That morning, after the three of them asked Bu Siti for permission to take a few days off, Marlon, Riri, and Romo decided to seek further enlightenment. They felt that what they were facing wasn't just a problem that could be solved with unilateral action, but also with input from people who had more experience. So, they decided to go to campus, meet with Pak Sunardi, and also Romo's father, to gain a broader perspective on what was happening.
Marlon drove the car in a somewhat quiet atmosphere, even though the campus wasn't too far. Riri, sitting beside him, looked more serious than usual, staring out the window, perhaps deep in thought about the situation they were facing.
"What do you think, Pak Sunardi and your dad will say?" Marlon asked, trying to start a conversation.
Riri replied softly, "I don't know. But for sure, both of them have been through a lot more, and maybe they can offer a more mature perspective. I'm also curious about what your dad thinks, Mo. He seems wise when it comes to things related to society."
Romo, sitting in the back, only smiled slightly, as if agreeing with their thoughts. "My dad has been involved in social issues for a long time, so he might have some insights on how we should respond to a situation like this."
When they arrived at campus, they immediately headed to the faculty office where Pak Sunardi taught. The campus that morning was relatively calm, with a few students hurrying to their classes. As soon as they entered, Pak Sunardi greeted them with a warm smile, signaling that their visit was not just to ask for advice, but also to show that they had a good relationship.
"Good morning, Marlon, Riri, Mo," Pak Sunardi greeted. "How can I help you today?"
Marlon immediately opened the conversation, "Pak Sunardi, we'd like to ask for your opinion on something. After being involved in the market for a while, we feel that some things are not going as we hoped. We're feeling a lot of pressure, both from outside and within ourselves. We want to know your thoughts on how we should handle this."
Pak Sunardi nodded slowly, listening attentively. "You know, sometimes in any change or good effort, there are many obstacles that arise. Whether it's disagreement or even forces greater than we expect. In this case, I think you're facing something bigger than just a business venture. It's about deeper values—social, religious, and economic values that clash with one another."
Riri then added, "But we also feel like sometimes we have to choose whether we stick to our original intention to help others, or pull back because the obstacles are too heavy. Like what happened with Bu Siti, a lot of negative things came—both physical and spiritual. We even felt trapped in the middle of it all."
Pak Sunardi smiled. "Indeed, in this world, there are many things we can't see with the naked eye. But you have to understand that every good action, especially one that involves many people, will always provoke a reaction—sometimes in ways we don't expect. What you're doing in the market isn't easy, and you must be prepared for all the consequences. What's important is that your intentions remain good and pure, and no one can ruin that. If you're feeling too burdened, there's no harm in stepping back for a while, creating some distance, and gathering strength again."
Romo responded seriously, "But Pak, what if our actions end up making things worse for Bu Siti and for us? We've started to feel like our efforts to help are actually becoming a burden for everyone involved."
Pak Sunardi looked at them wisely. "That's life, Mo. There are times when we have to walk alongside others who are also struggling, but we also have to know when to step back so as not to add to the burden. But most importantly, communication is key—you must continue to talk, like you're doing now. Don't be afraid to seek input and ask questions. You don't know everything, and sometimes other people's opinions can shed light."
Pak Sunardi then shifted the conversation to focus more on the core of the research they were conducting. In a calm voice, he began asking them three questions.
"So, what have you found in the market? I'd like to know more about how the Seven Deadly Sins and Seven Heavenly Virtues play a role in the everyday lives of the vendors there. Please share more details."
Marlon, who had always been accustomed to presenting ideas systematically, began to explain. "We found that there are many things happening in the market that relate to these concepts. For example, we can clearly see the trait of greed, especially from some vendors who always try to outdo one another in unhealthy ways, such as manipulating prices or even resorting to dishonest methods. On the other hand, there are those who practice diligence and patience, like Bu Siti, who always strives to provide the best service despite facing many difficulties."
Riri added, "That's true, but there's also a more complex aspect. Like wrath, which seems to emerge when the competition between vendors gets intense. Some feel angry when their stalls are empty, even though it might be the result of strategies used by other vendors. There's also envy, especially from vendors who feel their competitors are more successful or attract more buyers."
Pak Sunardi nodded, clearly digesting their explanation. "So, what did you do there? What caused the conflicts to arise?"
Marlon sighed, feeling that this was the part that was a bit difficult to explain. "The conflicts actually started when we tried to help Bu Siti in a more transparent and customer-friendly way. Many vendors felt disturbed by that because they thought their stalls became empty once we started selling. Then, there were also vendors who felt threatened by Bu Siti's success, so they started doing unethical things to undermine us."
