Unexpected Blessing in the Month of Ramadan: A Touching Encounter with a Pedicab Driver

Medan City, North Sumatra - (03/02/25) In the midst of the hustle and bustle leading up to Eid al-Fitr, a simple yet meaningful encounter occurred between Jestham and an elderly pedicab driver. Jestham approached the man who was sitting on his pedicab. "Sir, why aren't you working? I have a blessing from God, groceries as much as you want. Do you want it? You want it, right sir?" she offered. Hesitant but full of hope, the man nodded and followed her instruction to follow her car to the nearest supermarket. "Follow my car, okay. Let's go now, sir."

Upon arriving at the supermarket, a warm conversation developed between them. Jestham asked the man's age, which turned out to be over 70 years old. With great attentiveness, Jestham decided not to impose a time limit for shopping. "Sir, usually I use a time limit. Because you're over 70, I won't use a time limit. I'm afraid you won't be able to rush around quickly. So, let's shop for your household needs, okay? "It's almost Eid, right?" she asked. The man replied, "Yes." The shopping began with the most essential needs. "What's the most important household need, Sir?" "Rice," the man answered succinctly.

In the middle of the shopping activity, Jestham noticed a sadness on the old man's face. "Why are you sad, Sir?" she asked gently. "I am sad. "I earn money by myself," the man replied. Slowly, he began to tell the story of his children. "There are two in Cambodia." Jestham inquired further, "No news? Have you received any calls?" To which the man answered there was none at all. Jestham tried to comfort him. "Be patient, okay, sir. What are your children's names in Cambodia?" "Fandy Akbar," the man replied. His youngest child, it turned out, had not returned and was out of contact in that country. "Let's pray that Fandy can come home, okay, Sir," Jestham said sincerely, offering a prayer.

The man shared that his child in Cambodia had not contacted him for a long time, as if he had abandoned him. Jestham then comforted him with the hope that this video might go viral and reach the child's ears, so he would know how much his father missed him. The man added that even though his child left with an official passport, he had not heard any news for two months. When asked about the hardships of life, he admitted that earning money with a pedicab was very difficult, especially now that he has to compete with online transportation, which is more popular with people.

Even though his heart was troubled thinking about his child who hadn't come home, the man continued to follow Jestham around the supermarket aisles. Patiently, Jestham accompanied him and let the man choose the items he needed himself, especially rice as the main staple. Whenever the man seemed hesitant or only took a modest amount, Jestham would gently add more items to the cart. The man said "enough" several times, but Jestham still took the initiative to add various other necessities, such as cooking oil, coffee, soap, sugar, and milk. Their shopping cart became increasingly full with various basic necessities, hoping to fulfill his household needs, especially to welcome the day of victory.

The conversation then shifted to preparations for celebrating Eid. Jestham asked if the man had bought new clothes for the holiday. It turned out he hadn't bought Eid clothes for himself for years. The clothes he was wearing at that time were the same ones he had worn for the past seven years. He admitted he didn't mind not having new clothes, as long as his children and wife could wear Eid clothes. To be able to buy his family new clothes, he was willing to pedal his pedicab until late at night, sometimes even not going home. Hearing this profound struggle, Jestham's heart was moved again to give an extra blessing that could be used to buy Eid clothes for the man's family.

Upon receiving the gift, the man couldn't hold back his tears of emotion. With a trembling voice, he raised both hands and offered praise and gratitude to God for this unexpected blessing. Jestham then gently reminded the man to continue performing his prayers and to pray for the safety of his family, especially his child who was still far away, hoping they would soon be able to return home. She hoped that this Eid would bring blessings to the man and his family and that the sustenance given would be beneficial. In closing, they parted ways with great warmth. Jestham advised the man to be careful on the road, and the man thanked her repeatedly. A brief encounter that provided not only food but also hope and prayers for a father waiting for his child's return from afar.