After waking up, I prayed, then went to the kitchen and helped Mom cook.
“Mom, is there anything I can help with?”
“What's gotten into you? You usually don't want to,” she said while frying the spices.
“I've been a burden to you for so long, Mom. So I want to help, even if it's just a little,” I said.
“Fine, then slice the liver and gizzards.”
I diced them the way Mom usually did when making liver kresengan.
“Mom, why don't you try selling food? You could leave it with snack vendors at the market and the shops around here.”
“Oh, really? Who's going to deliver it?” she asked.
“I will. I'll bring it when I go to my sewing course,” I said as I handed her the pieces I'd cut.
“All right. I'll ask Dad later. Maybe he'll let me.”
“Okay, sounds good.”
A few minutes after we finished, we ate. Then we performed the afternoon prayer.
A few days after that conversation, Mom told me that she was going to start the business with me. My older sister would help too if the orders reached the city.
Mom started selling food—kresengan, various fried snacks, and other treats.
I was so happy that Mom finally had her own source of income.
When I got home from my course, I collected the money from the food Mom had made.
“Thank God. Everything sold out, ma'am. Here's the money. Please make more tomorrow, because a lot of people want to buy it.”
“Yes, ma'am. I'll do my best. Thank you. I'll be going home now. Excuse me.”
I put the money into my bag, then went to my motorcycle to head home.
“Peace be upon you.”
“And peace be upon you. Be careful, ma'am.”
I nodded, then started my motorcycle and rode home.
“Peace be upon you, Mom!” I shouted.
“And peace be upon you.”
“Why are you shouting? Girls aren't supposed to yell,” she continued. I shook her hand, then gave her the sales money.
“Here, Mom.”
“Thank God, that's a lot.”
I smiled and told her what the vendor had said.
Actually, I also sold things online through WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
Thankfully, it gave me some extra income.
A few months after that first income, Mom's sales grew every day. Thankfully, I was also almost finished with my sewing course.
Besides that, I sold several clothing designs to boutiques and designers through email and Instagram. They received my work well, so I could use the money I had earned myself to cover my needs.
Eight months after starting the business, Mom was able to build a beautiful house. She even had her own catering building and employed several workers.
As for me, I couldn't help because I was focused on my online store and on making videos for one of the platforms to introduce and educate viewers about clothing and garment design.
Ding.
A notification appeared on my phone.
I stopped reading my report for the day and reached for my phone instead.
Anissa.
Irsh, you're still coming here, right? I'll be waiting for you.
Of course, Niss. I'll let you know when I get there.
Okay, then. I thought you weren't coming after all.
Oh, right. I'm going to Gramedia first. Bye-bye.
Bye! Say hi to everyone else for me.
Will do.
I put my phone away and continued the work I'd set aside.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound made me look up. I walked toward the door.
“Yes, Mom?”
“Sweetie, you're still going out next week, right?”
“Yes, Mom. Come on in.”
Mom and I walked over and sat on the sofa in the office.
“What is it, Mom?” I asked.
“I just wanted to tell you that I think I might open a cooking class,” she explained.
I was startled. “Why all of a sudden, Mom?”
“A lot of the neighborhood kids want to learn. I just wanted your advice. What do you think?”
“If it won't be too much for you, then Irsha thinks it's a good idea,” I replied.
Mom smiled. “What do you want me to cook for you today?”
“I'd like pepes, Mom. Something easy,” I answered.
“All right, then. I'll go to the kitchen.”
“Yes, commander.”
She smiled and closed the door.
I walked over and picked up my phone. I bought a few things.
I probably needed to have the clothes taken in. They looked really big on me.
“Ugh.”