The morning market was still bustling. The scent of spices, vegetables, and fresh fish mingled in the air. Riri and Marlon sat on a small bench near Bu Siti's stall, occasionally helping to tidy up her merchandise. Romo stood not far from them, observing the market scene with keen interest.
"Ma'am, have you been selling here for a long time?" Marlon asked, breaking the ice.
Bu Siti chuckled softly as she adjusted her headscarf. "A long time, Son. Since chilies were cheap and a thousand rupiahs could buy a lot."
Riri laughed too. "So it's been decades, huh?"
"More or less. I used to sell with my husband. But he's gone now, so I've continued on my own."
Marlon and Riri exchanged a glance before Riri asked gently, "I'm sorry, Ma'am, if I may ask… what happened to your husband?"
Bu Siti sighed, then offered a faint smile. "He was exhausted, dear. He used to drive a pedicab in the morning, help me sell at noon, and still looked for extra work at night. No body can handle that much. Eventually, he got sick and didn't last long."
The conversation paused for a few seconds. Marlon scratched his head, unsure how to respond. Riri bit her lip, her eyes glistening slightly.
"Oh come on, why the long faces?" Bu Siti suddenly laughed and patted Riri's shoulder. "That's life, dear. Sometimes sweet, sometimes bitter. Like the chilies I sell—some are spicy, some aren't. But they all still sell, right?"
Riri smiled, still touched. "Yeah, Ma'am. Do you have children?"
"I do, two. One's already working in the city, the other's still in school. The older one didn't want to pursue higher education, just started working to help the family. But the younger one—I pushed him to stay in school. I don't want him to go through the same hardship I did."
Marlon nodded slowly. "That must be tough, handling everything on your own."
"It is, Son. But if you keep thinking about how hard it is, you won't move forward. So I just keep going, with a smile. If I sell with a grumpy face, customers will run away!"
They all laughed together. The conversation continued in a relaxed manner while around them, the market buzzed with the noise of bargaining and daily hustle.
Romo, who had been quietly listening, finally joined in. "Bu Siti, I'm curious—how did you first start selling here?"
Bu Siti smiled, as if recalling her younger days. "I started very small, dear. At first, I just helped my mother sell rice meals by the roadside. Then I thought, why not try selling on my own? My husband also encouraged it—so we wouldn't rely only on his pedicab income. We began with vegetables, then expanded to kitchen spices. Bit by bit, we got our own stall in this market."
"And all this time, you never thought of quitting?" Romo asked.
Bu Siti laughed, this time a little louder. "Of course I've felt tired, dear. Sometimes I wonder how nice it'd be to take a long rest and not worry about rising prices. But if I stop, who's going to feed my kids?"
Riri nodded in understanding. "So you kept going."
"Yes, dear. I believe sustenance will always come. Even if sometimes I have to rack my brain to survive amidst the competition. This is the market, after all—it has its own tricks."
Marlon raised an eyebrow. "Tricks? What do you mean, Ma'am?"
Bu Siti looked at the three of them and smiled slyly. "You think selling is just about buying and selling? Oh no, dear. Sometimes you have to be smart about pricing, persuasive with customers. Some haggle to absurd levels, others compare prices with the stall next door. If you're not smart, you'll lose money."
Romo, more accustomed to academic discussions, was intrigued. "But isn't that unfair, Ma'am? Manipulating prices like that?"
Bu Siti laughed again. "Oh my, now you sound like a professor! Dear, what in this world is truly fair? If I sell cheaper than the next stall, they'll hate me. If I sell higher, customers run. You have to be clever and find the middle ground."
Riri thought for a moment before responding, "But if customers feel tricked, won't they eventually stop coming?"
Bu Siti shrugged. "Exactly. That's why I never lie. But still, some sellers do. Some start with high prices and lower them if bargained. Others pretend their stock is limited when they actually have plenty in storage. That's the market for you."
Marlon and Riri exchanged glances. Romo seemed deep in thought. They were entering a world far more complex than they had imagined.
"Why are you all so quiet now?" Bu Siti laughed again. "Life is sometimes like selling, dear. If you overthink things, someone else takes your fortune!"
They all laughed in unison. The conversation continued, delving deeper into the paradoxes and gray realities of life and business in the market—an intriguing subject for their research.
Bu Siti looked at the three of them with curiosity. After a moment of silence, she asked, "But tell me, how did you even meet Pak Herman? You seem so... different from the kind of people he usually interacts with. Where did you meet someone like him?"
Marlon and Riri exchanged a quick glance before Marlon responded, "We first met Pak Herman at the city library, Ma'am. At the time, we were looking for books on economics and philosophy—and there he was, reading a similar book. We chatted a little, and over time, we ended up having lots of deep conversations—not just about books, but about life too."
Riri added, "Yes, he's very open. At first, it was just light chats, but eventually we started discussing deeper things—hard work, success, even failure. That's when we became really interested in his life story. He never hesitated to share his experiences, which taught us so much."
Romo, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke in a gentle tone, "Pak Herman's life hasn't been easy, Ma'am. I got to know him through some discussions about philosophy and religion. He teaches a lot—not by preaching, but just by telling his story. That's what drew me to him."
