Brojopati

Chairil Gibran Ramadhan

Brojopati, the tycoon who had enriched himself at the expense of others, taking the rice from other people's plates by any and all means, finally died.

A grand bash to celebrate his birthday was held in a posh hotel only five days earlier. He died in the presence of his wife -- whom he had not slept with for a very long time because of his preference for young virgins -- his twin sons and three daughters, each living in houses worth billions of rupiah that their father had bought for them, and his three elder brothers, who had lived in the city for many years thanks to his support.

He died while his gardeners, two servants, three security guards and four chauffeurs were still chanting part of the confession of faith after the evening prayer in the larger prayer house close to the swimming pool in his mansion. He died in the presence of the most accomplished doctors in the city, who were arranging to transport him to the country's best hospital.

His house was located in an area that was once the site of a slum, but God knows where the poor folk had gone after getting a pittance for their homes and sent on their way.

Brojopati's house was a fortress surrounded by high walls. It was guarded by security guards and their dogs around the clock. Its tall strong gate was opened only for certain people.

One of his brothers arrived only that morning after being told Brojopati had been confined to his bed for the past couple of days, stricken by a mysterious illness and constantly calling out the names of their parents.

As soon as their master took his last breath, Brojopati's servants took the initiative to inform his relatives and colleagues. The two servants prepared food and drink. Tents and chairs were set up to welcome relatives, friends and colleagues.

Then the funeral was over. All his relatives and colleagues said in unison that Brojopati would go right to heaven because of his kindness and generosity to them.

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Brojopati turned 50 this year and was known as a leading businessman. He had climbed the ladder of success through hard work. After graduation, he joined a legal-aid institute and then moved to a lawyer's office.

Several years later, he and some friends had their own office. When a business opportunity opened up, he seized it without hesitation. His quick mind led him to the apex of the business world.

So, when university students took to the streets to protest against the government, he advised his twin sons, both in their final year at a private university, against joining the streams of protesters.

"It is no use joining the rallies. A complete waste of time. But if you want a new experience, you may as well take part. You will be able to tell your children and grandchildren about it. And if you can sit atop a roof of a government building along with other students, I will take you on a holiday to Switzerland."

The twin sons enthusiastically joined the protesters, carrying posters and burning effigies of the state leaders. They had all that money could buy.

Every time they were among the protesting students, they remembered their grandfather's words: "Never forget your religion and your God. Don't be like the communists. You were not born out of stone and when you die you will not turn into stone. Defend truth and fight evil."

In the throng of their peers, the twin sons shouted louder and louder: "Long live reform. Do away with corruption and nepotism!"

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Brojopati had always aspired to be a leading businessman. This year he turned 23 and had just earned a law degree from a well- known state university. He had earned a scholarship and worked hard to get through school, and now that he had his degree, he was looking for a job.

He was married and was waiting for the birth of his first child. He did not want to rely on his eldest brother for help.

When students in the city took to the streets, he joined them. He was not alone. Other unemployed university graduates joined the demonstrations too, for their own reasons. They carried posters and burned effigies of government leaders.

When he was among the angry young people, he remembered his father's words: "Never forget your religion and your God. Don't be like the communists. You were not born out of stone and when you die, you will not turn into stone. Defend truth and fight evil."

Like the others, he stood there and shouted louder and louder.

The next month his wife gave birth to twin boys, Malari and Junari.

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Brojopati's goal was to be a top businessman. This year he turned 17 and was in his second year at a state high school.

Several years earlier, his eldest brother asked Brojopati to move in with him. "Stay with me in Jakarta for your schooling. There is a state secondary school near my house. You can get a scholarship and simply walk to school."

When students in the city took to the streets, he joined them in his school uniform. They carried posters and burned effigies of state leaders.

Every time he was among the young protectors, he remembered his father's words: "Never forget your religion and your God. Don't be like the communists. You were not born out of stone and when you die, you will not turn into stone. Defend truth and fight evil."

So, like the others, he shouted louder and louder.

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That night, Brojopati was born in a poor village in Central Java. People were still chanting part of the confession of faith in a mosque close to his parents' house.

His father was a poor farmer. A sister-in-law called him from the mosque when Brojopati was born. Then his father whispered a call to prayer in the baby's right ear and iqomah (the pre-prayer chant) in his left ear.

His parents were 26 the year he was born and already had five sons. They lived in a simple house with bamboo walls and a roof made of coconut leaves. Every day they ate only cassava mixed with some rice.

But, as the youngest child, he received special treatment. His parents and his five brothers gave him two spoons of rice from their tin plates.

His father always told him these words: "Now you take rice from our plates so that you can grow into a healthy boy. When you grow up, never take rice from other people's plates. Never forget your religion and your God. Don't be like the communists.

"You were not born out of stone and when you die, you will not turn into stone. Defend truth and fight evil."

Translated by Lie Hua