Tofu for Life

Amidst the rotten smell of dirty feet of becak drivers mixed with the fresh smell of formaline-swabbed fish, shrimps and poultry in the Ciputat traditional market, lies an exceptionally simple tofu stand of Mr. Waskito's. With seven stacks of huge trays for each variety of tofu – yellow and white – Mr. Waskito tries to make ends meet for his two bossomed wives and his 3 sons that are due to enter the higher educational institution next season.

Mr. Waskito, 52, formerly owned a high-end superstore in the celestial district of Cibinong. Not the economic crash that caused his busines to rock-bottomed, it was none other than this gentleman's greedy brother-in-law's ex-girlfriend's uncle from his second wife that ruined his classy, money-making and high-end Nutri Soy Groupies Inc. nearly 3 years ago.

"The Nutri Soy Groupies Inc. (NSG) was my baby, my father started it with selling a few bags of tofu back in the 60s, and the both of us made the company grew like there was no tomorrow", Mr. Waskito says. "But now... I don't want to talk about it...", says Mr. Waskito again while shaking his head and punching a fist onto a nearby filthy cardboard.

Mr. Waskito was a victim of a crime that the executor known today as a "con-artist". Nevertheless, this gentleman is able to stand on his two feet again. After Mr. Waskito sold his beautiful four-storays fortress in the Cakung area, he and his family moved to Ciputat, staying away from old, bitter memories of his fancy life-style in the north.

When Indonesia Prattler asked Mr. Waskito about his tofu, his eyes shine in a warp-9 speed. Mr. Waskito's tofus are homemade. He explains that both of his wives, comprehending their jewelries possession is relied to the tofus, make them every morning to be sold at pasar Ciputat by their lovely husband. "Tinah, Marni and I realized that my only talent is selling tofu, so that is what I am going to do to support them for the rest of my life", states Mr. Waskito while handing-out 2 bags of yellow tofu to Hj. Dede, his most loyal customer.

"My wives fully understand that their lives depend on these simple square-shaped soys. They never fight anymore, instead they work together as a team to support this big family of ours", Mr. Waskito says with a big smile, which Indonesia Prattler assumed as big as his manhood to satisfy both of his wives every night.

Mr. Waskito, his two wives and his business break the cultural taboo and its understanding that having multiple wives would actually break a marriage apart. They are not falling apart, au contraire, they are standing stronger each day.