Rahem

I know him since first grade as classmate in junior high school, until the second and during third class, reshuffled by school master to avoid gangs et cetera. Then we enrolled to same high school, become classmate on second and third.

He taught me how to play guitar, cut my hair for a clove cigarette in return (I asked money for cutting my hair to barbershop), and with other classmates in high school, we were studying, drinking, smoking together, you name it.

Graduated form high school, I went to Surabaya and lost contact with him and just met him again last year in his shop, and as usual just like in old times, he will bring glasses of coffee (with mix of corn) for us .

As young blood after graduated from high school, he went to Jakarta, to Pasar Ular to be précised seeking a fortune and leaving his mom, little brother and sister in Sumenep. His business was buying and selling smuggled items. After years then he seized his fortune, buying one container of wristwatch machines and sold to wristwatch assembler in East Java, and gave him million rupiahs of profit in pocket.

Admitted that he couldn’t stand the way of life in Jakarta then he went home to Sumenep, get married and take over his mom shop in market called Pasar Anom , selling home utensils.

And the story goes well, from one shop to three shops with several employees. Until one night Pasar Anom was caught on fire. One of his shops was burnt down, everything inside the shop was melting. When I ask how much he lost, he replied easily that this is only a test of God on his faith and all wealth can be gained again later. He also said that insurance will never taking care the traditional market as there will be two choices, burned-out or being arson, so it’s about care to be taken and keep the faith.

That day, I left Rahem with new meaning of test and pass or fail of life, and realize that it was a good coffee at all