58. New Hope

I was recording incoming orders on my cell phone. Her catering business was getting more and more orders. She posts promos on various types of social media. After nightfall, Zahra is busy promoting her catering, as well as her cakes and pastries. So far, Zahra has been able to handle her business well. Zahra finds her uminya very helpful, especially when there are orders for rice boxes. Mursida's cooking has a distinctive flavor that makes customers repeat orders. "Umi, I have an order for thirty grilled chicken rice boxes tomorrow, and thirty boxes of fried chicken," Zahra said when she saw her umi relaxing in the living room. "What time?" "Lunchtime, around eleven o'clock it should be ready. How about it? Umi can do it, because tomorrow Zahra has an order for a birthday cake, but the concept is quite complicated." "If you can't do it, don't accept it." "Poor umi, this person has ordered for a long time." "When did you order the rice box? It shouldn't be double, umi only has two hands." "Yes, sorry, Umi. Zahra really forgot, even though it was recorded in the order book too." Zahra showed such a guilty face that Mursida couldn't bear to scold her. However, Mursida was proud of Zahra. In just three months, orders were coming in every day. Zahra had even given Mursida a thick envelope from her three months of catering profits. "If you're really struggling, you should think about getting someone to help you cook, Zahra." Abah Nurman, who had been polishing the rice box, chimed in. "Yes, too. Zahra wasn't confident before, but seeing the increasing orders, I think she should open a job vacancy." "Not outsiders first, tell the neighbors who might be interested. In addition to being close, we also share sustenance, so that many of your efforts are prayed for and taken care of," said Abah Nurman. "Yes, that's right. Abah is the best, his ideas are not canned. Tomorrow Zahra will try to make a WA status, so many neighbors can see it." "Yesterday, Mrs. Huda's son said he left the bakery because it was far away, try going to his house tomorrow." Mursida spoke up. The next morning, according to the advice of her father and mother, Zahra did immediately meet Mrs. Huda's daughter, her name was Adisty. Not only Adisty, but there was also Mrs. Huda's sister from the village who wanted to help her mother. Of course Zahra was thrilled. "Umi, this is Adisty's aunt, her name is Tante Rike, she says she wants to come and help cook as her assistant." Mursida immediately greeted Rike and Adisty. "Not an assistant, just cook together, Rike and Adisty. Zahra's business is starting to grow, so we need friends. I hope you feel at home helping us." "Yes, Umi, it just so happens that Adisty is also looking for work, it turns out that Kak Zahra is even looking for people, so it's good to come here on foot, no need to buy gasoline." "I'm from Umi's village, I've only been staying at Adisty's mom's house for a week. I was already intending to look for work here, eh how come it turns out that Neng Zahra is looking for people, Alhamdulillah, hopefully a match." They all laughed. The kitchen became more crowded and lively with the presence of Rike and Adisty. Zahra began to focus on promoting her products. Three days passed very quickly, and that morning Dayyan was back on standby at the front porch of Zahra's house. Seeing that Dayyan had returned to work, Zahra welcomed him. "How is Athaya, Mas? Is she feeling better? There were so many orders yesterday, I had intended to visit her at the hospital but I forgot. I'm sorry, Mas." "Yes, ma'am, it's okay. Thank God Athaya is getting better, her condition is getting more stable, soon the doctor will allow her to go home, if not today then tomorrow." "Oh I see, should you bring the car when you pick up Athaya, let Zahra borrow it from Abah." "Well, no need, ma'am. Nowadays there are many car taxis. Farah is very independent, now she doesn't depend on me anymore. She's free to order her own taxi or car." Now Zahra knew Dayyan's wife's name was Farah. "Thank goodness for that. There are quite a few orders today, so I might be a bit busy. Please drink the tea first." Zahra poured the tea into a glass that had been filled with a little sugar. Dayyan was getting used to enjoying Zahra's tea. Meanwhile, Zahra herself began to feel that serving tea to Dayyan was a must. Dayyan heard laughter in the kitchen. Adisty was cheerful, meeting the chatty Rike who made cooking and packing orders fun. "We have a new employee, ma'am?" Dayyan asked after taking a sip of his sweet tea. "Yes, Mas. Orders are increasing, and umi and I are overwhelmed. I just hired a neighbor here. I'm looking for someone near my house so it's easy if I need them urgently." "Yes, ma'am. Let there be many people to look after too. If more and more neighbors benefit from Mrs. Zahra's business, Insha'Allah, they will also pray for her, so this 'Zahra' catering will be a blessing." Zahra was silent. Dayyan's words were like Abah Nurman's. For a moment Zahra was stunned that there was a man who shared the same mind as her father. Zahra loved Abah Nurman very much, and even dreamed of having a partner like her father. A man who is patient, loving and does not restrain his wife. As long as there was no harm or violation of Sharia, Abah allowed Mursida to continue studying, including attending recitations far from their home. "This is ready, be careful, Mas. After this is ready there are three more hantarans." "Yes, ma'am, if you'll excuse me." Dayyan was happy that Zahra's catering was getting better, because that meant he could bring more money to give to Farah. "Wow, Alhamdulillah, I earned a lot today, Pa." Farah finished counting her husband's earnings. After inserting a red slip of money, Farah handed her husband's wallet back. "The caterer where you often take orders is busy. So you hang out nearby, and every now and then an order comes in." Dayyan explained with logic that his wife could accept. He couldn't say that he always drank tea at Zahra's house because it could create another perception in his wife's mind. "Athaya, how about coming home tomorrow?" Dayyan stroked Athaya's cheek. "The doctor said her condition is still the same, I don't think she can go home yet," Farah said sadly. Actually, she was tired of being in the hospital. Her sick body was always sleeping on the floor with a mat. But for Athaya's sake, Farah had to endure it all. "Ma, you eat first, let papa take care of Athaya." "Have you eaten?" "I ate at the catering place earlier. The people are nice, every ojol who comes, is often given a rice box, Ma. Mineral water is also provided. So papa and his ojol friends are happy when they get an order there." "Wow, hopefully the catering will have more customers, Dad." Farah didn't know that Dayyan was the only one who received sweet tea, lunch and dinner at Zahra's catering stall.