Riri continued, "And then there was pressure coming not only from other vendors but also from more 'spiritual' sources. Some vendors started using mystical methods to make our sales decline, like sending curses or negative energy. We were scared at one point and didn't know how to face it."
Pak Sunardi listened carefully and then responded, "That's certainly a big problem. So, what did you do to deal with these conflicts? How did you handle all the disruptions, both physical and invisible?"
Romo, who had been listening attentively, finally spoke. "We tried to maintain balance in our approach. We decided to be more patient and not respond in kind. Instead of getting involved in the competition or using dishonest methods, we focused on improving Bu Siti's stall and the way she and other vendors were selling, involving young people like Bu Siti suggested. We hope that with a more friendly and inclusive approach, the situation will improve."
Marlon added, "We also decided to take a break from the market, giving space for Bu Siti and ourselves to rethink things. But honestly, we're not sure if that's a long-term solution. We also feel like some of the things we did may have triggered negative reactions from people who feel threatened."
Pak Sunardi pondered for a moment, seemingly deep in thought about the issue. "So, you chose to step back for a while, giving everyone space to reflect. That was a wise decision. However, what's more important is how you respond to and resolve the conflict constructively. Often in research or any change we try to make, we have to face a harsher and more painful reality, like what you're facing now. What's important is to stay true to the principles you hold, even when many things out there might tempt you to change your approach."
Riri asked hopefully, "So, what do you think we should do now? Is there a better approach to handle this conflict without ruining our original intention to help?"
Pak Sunardi smiled, slightly easing the tension. "Try to look deeper into it." Pak Sunardi looked at them with wisdom, as though thinking carefully about every word he was about to say. He then invited them to look deeper into what they were experiencing.
"Think about it again, what are you really doing by helping Bu Siti and the other vendors at the market?" Pak Sunardi said, looking at each of them one by one. "You're multiplying the targets. If it's only Bu Siti that you help, she'll become the sole target, whether it's physical intimidation or something more mystical. She'll be targeted because she'll be seen as a real threat."
Marlon, who was beginning to understand the direction of this conversation, nodded slowly. "So, by encouraging more vendors to sell in a more open and friendly way, we're actually preventing Bu Siti from being the main target?"
"Exactly," replied Pak Sunardi, reclining in his chair casually. "Since more stalls are starting to use the same approach, the concentration of power, which was initially focused on one point, begins to spread. That means the disturbances you face, whether physical or mystical, will start to diminish. If only one person is isolated, they're an easy target. But when more people get involved in a change, we create a kind of collective protection."
Riri, who was listening intently, began to digest what Pak Sunardi had just explained. "So it's like the principle of 'sharing the burden,' right? If one person carries the burden alone, they'll be overwhelmed. But if the burden is shared among many, it becomes lighter for everyone."
Pak Sunardi smiled, pleased to see they were starting to grasp the core of the explanation. "Exactly. You're not just helping Bu Siti, but you're also helping create a healthier ecosystem at the market. Of course, not all the vendors will follow, but if you keep trying, it will slowly make a positive impact. What's happening now might just be the beginning of the process of change."
Marlon paused, reflecting on Pak Sunardi's words. "So, even though we initially felt cornered and experienced a lot of disturbances, we're actually taking the right steps to create balance in the market. As more vendors follow the same path, we're not just protecting Bu Siti, but we're also building a fairer system."
Romo, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke up. "What you're saying makes sense. Sometimes, we focus too much on one problem, when the solution might come from seeing the bigger picture. What's important is our intention to improve the situation, even though the process isn't easy."
Pak Sunardi nodded in agreement. "Exactly. In social change, the most important things are patience and persistence. Sometimes, we feel like our efforts aren't giving immediate results, but if we continue to act with good intentions, the results will come in time. Never underestimate the power of the collective."
Marlon felt a bit relieved after hearing that explanation. They had initially felt cornered by the consequences that came after helping Bu Siti, but now they could see a broader picture—that their actions might indeed be paving the way for a larger change, even with the heavy challenges.
"Thank you, Pak Sunardi," Marlon said, his tone more optimistic. "We'll keep trying. Hopefully, as more vendors start to think like Bu Siti, we'll achieve a better balance."
Pak Sunardi smiled broadly. "I'm sure you will. Don't be afraid to keep trying and innovating. Sometimes big changes start with small, careful steps."
After the deep conversation with Pak Sunardi, Riri began to reflect, feeling there was something she hadn't fully considered in all their efforts. She looked at Marlon and Romo with a slightly confused expression.
"There's something I've been thinking about," Riri said, starting the conversation with a somewhat hesitant tone. "With what we're doing, even though the intention is good, we're also adding an economic burden to these vendors. They now have to pay more for employees who help them sell, or even spend more capital just to maintain their stalls."