Bu Siti listened intently, then nodded slowly. "So, you know Pak Herman not just for his business, but for the way he sees life and shares his experiences."
Marlon nodded. "Exactly, Ma'am. Sometimes, we learn more from other people's experiences—especially from the mistakes they've made."
Bu Siti fell silent for a moment, looking at each of them in turn. "But how can it be that someone as good as Pak Herman, someone who seems to have learned so much, still ended up struggling? Sometimes I wonder—if God truly sees people who work hard, shouldn't they be given an easier path?"
Riri exhaled softly. "Sometimes it's hard to understand, Ma'am. Life isn't always fair, and we never really know what kind of test God is giving someone. Maybe Pak Herman is being tested to stay strong despite his failures. Sometimes, all we can do is try our best and keep moving forward—even when we don't know what the outcome will be."
Romo added in a deeper voice, "God tests us in ways we don't always understand, Ma'am. Sometimes, difficulties don't mean we've done something wrong—it's part of a process meant to bring us closer to Him. Maybe Mr. Herman is going through a heavy trial right now, and perhaps there's a lesson in it, even if the outcome isn't visible yet."
After a brief silence, Bu Siti glanced back at them, this time with a small smile. "Speaking of business, do you all know how the market's doing these days? It used to be much livelier. People used to help each other more. Now, it feels completely different. Everything's so fast, and people don't really care about working together anymore. In your opinion, what's changed?"
Marlon looked around at the market stalls, many of which had few visitors, and replied softly, "The market really is different now, Ma'am. In the past, people came not just to buy things, but to chat, share stories, and connect with others. It felt like the market was more than just a place of trade—it was a space for learning, meeting, and exchanging information. Now, people just come to buy, pay, and leave. Maybe it's because everything is so convenient these days."
Riri added, "Exactly, and now many vendors sell online, right? They don't even need to come to the physical market anymore. A lot of people prefer modern markets because they're more comfortable. The traditional market used to be full of life and direct interaction, but now many people just prefer shopping through apps."
Romo nodded slowly. "Something's been lost, hasn't it? The market used to feel like a community. People would interact, exchange stories—even share their struggles. But now, with all this technology and convenience, people have become more individualistic. Maybe we've lost some of the social values that traditional markets used to carry."
Bu Siti gave a faint smile. "That's right. In the old days, everyone knew each other. We'd chat while shopping. If someone was struggling, there was always someone ready to help. But now, most people come just to do business. Human interaction has become limited. The friendly market I used to know has become... impersonal."
"So, what do you think made the market become like this?" Marlon asked curiously.
Bu Siti sighed deeply, her eyes gazing at the now-quiet market. "Maybe people are just more focused on personal gain now, Marlon. Back then, people came to the market not only to earn money but to help each other. Now, more and more are only thinking about themselves. If someone needs help, often no one cares. That might be why there's so little interaction left."
Riri, who had been listening intently, finally asked, "Ma'am, if I may ask—are your sales now higher than they used to be, or the opposite? I mean, does the market still bring in as much profit as it did in the past?"
Bu Siti exhaled slowly. "To be honest, Riri, it's harder to sell here now. Sure, there are more buyers, but profits aren't really increasing. Back then, prices were more stable, so even with fewer buyers, our income was enough. Now, prices keep rising, and people often think twice before buying anything."
Riri paused to think, then replied, "Ah, that must be because of inflation, Ma'am. Prices naturally rise over time. That's one of the main reasons why profits shrink even when more items are sold. Inflation keeps driving prices up, so even if you sell more, your earnings don't always keep up with your costs."
Marlon nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Riri's right. Inflation has a big impact. For example, if raw materials used to be cheap, now the prices of basic goods have gone up, and so have production costs. That's what pushes prices up overall. So even if there are plenty of buyers, profit margins still shrink."
Bu Siti furrowed her brow, as if just now understanding. "Oh, so prices go up because of inflation? So it's not just traders setting the prices, but there are other factors beyond our control?"
"That's right, Ma'am," Riri replied. "Inflation has a big influence on the economy, especially for traditional markets. Vendors who try to keep selling at the same old prices really struggle. They have to raise prices just to stay afloat—but when that happens, customers become even more selective."
Bu Siti was quiet for a moment, trying to absorb everything she'd just heard. "Hmm... so this isn't just about greedy traders. There are many factors changing the market, especially inflation, which makes everything more expensive. In that case, we vendors really have to be smart about surviving, huh?"
Romo, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke gently. "Yes, Ma'am. Life is full of changes, and we have to adapt. But it's not easy—especially when the changes are as big as this, like inflation. Still, what matters most is that we hold on to our values, even when the world around us changes."
Bu Siti took a deep breath, her eyes returning to the quiet market. "I really don't know much about economics, kids. What I do know is that prices keep going up—but why is it that the people in my village, the small farmers, are getting poorer? They're the ones doing the hard work—planting, taking care of the land—but their lives just aren't improving. Everything's getting more expensive, but their income stays the same."
