B A T L E

Like a thunderbolt in broad daylight, Luna heard the news that David the GM had resigned from the office. There is no wind, no rain, the boss, who has an MBA degree from a scholarship and the best graduate of NYENRODE University, Breukelen, The Netherlands, majoring in CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, resigned.

It's almost an impossible thing, David is like the soul of this company. Without David, the Sales Department is like a duckling losing its mother.

According to the official news, there is a policy difference between Marc, the President Director, and David the GM of Sales, a difference that cannot be reconciled. The clash between two superegos.

The real news is only God and Top Management know.

After David left, Marc, the President Director immediately took control of the leadership in the Sales Department. He arbitrarily ruffled the organizational structure that had been carefully prepared by David the GM as well as the head of the Sales Department.

And Luna was affected.

"So, as you already know, this reorganization has several positions being rotated. For you, you will be moved to the Logistics section. Your salary is fixed, not reduced. Only car facilities are taken. And the level was lowered by one level, from managerial level to supervisory level."

Ranita, the General Manager of HRGA, explained the plan to change the organizational structure with a straight face, her voice as level as if she was discussing the standard menu at the canteen. Luna was silent trying to digest the sentences of the young woman in front of her.

"What's the basis, bu*)?" she asked a few moments while controlling her jumbled mood. "It's only been 3 months since I went up to the managerial level and I never asked for it, my appraisal is also good, and there is no red report card, are there any other considerations?"

"Just refreshment, mbak*)" Ranita continued with a straight face.

"REFRESHMENT?" Luna raised her eyebrows hearing the reason, "As far as I remember there is no article refreshment in the Company Policy book.

There are Performance Appraisal and Development Discussions. If it's not used as a reference... frankly I don't understand." Luna fell silent again, "Any other options for me for this rotation?" Her voice was hoarse, suddenly her throat felt dry.

"Not yet. We'll go with this plan first. We'll see the progress in two or three months and then we'll discuss it again." Ranita answered lightly, full of confidence.

"May I submit a proposal?"

"Yes..."

Luna was silent as if thinking about something, trying to adjust her voice and words to sound normal and acceptable.

"I support management's decision. I don't mind being moved anywhere, it's a duty, and there's no problem going to Logistics. But I think it's not just the company that needs refreshment, to be honest, I also need it, and I've been working here for too long. I would be very grateful and refreshed if I did not do Logistics in Indonesia. But PC logistics, Italy"

Ranita is silent, never thought she would receive such a request, but she was wise enough to respond to Luna's request.

"Okay, mbak. I will discuss it with management and PC later. For the time being, Mbak needs to agree with the new structure," she explained.

Luna neither confirmed nor shook her head. Exit the room after Ranita asked for time to discuss her request.

***

Two weeks later Luna was called again to the HRD room. It feels like her work ethic has dropped drastically. The turbulence in the office made her more and more pessimistic by the day.

"As you also know, currently on PC there is also a massive reduction in employees. Until now, there is no plan to recruit new employees either internal or external.

RECRUITMENT FROZEN, as you may know, is the term.

There are indeed several positions that are needed, but Luna's capacity is over qualification for the existing position"

"It's okay, bu, I don't mind. Over-qualification is okay," answered Luna directly.

"Later slowly as we go, we will send you over there. But for now, you need to accept this structure first."

Finally, Luna relented.

"Well, I accept the decision. I will continue to work here until there is a vacancy on PC Italy." Luna was willing to remain in the office with a new position, downgraded by one level. While waiting for a vacancy at the Factory in Italy. Then Ranita took out an official letter with the subject written in a big capital font:

"DOWNGRADE"

***

Luna read the letter slowly. But did not have the heart to continue it until the end. She couldn't help but shake her head... It felt like she was skinning himself... it hurt.

Soooo hurt

She saw the capital letters like a funny clown mocking her, a funny clown in a horror movie who seemed to be entertaining but secretly, he was going to kill her. The clown laughed and stuck out his tongue with a scornful look.

"Bu, may I not sign this letter?" Her voice was hoarse, her throat again felt dry, so dry it felt like a rock was stuck in it.

Rania shook her head.

"I don't mind being demoted, I don't have a problem with the car being towed, and I will continue work here in a new position as the company's decision. I only ask for not to sign this letter." Luna was silent. "And I promise I won't sue for anything. This is only between me and you," Luna exclaimed.

Ranita shook her head again.

"Didn't you say that the current position is only temporary?" Luna tried to negotiate.

Ranita did not budge. Her face is innocent and careless.

Luna felt her surroundings start to spin. The toughest part of this rotation is during that session.

For the Company it's just a matter of a piece of paper, that's all that matters. But not for her. Signing the letter was tantamount to betraying herself. Have you ever been betrayed by someone? How does it feel? And now Luna must betray herself.

Luna doesn't care that everyone will downgrade her, the most important thing is not herself. If I can't defend myself, then how am I going to 'defend' my team? I don't care if people don't respect me, but if I don't respect myself, then what's left? Her Inner being screamed.

Ranita gave Luna one more day to sign the letter. Luna felt not only her tongue, but her heart was also numb.

May be frozen.

***

Luna looked at the computer monitor screen, sitting quietly playing with her mouse. But her mind wanders everywhere, a thousand exclamation marks like a hammer hitting her head...

'Just signed it. Finished! What it's so troublesome?' exclaimed the voice.

Luna was silent.

'You will only make things worse for yourself and the situation. After the fact that you have accepted the rotation, what's the difference?'

Ignored.

'Life shouldn't be too serious. Don't be too sensitive. Later you will be stressed, and unhappy. Just take it easy.'

She didn't budge.

'What's so difficult about just an autograph?' Question after question kept bombarding her head.

'You are twisted. Do you know what you're going to bet? Years of work, Experience, Skills, Good salary, Travel, and much more. Working elsewhere, maybe you'll start from scratch again, think about It.' the voices continued to intimidate.

Luna tried to run away from the voices, she didn't want to think about it. But it kept chasing her. Luna did not want to be compromised. She just wanted to hear her heart. The heart's voice is the easiest to listen to, it's easy to listen to the conscience. The voice of the heart is never nagging. If it's nagging, it must be the mind.

And her little heart would not allow it. Whatever the stakes.

To her, the letter wasn't just a piece of paper, but it was

HER IDENTITY.

***

*)bu, Ibu, ma'am

*)mbak, greeting words for older women in Java;