Malay Romance Zaman Now
4. Vawi
The operators of the stalls have not been independent if the hours are like today because Pol-PP is still alert to carry out state duties. No wonder, if the sun is not over the head, the traders have not calmed down to open the stall because they are worried that their stalls will be evicted. At the hot time, that's when the trading tickle started to go to *******. This is how Rama and Vio felt. They will be disturbed if they still see the Pol-PP Unit car is still entrenched around the market. They once sold shoes at Kiagus. Often the three of them were scattered to clean the lapaknya when the officers began to do sweeping, sweeping, as well as cleaning the road from the wild stalls. And if the officers are no longer visible in front of the eyes, they begin to hold the stall again. Keep happening. And that goes for those who run wild stalls on the road.
If it was safe, the three of them began to breathe a sigh of relief while enjoying red bean ice and waiting for buyers to alight at their place of sale. Because now is the entry of new teachings, Rama and Vio have the opportunity to do business “open nama”. The point is that they offer for those who want to make “wordan nam” for school uniforms, which is located on the left chest, and also “lordan location” located on the side of the sleeve, for example: MI. Hijriyah II Palembang, SMP Negeri 7 Palembang. The trick is that they keep opening the wild stall by capitalizing on examples of embroidery and offering it to passers-by.
“School uniform name. School location, Mom, Sir.”
The location of their stall around Radenmat store and far enough from the place to make embroidery or sewing machine located near Dika. Their work is not to make embroidery stitches but only as an intermediary. Because often wara-wiri, their existence is dubbed “Wa-wi”. Actually Wawi only second-level positions because there are more high positions. His work was limited: offer, negotiate, then record the writing to embroidery, and leave the task to Wawi, then the errand boy headed to the embroidery, wait a while, and then the errand, then go back to the store and hand over the ordered items. As for the price per unit, it depends.
Yes, depending on the advantages of economics and business and tactical expertise in providing bid prices from the Wawi, and from the boss of course. If the boss offers one name that is five thousand rupiah, and the consumer also shakes the boss' hand, then the boss's profit is three thousand five hundred. The problem for profit, this is also the case of the MoU of the boss and the Wawi. From that profit could be the boss of two thousand and the Wawi of one thousand and five hundred. Not infrequently meet the cunning Wawi. And not infrequently also meet the boss who is very sneaky.
By the way, such a sneaky matter can be linked to Vio. He repeatedly told Rama to become Wawi. For Rama who is cool not acting, certainly do not want to be made a man by Vio who is thin and frail.
Rama tells Vio to become Wawi. He landed his ass in a cheap plastic chair. Vio forced Rama to repeat his talk because the talk was swallowed by the market crowd. It seems that Vio only pretends not to hear because he pinched the ears and brought it closer to the mouth of Rama.
“What was that? What?”
“You'll be Wawi!”
Vio stomped his feet while grumbling, “Kurasa, I am good at marketing. And you, Ram, I think you're a little bit clueless about marketing.”
Not wanting to lose, Rama cheered while rubbing his chin, “You are nimble when running. Keep getting tired easily. So you deserve to work pacing.”
Feeling praised, when in fact it is a mockery, Vio understands how to defend the truth, “You know how to save time, Ram. Automatic babu department it's worth it for you!”
Vio smothered his mouth because he was aware of his talk. Wawi is basically similar to Babu. It could be dangerous if the grunts were heard by the Wawi. You know what the character of the market is. Especially the Palembang people. It's gonna mess up his business.
“I'm more handsome,” exclaim Rama without any nervousness.
“I'm older.”
The cunning is already beginning to be seen here. By taking advantage of age issues. Fuck up!
“The older one is more experienced.”
Conclusion: Vio is Wawi.
Rama cheers, “Like what Wong Palembang said: smart people are defeated by cunning people – sneaky people are defeated by fared people.”
***
Rama's shoulder rested on the wall of the clothing store. Not angry with the store owner because he was familiar and often chatted. His hand was leaning against the table from the wooden board he had made with Vio. Around the table are pasted examples of embroidery of school names and locations. The pen he was holding was repeatedly hit on the table, while watching to the right. Aunty was standing not far from Rama's seat. Almost a quarter of an hour he waited for the order of the name embroidery for his son, his name: Angga Setiawan. He ordered two white ones and one brown one for the Scout outfit. The location of the school: SMP Negeri 5 Palembang, and the number is the same as before. He paid five thousand rupiahs per unit. So Rama and Vio are happy not to play get more benefits.
Workers like Rama and Vio are not few in number for the time being. So actually they also have to understand how to compete in the business world. Moreover, they already know each other and are friends. They both have to be smart to attract consumers and importantly can provide satisfactory service to their customers. Sometimes they get scorn and criticism from their customers because the service is lacking and certainly they must accept all of it because it has become their obligation. And for aunt who was tired of waiting for this too. She complains, “Lama nian, Dik. Aunty want fast nah.”
Rama stood up while rubbing his forehead. “A minute, Bi.”
