Chapter 3 — A Pair of Shoes (Dim Moon in the Sky)

 ‘Just get your branch manager to drive you home. Later, I’ll have someone take a photo from behind. A simple rumor of a branch manager escorting an intern. That’s it, nothing more,’ Bara’s words haunted Bulan’s mind.

Bulan stood dazed, watching Angkasa amidst the hustle and bustle of the GOR terminal. Meanwhile, Angkasa was lost in thought, staring at the weeds—parasitic and dry—creeping along the rusted fence. Moonflowers blooming without light.

Woosh!

The bus arrived, sending Bulan and Angkasa’s hair fluttering. It stopped in front of them; one by one, passengers boarded. Angkasa’s gaze on the moonflowers was replaced by Bulan’s reflection, staring blankly through the bus window.

Sret.

Angkasa gripped his bag strap and turned; their eyes met. They were far apart, separated by a crowd of people. Angkasa looked away, back toward the window, but Bulan’s reflection was still watching him.

06.30

The red line of a digital clock hung in the bus's interior. The sun was hidden behind clusters of dark clouds. The bus was packed with students studying for exams. Crowded and jostling, hands gripping the handles, the bus sped over the broken asphalt.

“What... are you daydreaming about?”

“My mother.”

“Is she not registered in the DTKS (Social Welfare Data)?”

Bulan remained silent, staring at Angkasa.

“Look for a certificate of financial hardship at the village office... your mother deserves social assistance.” Angkasa gripped the handle tightly.

The Sarbagita bus stopped at the bus stop sign across from BI. Angkasa got off first, followed by Bulan. The worn-out shoes stepped quickly; the dirty shoes followed.

‘Igniting the light of hope for Indonesia’s golden generation,’ read the BRI billboard Angkasa stared at as he walked, while Bulan eventually passed him by.

The padlock was opened; the iron door was pulled up. Staff and interns entered. The appraiser rubbed candlenuts against a stone. The cashier counted money. The intern messaged customers. Bulan tapped the EDC machine loudly on the desk.

“Morning, Sir.”

“Don’t greet me, Fer... I’m starting to feel dejavu.”

“Same here, Sir... I’m also having dejavu with this boring routine.”

Feri chuckled, pouring liquid onto a stone. Angkasa entered his booth. The branch manager frowned at a note Bulan had left on his desk. The clock ticked toward eight. The ‘Open’ sign was hung on the door by the security guard.

‘3919, 1919, 3939, pawn letters related to the 25-gram gold gratification, serial code G24-25-001919,’ the note read as Angkasa dialed his ex-wife.

“Dara, I prepared some fried rice for you earlier... the box was left in our late child’s room.”

“Yes, I’ve already taken it, Angkasa. Thank you.”

“Take care of your health; don’t overwork yourself.”

The call ended. Angkasa went to the service booth. He borrowed Feri’s PC, typing rapidly into the appraisal application, right next to a chuckling Feri. Bulan’s tapping on the EDC slowed as she glanced at the screen Angkasa was searching.

‘3919, 1919, 3939.’

“When my husband came back to me, that’s when I found out he had cheated, Ms. Ratna.”

“Watching a partner who once cheated on us come home... it feels more heartbreaking than the affair itself, Ma'am.”

“Yes, that’s when my emotions exploded. If I weren't so angry, I might have become a god by now.”

A customer shared her heart with Ratna. The cashier printed an extension receipt. The customer left. Angkasa’s eyes were weary when he realized the three pawn letters and the 25-gram gold originated from Dara’s branch, authorized by Bara.

“Are you getting back together with your ex-wife, Sir?”

“Yes, Feri.”

“Wow, you truly are a man of noble character.”

Angkasa didn't respond to Feri’s joke. His face was tense as he grabbed cold water from the pantry.

☾ ☾ ☾

A free gold-cleaning booth stood amidst the chaos of the Ketapian market. The intern scrubbed gold with a toothbrush. Fish were lined up neatly. Vendors offered vegetables. The dirty shoes followed the worn-out shoes.

“The KUR loan interest is very low, Ma'am. Only 0.5% per month, lower than the bank because the quota is limited... it’s good for business turnover. For example, if you borrow ten million, the interest is only fifty thousand a month.”

“So I have to be fast, right, Dear?”

“Yes, Ma'am... the quota is open right now.”

The scorching sun brought out beads of sweat. Many names filled the list of prospective customers. Angkasa was busy on his phone, occasionally checking on the interns. Bulan was cross-selling loans and precious metals.

“When she’s out in the field, her mouth is so polite. But at the branch, she’s silent and as cold as stone.” The CRO team was amazed by Bulan’s sales skills.

Eye contact!

Bulan saw Bayu from a distance. She immediately ran into the market crowd. The CRO team was startled. Angkasa saw it too. Bayu chased after her, bumping into a vendor.

“Why are you chasing her?“ Angkasa gripped Bayu’s shoulder.

“Mr. Angkasa, why did Bulan run?” The CRO team approached Angkasa.

Bayu smiled upon hearing the name ‘Angkasa.’ Angkasa’s brow furrowed as Bayu’s eyes widened, staring at him.

Bugh!

Angkasa winced in pain. Vendors and shoppers were shocked by the sight. The CRO team stepped in to mediate. Bayu’s eyes flashed with spite as he glared at Angkasa.

“Oh, so you’re the one who gave the 25-gram gold?”

