"Sorry, Ustad," Marlon said carefully, "But in my opinion, the situation today is much more complicated than in the past. Good intentions alone don't always overcome the reality we face. Isn't it true that Raden Mas Said, before becoming Sunan Kalijaga, did things we would consider wrong—like robbing the rich to give to the poor? Doesn't that show that good intentions, even if pursued through the wrong means, can still lead to something we consider right?"
Marlon continued slowly, "However, Sunan Bonang taught that both intention and method must align. This means that even if our intentions are good, if the method we use is wrong, the result can still cause problems. So, isn't it possible that, as Sunan Bonang taught, good intentions with the wrong methods can still lead to bad outcomes? And shouldn't we be more careful in choosing the methods we use, even if our intentions are good?"
Marlon looked at the Ustad intently, waiting for an answer, knowing this was a crucial question for their journey.
The Ustad listened carefully to Marlon's question and then answered with wisdom. "That's a very good question, Marlon. Indeed, history shows us that good intentions don't always lead to good actions. As you mentioned, Raden Mas Said, who later became known as Sunan Kalijaga, before embracing Islam, was known as a thief who took wealth from the rich to give to the poor. However, after receiving divine guidance, he transformed into one of the most influential Wali Songo in spreading Islam across Java."
The Ustad continued, "Sunan Bonang, as Sunan Kalijaga's teacher, emphasized that intention and method must be aligned. In his teachings, he stressed the importance of harmony between religion, culture, and daily life. Through the arts and culture, he successfully conveyed Islamic messages in ways that were accepted by the Javanese people."
He added, "So, Marlon, while good intentions are an important start, the method or approach we choose to reach our goals is also crucial. Good intentions combined with the wrong actions can have negative impacts. Conversely, intentions that may not be entirely good, if accompanied by the right actions, can still bring about positive results. Therefore, in every step we take, we must consider both our intentions and our methods, so that both are aligned toward achieving a good purpose."
After listening to the Ustad's lengthy explanation, Marlon, Riri, and Romo exchanged glances, still looking puzzled. They wondered in their hearts whether everything they were doing was truly the right thing.
Finally, Marlon spoke up, "So, Ustad, does this mean we should leave everything to God? We can only try our best and hope for the best outcome. But we're still confused, Ustad. We want to help, but sometimes the decisions we make seem to complicate things, especially when we see what's happening in the field."
Riri added in the same tone, "Should we keep fighting, even though there's no certainty? We want to see change, but sometimes our steps just seem to add more problems. We're just wondering, should we keep going down this path?"
Romo, who had been listening for some time, nodded slowly and asked, "Ustad, in a situation like this, how can we know if we've chosen the right path? Is there a way to be sure?"
The Ustad smiled serenely. "My children, in life, nothing is certain. We can only try our best, remain sincere in every step, and leave the results to God. Sometimes, the path full of doubt leads us to a deeper understanding. What you're doing is a good step, but remember, we can never know how it will all end. That's part of fate, which we must accept with an open heart."
After explaining, the Ustad added, "Sometimes, in confusion and doubt, God shows us a better path through the journey itself. Don't worry too much about the results, because what matters more is how you go through the process with responsibility and good intentions."
Despite the Ustad's words feeling full of peace and wisdom, Marlon, Riri, and Romo still felt anxious. They felt as though they were at a crossroads with no clear direction. Their confusion remained unresolved, and they could only sigh deeply, realizing that every decision they made now felt much more complicated than before.
After talking with the Ustad for a while, Marlon, Riri, and Romo still felt their hearts weighed down with confusion. They knew they had to make decisions, but the Ustad's advice only seemed to add to their uncertainty, despite its tranquility and wisdom.
Marlon stood up first, glancing at his two companions. "Riri, Mo, let's just go home, okay? It seems like we need some time to digest everything we've heard," he said, patting Romo's shoulder.
Riri nodded, though doubt was still clearly visible on her face. "Yeah, we need to go back to Bandung and think about everything more calmly. Thank you, Ustad, for your time," Riri said, her tone respectful.
Romo also stood and bowed his head to the Ustad. "Thank you so much, Ustad. We ask for permission to leave. We'll reflect on everything," he said, feeling that this journey had not given them the answers they had hoped for, but at least it had offered them a different perspective.
