I pushed the palm fruit with a shovel. I carried the fallen fruit to the palm fruit hopper and separated it before feeding it into the machine.

Each of us did our own work. I didn't need to be so busy just being a foreman and paying attention to the people under my supervision. I preferred working with them, which would make them even more diligent and uncomfortable for me. That wasn't what I wanted to instill, but rather cooperation and sincerity in my work.

Someone hurried over to me; it was Fahri.

"Assalamu'alaikum, Adnan."

"Wa'alaikumsalam, Mr. Fahri, what's up, looking for me?"

Fahri then told me that Boss Tama was looking for me. It was unusual for Boss Tama to be looking for me. I quickly left my work and asked my colleagues for permission to leave.

When I arrived at Boss Tama's office, as usual, he was sitting on his very soft sofa, eating wafer snacks, and asked me to sit down. It was unusual. Usually, we'd stay standing until Boss Tama explained what he needed, and then we'd just stand there.

A bit awkwardly, I slowly sat down in the chair opposite Boss Tama.

"What do you need, Boss?" I felt uneasy sitting there for so long, and Boss Tama remained silent.

Boss Tama tapped his large fingers on the table, clicking and clicking. Then he looked at me.

"Are you ready for a promotion?"

I was shocked. Suddenly, a promotion? What was that all about?

"What do you mean by a promotion, Boss Tama?"

Boss Tama exhaled slowly, "There's a new position I've been thinking about, and I haven't found the right person yet. So, all 22 foremen report to me. I'm starting to get tired of working, and I want to relax and rest."

I nodded as Boss Tama continued to explain. He wanted to spend more time with his family. He'd been looking for the right person to replace him when he wasn't at the factory.

When Boss Tama said I was the right person, I was shocked. Why me, aren't there so many others?

Boss Tama said I'm honest and trustworthy. I also don't seek praise and am willing to make sacrifices. I was hesitant, but Boss Tama reassured me. Eventually, I gave in and begged for guidance on the task.

Boss Tama held my shoulder. His large hand actually hurt, especially since Boss Tama was gripping me as a form of reassurance. But it still hurt.

"You can do it, Adnan!" his eyes were sharp.

"Yes, Boss, I'll do my best," I smiled, enduring the pain in my shoulder.

Finally, Boss Tama let go, and I could breathe a sigh of relief. Sigh! And then, I said goodbye to Boss Tama. He said my assignment would start tomorrow, and he would announce it to all the employees.

I returned to my work. After I had thoroughly digested Boss Tama's decision, I became Boss Tama's right-hand man and either the boss or deputy boss. If Boss Tama left, I would take his place.

Oh dear! So that's how it is. Ah, I just realized it after thinking for a while while continuing to work with my teammates.

Oh, never mind! I shook my head. I'd just think about it and work on it, and if I could, I would. I was so determined. Don't think about it; the important thing is to just live life.

"Why, Boss Adnan?" Jono asked, as he probably looked like he was daydreaming.

I smiled at Jono, "I want to grill fish with you guys, ha.. ha.. ha.."

Jono immediately beamed, his eyes widening, "Okay, Boss, I'm coming!"

Jono, then the others followed. Hmm... there's always something new.

@ @ @

Friday morning, I was also on the morning shift. Sure enough, all the employees were off shift this time and had all left early. This meant the factory would be closed this afternoon, with only the security guards working. Boss Tama had said it was a one-off.

All the employees, nearly a thousand in number, gathered in front of or in the yard of the factory.

Boss Tama announced that starting today, he would appoint his right-hand man, or deputy. Everyone was shocked to hear this; it was unusual for Boss Tama to trust someone. I, from my group, had been quiet, so was Boss Tama really going to appoint me as his deputy?

Boss Tama said that from now on, he would be absent from the factory often because he wanted more time for his family. So, in his absence, his deputy would take his place, overseeing and hearing reports from all the foremen, as well as checking the daily invoices from the trucks arriving to sell agricultural raw materials.

At that moment, everyone began to wonder who exactly would be appointed as Boss Tama's deputy. Of course, everyone was curious and wanted to be Boss Tama's deputy, but it seemed like that was just a daydream. He... he... he...

Boss Tama then called his name to come forward. All eyes were on me. I stepped forward and approached Boss Tama.

That's when Boss Tama grabbed my left shoulder again. It hurt again. Was this a metal hand? He gripped my shoulder tightly for a long time.

"From now on, Adnan will be my deputy, and he will carry out my duties when I'm not at the factory. So, you all have to call him Deputy Boss!"

Everyone was silent for a moment, probably in shock. Then Boss Tama shouted at them again.

"You all understand!"

"Yes, Boss!" everyone answered in unison. They were probably still in shock, especially the people on my team. They must have been shocked that I now had to oversee everyone in the factory.

"Boss, you're amazing!" shouted Jono from the direction of the employees.

At that moment, Boss Tama concluded his announcement. The employees dispersed, and they glanced at me before everyone left, including the foremen. They smiled at me. That meant they were congratulating me.

As Boss Tama and I were about to leave, Boss Tama smiled at me and was about to leave. I remembered something.

"Boss!"

Boss Tama turned to me expressionlessly, "What's wrong, Adnan?"

"Did my salary get a raise, Boss?"

Boss Tama shook his head, "You Nan, your salary has increased fivefold, you know!"

He... he... he... great.