It's 10 pm when there is a knock on the door. What's up, a guest this late? I thought.
"Good evening Bu, Bapak there?"
I shook my head, "No."
"What time he usually comes?"
"Not sure, but often past midnight. What's up?"
"I'm from car leasing, Bu. Yesterday Bapak promised to pay the installments today."
"How long has it been late?"
"Only this month, Bu."
"Isn't it normal for Bapak to be late?"
"The problem is today was the last day we closed the book and Bapak promised to settle today, I called him but didn't pick up. Bapak is not cooperative, so we are all in trouble."
"Maybe he's in a meeting or on the toll road, can't pick up the phone."
"Are there a lot of people looking for Bapak... why is he hard to find"
"What do you mean?" I was irritated, what's the deal?
"Every month, the payment from Pak Bintang is always delayed."
"The most important is that it finally, paid off. Bapak is not a salaryman. He has to find the money first. Yesterday, he said there were several bills from other companies that should received, if the bill has not been disbursed, what can he do? He still working on it, don't worry." I continued to compose freely.
"The problem is that if the payment doesn't settle today, we all won't receive incentives. It's been a waste of our month's work, Bu." The leasing guy complained.
"Oh..."
"There are 15 people at this branch office waiting for payment from Bapak." he continued.
"Is Bapak the only one who pays late?" I asked again.
"That's exactly it. Pak Bintang is our last hope. In each branch office, we can only allow max 5 people late; the other four are all past due. If the payment from Bapak is also overdue, we will all be subject to sanctions. Incentive money will suspend."
"Then it's not entirely my husband's fault, isn't it?."
"Please, bu. Or if you have a gutter first."
"Well, if I have, it doesn't have to be a long story. I'll give it right now."
"Please help me, bu." The man pleaded.
"Wait a minute, I'll call Bapak."
I went in and took the HP. Then I called Bintang while sitting in front of the man, talked for a while, and handed over the cell phone to the guy from Leasing. I let them negotiate.
Not long after, he returned the phone to me.
"How is it, already?"
"He said tonight before midnight will be paid by check."
"So, you want to wait until midnight?"
"I go home first, Bu. I'll come back half past twelve."
"I'll make you a coffee anyway if you want to wait."
"No, Bu. Thank you."
I was all wrong. I know for sure that Bintang won't come with the check. It was just a ploy to delay payments. I feel sorry for the officers, but I can't do anything.
"May I ask for your number, please?" Ask the guy before leaving.
I mention my number. The Leasing guy had a miscall. "I'm Ferdi, bu."
I save the number and added the name to the contact list.
Freddie Leasing.
***
The next day, Ferdi Leasing called. "Last night, I finally paid off the installments first, according to Bapak's request. Today, indeed, he paid, but less than 500 thousand, please remind Bapak, bu "
I sighed, "All right, mas."
The next day Ferdi Leasing's name appeared again in the SMS box.
'Bu, please tell Bapak I need another 500 thousand to pay for my rental house. Maybe for Bapak the money is a tiny amount. For me, it is big. I am waiting for the payment today at the latest, I can't wait until tomorrow. Thanks.'
I forwarded the message to Bintang's number.
Sent.
My eyes swept around the room. Thinking of Freddy. Then stop on a stationary bicycle. Take a photo of the bike. Then I put it on the site for buying and selling used goods online.
The next day the bike flew. This month the car installments are done. Others are still being thought of. I don't know about next month.
***