The night grew darker in the nearly empty office. Flickering neon lights on the ceiling cast a somber atmosphere. I glanced at the clock on my computer screen; the hands had already passed twelve. It was 10 PM. Other employees had left since early evening, and the building felt eerily quiet. I often stayed late recently, with many tasks needing completion. But tonight, there was another reason keeping me here. Thoughts of my mother haunted me.
In the spacious room lined with orderly desks, I was the only one still awake. The sound of typing on the keyboard was the only thing breaking the silence of the night. I tried to focus on finishing the last task, typing rapidly on the keyboard. But the image of my mother lying weak in the hospital kept invading my thoughts. My mind was torn between job responsibilities and my duty as a son.
Meanwhile, in his office, Mr. Andi, the company's HR manager, was staring at the stack of files on his desk. He felt uneasy; something was off tonight. He had seen Joko working late too often recently, and it bothered him. Finally, he decided to check on Joko's office, even though it was already late.
Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I looked up and saw Mr. Andi walking towards my office. His face looked tired but still showed concern.
“Still working tonight, Joko? It’s late,” he said softly.
I was surprised and quickly turned towards him. “Yes, Sir. I just have a bit more to finish.”
“Alright,” said Mr. Andi.
As he started to leave, I stopped typing and called out to him softly, “Excuse me, Sir. Can I have a moment of your time? There’s something I need to talk about.” I felt nervous and serious. The room, already cold, felt even more tense with the weight of the moment.
“What is it, Joko? Go ahead. If it’s about the office, as the HR Manager, I’ll handle it,” he said.
I paused, gathering my courage. “I want to resign from the company, Sir,” I said, my voice trembling, my head bowed. The room suddenly felt smaller, the burden I was carrying adding weight to the atmosphere around us.
Mr. Andi looked shocked. “Why? Is there a problem? Why do you suddenly want to resign?” he asked.
I took a deep breath before speaking. “Sir, I need to submit my resignation. My mother in the village is seriously ill, and there’s no one to take care of her. I have to go back and look after her.”
Mr. Andi looked surprised by my decision. He knew how dedicated I had been. “Joko, this is a big decision. Have you thought it through?”
I nodded slowly. “I have, Sir. I need to go back, Sir.”
I then explained my mother’s condition in the village. My father had passed away a long time ago, and my sister lived out of town, unable to stay with our mother because she was with her husband and had young children. Mother was often alone at home, and her condition was deteriorating.
Mr. Andi asked again, in a softer and more empathetic tone, “What about your dreams? Your goals that you’ve worked hard for? And what about financial issues you might face without a job back in the village? Your health insurance will also lapse. Think about the best solution. Talk to your sister; maybe you can find a middle ground without resigning,” he said with empathy.
I was silent, my eyes starting to well up. “I’ve thought it all through, Sir. Of all the options, the best one is for me to take care of my mother right now. She took care of me when I was young, and now it’s my turn to take care of her in her old age,” I replied, smiling through hidden sadness. The room felt even quieter, only the ticking clock audible.
Mr. Andi sighed, understanding the heavy burden I was carrying. Inside, he felt the pain of losing one of his best employees. However, he also understood my duty as a son. “Alright, Joko. If that’s your decision, I can’t hold you back. I support whatever you decide. May blessings be upon you and your family,” he said.
On the way home, I pondered. Life’s lessons were indeed complex and precious. Sometimes we must choose paths that feel heavy to tread. Tears started streaming down my cheeks without me realizing it.
At home, I sat in the quiet dining room, thinking about Mr. Andi’s words. Memories of my childhood with my mother flashed through my mind. Her smile and genuine care, and now I faced a difficult choice.
The next day, I immediately wrote my resignation letter. I wrote it with deep emotion, expressing my gratitude to the company and my noble reason for caring for my mother. I handed the letter to Mr. Andi with a heavy heart, appreciating every word I had written. Mr. Andi received it with sad eyes, understanding the weight of my decision. But this was the path I had to take.
As I left the office for the last time, I turned back to the building that had become a part of my life. My heart was heavy, but I knew this was the right decision. My mother needed me, and I had to be there for her, just as she had always been there for me. On the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about the future and the sacrifices I had to make. Mr. Andi, watching me leave from his office window, also felt the weight of this farewell. We both knew that life sometimes forces us to make the most difficult decisions.
