CHAPTER 3: LOOKING FOR A JOB
The morning sun shone over the small village where Saraswati lived, warming the air still filled with mist. Today, she decided to start looking for a job. She knew there was no more time to delay. For Amara and her mother, she had to find a way to support her family.
After preparing breakfast and ensuring her mother was well, Saraswati held Amara's hand and took her to Bu Ratna's house. Bu Ratna, a kind neighbor, had offered to look after Amara while Saraswati went job hunting.
"Thank you, Bu Ratna. I don't know what I would do without your help," Saraswati said sincerely.
Bu Ratna smiled warmly. "Don't worry, Saras. I hope you find a good job today."
With a heart full of hope, Saraswati stepped out of the house and began her search.
Saraswati walked to a large grocery store in the village center. She had heard that the owner, Pak Darman, was looking for an employee. Carefully, she entered and greeted the shop owner.
"Good morning, Pak Darman. I heard you are looking for a worker. I would like to apply for the job," she said politely.
Pak Darman observed Saraswati from head to toe. "Have you ever worked in a store before?" he asked.
Saraswati shook her head. "No, sir, but I am a fast learner and ready to work hard."
Pak Darman sighed. "Sorry, Saraswati. I need someone with experience. I can't afford to train someone from scratch."
Although disappointed, Saraswati did not give up. She thanked him and continued her search.
Saraswati then tried applying at several other places, including a food stall and a small boutique that had recently opened in the village. However, the responses remained the same: they wanted employees with experience, and Saraswati did not meet their criteria.
She began to feel discouraged. Every rejection made her realize that being a housewife for years had taken away many opportunities. But she refused to give up.
As she passed by an elementary school, she stopped for a moment, watching the children running happily in the schoolyard. She remembered how much she enjoyed teaching Amara to read and write at home. Maybe she could try working in education?
With determined steps, she entered the school yard and approached a teacher.
"Excuse me, ma'am, is this school looking for additional teaching staff?" she asked hopefully.
The teacher smiled sympathetically but shook her head. "We already have enough teachers, Bu Saraswati. But if there are openings in the future, we will let you know."
Saraswati nodded and thanked her. Although she had not found a job, at least she knew there was hope in this field.
As Saraswati returned home, some neighbors looked at her strangely. She overheard whispers clearly directed at her.
"What does she do all day outside? Looking for a job or looking for attention?"
"Be careful. Sometimes young widows like her can be tempting to the men in this village."
Those words pierced Saraswati's heart, but she held her head high and kept walking. She could not let people's gossip hinder her. No matter what they thought, her priority was Amara's future.
When she arrived home, Bu Ratna greeted her with a warm smile. "How did it go, Saras?"
Saraswati sighed. "No one has accepted me yet, Bu. Finding a job is harder than I imagined."
Bu Ratna patted her shoulder gently. "Don't lose hope. Sometimes, opportunities come from unexpected places."
Saraswati offered a small smile. She hoped Bu Ratna was right. She hoped that somewhere, an opportunity was waiting for her.
Unbeknownst to her, fate was already preparing a surprise for her in the near future.
The next day, Saraswati woke up earlier than usual. She felt today had to be better than yesterday. After finishing household chores and ensuring her mother and Amara were well, she decided to try her luck again.
She went to a batik workshop in the neighboring village, where she heard they were looking for extra workers. There, she met the owner, Ibu Rahayu, a middle-aged woman with sharp yet wise eyes.
"I can sew and pay attention to details, ma'am. I also learn quickly if given the opportunity," Saraswati said hopefully.
Ibu Rahayu looked at her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, let's give it a try. But I can only pay a little since this business is still growing."
Saraswati smiled in relief. "That's okay, ma'am. I just need a job."
Finally, she found a job. Even though the pay was small, it was enough to give her hope that her life could change. On her first day at work, she worked diligently, learning new techniques with determination. She wanted to prove that she was capable.
However, news of her working at the batik workshop quickly spread. As usual, gossip circulated in the village. Some people began to speculate that she was not just working for a living but also seeking attention from the men working there.
When she returned home, some women were gathered near her house. One of them, Bu Siti, spoke in a sarcastic tone. "Saraswati, be careful. There are many men at that workplace. Don't let anyone be tempted."
Saraswati forced a tight smile. "I am just working, Bu. That's all."
But she knew that her defense would mean little to those who had already formed negative assumptions.
Despite the exhaustion from social pressure, Saraswati remained resilient. She worked hard and tried to ignore the circulating gossip. Until one day, on her way home from work, she met a man who would change her life—Boase Wijaya.
The man, known as the owner of a kindergarten, smiled warmly at her. "Bu Saraswati, I heard that you are interested in teaching. Are you still looking for a job?"
Saraswati's heart pounded. Was this the opportunity she had been waiting for?
It turned out that opportunity had come at just the right time. Fate truly had a bigger plan for her.