40 Days

Chapter 14

Khadijah opened the door of the room, saw Maura asleep when it should be tonight her daughter was practicing dhikr like the orders of Ustad Dzikri.

Khadijah intended to wake Maura, but he was surprised to see the bed next to Maura as if moving. Though Maura did not budge in the slightest, she slept on the outskirts near the wall but strangely her empty mattress next to Maura's body was bent as if someone was sleeping beside her.

Seeing this, Khadijah immediately read a prayer in his heart as he approached Maura. He moved his daughter's legs trying to wake her up.

'' Maura, son, come on, wake up, '' lirih Khadijah with a voice vibrated because the mattress next to Maura's body again moved like there was someone there but was not caught by the netra who the figure was.

Until Maura finally woke up, but Maura's gaze looked different.

His eyes stared intently at Khadijah. Sontak Khadijah retreated a few steps, he was sure if Maura returned possessed.

Khadijah also read the verse of the chair with a little moaning even his voice dashed. But instead of his leaving, the figure who controlled the soul of his daughter was instead following the prayer reading that he recited. The same thing happened at Ustad Dzikri's house. The creature was like being toying with himself, making Khadijah confused with what he had to do.

Maura's voice sounded so terrible, it was definitely not the girl's real voice.

Khadijah was desperate he stopped his prayer, making Maura's face grinning to feel himself victorious and Khadijah was defeated by his deceit.

Suddenly, Maura strangled herself as her consciousness returned. Yes, Maura is conscious, but somehow her arms seem to still be in control of the jaha*am creature.

Of course Khadijah panicked to see his daughter tormented, he tried to release the snares of Maura's hand that strangled his own neck but his power was not strong enough even he bounced and fell to the floor.

'' Tolooonng,, Tolooong ,, !! '' shouted Khadijah hoping Amir could hear him.

At that time Amir who was reciting in his house also heard the cry of Khadijah. He immediately went to his sister's house, followed by Faridah who woke up to hear the cry of Khadijah.

'' What's up ? '' said Amir while knocking on the door many times.

Khadijah ran to open the main door, he immediately told her that Maura was currently hurting her own body.

Amir goes into Maura's room which is still at war with her body parts.

'' Astagfirulloh. '' Amir drew near immediately, reciting the prayer in his heart.

He asked Allah SWT for protection so that Maura could be separated from the disturbance of the creature that is now controlling part of the girl's body.

'' Maura, call me son, call me, said Amir.

''As-tag..'' Maura is difficult to say because the giggles from her hands are getting stronger.

'' In my heart, son, remember God. Leave everything to God, ask for His protection, believe that God exists and will help His servant, Amir said.

In his heart Maura tried to surrender, to remember and believe in the power of God.

'' Never be afraid of this creature j*hanam, fear only God, he exclaimed again.

Rungu Maura listened to every advice of Amir, and his heart began to carry out the command. Until slowly, his hands were limp and detached from his neck.

'' Alhamdulillah, said Amir when Maura's arm no longer strangled her own neck.

Khadijah immediately embraced his daughter who looked limp and shivering, not to mention the marks on her neck look reddened.

Faridah who had been staring at the incident beyond reason immediately grabbed a glass filled with water, and gave her to Maura.

'' How is this Bang ? Maura still continues to be disturbed by the demon, when only this afternoon we brought it to Ustad even already in rukiyah. '' Khadija sobbed while embracing Maura's shivering body.

'' Patience Colored. We are working and we all need a process. It can't be instant. We are being tested, how much faith we have in God to pass His trials. '' Amir.

'' I'm tired Bang, I can't bear to see Maura like this. Why did the devil seem to be unperturbed as I read the holy verses ? '' Khadijah is desperate.

'' Astagfirullah, Khadijah. Strengthen your faith, lest it be consumed by satanic deceit. They're following your reading, not that they're not afraid. Instead they hold something burning on themselves in order to weaken your faith. They read the holy verse not with the heart facing the Khalik. So, we as humans must instill confidence in God in the heart when reciting it, so that they are driven and burned, explained Amir.

Khadijah understood Amir's words, as his faith had weakened due to excessive fear.

'' Astagfirullahaladzim, '' Khadijah shrugged his chest.

'' It is better now that you sleep in our house, so that I can keep an eye on Maura, Amir said.

'' Yes, Colored. Going out for a while you stay with us, continued Faridah while waking up Khadijah and Maura who were huddled in bed.

'' Alright, I'm sorry that Maura and I are bothering you, Khadijah said.

'' Not at all. Let's get out of here, take Faridah.

Then they went to the house of Amir and Faridah who were next door.

Considering Maura had to recite tonight, Khadija also brought Maura ablaze. The girl was still in shock, she still obeyed what her mother had told her to do.

In the practice given by Ustad Dzikri, Maura must read several practices, each of which must be read 100 times and 1000 times. Of course, it is not easy for people who are not used to waking up at night let alone having to recite with thousands who must be lafadzkan solemnly.

Khadijah guided Maura who was already wearing a mukena and holding a prayer beads. This should have been done by Maura himself but such a state of Maura is not possible. The girl's mind was often empty, as was her gaze. Until Khadijah should lead every reading on the practice.

Khadijah reminded Maura to focus on carrying out the orders of Ustad Dzikri, all for the sake of his self-healing. Their first effort is indeed very difficult because the state of Maura who can not concentrate while all his self-healing depends on Maura herself. Inevitably all things are indeed the power of Allah SWT, but if man himself does not want to strive then all will be in vain. God commands man to try and pray, then rest on waiting for an answer, the greatness of God.