After arriving at her pharmacy, Binar immediately tidied up and opened for business, ready to receive customers.
This pharmacy was the only asset Binar had gained through her hard work. Though it was tiny, it was fairly famous among the elite because of how incredibly effective its medicines were.
Binar didn't just make medicines; she also produced several beauty products for women.
They were made from natural ingredients, because Indonesia was rich in spices and multipurpose plants: turmeric, lesser galangal, Java turmeric, ginger, red betel, mahkota dewa, binahong, akar elmu, and akar pualam. Binar prepared all of them herself, turning them into medicines and cosmetics.
Binar had never attended college. But she was willing to learn from history books. She had also taken lessons from a pharmacist on how to process plants and understand the difference between their toxins and medicinal properties. That had been a long time ago, when her family was still whole.
These days, instead of studying, Binar was more interested in living a healthy life.
"Binar, do you still remember me? The one who bought up all your akar elmu medicine yesterday?"
"Mrs. Sabrina? I could never forget my most loyal customer."
Of course! Mrs. Sabrina was a socialite whose wallet was unbelievably thick.
Sabrina smiled, proud of the young woman she thought was absolutely amazing. Anjani Pharmacy wasn't famous worldwide yet, but it had already made a name for itself in several Indonesian cities.
"What are you buying up this time, Mrs. Sabrina?" Binar asked cheerfully.
"I'm not here to buy everything up today, Binar. But I do have some wonderful news for you."
"What is it?" Binar asked, confused.
Mrs. Sabrina laughed affectionately at the girl's bewildered expression. She had grown to think of Binar like her own daughter. "I know a content creator whose accounts have millions of followers across several major platforms worldwide. She's looking for an interesting vlog idea, and I thought you'd be perfect. If it succeeds, Anjani Pharmacy will become even more famous, and people will learn that there's a remarkably talented young pharmacist out there. What do you think, sweetheart?"
Binar looked thoughtful, though she was beginning to be tempted by the offer, which clearly sounded profitable.
Besides, from the very beginning, Binar's dream had been for everyone who was sick to get well and become beautiful through her concoctions.
"Hmm, I'm in, Ma'am. But when do we start?"
Yes! Binar wasn't about to pass up this golden opportunity. She wanted to prove to her mother's family that she wasn't just hiding inside her shell. She also hoped that her father, far away in Saudi, would learn about her and remember the daughter he had abandoned twelve years ago.
"I knew you were a smart girl. Hmm, I'll arrange it as soon as possible—three days at the latest."
Their agreement was officially sealed. Mrs. Sabrina left again because she still had business to take care of with her arisan friends.
Meanwhile, Binar suddenly received a message from Dr. Reyhan asking her to come to him.
Binar had sent him a message that morning about how she'd had another episode the night before, though it had been relatively mild. Apparently, Dr. Reyhan had only just seen it.
Since she still needed therapy, Binar returned to the hospital. But when she reached the emergency department corridor, a major commotion was already underway.
"Where's Doctor Davin? All of you, stop conspiring with that crooked doctor."
Binar's steps quickened the instant she recognized the voice. Nanik Thodere. It looked like she was following through on what she'd said the night before. Nanik hadn't come alone, either; she had brought several men in expensive suits.
"Where is that unprofessional doctor?" asked a man in a brown uniform.
"We need to teach him a lesson for ignoring my son's health."
"That's right, dear. He refuses to treat our son."
Like gasoline thrown on a stove, Nanik kept fanning her husband’s anger. He was supposedly a politician.
The patients who had initially come for treatment had transformed into impromptu reporters, their cameras aimed at the unfamiliar yet powerful-looking faces.
And that wasn't all. Nanik had even brought an actual reporter with a flash camera.
Binar wasn't curious so much as worried about her matchmaking target. Besides, she'd been following this story since the first episode, so there was no way she was going to miss episode two.
A security guard came rushing over, frantic because he was late again.
"Sir, ma'am, please calm down. Don't cause a disturbance here. You'll disturb the other patients."
"Where is Doctor Davin?"
"He's been performing surgery in the operating room for the past three hours," answered the nurse who happened to be there.
"Tell him to come out."
"I'm sorry, sir, but you're going too far." Though she was afraid, Nurse Derra tried to stand up to him.
"I don't care, or I'll cause a scene."
"I'm here, Mr. Setyo."
To be continued.