The Ustad smiled wisely and nodded with understanding. "You've done your best. Go back with a peaceful heart, and don't rush in making decisions. I hope the path you choose will bring goodness."
After bidding farewell to the Ustad, the three of them stepped out of the pesantren and walked to the car waiting to take them back to Bandung. During the four-hour drive home, the atmosphere in the car was quiet. Only the sound of the car engine could be heard, as the three young people each sank into their own thoughts, trying to sort through the confusion that still lingered in their minds.
Finally, Marlon broke the silence. "So, what do we do now, Riri? What did we learn from this trip?"
Riri sighed deeply. "I don't know, Marlon. The more we search for answers, the more new questions arise. I think we need to go back and keep monitoring the situation in the market. But can what we do bring positive change, or will it just complicate everything even more?"
Romo, sitting beside them, added, "I think we can only keep trying, even though we don't know the results. What's clear is that this isn't easy. And maybe, as Ustad said, all of this will teach us more."
The atmosphere grew silent again, as they exchanged glances but no one could provide a definitive answer. It was just a long journey and confusion that they carried back to their respective homes—a journey of discovery that turned out to be much more complex and uncertain than they had imagined.
Upon arriving in Bandung, the three of them decided to drop Romo off first. Their long, thought-provoking journey had made the atmosphere in the car feel even heavier, as though each kilometer they drove added to the burden of the confusion they were carrying.
The car stopped in front of Romo's house. Marlon and Riri got out first, opening the door to help Romo out.
"Mo, thanks for accompanying us on this journey," Marlon said, offering a small, tired smile.
Riri nodded. "Yeah, Mo. We need a lot of time to reflect."
Romo smiled faintly, though he looked tired. "You've done your best. Don't rush. Whatever happens, trust that the path you choose will have its wisdom," Romo said, his voice calm and reassuring.
Marlon and Riri nodded, though deep down, they still felt unsure. They knew they had to make a decision, but on the other hand, they didn't feel ready to face the consequences of the choices they would have to make.
After saying their goodbyes to Romo, the two of them walked back to the car. They were silent, the only sound being the car engine, signaling the start of their journey back to their respective homes.
The atmosphere in the car felt heavier as they left Romo's house and continued their journey. Riri finally spoke quietly, "Marlon, what do you think we've really been searching for all this time? Answers about the market, about this increasingly complicated situation?"
Marlon stared at the road with an empty gaze, as if trying to digest what they had just experienced. "I don't know, Ri. It seems like we're not just searching for answers, but also for peace amidst all this uncertainty. But the more we search, the more things we don't understand."
Riri nodded, her eyes fixed on the window, as if searching for answers in the city now growing darker. "I feel the same way. The more we try to understand, the bigger the confusion gets. What we're doing at the market might be good, but with all these mysterious things and conflicts... we just don't know what needs to change."
Marlon let out a long sigh."Yeah... it feels like we're stuck between good intentions and uncertain outcomes. What the Ustadz said is true—we need to be patient and sincere. But sometimes I wonder... have we really done our best?"
Riri didn't reply. She simply listened. They both carried the same confusion, unsure whether to move forward or take a step back.
When they finally arrived at their own homes, there were no words exchanged—just a simple nod and a quiet farewell. There were no sentences that could express the shared uncertainty lingering in both of them. They stepped inside their houses, still heavy with unspoken thoughts, unanswered questions, and feelings they couldn't quite explain.
Marlon and Riri walked into their respective homes with slow, weary steps. Their minds were still clouded with confusion. As Marlon entered the living room, he saw his parents, Mr. Chandra and Mrs. Regina, sitting side by side on the couch, reading the morning paper. The moment they noticed their children's expressions, concern etched itself into their faces.
Mr. Chandra put down the newspaper and looked at them, his brows furrowed."What's going on with you two? You look like the world just flipped upside down. Is everything alright?"
Mrs. Regina, sitting beside him, turned her gaze toward them as well. Her voice was gentle, but filled with concern."Yes, what happened, dear? You look so tired... and lost. Come, tell us."
Riri sighed deeply. Marlon stood by the door, searching for the right words. He knew this was the moment—maybe not to tell everything, but at least part of the journey they had just gone through.
"There's... something strange, Ma, Pa," he began, his voice low. "We just got back from a long trip to the pesantren. We had some serious discussions about our research, but the more we try to understand, the more questions appear. And most of them... we just can't answer. Everything's getting more and more complicated."He looked up at his parents. "Sometimes, it feels like we're standing at a crossroads, unsure which path to take."
