Chapter 4: On Friday
There was no intense communication after that day. Just a promise to meet on Friday. That day was Tuesday. I fill Wednesdays and Thursdays with writing. As always there are many articles that I have to make, besides that, there is a demand for e-books, and so on.
I told you that I work under contract with a company, right? Yup, I am a freelancer who is arguably lucky because I got a long-term contract with a company that needs my writing services. With this, I have a steady income. I hope, friends who also want to get a little freedom, such as not being bound by work in the office, office rules, and other binding things of a company can immediately get a freelancer job that promises enough income for living expenses per month, even more, to be able to save.
Let me tell you a little bit about how I managed to get this long-term employment contract and be a freelancer. It all starts with registering on a freelancer site. One of the existing sites in Indonesia is called Sribulancer.
I offered writing services through that platform and my first client was a catering businessman who needed a copywriter to promote his product. The first experience of getting clients from the site will not be forgotten. I'm happy, I feel like I can finally be independent and live the way I dreamed. Work in self-regulated working hours and choose clients based on my abilities. The important thing I always instill in myself is to stick to the deadlines and keywords they want. Generally, clients free up exploration on freelance writers to create their promotional content.
The freedom I mean here, of course, still has its limits. The limit is on the theme itself. As long as I can fulfill the writing in that theme corridor, then everything will be in order. As I mentioned earlier, since my clients are catering businesses, I learned to understand that their business market is anyone who needs food. In terms of age from teenagers to parents are their prospective consumers. Food is needed by everyone, so it's easier to know.
Then, I learned to understand their purpose. The catering they provide can be provided for any need. When I found out they were providing their catering for weddings, birthdays, corporate meetings, and individuals, I could imagine what writing style was suitable for each audience. When I understood it all, my work went well, and the client loved it. When the client liked my work, they came back to me and asked for help again. In the end, there was a long-term relationship between us.
Next, for a long-term contract. I still remember when I got a contract to create viral content from a social media company in Japan. I signed nervously because they were willing to work with me for a year. In that one year, I tried my best to deliver viral content. In the end, my contract was extended, up to three years. However, unfortunately, when Covid-19 attacked the world, the company had an astonishing policy, namely, they pulled expansion abroad including cooperation with Indonesian writers, so we experienced job cuts. Sad anyway, but what can it do? I read a news article from Japan that said the government was instructing entrepreneurs to resist overseas expansion efforts. Unless those with large capitals and already deeply rooted abroad, are expected to retract the plan. Japan's prime minister wants entrepreneurs to focus on giving economic life to their national interests first. Later, if the economy has stabilized after Covid-19, overseas expansion is allowed. I don't understand economic policy like that. Even so, I think I understand the purpose of attaching importance to the national interest first.
Even so, I'm already happy because I've felt the cooperation with the Japanese media. It was a different experience. The experience taught me, one of the things I got was a professional attitude and time efficiency. Hitherto.
It feels like that's what made me grow up to be more different than I used to be. I know that time will never come back. I became warier of what priorities I had to do today than what I wanted. I realized that my sister and my family were counting on me. Therefore, I shouldn't play around constantly, let alone be a not-serious person. I believe that among my roles fulfilling my responsibilities as a first child and a mainstay, there is happiness in itself. I don't know what it is now, it could be that I've experienced it but still don't realize it.
After not being with the Japanese media anymore, I tried to find my luck elsewhere. One day I saw an ad in Sribulancer, there was a company headquartered in Melbourne Sydney needing copywriters to market their clients' products. I enrolled and I managed to qualify as a writer for them. Our relationship went smoothly for several months. Unfortunately, my phone number was broken, so I changed my phone number, and haven't told them yet. Do I have to tell them?
Oh did I do a stupid act by not telling them?
Ting!
Sign in via Instagram chat. It's from Victor. He sent the location where we were going to meet today. No need to hesitate, I'll see him.
"We'll see you tonight, at 7 p.m," Victor said.
I saw the clock on my phone. It's still 5 p.m.
"Okay," I replied.
I have time to shower and get ready. Uh, did I make a mistake by not noting the client team in Melbourne? But our partnership was over by that time. Do I need to tell them?
I got dizzy and felt like something had been missed because I was thinking about it. Put it this way, now focus on what I have to do first. In a few hours, I have to see Victor. I don't like to keep people waiting. More than that, we haven't seen each other in a long time and talked about our lives, wouldn't it be nice if I focused on him first? And regarding a client who has been lost, maybe because of my stupidity, forget it. I have to focus on what's in my hands. Instead of thinking about who doesn't necessarily want to work with me anymore, wouldn't it be better to focus on those who still work together?
At 7 p.m., I arrived at the café mentioned by Victor in an Instagram chat. Somehow he was able to find this place. Suspicious, he found this place only through social media. I felt awkward when I wanted to enter the café because of the horror felt since the entrance.
I pushed the door, and an owl was welcoming me. My heart feels like it's going to dislodge. After I noticed it again, it turned out to be just a doll. The makers managed to make it very precisely original. I could also see it with red eyes. This owl doll is also used as CCTV. The doll stood in front of the cashier. The cashier smiled at me.
"I ordered a Cappuccino," I said. Coffee menus such as Cappuccino, Americano, Espresso, Latte, are the standard menu in almost all cafes in Yogyakarta. So, I don't need to look at the menu if I want one of them.
"Is there more?" asked the cashier.
"No, thank you," I replied.
"Where do you want to sit? Indoor or outdoors?"
I saw the indoor section. The place is spacious, but there are no other visitors besides Victor who sits in the corner. My lips automatically smile when I see him.
"Indoor, that's my friend," I said, pointing at Victor with the look in my eyes.
The cashier noticed the direction of my gaze. Then, she smiled.
"Okay, The total is Rp25,000," she said.
I took my wallet and gave her fifty thousand rupiahs.
"This is the receipt. Please wait for the drink to be delivered," she said while giving me a receipt shopping for a cup of cappuccino and also change.
I received a receipt.
"Thank you very much," I said in the sweeter tone possible.
After that I immediately joined Victor, sitting in the corner of the café room. From here, I could see the entire inside of the spacious café.
"How are you?" asked Victor.
"As you can see, I'm fine, how are you?"
"How do I'm?"
I nodded. "You look different. I think you're going to the gym."
I looked at his shoulders as well as his arm muscles. In the past, he didn't have such muscles.
"Yes, while living in Jakarta, my friend taught me to increase muscle mass. He couldn't stand my emaciated body. In addition, the demands of the company as well."
"Company?"
It crossed my mind of Victor's Instagram post showing him on duty in a Louis Vuitton office.
"Louis Vuitton doesn't want its employees to not look fit."
"Oh, that's how it looks. They pay for employee gym activities as well?"
Victor nodded. "There's a facility for that."
"Wow, that's cool," I said, without realizing I was swept up in his speech. His experience going to the gym and what excites him.
"Until finally I decided to resign and set up a café in Jogja," said Victor who made my eyes wide open.
"Maybe Ecology is yours?"
Victor nod.
I was happy till I clapped without realizing it. Victor laughed and looked embarrassed as well as proud of himself.
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