Before Eid

During Ramadhan, the glorious and holy fasting month, most Muslims are imbued with the spirit of giving. It is the universal truth, I daresay, when you give, you just give. And the people who receive, just receive when they are given something. But there are some people who actually hope to be given something. And sometimes they have the nerve to ask for it.

It happened about a week before Eid. The Aqua guy (the one who delivers Aqua galon to my house) to my annoyance dared to demand some money.

"For THR (Tunjangan Hari Raya), Ma'am," he said with a hopeful smile.

"If you want THR, you should ask the company you're working for, then." Replied I coolly.

"But I'm the one who delivers your water." He persisted, with a look that seemed to say, "It's my right indeed, to ask you like this!"

I thought that was the worst pre-Eid incident I had ever encountered.

I was wrong, of course. For in the afternoon an officer from kelurahan brought an official letter. It was pretty obscure but the meaning was clear. He wanted some money. Why? For the employees' THR. I wonder. Shouldn't they ask the government for this?

True. Better to give than to receive. But when people start to ask this way, I choose not to give them anything.