Riri added softly, "Yeah... we're confused. We tried helping Bu Siti and the other vendors, but somehow, it feels like we've caused more trouble—physically and even in ways we can't see. There are... strange things we can't explain. We only wanted to do good, but why does everything keep getting more confusing?"
Mr. Chandra and Mrs. Regina exchanged a quiet glance. Then Mr. Chandra took a deep breath.
"Marlon, Riri... the world isn't something we can always understand right away. Not every problem has a clear solution. Sometimes, you'll have to face things that you can't fix overnight."
Mrs. Regina gave them a soft smile."Don't be too hard on yourselves. What you're doing—the intentions behind it—that's already meaningful. But life doesn't always show us results right away. Sometimes, all we can do is try our best, pray, and trust in the path we're given."
Marlon looked down, absorbing their words. But the uncertainty was still there, clouding his thoughts.
"But, Ma... Pa... what if everything we're doing only makes things worse? What if our good intentions lead to bad consequences?"
Mr. Chandra's voice was calm."That's something you'll have to learn, too. We can't always control the outcome. What matters is your intention and your effort. Don't let the confusion stop you. This whole process—it's part of your journey to understanding."
Mrs. Regina added,"Every step, no matter how difficult, will teach you something valuable. Success isn't only about reaching a goal. It's also about being able to keep going, even when you're uncertain."
Marlon and Riri glanced at each other. There was still confusion in their hearts, but also a sense of relief, a little clarity brought on by their parents' wisdom. One thing was certain: whatever came next, they had to keep moving forward.
Their father leaned back in his chair, watching them quietly. Then he spoke again—this time with the calm certainty of someone who had seen many roads in life.
"Here's what I think," he said. "You've been trying to understand the economy around this one marketplace. But maybe you're too focused on one spot, too caught up in one way of seeing things. What you need now... is perspective. Broaden your view. Go travel. Observe how people interact with their surroundings in different places. See how the economy works in areas beyond your own."
Marlon and Riri listened attentively.
"You could visit tourist areas, for example. Watch how tourism changes people's lives, how services grow with the arrival of visitors. Compare traditional and modern markets in different regions. Don't just stay where you're comfortable—go somewhere new."
Marlon nodded slowly, starting to grasp the point."So... you mean, we need to see more, not just stay stuck in one place?"
"Exactly." Mr. Chandra's voice was warm, his expression thoughtful."Try going to the capital city. Observe how the economy flows there. It's a completely different world from here. The rhythm is faster, the structures more complex. There's a lot to learn just by watching and listening."
Riri blinked, surprised."Jakarta? That's quite far. What are we supposed to find there?"
Mr. Chandra nodded."Yes, it's far. But there, you'll see large-scale economics. Government policies, business dynamics, the way people adapt to a bigger city's demands—it's all part of the puzzle. The contrasts will teach you."
Marlon, starting to see the bigger picture, added,"Maybe not just Jakarta. What about Bali? Their economy is built in a totally different way."
A smile spread on Mr. Chandra's face."Exactly. Bali is shaped by tourism and the arts. It's a perfect example of how culture and economy intertwine. Each region offers a different perspective—and through those differences, you'll find understanding."
Riri exchanged a glance with Marlon. Though the confusion still lingered, a new path was beginning to unfold in front of them. No longer would they limit their search to one location. With this journey, they hoped to open their minds and discover the answers they'd been seeking.
"This journey won't just show you the world," Mr. Chandra continued. "It will open your minds. You'll meet people with different values, different approaches to life. And those encounters will be just as important as any theory or research paper. So go—be curious. Let experience be your teacher."
Marlon and Riri nodded slowly, the heaviness in their chests lifting, if only slightly. Something in them had shifted. A decision had been made.
"Thank you, Pa," Riri said with a small, grateful smile. "We'll try it. We'll go."
Mr. Chandra returned the smile, his voice firm with hope."I'll be waiting to hear your stories when you return. Just remember—the most important thing is your intention to learn. May this journey give you the insight you need."
And so, Marlon, Riri, and Romo began preparing for the next step. A journey that would take them beyond the familiar, deeper into the unknown—searching for truth, for clarity, and perhaps, for themselves.