Confession of a Perfume Seller

By Wawan Kurniawan (Bali Post, November 19, 2017)

“You must not open the lid of this perfume bottle. Only she should smell its first scent.” The man receiving this message was stout, with a slightly broad, flat nose. The instruction had arrived a month ago from his master, a thin man who had crafted the perfume’s fragrance meticulously.

Having successfully blending jasmine and rose, he had discovered another formula he believed many people would love. The new perfume was to be sold in his store. However, first, he wished to gift the initial blend to a special person. The blending of coriander, pepper, mandarin and citrus, with jasmine convinced him it would offer a fragrance of extraordinary freshness. He had once promised himself he would create a special perfume for a person he loved deeply. Unfortunately, the intended recipient of this special perfume had passed away, compelling the flat-nosed man to be untruthful to his master, when he related that the perfume had been received with great emotion and joy.

He thought of his master smiling to himself whenever he thought of the recipient’s expression as she inhaled or wore the perfume. Because the flat-nosed man understood well how his master felt, he lied to his master to ensure his happiness. Especially as the process of crafting the perfume had taken such a long time. The man lied freely but was content with the falsehoods he created.

Reflecting on his journey, he felt justified in lying. The distance to the recipient of the perfume was very far from the place where the flat-nosed man and his master lived. The man had to travel four or five hours by bus, arrive at a port, and cross to another island by ferry for about two hours in order to reach the Selayar Islands. From there, he had to journey another 60 kilometers to the village of Appatanah where the recipient lived. In the village of Appatanah there was no cell phone coverage, and electricity was yet to reach the village. Even the postman rarely delivered mail to the village.

So, to ensure the gift was duly received, the thin man had asked the flat-nosed man specifically who had served him loyally for two years for help. For this special mission, the thin man gave him a long holiday and a salary bonus, enough for him to be able to enjoy himself.

Finally, having completed his mission, the flat-nosed man spent his holiday lazily around his room. He only sent a brief message to his master saying that he had arrived and successfully completed his mission. As he expected, his master smiled, imagining his perfume spreading a peaceful aroma, and providing its recipient with immense pride.

In his room the day before his holiday was to finish, the flat-nosed man thought about the perfume recipient and the scent within the special perfume bottle. He had never dared to enquire why this person was to receive the perfume and such special treatment from his master. He did not even know whether the recipient was a man or a woman. But he was almost certain the person was his master’s former lover from many years ago.

He had wanted to see the recipient’s face, but all he had found at the specified address was a stilt house whose doors and windows were tightly closed. A message was conveyed by a ten-year-old child, who explained in the local dialect that the owner of the house had passed away three years before.

The flat-nosed man was fortunate to have a friend who spoke a similar language, so he had no difficulty interpreting the child’s message. On hearing the news, he did not know what to do. He had planned to leave the perfume bottle before the front door. However, suddenly he heard my hoarse voice accompanied by a slight restrained cough.

“Just take the perfume back…” I coughed for quite some time. “And say that I received it joyfully!” In that moment, he was frozen in silence. Then he turned to head for home without a word. Throughout the journey, I helped him devise a plan to ensure his master’s happiness.

I cannot fully explain why or how he could hear me so clearly, but before he arrived, I saw him sleeping on a ship beset by high waves and surrounded by fog that obscured the crew’s view. As a result, the ship on which he travelled sank, and he, unknowingly, sank along with hundreds of other passengers. When he awoke, he found himself standing at the port, walking towards a car that was to travel to my village.

In the car, I conversed with him. And he even offered several well-known perfume brands. I also told him that I had once planned to open a perfume shop with my lover, but she planned to marry, and I chose to visit Appatanah.

When I mentioned my village, the flat-nosed man showed the address that his master had given to him. I guided him to the yard of my own home, then let him climb the stairs, knock on the door, and repeatedly call out at the front door. After a few minutes, I asked a child to deliver the true message. That child had passed away of food poisoning years ago.

Only after that, I hid and conveyed the message and several ways to calm him and make him feel successful in carrying out his master’s orders. When he returned home, it was easy for me to find his address. I could see that the door and windows of his house were tightly closed. But I continued to call him because I desperately wanted to inhale the perfume. Then I would tell the flat-nosed man the truth, that I had also sold perfumes and that I was the lover of the master who had killed him and who had also killed me.

But the flat-nosed man really enjoyed his holiday, lazily hanging out around his room (as he contemplated the scent of the special fragrance).

