What a Beautiful Divorce
8. Deals

The atmosphere in the garden was still cool even though it was noon and the sun was only slightly blocked by the clouds. Prapto, Mr. Dwipangga, and Nimo chatted while occasionally looking at the roaming livestock. Not only the livestock of Nimo's father, other animals that are not livestock also come to play and forage in the garden.

The sparrow seemed to be chatting with the chicken, the butterfly was talking to the rabbit, and the sound of the duck seemed to be the sound of laughter, because in front of him a squirrel was standing with a ruffled waist as if he was telling a funny thing.

"I didn't buy spray pests and poison pests, Nak Prapto. I don't even use chemical fertilizers" replied Mr. Dwipangga after igniting his cigarette.

"Why, Sir? Are the fruits and vegetables you grow not stolen by insects or other animals? And if you don't use chemical fertilizers, do you not reduce your crop yield?" ask Prapto wonder.

Mr. Dwipangga shook his head with a smile. "I don't feel like they've stolen my fruits and vegetables, Nak Prapto. I bought this land title so that other humans would not use my land without permission. Land ownership does not apply to animals, unless I buy this land directly to God.

"The animals don't eat everything, kok, Nak Prapto. If the animals that I call pests kill, isn't that evil? As long as I garden, they never eat the entire contents of my garden," said Mr. Dwipangga.

Mr. Dwipangga looked at Prapto. "The question of why I don't use chemical fertilizers, not even compost, is the length of the explanation, Nak Prapto. I asked for your cigarette, yes. Your cigarette is up, Nimo's cigarette is too."

Prapto gave his cigarette to Mr. Dwipangga and then ignited it.

After exhaling smoke, the old man resumed his explanation. "Pest poison and chemical fertilizers can make soil fertility levels decrease, and can make micro organisms (small living things) that live in the soil die. Isn't that also evil in name when the land that gives us this food is broken?

"And it turns out that the way the farmers and ranchers in this Kejora village is more profitable, Nak Prapto. I see in yutub there is research that explains that the presence of micro-organisms that play a role in making plants become fertile.

"The harvest also tastes much better. You just ate very greedy to add," said Mr. Dwipangga laughing.

Prapto. "Thank you, sir, for your enlightenment. I'll apply it later in my garden" he said. "It's hard to explain, sir, but the dish was delicious. More delicious than the expensive restaurants I often go to."

"And also healthy," continued Mr. Dwipangga.

***

Based on information from Nimo's father, not so far from their home there is an empty land that is reportedly sold by the owner.

The landowner was an elderly man with no children, whom the villagers used to call Mr. Rodi. Therefore, when it was late afternoon, Prapto and Nimo went to Mr. Rodi's house by riding a bicycle.

Along their journey, Prapto noticed the activities of the people in Kejora village while still pedaling bicycles. Some are washing vehicles, some are busy talking with their friends, there are mothers who are heard gossiping about the latest news in Endonesa, and so forth.

What caught Prapto's attention the most were the boys who seemed very engrossed in playing with their parents. Such a sight is rarely, if not impossible, seen in the city. Especially in a big city like Jakarta. 'I really want to settle in this village, ' Prapto said in his heart.

***

Prapto and Nimo stop their bikes in the yard of a large house. Nimo then took Prapto to the terrace of the house. "Good afternoon, Mr. Rodi! It's me, Nimo, Mr. Dwipangga's son."

Shortly after Nimo called, the door of the white house opened. From behind the door appeared a man who was fifty-eight years old. The old man's hair was all white, as well as his long beard.

According to Prapto, the old man at first glance looks like one of the elders of the martial world in the shorts.

Shortly after Prapto and Nimo lit their cigarettes, Rodi returned to the terrace and sat down. "When are you coming home, Nimo?" ask Mr. Rodi.

"Yesterday, sir."

"Turn back to Jakarta?"

"No, Mr. Rodi. I want to stay in the village with my best friend to be a farmer and a rancher. That's why we also visited Mr. Rodi this afternoon" replied Nimo.

Mr. Rodi nodded. "Good ..good. Why go to the city if in Kejora village there are many sources of livelihood?

Mr. Rodi's wife showed up to serve three cups of coffee. Nimo and Prapto then greeted the fifty-five-year-old woman.

"This is my wife, her name is Rine. Isn't that right, Mom, your name is Rine?" god Mr. Rodi.

"How many wives have you forgotten my name?" Miss Rine teased back.

"Now it's still one, but don't know later." Mr. Rodi laughed.

"Be careful if you dare!" replied Miss Rine.

Prapto and Nimo laughed when they saw the old couple joking. After Bu Rine returned home, Prapto explained to Mr. Rodi about his desire to buy land.

Mr. Rodi ignited his cigar. "Yes, right. The land next to my house I'm selling, Nak Prapto. We have no children, and we are old. Therefore, Rine and I decided to sell the land. Nak Prapto buy land for gardening use only or to settle all?" ask Mr. Rodi.

"I want to stay, sir. How much is it, Mr Rodi?"

"Eighty million, Nak Prapto."

Prapto thought for a moment. The entire amount of money with Nimo now was fifty million. This means that Prapto and Nimo's money is less than thirty million. Nimo also seemed to be thinking hard.

Prapto then thought of his black sedan. Are you wondering if you really need that car? Will the car be useful after he starts farming and raising? Finally, Prapto came to the decision that what was important to him now was the land to make a living and build a house.

"Sir Rodi," call Prapto. "I have a black sedan that if sold can sell for forty millions. How about we hand over to you forty million plus the sedan?"

Nimo looked at Prapto as if asking if her boss was already convinced by the decision. Prapto who understood with the intention of Nimo's gaze nodded surely. So, if Mr. Rodi agrees to Prapto's offer, they will have another ten million as capital to start farming and raising.

Prapto and Nimo have agreed that they will buy half the livestock that can make money, and the other half that are small, so that they can meet the daily needs of the livestock.

Mr. Rodi seemed to think. He sipped his coffee and weighed.