That morning started like usual. The clock showed 6 AM. Fiya was already awake.
She sat on the edge of a small single bed in a small room. The room was no more than 3 meters by 3 meters. The walls were pale white. The light was dim. The closet was old. Everything looked simple. Simple like Fiya's life.
Fiya stretched her body. Her body felt stiff. She was always like this in the morning. Poor sleep made her body ache.
She stood up and walked to the small bathroom next to her room. Cold water shower. Cheap soap. A towel that was starting to fade.
After showering, Fiya opened her closet. She had 3 sets of office uniforms. All black. All from discount stores. But everything was clean and well-maintained. Fiya was a neat person.
She chose one uniform. She wore it carefully. Even though the clothes were cheap, she treated them like precious items.
After getting dressed, Fiya went to the kitchen. The kitchen was even smaller than her room. She made breakfast. White rice with boiled eggs. Salt and a little sweet soy sauce.
Simple breakfast. But Fiya was grateful to have it.
While eating, Fiya opened her phone. She looked at a photo. A photo of a 10-year-old girl. The girl's name was Desi. Fiya's sister.
Desi smiled in that photo. But behind that smile, there was weakness. There was pain. There was sadness.
Desi suffered from a congenital heart disease. Heart disease since birth. The doctor said Desi needed surgery. That surgery was expensive. Very expensive. The cost was 150 million rupiah.
150 million.
Fiya didn't have that much money. Fiya's mother and father had passed away. They died in a car accident 5 years ago. Since then, Fiya had become the family's breadwinner. Fiya had to work. Fiya had to pay for the house. Fiya had to pay for Desi's school. Fiya had to pay for Desi's medical treatment.
Everything Fiya had to pay for.
Fiya looked at Desi's photo again. Desi's weary eyes. Desi's pale face.
"Desi, your sister will get that money," whispered Fiya to her phone. "Your sister promises."
Fiya finished her breakfast quickly. She didn't have time to waste. She had to get to the office early. Her boss liked disciplined employees.
Fiya arrived at the office at 7 AM. The office was still quiet. Only a few cleaning service workers were cleaning the floors.
Fiya went to her desk. The desk in front of her boss's office. A small desk, but Fiya arranged it neatly. Files were organized perfectly. Laptop was clean. The mug for coffee or tea gleamed.
Fiya started working.
She opened email. So many emails came in overnight. Emails from clients in Singapore. Emails from business partners. Emails from suppliers. All in English.
Fiya started reading and replying to all of them. Her English was good. She learned it herself by watching movies and reading books. No tutoring fees. Everything was free from the internet.
At 8 AM, Fiya had finished replying to all emails. Now she organized the documents that would be used for today's meeting. There were many documents. They had to be arranged neatly. They had to be easy to access.
Fiya worked with focus. Nothing could disturb her concentration. This was her desk. This was her responsibility.
At 9 AM, other employees started arriving. They passed Fiya's desk while greeting her.
"Morning, Fiya!"
"Morning! Are you ready for the meeting?"
"Yes, everything has been prepared," Fiya answered with a smile.
Fiya always smiled. Even if she was tired. Even if she had problems. She still smiled.
Some of the employees were aware of Fiya's dedication. Some appreciated it. But there were also those who didn't care. Those who thought of Fiya as just a robot who only worked and worked.
But Fiya didn't care. She didn't work to be appreciated. She worked because she needed money.
At 10 AM, Ardi came to the office. He went straight to his office. No greeting for Fiya. Like usual.
Ardi was a cold person. He rarely talked. He rarely greeted. But Fiya wasn't offended. Fiya understood. Ardi was a busy CEO. Ardi had many things to think about.
In contrast, Fiya was always ready. Hot coffee for Ardi was already waiting on his desk. Meeting documents were neatly arranged in different folders. Today's schedule was completely recorded.
At 10:30, Ardi came out of his office.
"Fiya, are you ready for the meeting?"
"Yes, Boss. All the documents are here. The client will arrive at 11."
"Good. Thank you, Fiya."
Ardi entered the meeting room with those documents.
Fiya sat at her desk. She refreshed Ardi's coffee because she knew the meeting could be long. She made sure snacks and drinks for the client were already available in the meeting room.
Fiya was a detail-oriented person. A person who didn't forget small things.
During lunch break, Fiya didn't go straight out of the office. She ate at her own desk.
Her lunch bag contained: white rice, fried tempeh, and boiled spinach.
Simple food. Food she cooked herself the night before. Food that was cheap.
While eating, Fiya opened her phone again. She saw a WhatsApp message from the hospital.
"Ms. Fiya, please call us immediately. There is an update about your sister's condition."
