“After your grandfather passed away, Uncle Indra started asking for a larger share of the income because he thought he had a right to the profits from the business, since it had been inherited from his parents,” Aunt Darsih continued.
“Your father and mother didn’t object. From then on, your father and Uncle Indra each received 50% of the net profits from the factory and the other businesses.”
“At first, Uncle Indra worked harder and more diligently, but as time went on, he started slacking off and simply waited for his share of the monthly profits.”
“Seeing your uncle like that, your father didn’t just stand by. He often advised his younger brother, but, well, your uncle stayed the same.”
“The work began piling up, until your father decided to promote one of his employees to become a trusted aide who could handle and help with the factory’s management and operations.”
“And then the factory ran into problems. The crops failed, revenue declined, and one problem after another came along, causing the business to start faltering.”
“Eventually, almost half of the factory workers had to be temporarily laid off until things improved.”
“Uncle Indra complained about the factory’s condition, and he and your father began arguing more often.”
“Then someone from a neighboring city offered to buy their land for a fairly good price, but your father turned down the offer.”
“That led to an argument between your father and Uncle Indra, making their relationship worse. Uncle Indra tried persuading your father again and again, but it still didn’t work. Your father stood by his decision because, in his opinion, the land and the factory weren’t just a business. They held memories whose value couldn’t be measured in money. That was why your father stubbornly insisted on keeping the business running, no matter what condition it was in.”
“Uncle Indra even brought the village head over to help persuade your father, but it still didn’t work.”
“Your uncle tried almost every possible way to persuade your father, Lang. Eventually, who knows what came over him, but he started using methods that weren’t right,” Aunt Darsih continued.
At that point, tears began rolling down Aunt Darsih’s cheeks. Her lips trembled, and the room fell silent.
Gilang remained silent, unable to say anything. He felt a little confused by what Aunt Darsih was telling him.
“That afternoon, before sunset prayers, your father suddenly fell ill. When he was examined by a doctor, the doctor said it was only an ordinary fever. There was nothing to worry about. But the next day, your father suddenly cried out in pain and coughed violently until he started coughing up blood. That very night, your father was taken straight to a hospital in Patraniaga for more serious treatment,” Aunt Darsih continued.
“But even after examining him at the hospital, the doctor said your father didn’t have any serious illness, Lang. So the next afternoon, your father was sent home.”
Not long after that, your father recovered, but he often complained of pain at night. Your mother said that in the middle of the night, your father would often mutter strange things in his sleep. From then on, your mother told your aunt to start staying overnight at your house. You were still a little over two years old at the time, and your older sibling was still in elementary school.”
“Even while your father was sick, Uncle Indra kept suggesting that the land should just be sold, but your father always refused,” Darsih said.