Midnight Ojek Ride, a Heart That Never Tires

Medan, North Sumatra – (March 30, 2026) That journey felt different for Jestham and her team. Looking into her car's side mirror, she noticed someone on a motorbike, a ride-hailing driver, faithfully following behind. Not intentionally tailing them, but perhaps because they were heading in the same direction. Jestham felt a surge of emotion. "The man is following us," she said to her team. She deliberately pulled the car over in front of a minimart. "Keep to the left. In front of me. Over here, on the left," she directed. After stopping, she turned to the ojek driver and said, "You were following me, weren't you? Come on, let's go inside. Let's do some shopping. Just two minutes."

The man seemed confused but smiled nervously. Jestham invited him into the minimart. "What were you doing earlier, sir?" she asked. "Waiting for orders, Miss. It's quiet," the man replied wearily. "Only had two orders since this morning." Jestham probed further, and the man admitted he wasn't married and still lived with his parents. When asked what necessities they needed most at home, he answered, "Rice, cooking oil, and eggs, Miss." Jestham nodded, then explained the rules: "So, I'm using a 2-minute duration. When time's up, you have to stop. Okay?" The man agreed, full of gratitude.

But something felt wrong. Just before they started shopping, the man's hands were trembling. His eyes welled up with tears. Jestham then asked, "What's wrong, sir? Why so sad?" In a soft, trembling voice, the man replied, "It's not often I get something like this, Miss. Orders are quiet. Everything is expensive." He also admitted he had just started paying off his motorbike on credit and hadn't made a payment; the due date was nearing. Jestham reassured him, "It's okay, sir. Your fortune will come again. Let's shop for 2 minutes. Stay strong, okay? Forget the installment for now." The man nodded, trying to be strong.

The countdown began. "One, two, three... go!" Jestham shouted. The man quickly rushed to get some rice. "How many people at home?" asked Jestham. "Four," he answered. "Get the big one!" The man then jogged off, grabbing eggs, followed by coffee, cooking oil, instant noodles, soap, and even milk for his parents. Jestham kept cheering him on from behind. In two chaotic but laughter-filled minutes, the shopping cart was full. When time was up, the man was out of breath and gave thanks. "Thank you so much, Miss."

Jestham then invited him for a warm chat. It turned out the man was 40 years old and unmarried. "No one wants me, Miss. A guy like me, an ojek driver. And fat," he said shyly. At home, he lived with his elderly parents and his 21-year-old sister, who was looking for work. Every day he drove his ojek to support his parents, who no longer worked. "They raised us, you know. Now it's our turn to repay them," he said, tears welling in his eyes. Jestham was moved by the son's devotion to his parents.

Then she remembered that the man was still burdened by his motorbike installment that hadn't been paid off. "I've only managed to save IDR 400,000 for it, Miss," he revealed. Without a second thought, Jestham took out some money and said, "Here, this is from God's blessings, to pay for your bike." The man could hardly believe it. His eyes were wet, his hands trembling as he received the blessing. "May God repay your kindness, Miss; may your fortune increase," he stammered. Jestham smiled. "It's (God's) provision, sir." It turned out the man had been driving around for an hour and a half and had only received two orders.

Before parting, Jestham gave him advice and a blessing. "I pray that you'll find a spouse soon. Amen. Believe it or not, a parent's prayer for us kids is powerful. Keep loving your parents. Your fortune as someone who loves their parents will always lead you to good people." The man nodded, deeply moved. Jestham asked him to send her regards to his mother at home. She then handed over all the groceries, which had been neatly packed, plus some extra money for the man's fare to get home.

That day, a brief encounter by the side of the road turned into an unforgettable moment. An ojek driver who had only been following behind went home with a full heart and blessings following his every step. Jestham was once again reminded that behind every difficulty, there is always unexpected fortune. And sometimes, it takes only two minutes to change someone's life.