Fiya's heart immediately raced.
She immediately called the hospital.
"Hello, I am Fiya. I received a message about my sister. Desi?"
"Oh yes, Ms. Fiya. We wanted to tell you that Desi's condition is getting worse. The doctor recommends surgery immediately. It cannot be delayed any longer."
Fiya felt that voice was far away. Like hearing from underwater.
"When?"
"One week from now. The doctor has already scheduled it. We're waiting for your confirmation and the payment of the first installment."
"Ho... how much is the cost again?" asked Fiya with a trembling voice.
"Total 150 million rupiah. First installment 75 million. The rest can be paid in installments."
Fiya fell silent. She couldn't speak.
75 million. Half of what was needed. She didn't have it. Not even close.
"Ma'am? Are you still there?"
"Yes... yes. I... I will call you back."
Fiya hung up the phone.
She stood up from her desk. She went to the bathroom on that floor. Went into a stall. Locked the door.
She cried. Silently. Just tears falling.
Fiya spent 10 minutes in that bathroom. Crying. Thinking. Panicking.
One week. Just one week. Desi's surgery in one week.
But she still didn't have money.
Fiya came out of the bathroom. She looked in the mirror. Her eyes were red. Her face was pale.
She washed her face. She took tissue and cleaned up.
Fiya had to go back to work. Boss was still in the meeting. Boss still needed Fiya to be ready at her desk.
Fiya returned to her desk. She continued eating lunch. But her food tasted bland. Her mouth felt dry.
Fiya tried to focus on work again. But her mind was still on Desi. On that surgery. On the money she still didn't have.
That afternoon, Ardi came out of the meeting room. The meeting was over. The client was satisfied.
"Fiya, thank you for the preparation. It was very perfect."
"Welcome, Boss. I'm happy to help."
Ardi looked at Fiya more closely. "Are you okay? Your face looks pale."
Fiya smiled. A fake smile. "Yes, Boss. Just a little tired. It's okay."
Ardi nodded. He went back to his office.
Fiya could already read her boss's emotions. Ardi was a caring person. But Ardi didn't like to show off. Ardi didn't like to extend conversations. So Fiya didn't say more.
At 5 PM, most employees had already left. But Fiya was still at the office.
She finished all her work. Updated files. Cleaned her desk. Prepared everything for the next day.
Usually she went home at 6 PM. But today she stayed until 7 PM. She wanted to finish everything properly.
Fiya took her bag. She left the office.
On the way to the station, Fiya's mind kept thinking about Desi. About that surgery. About the money.
When she got on the train, Fiya sat in a very crowded seat. The train was full of tired people. Everyone going home from the office.
Fiya closed her eyes. But she didn't fall asleep. She just thought.
Fiya arrived home at 8 PM. Her house was already dark. Only light from the neighbor's house entered her house.
She opened the door. Desi's room was next to her room.
Desi was already asleep. Desi's face looked peaceful while sleeping. But when Desi slept, Fiya could see more clearly. Could see how weak Desi was. How pale Desi was.
Fiya sat on the edge of Desi's bed. She held Desi's small hand. That hand was warm.
"Desi," whispered Fiya. "Your sister is ready to pay for your surgery. Your sister promises."
But in her heart, Fiya was worried. Very worried.
Where would that money come from?
Fiya couldn't sleep that night either.
She lay on her bed. Thinking of various possibilities.
Borrow from friends? Her friends were also struggling.
Borrow from a bank? She didn't have collateral. She didn't have house papers or anything. She just had a small salary.
Ask for help from the office? The office could lend money. But they would deduct it from her salary for months. Fiya couldn't do that. She still had to pay rent. Pay electricity. Pay for food.
Fiya thought of many solutions. But everything seemed impossible.
She felt alone. Very alone.
The next day, Fiya came to the office again. That morning was harder than usual. Fiya's body felt very heavy.
She didn't get enough sleep. She spent that night just thinking. Just worrying.
But Fiya still came on time. She still worked well. She still smiled.
Because that was her job. Because that was what she had to do.
Fiya was a strong person. A person who didn't give up easily. A person who always helped others, even when she was struggling herself.
At 10 AM, Ardi called Fiya to his office. There was something different about that call. His voice was different. More serious.
Fiya felt nervous.
She entered Ardi's office.
"Sit down, Fiya," said Ardi while pointing to the chair in front of his desk.
Fiya sat down. But she was uncomfortable. There was something her boss wanted to say. Something important.
Ardi looked at Fiya deeply. Like he was trying to read her mind.
"Fiya," said Ardi. "I know you have a problem."
Fiya's heart immediately started racing.
Ardi knew? How did he know?