68. Quarrel In-Law

In every difficulty, there must be ease. That's what Dayyan thought and believed. Even though the situation was very difficult and his mother-in-law and wife were putting too much pressure on him, he believed that God would help provide a way out. Dayyan's belief seemed to bear sweet fruit, behind Athaya's disaster there was a hidden blessing. That day, there was a notification via email that one of the applications he sent to the company received a reply. And tomorrow she had to come for a job interview. "What's wrong, Pa? Are you really happy?" asked Farah, who had seen Dayyan flipping through his phone with a happy face. "This is it, Ma. Alhamdulillah, Papa has been applying to this fertilizer company for a long time. Well, I finally got an interview call tomorrow." Dayyan explained as he showed the reply email to his wife. "Wow, isn't this a pretty big fertilizer company?" "Yes, Ma. Papa has an interview tomorrow. Please pray that Papa will be accepted, Ma." Dayyan looked bright with new hope, and Farah couldn't hide her excitement. "Alhamdulillah, Dad. I will, Pa. Mama is always praying for Papa. Hopefully Papa will be accepted and our lives can go back to the way they used to be." Farah hugged her husband. ** The next day, Dayyan had his interview at the personnel office. All the tests and interviews went well. Then came the salary negotiation. "As you know, the previous condition of this company, if you join us, then the salary you will receive is in accordance with the UMR of this city." "The city's minimum wage, 4 million?" Dayyan was surprised. "Yes, that's right. UMR with 12-hour working hours. No overtime and no allowances for new employees. Our company is recovering and we have to survive. However, if it's a second contract, we will consider it." Dayyan's brain works fast. He calculated that a month's income in online ojek could reach 6-9 million, more than the salary offered. With only a large income in ojek, he still lacks. If you work in a company, the time required is from 7 am to 8 or 9 pm. After work, he must be very tired and cannot help his wife take care of Athaya or even make extra money with online motorcycle taxis at night. "I apologize. Can't my salary be negotiated with the company to be higher, sir, considering my experience as a manager in the previous company?" "It should be possible. However, the maximum is only 5 million." "At least 6-7 million, sir?" Dayyan asked trying again. "That's not possible. You are not a fresh graduate nor have you worked in this company before. So, just being accepted into our company should make you feel lucky. It's rare for a company to accept an unemployed person of such a young age." Dayyan gasped in shock. Indeed, he was no longer young. However, he could still be considered productive. "You should be more grateful, finding a permanent job nowadays is very difficult. One job vacancy is fought over by hundreds of people. If it does not meet your standards, we apologize, there are still many qualified candidates who are waiting for it." The personnel officer said firmly, leaving Dayyan speechless. Dayyan really felt his hopes falling. He who carried great hopes, was faced with a reality that did not match his expectations. However, it was true. Finding a job is not easy. Thankfully, there was still someone willing to accept him. "How about it, you can accept this job and please move over there to take care of the paperwork and sign the employment contract. If not, please leave, there are still many people waiting in line out there for interviews!" In the end, Dayyan decided not to accept the job and he went home empty-handed. "Pa, how did the interview go?" as soon as he entered the treatment room, Farah was already eagerly bombarding him with questions. "Good, Ma." Dayyan replied, trying to smile. "How good? You got accepted, right?" "Can you get Papa some water first, Ma? I'm thirsty. It's so hot on the road." Dayyan waved a hand at his face. "Oh, yes, Pa. Sorry, I forgot to be so enthusiastic." Farah rushed to the nightstand near Athaya's bed to get a drink. "Here's the water, Papa. I bought it outside. Papa's favorite cold sweet tea to make it refreshing." Dayyan finished it. "Now you're refreshed, right?" asked Farah with a curious smile. "Yes, Ma. Thank you. I'm feeling better than before." "So?" "Thank God, I passed and got accepted, Ma. But..." "But, what, Papa?" Farah was anxious. "I'm sorry I disappointed you. I refused the job offer." Dayyan looked down sluggishly. "What? You turned it down? Why, Papa? Don't we need a better job for our future? Aren't you tired of driving a motorcycle taxi from dawn to night with an income that is not enough for our future and Athaya's medical treatment?" Farah bombarded him with words, leaving Dayyan helpless. "Sorry, Ma, Papa--" "So, you refused the job, Dayyan? What kind of position is it that you rejected it just like that?" Septin, who was eavesdropping in the room, suddenly came out and interrupted their conversation. "Marketing Manager, Ma," Dayyan was so shocked that he stammered. "Oh my goodness. How arrogant of you to refuse a job as a manager. Is being a motorcycle taxi driver more honorable than being a manager? Mami is surprised at you Dayyan! Don't you feel sorry for Athaya and Farah, or don't you want to fight for their lives? Are you tired of Farah, Dayyan?" "It's not like that, Mom. Dayyan--" "Halaah! I'm disappointed in you, Dayyan. I thought you would change and live a more active life. In fact, you're still choosing that casual job that doesn't pay much. You're selfish, Dayyan!" "Already, mom. Already...," Farah interrupted. "Sorry, Ma...." "Sorry, sorry! I'm tired of hearing it. Don't you know, I've been very patient in refraining from joining arisan, refraining from buying new clothes and jewelry. I'm even willing to sell my house to eat as much as I can! Back in the day, when Farah's papa was still alive, how could we ever live in such a difficult life. Now, instead of being happy to have a manager as a son-in-law, the house she left behind is floating!" "I'm sorry, Dayyan Ma. Dayyan will look for a better job." "Hah, I'm tired of hearing your promises!" Septin was angry. She was so disappointed that she had imagined her luxurious life would be restored if Dayyan became the manager again. "Never mind, mom. Don't get angry, it's embarrassing for people to hear. This is a hospital." Farah tried to calm Septin down. She honestly couldn't accept Dayyan being scolded in public. However, she was powerless to defend her husband. An upset Septin went out. Meanwhile, Dayyan just looked down. He was not even given the opportunity by his in-laws to explain why he refused. He knew Septin and Farah were desperate for their lives to return to normal. However, all their wishful thinking had now fallen to the ground. "Pa, what was the reason why you refused the position?" "I'm sorry Dayyan, Ma. Even though he's a manager, his salary is only the city's minimum wage. After I did the math, in fact, the income from the motorcycle taxi is more than his salary." "But you can do motorcycle taxi work after work, right?" "The work hours are tight, Ma. If you do a motorcycle taxi, you'll break your body." "But, the manager position has the opportunity to get a raise and move up to a higher position, Dad. You can also earn extra from sales bonuses." "No, Ma. I've already confirmed it. They're a newly revived company." "But, Pa, you should have a position, not just a motorcycle taxi driver. Mummy doesn't like Papa doing a motorcycle taxi." "Mom, I made an order first. I promise, I will apply again and try harder for you. Believe in Papa. God has arranged sustenance." Dayyan, who felt tired and had a headache from Septin's anger and his wife's disappointment, left the hospital saying he had an order. Farah couldn't help but feel disappointed and started massaging her temples, which suddenly gave her a headache.