Spicy Xxx with Chili Sauce
“What should I buy? Terong balado — spicy eggplant with chili sauce? Or kentang balado — spicy potatoes with chili sauce?” I asked myself a few hours ago on the way to my favorite Warung Tegal (Warteg — Tegal Food Stall), holding a small plastic container in my left hand.
Maybe you’re wondering, Why do I need to choose just one? Why not both? The answer is simple — I only needed side dishes to pair with rice for one meal. If I forced myself to buy both, it would mean getting a full portion of each, which would be too much for me — yes, eating alone.
Just a few steps away from my destination, I finally decided on the first option. When I arrived at the Warteg near my kos (rented room), I saw that the display stock of terong balado was running low. I doubted there would be enough for a full portion. But still, I was really craving terong balado. So, I asked the staff for one portion.
And yeah, you can guess what happened next. The staff looked confused because there was only a small amount of terong balado left — definitely not enough for a full portion. Impulsively, I blurted out a suggestion: “Why not mix the terong balado with kentang balado?”. Unexpectedly, the staff nodded in agreement.
Behind my mask, I smiled happily. I couldn’t help but express my joy. I sincerely thanked the staff. How kind Allah SWT is. Though it was just a simple moment — my small craving fulfilled — it reminded me of something greater: If Allah SWT wills it, it will be. So, don’t worry too much about the future. We just need to focus on what we can control. Beyond that, we must trust that His plans are always the best.
