This Old Mother Was So Cheering in Silence
It was a regular day; nothing was so special to tell you about. I woke up early like 5 AM and hardly saw my roommate bedded down in his pulpy bun after suhoor. However, I don’t know how, but it was already 6 AM all of a sudden. Well, I found out that I just fell asleep for the second time.
Such a dizzy morning. Then, I continued to brush my teeth, take a bath, and get prepared. Everything was so dull and normal. It took about an hour and a half before I walked out at a snail’s pace.
Closing the front gate, I met old women talking to each other; one of them was a deep-fried Indonesian-Javanese savory cracker seller — pedagang rempeyek in Indonesian ehehe — with her blue chariot.
I don’t even know if that was a common form of chariot for crackers’ sellers when I thought it was more likely to shape like traditional vegetable ones. The time I came closer to her chariot, she took someone’s order and brought it to a house aside. I think she had already noticed me too by looking back.
I was staring at the crackers served, looking for the tastiest savory cracker because there are lots of types whereas I just familiarized myself with rempeyek — or we simply say peyek in Indonesia.
Then, someone said quietly while leaning against the wall of her house “Take it for IDR 12.500, kid.” The only information that I was looking for without asking how much is it. I responded without hesitating, “Yes please, mam. I take this one.” BUT, the conversation was delayed for a second because, it turned out later on, she wasn’t the seller 😅. I was too enthusiastic to eat this traditional cracker and didn’t even notice who’s the seller.
It took only a few seconds for her to catch me back; the one true seller heard our conversation, and then she came closer with a big smile. Almost caught laughing if I was not mistaken 😅
She talked for a moment with little giggles. Also, she asked if I was fasting or not as well. Then, I responded, “My apologies. I am not Muslim, mam.” I felt no offense because this is Ramadan. This is surely a special occasion for her with other Muslims for fasting.
I was pretty sure too that she wanted to give a piece of advice if I was a Muslim and about to brake the rule during this holy month; not forbidding or harshly commenting on people’s privacy.
That made me love the way she asked; the tone was so low, and attentively listened to my responses. Maybe, she was afraid too if I found that offensive or it was just the angel personality she has. “Bless you, mam” I murmured in very low decibels.
During the transaction, she told me that I had only paid for net IDR 12k. Her face is still full of joy while giving me a discount. I took out my money and have no small amount of money. I gave her IDR 50k. But you know what? She gave back IDR 40k as the change. A little bit surprised and I won’t be exaggerating. It really was. She continued “That’s okay. Just take it☺️”
I sensed her kindness and the joy she shared through her smile. Speechless; we stared at each other for a moment. Her look and nod also seemed so convincing. Wondering why she transferred me this at the very right time. She even talked with a high speech-level of Javanese. It was just me or she was really talking like that? I meant, is she coming from Central Java? It’s very typical old people there. I don’t remember the whole speech because of her charm. No wonder people say “Happiness is contagious.”
It was until that moment, I continued to the office full of contentment. I feel engaged and exist within my society. Now, I really think that good people are around us; waiting for the right time to motivate. Upon my arrival, I shared this untold story behind the “savory crackers” with my friends. It’s uniting. A pleasant moment for everybody.