Marlon and Romo turned to look at Riri. Romo was keenly aware that Riri was trying to see the issue from another angle. "You mean, by doing this, we're actually making them more burdened economically?" Romo asked, trying to understand.
Riri nodded slowly. "Yes, exactly. Economically, there's a significant increase in costs. They used to rely only on themselves, but now they have to spend more money to hire people. Maybe in the long run, they'll feel more people are being helped, but on the other hand, they also have to face higher costs."
Marlon looked at Riri seriously. "But we're also changing the way they sell, from being somewhat closed off and unfriendly, to being more open and welcoming. That should attract more customers and increase their revenue, right?"
Riri took a deep breath. "That's true, Marlon. But can the additional costs be covered by the increase in sales? Can they earn enough profit from the additional income to cover the cost of the employees? If, in the end, they end up losing more, what we're doing might not be balanced."
Romo listened intently, his mind working hard. "We've been looking at the problem from a moral and social standpoint, but it seems Riri has a point. The economic balance needs to be considered. If the vendors are struggling with the additional burden, they might start thinking that what we've been teaching is actually making things worse."
Marlon furrowed his brow. "So, we need to find a solution that allows them to grow without adding too much of a burden?"
Riri nodded again. "That's right. We need to make sure that what we're doing doesn't end up trapping them in a new cycle of economic difficulty. We don't want our good intentions to have worse consequences, even in the long run."
Romo paused for a moment. "So, maybe we need to find a way to give them solutions. Not just encourage them to sell in a better way, but also provide them with tools or methods to minimize these additional costs. Perhaps there's a way to reduce their expenses, like sharing employees between stalls or using technology to lower costs."
Riri, sitting in the corner of the room, massaged her temples as if trying to process the new information. "So, if I understand you correctly, Romo, we should try to help the vendors reduce their costs by sharing employees between stalls or using technology to record transactions. But... that seems pretty difficult, right?" Riri said, her voice tinged with doubt.
Marlon, who had been silent until now, spoke up with a questioning tone. "Yeah, sharing employees between stalls? That's going to be really tough, Riri. We're talking about a traditional market, not a mall or a supermarket. Every stall has its own way of doing things, its own 'character.' If we ask them to share employees, it might just complicate things. It's not just about trust; it's about each vendor's comfort level."
Romo, who had been deep in thought, finally added his input. "That's true. Maybe the solution of sharing employees isn't as simple as I imagined. This market isn't a place that can rely on systems like that. Each vendor has their own rhythm and methods. Even for small things like opening hours or payment systems, everything is different."
Riri nodded slowly. "Yeah, and as for technology, that's even more complicated. We're talking about a really traditional market here. Not everyone is tech-savvy, and many don't even have access to the necessary devices. A lot of them still record transactions in notebooks or just remember them in their heads. Relying on technology? That's not going to be easy."
Marlon continued with a bit of frustration, "Yeah, especially when it comes to technology. Maybe if the vendors had smartphones, they could use an app to record transactions or manage their inventory. But a lot of them still use old methods. Even Bu Siti probably wouldn't understand if she had to use an app to sell her goods."
Romo looked at both of them, his face full of confusion. "So... does this mean we're on the wrong track? Maybe our solutions are too far removed from the reality of this market. We should probably focus on more realistic solutions, right?"
Riri sighed. "Exactly, Mo. We need to rethink how to help them without making them feel even more burdened. If technology is hard to implement, and sharing employees isn't realistic, then we need to find an approach that's closer to their actual situation."
Marlon nodded slowly, his expression showing signs of unease. "We can only help as best as we can, but we also have to be careful. If our good intentions end up making things harder for them, it'll backfire on all of us."
Romo sighed deeply. "Yeah, I get it. Maybe we need to have more discussions with the vendors here, figure out what they really need, and what we can help with without adding to their burdens."
Riri looked at both of them with a serious expression. "We need practical solutions, not just things that look good on paper. Solutions that they can actually apply without having to spend a lot of money."
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, contemplating the increasingly complex situation. Although their intentions were good, they still felt lost, struggling to find the right way forward. The discussion, full of possibilities and solutions that turned out to be too far from reality, made them realize that their long journey to help the market vendors wasn't as simple as they had imagined.
In the midst of the growing confusion, they felt the need for further enlightenment. After looking at each other, Marlon finally made a decision. "How about we talk to Romo's dad? Maybe he can offer a broader perspective."
Riri nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we've already talked to Pak Sunardi, but maybe we can get another point of view from Romo's dad. After all, he's got more experience handling situations like this."