I'm Not a Wild Grass

The Good Satan? (PoV Laila)

On Monday, I started working as a clerk at a big shopping store in town B. My job this time was almost as exhausting as when I was working as an OB.

I had to move and place a lot of products on each shelf, check and sort old products that have been expired so that they are no longer on the sales shelf, mopping the floor to keep it clean, and then clean, as well as some other tasks related to service to customers who are shopping.

The first few days I worked, I still made a lot of mistakes. I often swivel around the market to find a shelf of products that I am looking for. Sometimes I also have to serve some customers who are chatty when they find an expired product on the sales shelf.

In fact, in my opinion, if they find an expired product will just report it to the officer. No need to make a fuss so angry that it invites the attention of many other customers.

A shitty event like this happened on my second day working at the supermarket. Luckily, there was a kind young mother who defended me. So when my supervisor came, I didn't receive any meaningful punishment.

I hope there are many other wise customers like the young mother who helped me. So it is not easy to get angry and consider lowly supermarket employees like me.

Are not humans the same? It is only the level of piety that distinguishes one man and another in the eyes of God. As I remember it, Nunik said, first.

If all problems can be discussed with a cold head, is not peace also what can be obtained? So be surprised by customers who like to get angry when filing their complaints. But it's not entirely the employee's fault, is it?

After all, sometimes everyone makes mistakes. Those who are happy to be angry and correct the mistakes of others, never do what mistakes?!

Wouldn't it be better if we corrected our own mistakes, rather than being busy criticizing the mistakes of others?

Indeed, reprimanding is allowed. But isn't rebuking/advising also there is a special adab? Not to offend, and not to shame the one to be counseled?

Means those who prioritize anger when interacting with others it can be said to be a less civilized person. Because if they are civilized, of course they will not be angry everywhere.

Eh, why even stretch and make a gini essay huh?

Okay. Continue to my current activities. Around last Friday, before I started working at the supermarket, Erlan started to return to my house.

On Sunday I visited her house. She said Mama Ilmaya was sick.

When I came to see him, Mama Ilmaya was lying on her spring bed. According to the doctor, Mama was just tired from her back and forth activities as a member of the society of socialites in the city of Y.

Meanwhile, I have my own assumptions about the cause of Mama Ilmaya can get sick. Because by accident when I came home in the afternoon, I faintly heard a giggle above the papaya tree that grew behind Erlan's house.

Moreover, my fur sat on me with goosebumps all of a sudden when I heard that voice. Erlan who was walking beside me, strange as if she had not heard that crunchy voice. It makes me angry and envious of him.

"You're right, Lan, didn't you hear that laugh on the papaya tree?" Ask me a few times, on the way home we boarded the Pajero.

"No. You heard it wrong, honey. I didn't hear any sound!" Erlan said with an ordinary looking eye.

"Iishhkk...means your inner eyes are closed times huh? Still stuck it.." I'm busy guessing.

"What the hell, La? Don't talk weird ah! Wonderful deh. You are very sad if you bring people. But when it's not seen you're even scared, La?" Ledek Erlan to me.

I snorted in annoyance.

"That's exactly it, Lan! It's harder to face an enemy in a blanket, than it is to face an obvious enemy!" I still defend my argument.

"That means you mean, the devil is the enemy in that blanket?" Erlan asked with a smile.

Realizing that his words just now were intended to tease me back, I was getting upset so her. Without shading around, I just pinch Erlan's left arm that is driving.

"Ouch! Sick La.. You love my nyubitin! What is my cake?"

"Cake cookies anyway?" I looked at Erlan confusedly.

"Yes. Cake pinch. Hehe.."

I grunt. I don't think my girlfriend's jokes are funny.

After a while, I went back to talking.

"Try it, Lan. That papaya tree is better cut down. Rather than being the kunti's nest.."

The cold came back suddenly.

'A'udzubillahiminasy syaithoonirrojim.a'udzubillaahi minasysyaithoonir rojiim.' My comats are alone in my heart.

But Erlan didn't realize what I was feeling right now. He even continued our conversation about the papaya tree that became the lair of the kunti.

"What the hell, La? Why are you suddenly talking about cutting down papaya trees, anyway?" Ask Erlan later.

I, who was holding back the onslaught of the supernatural, was only able to sniff out an annoyance at Erlan. Envy was right with the normal expression that my lover showed. It seems that I am the only one who feels the unnatural atmosphere in the car at this time.

With all my might, I tried to explain the meaning of my statement.

"I read an article on Google. There were some trees that became her hangout place some kind of demon. Like for example the banana tree that the poci inhabit."

"Poji? What the hell?" Erlan asked cutting off my words.

"Pockmarks! Or sapodilla tree that is favored by uwo."

"wow? Tarzan is auwoo?" Terka Erlan perfunctory while in tarzan style.

I'm so worried about that joke. I just pinched her waist again it was slow.

"Ouch! Ja. Ja. Sorry ndoro putri. continued deh. continued.." said Erlan please.

"That's genderuwo, Lan. Should I explain his name?! How try if the demons feel called and come along hitchhiking to your car, huh?!" I threatened Erlan. Even though I was sure, if one of the demons was indeed following us. Evident from the unnatural cold and I still feel until now.

"Yes, honey. Excuse me. Continue deh. I'll just shut up, yeah."

"There is also an asem tree that all types of demons love. And also the papaya tree, which is generally liked by the kunti," I explained.

"Right. You seem so rational, La. Do not expect also if you understand the same mystical things gini!" Seloroh Erlan.

"I don't know much. Just know a little, Lan. Huh, ah. I want to wiridan first. It's not good in the car!" Throw me before finally dhikr in my heart.

And Erlan no longer bothered me until the end of our journey.

This time I remember until the end of the recitation. Unlike usual who often forget because so scared.

Slowly, the cold disappeared. And I no longer feel the burden on my nape like before.

Until then Erlan's car arrived also in front of the alley that led to my house right when the adzan maghrib reverberated. Erlan came down and drove me to the front of the contract, then covered the right alley.

"Lan, where are you going?" Ask me confused.

"You pray first, La. This is adzan maghrib, right?" Her voice was short with a strange expression.

"Tumbin!" I'm back to commenting. And Erlan again stopped her steps to answer my comment earlier.

"Because of you, La. Talking about demons. I suddenly felt strange again. I think my shoulders are heavy. Like yesterday I suddenly got sick after we dated for the first time." Erlan said before finally turning away.

Hearing Erlan's words, I immediately got goosebumps.

And I didn't comment anymore when I saw Erlan stepping foot into the mosque that clearly seemed to be the dome from where I stood.

"That's a real pain, Erlan. Uh, but it's good, too. He's going to start praying right now. He usually goes home. Don't know prayer or not."

Then I rushed into the house. After saying his greetings. With basmalah in my heart, I close the door of my house tightly. As Nunik has advised to prevent demons from entering the house at night when it starts to approach. Always saying basmallah. As the best protection from every evil creature of His creation. Aamiins.

"Hmm. is it true, said Nunik. Let alone the devil who followed Erlan again the good devil huh? The devil made Erlan and I pray in time and remember God! uh! tauk ah!" I muttered as I headed to the bathroom to clean myself and then wudhu.

'Allaahu Akbar's. Allaahu Akbar's! Laaa ilaaaha...'

And slowly, the voices of the Adhan came to the last stanza in the distance.

***