Martini

By Sulin

Martini canceled her plan to go to Singapore. She had watched a TV report and learned that many female migrant workers were deceived and forced into prostitution instead of taking up their promised household jobs in countries abroad.

Martini didn't want to have the same fate. She told Yu Darmi, the woman who had helped her arrange the departure, to return her money. But, if she couldn't, Martini would not insist on repayment.

Martini vowed not to join her friends in Singapore, even though she knew none of her friends had experienced a tragic fate. She saw that many of them succeeded as workers, proven by the U.S. dollars they sent to their parents every month.

Still, she was firm in her decision. The sadness of the women in the report affected her more strongly than the tales of great riches to be had.

That's why Martini had given up her intention to work as a migrant worker abroad. She just wanted to work at home.

"I'm really happy, Mar', to learn that you're not going to Singapore," Martini's mother said after listening to her decision.

Her father, who happened to be next to her, did not agree.

"But, I'm disappointed. I've spent a lot of money for her departure," he said when told that the repayment was unlikely.

Martini said nothing. She didn't know what to say. She understood her father, who had spent quite a lot of money arranging for her to leave.

He had sold their only rice field, which had been their only source of income all these years. Where would they get money now?

"I'll try to get a job here, Dad!" said Martini slowly.

"If you decide to work here, we needn't have sold the rice field," replied her father, exasperated.

"It's all right, Pak, just let it be. I'd never let Martini become a prostitute there," said her mother, trying to calm her husband down.

"Who says Martini will become a prostitute there? She's going to do a decent job there, not to be a prostitute!" said her father angrily.

Her mother was silent. Martini could only nod her head.

"So, you still want me to go to Singapore, Dad?" said Martini.

"Whatever you say! You are a big girl now. Girls of your age are good at earning money in this village. Or else, get married and raise kids," said her father.

Martini was startled to hear her father's words. It was the reality of the situation which left her confused. Martini wanted to work but she was yet to find a suitable job. While at home, she had to shoulder the burden of becoming the center of public attention because all the other local girls her age had got married. Martini didn't want to get married soon.

One day, Martini was standing on the village's dike behind her house. She saw some mothers and teenage girls busy working in the rice fields.

Under the intense heat of the sun, they were planting rice. Their hands and feet were smeared with mud while their faces were protected against the sun by caping, the bamboo cone-shaped hats that were a symbol of farm laborers. Martini realized that she would follow in their footsteps unless she could soon get a job in Jakarta.

When Martini was about to return home, she came across Karti, a widow with two children who had her own small business in Jakarta.

"Hi, Mar', I heard you had canceled your plan to go to Singapore, right?" Karti asked.

"Yes, Yu!"

"What's wrong, Mar'?" asked Karti again.

"I'm afraid of getting into trouble there, Yu," Martini replied.

"That's right, Mar.... There is no place like home. If you want, I can help you to get a job in Jakarta," Karti said.

"Really, Yu? But, what job is it?" Martini asked quickly.

"Working in a doll factory. You can sew, can't you?"

Martini nodded. She had learned sewing in the local meeting hall when her village received a free sewing course package from the district. Martini took Karti's offer without a second thought.

Martini soon broke the happy news to her parents. Her father didn't mind but her mother kept quiet. But, Martini didn't care. Even if her mother forbade her, she would insist on going. Such an opportunity would only come once. That's why she immediately prepared everything. She packed only her beautiful dresses. As her father couldn't give her some money to go to Jakarta, Martini decided to sell her 5-gram gold necklace.

As planned, close to her departure, Martini was asked to gather at Karti's house. There were two other girls from other villages, who would go to work in Jakarta as well. From Karti's house, they were to go to the nearest railway station. They would then leave for Jakarta, using an economy-class train, and getting off at Senen Railway Station in the center of the city.

It was a bright afternoon. The wind blew softly. The sky looked blue despite a few black clouds bobbing overhead. Martini was excited as she stepped through the front door of her house. She said goodbye to her parents as well as her younger brothers and sisters. Carrying a large bag, she walked happily to Karti's house.

When Martini had disappeared from sight, both of her parents abruptly went into the house.

Later, a woman arrived at Martini's house.

"Is it Martini's house?" the woman asked hurriedly.

"Yes, I am her mother," Martini's mother said.

"Obviously, you don't know yet, do you? As soon as your daughter arrives in Jakarta, she will be employed as a prostitute," the woman said.

Martini's mother was startled, and then asked, "Who are you?".

"I was a prostitute in Jakarta, together with Karti."

Martini's mother staggered and sat down, the blood draining from her face. The worst fate she had imagined for her daughter was about to come true.

Glossary:

1. Yu = Javanese reference to an older female

2. Pak = a term of address to an older male or a husband

3. Caping = head covering of woven bamboo of broad conical shape

Translated by Ismiarti