"How much will you sell this antique clock for?" the antique collector asked.
"What about five million?" Raka asked hesitantly.
The antique collector was startled. Then he smiled.
"Deal. I agree..."
Raka swallowed. Had he heard that right? His great-grandfather's incredibly old antique clock had been bought for five million without any haggling at all?
"You're really going to buy it?"
"If you're serious about selling it."
Raka closed his eyes.
"All right."
As the clock changed hands, Raka imagined the disappointed faces of his family. The antique clock had been his father's treasured possession, passed down from his great-grandfather. His father had given it to him when he got married. And now he was selling it just like that.
After receiving the money, Raka stood up.
He convinced himself that he had to be a responsible man for his family.
Raka let out a breath.
"I'm sorry, Dad. I sold the antique clock you gave me. I promise I'll buy it back once things get better."
Raka went home with five million in his hand. When he arrived, he pushed open the door.
"Honey!"
There was no answer.
Raka stepped inside.
"Honey, look what I brought home!"
He was about to put the envelope containing the five million on the table, but he froze when he saw a box for a new phone.
Raka furrowed his brow.
He walked closer.
His hand touched the box.
"Naila?"
His wife emerged from the bedroom.
They stared at each other.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Raka then pointed at the phone box.
"What's this?"
Instead, Naila pointed at the envelope beside the phone box.
"Then what's that?"
Raka smiled awkwardly.
"I asked you first. Why are you asking me instead?"
Naila lowered her head.
"Honey..." Raka asked carefully, urging his wife to look up. "Look me in the eye!"
Naila bit her lip.
Tears fell from her eyes.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"What's wrong? Why are you apologizing?" Raka asked.
"I sold our wedding rings. I saw that your phone was broken, so I had no choice but to sell our wedding rings so you could work," Naila said.
"You sold our wedding rings to buy me a phone?"
Naila nodded, and her sobs broke free. "Then what's that?" she asked Raka, pointing at the envelope in front of him.
"Did you sell the antique clock your father gave you, too? I thought you had to pay off your debt at the food stall, right?"
The two of them fell silent.
There was nothing left to explain.
Without telling each other, the husband and wife had each sold something valuable for the sake of the person they loved.
Raka hugged his wife tightly, and Naila hugged him back.
Their current hardship had finally been explained.
"It's all right. Don't be sad. Once I earn some money, I'll buy you another ring," Raka said.
"Okay," Naila replied. "So how much did you get for your antique clock?" she asked.
"Five million," Raka replied.
"What? Five million?" Naila asked.
"Dad once told me that our great-grandfather bought that antique clock for fifty cents. I thought five million was already a high price, and the buyer wouldn't dare haggle. But he bought it right away," Raka said.
"That's such a shame. That watch must have been incredibly valuable if it sold for that much," Naila said.
"I think so. And I think I offered it way too cheaply."
"My debt at the food stall is only one million. So what should we do with the extra money?" Naila asked.
"It's up to you, honey. You manage it."
"All right, then. What if I use the money left over after paying the rice debt at Naila's food stall to expand the business? Maybe I could sell more than just wrapped rice and fried snacks. I want to start making cakes, too."
"That's a great idea, honey. I'll help promote it on social media. If there are any orders that are a little far away, I'll deliver them."
"I agree," Naila said, her face lighting up.