches outside the state capital was to initiate the Paxa plan in integrating news and information from across the country.
Actually there is a local newspaper here that usually contains news that occurs in the district with occasional news in the far reaches of the province can be included, it's just that the time between occurrence and spread of an event will have a very long difference. It will interfere with and distort decisions that may need to be taken.
Receiving the news and spreading it in the fastest and most accurate time possible is one of the missions that must be carried out to realize the main objectives of the Kolfan Company.
So, there should be no stains that tarnish the name of this company here so as not to cause problems in the future.
*
Out of the building, Ernest pulled over to a quieter place and took out a paper containing a list of addresses given by Mr. Gatra earlier and found that the writing on it was printed with a typewriter. To own a printing press and a typewriter, the poor young man could not seem to imagine the wealth that the bookstore and printing shop owner had.
There were more than 30 addresses he saw as Ernest traced a series of letters and numbers on the paper. Most are in one area with different numbers. A house with a very clear address is a house that is in the area of rich people and is located.
Ernest had heard of it from Arsyana and generally knew the way to the address. Looking up to see that the morning orange had disappeared and the sky had turned a cool blue, Ernest stuffed the paper into his pants pocket before running in the direction that was his destination.
It took him more than a quarter of an hour before he saw the iron gate and the great wall that became one of the entrances to the elite housing. There was a guard post inside the gate whose position was able to watch out for the entry and exit of a person.
Ernest thought about what to do to be able to enter so that he had subconsciously stared at the huge gate for quite a while.
“Who are you?!”
Ernest was thrown out of his mind in shock at the stern and rude question that was thrown. He saw someone standing and watching him in front of the gate of the guard post.
“I am Ernest, a worker from the publisher Kolfan and want to deliver newspapers!” ernest immediately explained his identity and purpose.
The supervisor continued to look at him with a judging gaze before walking over and standing behind the gate despite not opening it, “publisher Kolfan changed his newspaper introduction?”
“This is my first day at work,” saw that the supervisor was still suspicious Ernest remembered the hanging identification and immediately removed the object from his neck and handed it to the supervisor from between the gates.
Ernest was nervous, but his face remained calm from the outside.
In the end the supervisor came out with the key in his hand, “why isn't Milar anymore delivering newspapers?” ask the supervisor while opening the gate.
Seeing the movement made Ernest feel relieved, “from what I know they have indeed been looking for workers to deliver this newspaper long enough and Milar only made a temporary delivery until someone else came.”
“Call right, so you ‘other people’ it?”
“Ya.”
The key opened and one of the gates was pulled in so as to make room for passage, the person gave a sign for Ernest to enter.
“Thank you,” said Ernest calmly after passing through the gate.
“You can take your identifier when you want to go outside.”
“Ah,” Ernest was a little surprised to hear that setting, but also felt it made sense with it, “so.”
“Milar didn't explain it to you?” ask the supervisor to investigate but sound lighter—maybe the identity card has slightly dispelled the previous suspicions.
“They did tell me that I needed that identifier to get into some of the addresses I was going to.”
“It is indeed a rule for outsiders and want to enter unaccompanied from the person living here.”
“I think it makes sense,” murmured Ernest who felt the rule was suitable for housing rich people, “then excuse me sir, I should send this immediately.”
“Can you read?”
“Ya.”
“Then it is good, there is a guide if you are confused.”
“Thank you Sir,” saw that person waving casually Ernest nodded and immediately went towards the inner area.
He passed the guard post, seeing that there was someone else there Ernest again gave a short nod as a greeting as he continued walking.
The area through which is still surrounded by many trees and grasses, but the layout is clearly arranged in such a way that it does not give the impression of wild plants on the roadside. This view makes people who see it feel the coolness and natural comfort without showing the wild side of nature itself.
He walked for quite a while before finding the intersection with the street sign, Ernest took out a list of addresses from his pants pocket to see which direction to go first.
Finding several addresses that were in the direction of one of the street pointers, Ernest turned and immediately continued his steps quickly.
*
Arsyana turned her gaze to the open window of the room and left the book on the table neglected even though it was spread out.
The sound of the wind and the screeching of the leaves today somehow sounded much louder than usual, making the illusion that the silence was much stronger than before.
Or maybe it was just his feelings.
Arsyana sighed, realizing the possibility of what made her think so but reluctant to admit it.
Not only was her stubbornness dodging her heart, it was just that the woman knew that if she honestly admitted it would feel like she was deliberately jumping into a dangerous hole.
Loneliness is terrible, no matter how strong you are in the end cannot defeat it.
This is another reason why he always chose to live in isolated places rather than populated areas, humans are too easily bound and he is not an exception.
It only took more than half a month for Ernest's whereabouts to leave a trail of dirtier swords, clothes, and eating utensils that were more than usual a sign so in his absence made the lonely atmosphere thicken here.
“It's annoying,” his low mumble back see the book still open on the table.
Arsyana stared blankly at the page of paper showing a painting of flowers with a series of explanatory words underneath, her hand touching the small pocket watch hanging through the layers of clothes she was wearing.
“I think the symbol suits you.”
Unknowingly the words of the man came back to his mind. More than ten years ago from now. It has been six months since he was ordered to be by the man's side, to protect and watch.
“Farming and strong.”
After one stupid attempted assault from a desperate old rebel who thought he could reverse their plight by killing the country's new leader who was appointed for less than 5 months influence in this rotten government.
“But did you know that dandelion has another meaning?”
That person did not care about her blank response and still told her with a smile.
“People believe that the seeds of a flower that flies are carried away by a gust of wind and stick and then grow back into a new flower is the meaning of friendship of this flower.”
He was hurt for protecting the man and this led him to begin to gain the trust and acceptance of those around him.
“Actually I don't really understand, but I hope that you who come here can cultivate a new friendship with us like a dandelion flower seed that flies and falls elsewhere and grows back there.”
Arsyana no longer remembers whether she said anything at the time, but the thing that now hangs around her neck serves as a reminder that she was once connected to someone else and what kind of ending she had.
He didn't blame her, didn't even have the right to think that way.
The relationship that was established with those people from the beginning was woven with falsehood, then when the truth was revealed it was no wonder that the weave was destroyed and damaged the existing relationship.
Arsyana sighed and smiled small, lonely…
…Whether it is the ending the person wants him to get or the punishment he gives himself.
***