“What do you mean?” Angkasa held his cheek.

“Bulan used your gold to pay her debts!”

Thump!

Angkasa’s breath hitched at those words.

☾ ☾ ☾

The sky turned orange. A purple plastic bag was held in hand. Salty droplets covered the brow. A photo of Angkasa’s bruised cheek was shared in the branch's WhatsApp group. The door opened. The clock struck three. A customer was startled to see Bulan.

“My God, Mr. Angkasa is bruised because of a loan shark.” Feri’s eyes widened as he saw the group chat, prompting Ratna to glance up while counting money.

The money was handed to the customer. The customer left. Komang entered and hung the ‘Close’ sign on the door. The security guard took a broom and passed by Angkasa’s booth. He saw the purple plastic bag fall to the floor from Bulan’s hand.

“Lan, don't forget to water the decorative plants,” Feri quipped.

Bulan left Angkasa’s booth. A glass of water was gripped in her hand. The dirty shoes walked toward the customer area. Water poured slowly onto the plants decorating the service desk.

“Mr. Angkasa’s fate is so miserable. Accused of gratification, problems with his wife, and the Business Deputy... I feel so sorry for him, Feri.”

“If I were Mr. Angkasa, I would have taken the bribe. I’d scream in Mr. Bara’s face. I’m not as stupid as Mr. Angkasa, letting himself be belittled by the Business Deputy!”

Splash!

The glass slammed onto the desk. Simultaneously, the door opened. Angkasa’s eyes widened to see Feri’s face soaking wet. Feri blinked repeatedly. Bulan grabbed her bag and left the pawnshop.

“What on earth was that?” Feri gawked.

Ratna remained silent as Angkasa looked at her. Meanwhile, Komang continued mopping the water droplets on the floor.

☾ ☾ ☾

The sky grew dark. The hustle and bustle seemed to spin rapidly. A glass slammed on the table. Alcohol was swallowed. The sound of the frying pan clashed with the roar of the flame. Angkasa’s eyes shimmered with exhaustion. His hand was limp on the glass.

‘3919, 1919, 3939,’ memories continued to play in his head amidst the crowded Chinese stall.

‘Watching a partner who once cheated on us come home... it feels more heartbreaking than the affair itself.’

‘She likes you. No intern cares that much about their manager's gratification,’ Chandra—his brother’s words from a week ago—echoed in his mind. ‘My brother is amazing, having a young woman like him.’

‘Don’t be like that. She’s only 19, too fragile to be called an adult. Too hardened to be called a teenager. Her eyes flash with hatred. She’s just a girl who grew up too fast in a cruel world,’ Angkasa had replied.

“What’s wrong, son?”

Angkasa turned, dazed, looking at his mother wearing an apron. The owner of the Chinese stall grew pale as she looked at her son. Angkasa only shook his head, smiling faintly.

Drtt....

At eleven o'clock, the door creaked softly. Angkasa stepped out of the stall. His eyes met Bulan’s. The dirty shoes stopped in front of the worn-out shoes, amidst the crowd and streetlights.

“Have you... just finished your part-time job?”

“Buy me some capcay, Sir.” Bulan took off her earphones and smiled faintly.

Bulan’s smile faded when she saw the bruise on Angkasa’s cheek. Angkasa wouldn't even look at her.

‘Bulan used your gold to pay her debts!’

“Some other time,” his deep voice drifted wearily.

Angkasa reached into his coat pocket; the worn-out shoes left the dirty shoes behind. Turn after turn, the path inclined. The streetlights thinned. The dirty shoes overtook the worn-out shoes. Bulan stopped as she saw it.

Click!

Someone was hiding behind a wall with a camera. The dirty shoes turned back. The worn-out shoes stopped. Bulan’s eyes stared at Angkasa with spite.

“Why are you angry again?”

Bulan approached him.

“I’m angry because you aren't wearing the shoes I gave you.” Bulan pulled back her worn-out hoodie.

‘Who gave me these shoes, Komang?’ Angkasa had been carrying the purple plastic bag this afternoon.

‘Bulan, I think, Sir... I saw her drop them in your booth earlier,’ Komang had replied while sweeping.

Angkasa stared at the new shoes in the purple plastic bag. He looked down at the worn-out shoes given by Dara. He had shut his locker perfectly.

“I wonder why I wander around late at night just to see you.”

Angkasa’s eyes were fixed elsewhere, looking away. “Go home! Why are you out wandering!”

The worn-out shoes continued walking; the dirty shoes followed.

“You have to take responsibility!”

Angkasa didn't turn; Bulan continued demanding an answer.

“Hit me on the head, Sir... so I can dampen this feeling of love with hatred!”

Angkasa stopped. His eyes turned red as he stared at Bulan. “You... you.”

“I’m what?!”

“You’re insane!”

Angkasa continued walking; Bulan pulled him back.

“If you don’t hit me....” Bulan looked down, her bloodshot eyes staring at the ground. “I’ll assume that Angkasa Putra likes Bulan!”

Bugh!

Angkasa’s breath grew heavy as he saw Bulan on the ground. His hands tightened on his bag strap. Bulan stood up. The dirty shoes stepped away quickly. Bulan’s gaze was full of spite as she passed the man hiding with the camera.

The moon seemed to be swallowed by darkness. Angkasa turned to look at Bulan. Angkasa walked down the incline.

☾ ☾ ☾

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