SMILING AFTERNOON

When Hira heard Bibi's story about her daughter, Tris, sometimes she got angry with herself. To send Tris to university, Bibi sold her padi field and all the valuable jewelry she had. Lastly, she borrowed bu Yulia's money to pay the tuition fee, which Bibi still settles in installments from her paycheck.

But Tris doesn't seem to appreciate her mom's sacrifice. Her lectures were halfway through until she broke up in the middle because she was pregnant before getting married. And the child's father was irresponsible and even dared to impregnate other women.

"Feel like to strangle his neck till death!!!" Bibi cursed furiously, telling about the guy.

"It should be Tris who works, not Bibi. Bibi better takes care of Bilqis," Hira commented mentioning the name of her grandchild.

"Tris doesn't want it. She wants to take care of her daughter herself. While the child doesn't have a father, who will feed it?"

"Or perhaps it's better to return to home town, so she won't have to pay for the rental room. In the village, she can do many things for life."

"Ah, it's been said many times, that girl is very stubborn. Some people also want to take care of Bilqis but she is not given. She insists on raising the kid herself."

"If that's the case, she should have her own business, don't depend on Bibi."

"Yeah, but that's a daughter. Don't you want help? How can you bear it?"

"Okay, well Bibi, so you need to be sincere then... don't complain all the time..."

"What's wrong with complaint… all I can do is complain," Biby replied while laughing bitterly.

Ah, Bibi, Bibi. Hira has just ever met someone who proudly likes to complain.

***

Once a month during payday, as usual, Tris and her baby girl, Bilqis came. The primary purpose is not to see Bibi actually but to take the monthly share. However, when she met Tris, Hira didn't even have the heart to ignore that young mom.

Tris is the same age as Viny, A Jay's wife, and the age of their children are also about the same, Bilqis and Winda.

The 22-year-old girl looked so tough. She was willing to bring Bilqis in an urge to take the train from Cimahi, where they live, to Mrs. Yulia's house, where Bibi works. Not to mention that sometimes carrying a sack of rice on the way back home.

"Have you ever tried selling things online?" Hira asked as soon as they sat in the living room of the boarding house.

"I don't have the capital, kak," she replied

"There are many opportunities nowadays. Do business that doesn't use the capital."

"What can I do?"

"Have you ever heard of Dropship yet?"

The girl nodded. "But I don't know what it is and how it works."

"Now in the digital era, selling goods online is the simplest and cheapest. Do you have social media? You need to find the supplier of the goods you want to sell, then advertise on your sosmed. Anyone interested buys and transfers the money to your bank account, purchasing the product from the supplier. The supplier sends the goods directly to the customer. It's that easy.

Teteh can immediately profit from the difference between the selling and buying prices. That's how Dropshipping works."

"Let's try." Hira took the HP from Tris's hand. Then installed an application from one of the e-commerce aggregators, a Small and Medium Enterprise product supplier, on Tris mobile phone. Coincidentally, there was a free membership, and Hira immediately trained Tris.

"Oh... it's good if you like this"

"In addition to advertising on social media or WhatsApp groups, you can also open an online shop in the marketplace. As long as you're diligent, you'll get the profit. So even if you are at Bilqis' guardhouse, you can still have income," added Hira.

"Any question, don't hesitate just ask, okay?" Hira continued.

"Yes, kak. Thank you so much" Tris ask permission to carry Bilqis into the main house.

A slightly smile appears on Hira's lips, witnessing the new hope on the young mother's face.

***

A few moments after, suddenly, the gate opened. A Jay was standing over there. An authoritative car attached to Hira's heart entered the parking lot.

What day is it? How come he comes home?

Hira's heart suddenly blossomed. There is nothing happier than seeing the official car enter the parking area. Moreover, he comes at an unusual time. It feels so special.

Surprisingly, Hira also walked into her room, hiding, don't dare to meet the owner who was about to pass. Her heart beat fast, and her collar seemed to move up and down smoothly to the rhythm of the heartbeat. Her whole body felt weak and helpless. She feels so nervous.

From inside the room Hira could feel the man had just gotten out of the car, walked past the front room, the position of each step, and then paused for a moment in front of the connecting door throwing a glance at Hira's room before stepping into the main house. Hira could see it clearly like there were no walls in front of her.

The song Everlasting love by Gerard Joling suddenly pops up from the YT music...

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It looks like heaven to see you walk

To see the way you're moving on

It sounds like an angel when you talk

The words come out like in a song

Never thought about what love could do inside

You're the place where I can hide

***