Flashback: When Virtue Becomes a Boomerang
After going bankrupt, Herman wanted to change. This time, he wanted to be good. Really good. Better than anyone else.
"Dewi, starting this month, I'm giving you all a raise. I don't want my employees to feel unappreciated," Herman said with a generous smile.
Dewi was surprised but happy. "Thank you, Sir! This will really help."
Herman also began treating his employees more kindly.
"Sir, I'm sorry I was late for work earlier…"
"It's alright. I understand—life can be unpredictable sometimes," Herman replied with calm wisdom.
At first, the change felt wonderful. The employees were more comfortable at work. Customers felt more valued. But over time, Herman began to notice something.
Day by day, the store's cash kept decreasing without any clear reason.
"Sir, our cash register is down again," Dewi said, her face full of worry.
"Maybe it's just a bookkeeping error? We should keep giving people the benefit of the doubt," Herman replied, though he was starting to feel uneasy.
But the same thing kept happening. Employees became less disciplined. Merchandise sometimes disappeared without a trace. Herman felt something was wrong, but he refused to think badly of others. He wanted to believe that goodness would always be returned with goodness.
In his neighborhood, Herman started becoming a "walking loan office."
"Herman, my child is sick and we need money for treatment. Can I borrow some cash?" asked a neighbor.
Without a second thought, Herman nodded. "Take whatever you need. Health is the most important thing."
Strangely, the same request came again the following month.
"Herman, my child still needs medical help…"
Herman stared at them for a while. This time, there was hesitation. He wanted to help, but something didn't feel right.
The bad signs kept piling up. The employee whose salary he had increased became even lazier. Some were frequently absent without explanation, and some even stole merchandise. Meanwhile, people he had helped started avoiding him when he asked them to repay their debts. Some even boldly said, "Ah, Herman is kind—he'd never have the heart to collect the money."
One day, Herman discovered that one of his most trusted employees had run off with a large sum of money from the store. He felt hurt, angry, and betrayed. But when he tried reporting it to the police, he felt guilty instead."Have I been so good that people no longer respect me?" he wondered.
At home, he vented to his wife, Santi.
"San, I don't get it. I tried to be a good person, but why does it feel like things just keep getting harder?"
Santi looked at her husband for a long moment before replying. "Mas, do you remember back then, when the business was booming? You often turned people down when they asked for help. But now, you give too easily. I'm not saying giving is wrong, but… you trust people too easily."
Herman sighed. "So, you mean I should just be half-good, half-bad?"
"Not half-hearted," Santi said gently. "But wise enough to know when to give and when to say no. You don't have to be perfect. Just be wise."
Herman fell silent. Her words made sense. But the realization came too late.
His business collapsed again. The employees he trusted began taking advantage of his kindness. Some of the people he helped disappeared without a word. Debts piled up. He fell—again.
After his second bankruptcy and everything he went through, Herman finally decided not to run a business himself anymore. He realized he was too soft with finances, while Santi was much more disciplined.
One night, as they sat at their modest dining table, Santi opened the ledger for the small food stall they now ran.
"Mas, let me handle the stall from now on. You're way too soft when someone asks for credit or a discount," she said, scribbling in her notebook.
Herman shrugged and sipped his coffee. "I just thought… a little debt here and there wouldn't hurt. They're our neighbors, after all."
Santi gave him a sharp look. "The problem is, a little here and there—when multiplied by a hundred customers—could bankrupt us again!"
Herman chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Alright, I'll leave it to you. You're stricter with money. I think I'm better off finding another job."
"What kind of job?" Santi asked, still skeptical.
"I'm thinking of becoming an online taxi driver."
Santi frowned. "Why not try another business instead?"
"Well, I like driving around anyway. Why not make money while chatting with people? Who knows, I might meet interesting passengers."
Santi chuckled and shook her head. "Alright then—as long as you don't start giving everyone free rides."
From the bedroom, a small voice called out. "Dad, can I come with you to work tomorrow?"
Herman smiled. "If I don't have a passenger, sure. But if I do, you have to sit quietly in the back, okay?"
Dika nodded eagerly. Santi could only shake her head gently, smiling at her husband and son.
Herman laughed, but deep inside, a question lingered:Could he still find the balance between being a good man and simply surviving?