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Confession of a Perfume Seller (Pengakuan Lelaki Penjual Parfum) was published in the daily newspaper Bali Post on 19 November 2017. (Accessed July 8, 2024 from https://ruangsastra.com/11765/pengakuan-lelaki-penjual-parfum/.)

Wawan Kurniawan, writes poetry, short stories, essays, novels, and translations. Joined the Kompas Daily short story writing class (2015), published a book of poetry entitled Persinggahan Perangai Sepi (2013) and Sajak Penghuni Surga (2017). One of his novels entitled Seratus Tahun Kebisuan (A Hundred Years of Silence) is a Unnes International Novel Writing Contest 2017 Novel of Choice. Check out https://www.instagram.com/wawankurn/

Some random ideas about the story

The story has a philosophical dimension. It explores themes of truth and deception, the nature of happiness, and the complexities of human relationships. Here are some of the philosophical aspects:

1. Truth and Deception: The flat-nosed man lies to his master to preserve his happiness, raising questions about the morality of lying. Is it justified to deceive someone if the intent is to protect their emotional well-being?
2. Memory and Loss: The master’s act of creating a perfume for a deceased loved one and the flat-nosed man’s reflections on the recipient highlight the impact of memory and loss. The story explores how people cope with the absence of those they love.
3. The Nature of Happiness: The master finds joy in the imagined reaction of the recipient, and the flat-nosed man finds contentment in his lie. This poses questions about the subjective nature of happiness and whether it matters if happiness is based on reality or illusion.
4. Existence and Non-existence: The inclusion of ghostly figures, like the dead child and the narrator who speaks from beyond, touches on the boundaries between life and death, presence and absence, and the ways in which the dead continue to influence the living.
5. Duty and Loyalty: The flat-nosed man’s dedication to his master, despite the moral ambiguity of his actions, explores the themes of duty, loyalty, and the personal sacrifices made in service to others.

Hadith

There is a well-known hadith that compares the companionship of a good person to being around a perfume seller, and the companionship of a bad person to being around a blacksmith.

Narrated by Abu Musa:

“The example of a good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s bellows (or furnace): from the first you would either buy musk or enjoy its good smell, while the bellows would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 34, Hadith 314; Sahih Muslim, Book 45, Hadith 6692)

The Prophet (peace be upon him) here uses a vivid metaphor to emphasize the influence of one’s company. Being around a good person (like a perfume seller) can bring benefits and positive influences, even if indirectly, just as the pleasant scent of perfume spreads. Conversely, being around a bad person (like a blacksmith) can lead to harm and negative influences, similar to the unpleasant and potentially harmful effects of being near a furnace. This Hadith underscores the importance of choosing good companions and avoiding bad influences.

The story

The story can be interpreted in the context of the Hadith. The Hadith about the perfume seller and the blacksmith highlights the importance of the company one keeps and its impact on one’s character and life. The story can be seen through this lens:

Influence of the Master (Perfume Seller):

The master in the story, who creates perfumes, can be seen as a positive influence, much like the perfume seller in the Hadith. His dedication to crafting a beautiful scent symbolizes the creation and spreading of goodness. His intention to gift the perfume to someone special shows his capacity for love and care, reflecting the positive qualities one gains from good company.

Flat-Nosed Man’s Loyalty and Actions:

The flat-nosed man, who faithfully serves his master and lies to maintain his happiness, demonstrates the complexities of human relationships and moral choices. Despite his lies, his actions stem from a place of loyalty and kindness, akin to how being around a good person can have a positive, albeit sometimes complicated, influence.

The Deceased and the Message from Beyond:

The interaction with the deceased and the message to lie for the master’s happiness could be interpreted as the lingering influence of past relationships and memories. Just as the perfume seller in the Hadith leaves a lasting pleasant scent, the deceased loved one continues to impact the living characters, suggesting that good influences endure beyond physical presence.

Philosophical and Moral Questions:

The story raises philosophical and moral questions about truth, deception, and the nature of happiness. These questions are reflective of the Hadith’s deeper message about the moral and spiritual impacts of one’s company. The flat-nosed man’s journey and the lies he tells to protect his master’s feelings illustrate the nuanced ways in which good influences can manifest and the moral dilemmas they can present.

The story could be argued to mirror the Hadith’s teachings about the importance of surrounding oneself with good influences. The master’s positive qualities and the flat-nosed man’s loyalty reflect the beneficial effects of good companionship, while the moral complexities highlight the real-world application of these teachings.