Riri listened closely, then answered gently, "That's one of the effects of economic inequality, Ma'am. Inflation drives prices up, but if incomes don't rise too, people struggle. Take small farmers, for example—the price they get for their crops doesn't increase as much as the cost of the tools and supplies they need to farm."
"Exactly," Marlon added. "On top of that, middlemen or distributors often take a big cut, Ma'am. And they're not the ones doing the hard work like the farmers are. That's why goods end up being really expensive for consumers, while the farmers themselves barely make any profit."
Romo, who is usually more quiet, now added softly, "Sometimes, the existing system is unfair, Bu. Some people get huge profits, but many others feel left behind. In Islam, there's a teaching about economic justice, that those who receive blessings should share them fairly. The middlemen who seek too much profit often forget this principle of justice."
Bu Siti nodded slowly, seeming to reflect. "So, if the middlemen seek too much profit, it makes things harder for the farmers, right? They should be more fair in sharing the benefits."
"Exactly," Riri answered, "But the problem is, that's already a common practice, Bu. The traders sometimes get trapped in the system, where higher profits can be made this way. In reality, if everyone could get a fairer share of the profits, the economy could be more sustainable."
Marlon nodded, "Yes, without balance, there will be inequality. Those at the top continue to get more, while those at the bottom remain squeezed."
Bu Siti furrowed her brows, her face slightly tired. "Ah, back in the days, during Pak Harto's time, life was good. Prices were still affordable, everything felt easier. Now, looking at things, it seems like it's getting harder. Back then, we could live better with hard work, but now, even though we work hard, it feels like it's not enough."
Riri, hearing this, nodded slowly. "Yes, Bu, back in the day, things were more stable. The government at that time probably regulated prices of goods and basic needs more. There were subsidies here and there, so goods stayed affordable. Now, even though the economy is growing, prices are continuously rising, and those subsidies aren't as strong as before."
Marlon added, "Yes, Bu. During Soeharto's era, it was an era of price control, so things stayed stable. Although there were some controversial policies, we didn't have to worry about prices every month. Now, with a free-market economy, prices keep going up, and we can't expect them to stay the same."
Bu Siti sighed deeply, then continued, "Back then, I could buy household necessities with a little money. Now, that much can only buy vegetables and rice. I don't know, it feels like everything is getting more expensive, but the income doesn't match."
Romo, who had been listening attentively, spoke softly, "Yes, Bu, we often feel nostalgic for the past when everything seemed simpler. But those times also had their own challenges, even though we might not have felt them directly. Every era has its dynamics and challenges, and we need to face those changes wisely. Maybe now we have to learn to adapt to the current situation, even though it's not easy."
Bu Siti nodded slowly, as if contemplating Romo's words. "Yes, maybe I should understand more about these changes. But sometimes it feels like, even though times are changing, life just keeps getting harder."
Riri added, "Yes, Bu, life is full of cycles of change. Sometimes there are times when things feel easier, and sometimes they feel harder. But the most important thing is how we can survive and adapt to the situation."
Bu Siti continued, her eyes seeming to reminisce about the past. "Speaking of the old days, back in '98, when Pak Harto stepped down, I was confused. I didn't understand what was really going on. Everyone was talking about media freedom, democracy, and everything. I only heard it in the news. But me? I just lived my life, as long as I could eat, and my kids could go to school, that was enough. I never thought about all that political stuff. What mattered was being able to live."
Marlon listened intently, then said, "That was a big change back then, Bu. Many people were involved in the reform movement, protesting for more freedom, especially in the media and democracy. But there were also many people like you, Bu Siti, who didn't really understand, right? Just focused on surviving and getting through the day."
Riri added, "Yes, Bu, actually, many people didn't care much about politics, but they felt its impact. Those big decisions affected daily life. For example, after Pak Harto stepped down, there were many economic changes and freedoms that came, but also a lot of uncertainty."
Bu Siti nodded slowly, "That's right, kids. I just felt the prices went up, there were riots here and there, but as for freedom, I didn't really understand. Back then, all that mattered was being able to eat and live. My kids could go to school, that was enough. I didn't know about macroeconomics, or what media freedom meant, all I knew was to make a living and see my children grow."
Romo, who had been listening, added, "Yes, Bu, sometimes life is simpler for some people. Sometimes we get too caught up in big changes and forget the more fundamental things, like surviving and caring for our family. Maybe many people, like you, Bu Siti, don't understand politics, but they feel its impact in everyday life."
Bu Siti smiled faintly, as if reflecting. "Yeah, maybe that's how it is. I don't understand media freedom, or what this democracy stuff is all about. But when it comes to living, I understand that part very well."
Marlon fell silent for a moment, his eyes scanning the busy market, where buyers came and went. The market was lively that afternoon, with vendors loudly offering their goods, the smell of fresh fish and recently picked vegetables, and the laughter and small talk from buyers haggling over prices. Amid the hustle and bustle, Marlon began to speak more seriously, though still in simple language.
"But, Bu Siti," he said, "if we look deeper, the current situation is also influenced by Pak Harto's era. On one hand, he provided comfort, stable prices, and a controlled life. But that also sacrificed the country's future."
Bu Siti turned to him, a bit confused. "Really, Marlon? What do you mean?"