“That's it, Bi, has come.”
Vio walked speeding and swerving in the middle of the traffic. Gasping for breath he approached the field. “Sorry for a long time, it was there crowded nian,” he said nonsense.
Rama took the embroidery that had been wrapped neatly with clear plastic from Vio's hands.
“Once again sorry yes, Bi, lama,” he said slowly.
Rama thrust the chair he had occupied to Vio. He saw Vio who looked tired. Rama intends to buy rice packs after work today for his best friend. He can't bear it, really can't. Vio has been pacing five times and the money obtained is not enough to meet his daily nutrition. Therefore, Rama was not hearty, could not bear. How can an orphaned bachelor meet his daily needs and his mother at home? So a Wawi anyway. Really, many people can be friends, but not necessarily like the two of them. In the heart of Rama is stored an affection of friendship of infinite value which he felt the distress felt by the person he saw today.
Many friends are only good in the face, but behind the dagger that cuts him. Or face in front, but behind—cuss, scrape all the bad, uncover all the disgrace, look for weakness, look for the fault of his best friend, then share to the people. Many people say best friend, but can not afford to royal in a friend. Many people say best friend, but to them: my money is my money. Many people say best friend, but always there when his friend jaya, while if again down, scram out of nowhere. Many people say best friend, but there are happy-happy times, if again destitute, far iron from rust. He looked at Vio again. Add more smell felt. He promised himself that he must be sincere in his friendship. There is no term “lancip” alias always want to suck, so parasitic, a little troublesome others. And also there is no term “tipis” alias always want to win and just feel good. No, not really! Rama promised to be sincere to his friend. Rama is now Wawi. His voice was disdainful with fellow Wawi in front of the rows of shophouses. Repeatedly he offered what he peddled, repeatedly also sahutan it became the wind and then-pass. Sometimes he jokes with fellow Wawi, telling stories about what happened this afternoon. They exchanged ideas. Sometimes they argue about the price they offer.
“I sometimes give a price of three thousand if kept,” said Yanto.
Well, it will break the market price, Rama's mind.
“We are usually five thousand. But if someone takes a lot, sometimes we give four thousand,” explained Rama.
Yanto was forced to lower the price because he rarely got customers. So he had to damage the market price in order to pocket the rupiah. At least for Yanto can eat this lunch and buy something for the night. The fate of the bachelor who was only able to run the nine-year compulsory education program was also the same as Rama and Vio. And he couldn't do much to find another job because he didn't have a white-gray diploma.
Yanto House is located in Seberang Ulu, precisely at 10 Ulu. If you want to go to Market 16, he can walk through Ampera Bridge. He likes to ride a ketek boat across the Musi River because 10 Ulu is right across from 16 Ilir. That's not as good a fate as Rama and Vio. Yanto has no vehicle to go. He is very happy with the months of May, June, July and August. Suddenly a man in his 40s with his daughter approached Rama and asked him what the price was per fruit. Rama turned towards Yanto who was not far from where he was standing. With little hesitation Rama replied, “Five thousand, Mang.”
“Mahal. Can less, dak?”
Suddenly Yanto approached while railing, “Sini, Mang, same I three thousand.”
The fathers were surprised, then saw Yanto who was holding a piece of paper and pen ready to record the name of his son and the origin of his school. The total number of six pieces of embroidery. Appreciable. After that Yanto was flushed towards the embroidery place, breaking through the crowd, screaming in the midst of the hustle and bustle of hundreds of people, passing dozens of storefronts and weathered wild, struggling to race against time. And Yanto arrived at the embroidery. There are six tailors there who are ready to serve the Wawi. With a sting and sweating, Yanto thrust his note to one of the seamstresses who was empty. Some time he talked to the tailor and asked that his order be more expedited. He sat for a while near the entrance, taking a deep breath before returning to run after the deposit. After nearly ten minutes, it finally finished also the embroidery of his order. He paid nine thousand rupiah.
Yanto ran hard until he was stranded…..
“This, Mang,” said Yanto while giving the plastic wrap.
Vio who had known that Yanto just turned around Rama, became angry. He approached Yanto with a look of no acceptance. Hands pointing.
“You can't be like that, To!”
“What is with me?” Yanto tried to resist. Even he glared and pretended not to know while counting his hard-earned money: nine thousand rupiah!
But Rama called Vio. “Again he just got twice, pity him.”
If not for Rama, it could be that Vio is fighting with Yanto who is actually not a good way to do business. As a comrade, Rama casually accepted all of that. Moreover, this kind of thing has happened often. So it's not weird anymore. Rama tells Vio that if the sustenance is not going anywhere. Not only that, actually, Rama had intended to call Yanto to serve the fathers earlier. Yanto nodded, it was no problem for him.
It's hot in the middle of this market, plus there is a hot atmosphere anyway, thought Vio. He was upset with Yanto. Repeatedly Rama said that do not quarrel because of the money that is not how much. Moreover, it will cover all devices in tomorrow.
