An Offline Motorcycle Taxi Worker

StarThe Story of an Offline Ojek Worker

Ahmad is an offline ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver who works every day with dedication and enthusiasm. He lives in a big city that never sleeps, Jakarta. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the capital, Ahmad spends his days riding an old motorcycle, taking passengers from one place to another. Every morning, he wakes up before the sun rises, starting his day with hope, even though he doesn’t know what challenges the road will bring.

Ahmad has been working in this profession for more than five years. He started his career as an ojek driver after losing his job at a factory due to the economic crisis. Since then, he had to adjust to a new life, working with a two-wheeled vehicle that has become his loyal companion in his struggle. Although his job doesn’t promise wealth, Ahmad is proud that he can support his family through honest work.

“This job is tough, but I have to keep going. My children need food, school, and I can't just rely on prayers,” Ahmad says to himself whenever he feels tired. He has two children, Fadil and Farah, who are still in school. Ahmad wants them to get a good education, though he knows it’s not easy.

Every day, Ahmad faces heavy traffic and unpredictable weather. Sometimes, he has to ride through pouring rain or battle the scorching heat of the sun. Even though his motorcycle is old and sometimes struggles to run smoothly, he keeps going without complaint. For him, every ride is an opportunity to earn money for daily needs.

One bright morning, Ahmad set off from his home. He always begins his journey with a smile, even though his heart is full of worry. At the ojek station, he joins several other drivers who are also waiting for passengers. They chat casually, share stories about work, or just encourage each other. However, that day felt different. There were fewer passengers than usual. Ahmad could only wait patiently, as he always does.

After a while, a passenger finally approached. A young man who appeared to be in a hurry, wearing a raincoat and looking slightly anxious. “Mas, to Manggarai Station, quickly. I'm late,” the man said in a slightly panicked tone.

Ahmad immediately put on his helmet and invited the passenger to hop on. Despite the overcast weather, he started driving. Along the way, he and his passenger got stuck in traffic. Ahmad wasn’t too bothered by it; he was used to it. What mattered to him was getting the passenger to his destination safely and on time. He continued to drive his motorcycle skillfully, weaving between other vehicles.

However, during the trip, it started to rain heavily. The passenger, who had seemed calm at first, now appeared anxious. “Mas, I need to get there quickly. I’m already late for an important meeting,” he said.

Ahmad nodded, trying to avoid the increasing puddles as quickly as possible. The road became slippery, and the old motorcycle began to struggle to stay stable. But Ahmad didn’t give up. He pushed the motorcycle to keep moving. The rain grew heavier, but he remained focused, not wanting to disappoint his passenger.

When they reached the station, the passenger seemed greatly relieved and thanked Ahmad. “Thank you so much, Mas. You’re amazing, getting me here safely in the rain like this,” the man said sincerely.

Ahmad smiled, despite being drenched. “Thank you, Pak. I hope your day goes smoothly,” Ahmad replied politely.

After dropping off his passenger, Ahmad took a moment to rest. He looked around, feeling the overwhelming hustle of the city around him. People were rushing by, chasing time, facing their own challenges. Ahmad thought about his family waiting at home. He wanted to go back, but there were still passengers needing his services.

Ahmad continued his journey, picking up the next passengers. Every time he accepted a new ride, he felt more motivated to keep working hard. But he could never escape the fact that life as an ojek driver wasn’t easy. Sometimes, he had to work more than ten hours a day just to meet his family’s needs.

One afternoon, after working all day, Ahmad returned home. He found his children studying at the dining table. Fadil, his eldest son, was working on his school assignment, while Farah, the youngest, was drawing on a piece of paper. Ahmad felt happy to see them, even though he was exhausted. “Dad’s home, kids,” he said weakly.

Fadil and Farah ran to greet him. “Dad, I was studying about Indonesian history, and Farah was drawing the flag. Are you tired, Dad?” Fadil asked while holding Ahmad’s hand.

Ahmad smiled faintly, “Yes, Dad is tired, but I’m happy to see both of you studying hard. I hope you can both be more successful than I am.” He hugged his two children, feeling proud despite their simple life.

Every night, Ahmad sat in front of his small house, reflecting. He knew that his life wasn’t always easy. There were many challenges he had to face. But he was still grateful because he could work, support his family, and give them the best he could. He hoped his children could get a good education and have a bright future.

Ahmad knew that life as an offline ojek driver was full of struggle. But he never regretted choosing this path. Every journey he took, every drop of sweat that fell, was part of his effort to give his family a better life. And even though few people understood his life, Ahmad still believed that every hard work would eventually bring results.


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