My dear Siomay

New employee

"Let's go, Brother!", Erna woke me from the daydream. After the cockroach, I didn't know what to do. It will be even more difficult to get a buyer as usual again.

Erna and I stepped into the taxi waiting in front of the house. We took the taxi and headed straight to the store. Along the way while looking at the scenery outside, I did not stop thinking of ways to make buyers want to come back to buy siomay at my shop. Erna looked at my gelagat that looked troubled.

"So Isna, don't think too much, then we can promote on social media, now we make an interesting video that shows the beauty of our store, so that people come back to believe in us and buy siomay again",Erna offers a solution.

"Yes, my brother is still worried about our shop. Your idea is good too, we made the video today yuk!", I try to get back excited.

"Ok, of course. Well, this is what Erna likes from Sister Isna, always excited", Erna while smiling.

"We must always be upbeat and never give up, eager!", in a loud voice, I clenched my hand.

"Well, the Mbanya is very passionate, I really like people who are always excited", the taxi driver said with a smile looking at my behavior.

Erna and I looked at each other and smiled at each other. This journey will not feel heavy if we are with people who always support us to be better.

We arrived in front of the shop. After the taxi stopped, we got out and immediately gave the driver money. I saw a waitress who helped us catch Ani and her friend yesterday.

"You're the waiter who helped us yesterday, right?what is it?", Erna immediately reprimanded the man. He seemed happy to know Erna was coming with me.

"I want to apply for a job at this store. Yesterday I heard Mba needed a new employee, so I wanted to apply to work here. Here's the proposal", the waiter gave me a chocolate map.

"Didn't you work in a restaurant?", I asked the tall man. I opened the map and I saw the contents of the proposal.

"I've been fired because of yesterday's incident, so now I'm applying here" the man replied.

"I do need employees but this store is empty of buyers, so maybe I can not accept you as an employee here, sorry", I return the application he gave.

"But Mba I was in need of a job to finance my college" the man pleaded.

"I'm also confused how to pay you if you work here with the condition of this shop that is quiet buyers" I confided a little.

"I am ready to make this store again crowded, provided I can be accepted in this store", the man made an offer with confidence.

"Are you serious about what you said?", I doubted the man's intentions.

"I'm serious, Mb. Does Mba agree with what I'm talking about?", the man asked.

"Ok,deal, I will accept you as a new employee on the condition that you have to make this store filled with siomay buyers, if it does not mean you have to apply elsewhere",I started to get excited and curious about the man's offer. Strange man, do what he wants to sacrifice for a shop that wants to go bankrupt, even though this store is not his and actually I am also confused by the payment of wages.

"Eh, he forgot from yesterday, I want to know what your name is?", I just remembered an important thing that I forgot.

"My name is Rendi, I'm 22 years old, my hobby is writing, the type of girl I like exactly like my sister Mba.....",Rendi while smiling at Erna who felt uneasy when her name was mentioned, but I immediately stopped before she was far away telling me things that were not related to work.

"Stop!means your name is Rendi yes, now we enter the tavern and we continue inside!", I take the key from the pocket and open the shop door. After it opened, the three of us entered and I allowed Rendi to sit on the chair.

"There are a few things I have to talk about with you again", me and Erna while sitting next to each other.

"By, I'm ready to be interviewed", Rendi looks ready.

"Sir, Erna wants to prepare siomay first", Erna asked me for permission.

"Yes, first warmed siomay also others, Brother with Rendi first yes".

"What is your motivation for working here?", I started with the first question.

"My motivation, as I said, is that I need money to go to college".

"Why did you choose this store when this store is empty of buyers?and could your salary be small if this tavern keeps quiet?".

"I....i .want to try to find something I want".

"What are you looking for?", I was curious.

"A friend".

I felt strange about Rendi's answer.

"So you're proposing here to find a friend?", I raise my eyebrows next to a sign of suspicion.

"Oh, I mean looking for a friend to accompany me to eat siomay together", answered Rendi more strange.

"It's important that I apply at this store because I feel comfortable with you guys and it makes me want to work here", Rendi looks sincere saying this.

"Where does your address go?how many brothers of yours?.....", various questions about Rendi I deliberately asked, to know her more deeply. Rendipun can answer all questions without hesitation. Last time I said something really important.

"I hope that what you have answered is not a lie, I am still traumatized by Ani aka Sonia, so make sure you tell me the truth, ok.

"I'm not lying about the data about myself, I guarantee it!", Rendi with certainty.

"Then now that we're filming first, can we start Erna?", I asked Erna about her plans to make a video.

"Ok, Erna take the siomaynya yes, let all of you in the video", Erna while going to take the siomay that is in the pot and arrange it well to look appetizing.

We shared a video with a directive from Erna. Rendipun helped. I started trying again from the beginning. It's like resetting the beginning of a cell phone. The data on the phone is deleted and replaced with a new one. So does my dear Siomay shop that damaged its image in the eyes of people and we also try to remove all bad opinions by trying our best.

When I finished making the video, I asked Rendi about the idea that would make the buyer come.

"What brand are you going to do to attract customers?", I asked Rendi.

"Mba don't need to know, anyway tomorrow guaranteed many buyers who come here to buy siomay", Sendi kept secret the idea that will do.

"Seriously yes!", I while taking my vibrating phone. I saw a call from Tio. I stood up and exited the tavern so that my conversation would not be heard by Rendi and Erna.

"Hallo,assalamu'alaikum!", Tio said his greetings.

Greetings wa'alaikum!what's up Tio?", While looking at the streets passed by cars and motorcycles.

"Isna, I can't celebrate our wedding like I want to, forgive me!", Tio in a sad tone.

"What's wrong?".

"I am now poor!can you still accept me?our marriage is just a few months away".

"You mean we can't get married?", I was surprised.