SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Mother's Love

Bu Inah looked anxious when Sukma was examined by a doctor. Her loud cries made her heart feel slashed. She has a very sensitive feeling, especially when her children fall ill. He cried even can not sleep day and night when Atikah high fever accompanied by diarrhea. Mr. Risman often rebukes her not to be excessive, but the loving nature of Ms. Inah seems to ignore her husband's words.

After being examined by the midwife, Bu Inah was given some advice so that Sukma fever quickly decreased. According to the midwife, as long as the milk given to the sukma is enough, then the health of the baby will gradually improve. Ms. Inah who was still worried about her daughter's state, started asking, "How, Mom? Will my son be healed?"

"Yes, Mom. Just chill. He just had a normal fever" the midwife said.

"Then, thank you, ma'am."

"Hopefully get well soon, yeah."

Bu Inah replied with a nod. Hurry up and bring her children home. The woman hoped that Sukma would quickly calm down and recover.

During the journey to Hilman's house, Sukma slowly began to calm down. Maybe she was exhausted after crying since dawn. Mom is relieved. She touched the baby's forehead, then looked in wonder. Sukma's body temperature has dropped along with his crying that subsided.

"Mom, why are you looking at that grandpa?" ask Atikah.

"e-don't. I'm wondering, why Sukma can heal quickly, huh?"

"Well, the Sukma Deck is healed?! It's engrossed! I can play with Dedek again."

"Later play it. If your sister is cheerful again, you can play with her. Don't you have a new friend now?"

"Oh, yes. But today's Albi has to go to school, ma'am. I can't play, huh."

"Yes, I'll see you when the Sukma Deck is asleep, yes."

"Yes." Yeah."

Sukma was still sound asleep when he arrived at the pavilion. It turned out that his calmness came along with the departure of Bu Ratmi to leave Bandung City. Nevertheless, Bu Inah's affection for her is very large, beating the pain of being abandoned by the biological mother. It's only natural that the fever goes down quickly.

Farah who knew of Bu Inah's arrival, immediately approached the pavilion. Without permission, he entered the family residence of Mr. Risman with a proud step. Bu Inah was laying his daughter on the bed.

"Where have you been?" ask Farah in a pitched ketus.

"This, Ma. My son has been crying since dawn. The body has a high fever, so it was to go to the health center first," explained Bu Inah.

"Oh, the pantesan was noisy." Farah swerved while folding both hands. "Later if you're done with the baby's business, please come to the kitchen to help Bi Reni, yes. Today my arisan friends came to the house."

"Good, Mom."

Farah breezed out of the pavilion. Before actually going to the main house, his steps were held back by Atikah's hand. He looked at the three-year-old, then let go of his grasp.

Farah looked into the pavilion and shouted. "Mom Inah, take good care of your son! Don't let him get close to Albi."

As soon as Bu Inah came out of the room, met Farah who already looked very upset. He held Atikah's hand, then said, "Yes, Mom. I'll advise Atikah."

Wordlessly, Farah left the pavilion. Bu Inah glared at Atikah, thus making the girl frightened to see the annoyance on her face.

"Mother, don't punish me. I just want to play with Albi," said Atikah memelas.

"You can play with anyone, but not with Albi. You will be scolded by her mother."

"But what am I wrong?"

Ms. Inah took a deep breath, not knowing how to explain Farah's dislike of Atikah. Children under the age of five years do not understand the meaning of adult hatred, so it is natural that Mother Inah is confused to prohibit her child from playing with Albi. The middle-aged woman took Atikah into the pavilion, then gave her a worn teddy bear and her cooking toys.

...****************...

Dusk came with the sky turning red. Usually the sukma sleeps soundly at this time. However, after the fever subsided, the baby became difficult to sleep. Atikah still faithfully accompanied her play, sometimes the baby smiled with her brother's jokes. Such peaceful atmosphere made the hearts of Bu Inah and Pak Risman calm. At least by looking at the familiarity between the two daughters, the fatigue they felt could be gone.

Ms. Inah cooks food for dinner, while Mr. Risman goes to the bathroom to clean the body. Their absence near the room, makes invisible creatures desperate to enter the house. Moreover, the door that was forgotten to be closed by Mr. Risman, the easier they entered the house.

Sukma, who had been playing with Atikah, turned to the door. The baby realized that something strange was going on inside his house. The wind was blowing so cold, even the originally serene atmosphere turned gripping. The baby's gaze was still fixed towards the door, making Atikah realize there was something strange about her sister.

"Dedek ... again see what you are?"

The baby blinked for a moment. Atikah waved her hands in front of her sister's eyes, but Sukma remained unmoved. For a moment, Atikah fell silent feeling something strange. His gaze was directed to the living room, then holding the doorknob. As he was about to close the door, a long hoofed hand held him. Atikah gasped and ran while screaming in fear.

Soon the little girl got into bed and hugged Sukma. He took a blanket, then covered his whole body. It turned out to be true, a long-haired old woman was walking into the room by slithering into the wall. His entire body was filled with ulcers and pus. The nails are long and black. Her lips smiled when she found out there was a baby there.

Faintly Atikah saw that a large shadow was creeping on the wall. Through a small gap behind his blanket, he peeked at the old woman who was approaching towards him. His heart was pounding, his breathing was wheezing. His younger brother began to be uncomfortable with the situation. Sukma felt angry, to cry as loud as possible.

"God! Quiet, Dedek! Later the grandmother came here," Atikah's orders tried to silence her sister's cries.

The old woman was more pleased with the baby's presence. He quickly crept to where Atikah and Sukma were hiding. After getting into bed, he ducked behind Atikah. His long nails began to slowly unfold the blanket. Atikah is no longer strong to hold back her fear. While trying to cover the side of the blanket that was exposed, he smothered his mouth.

"Mother .. help us." she said, tearfully.

Despite her fear, Atikah remembered her mother's words. He said, the devil will be afraid if recited prayers and holy verses of the Qur'an. Soon Atikah read the sacred verse he remembered. Surat al-fatihah was spoken clearly from his tiny mouth. However, the old lady behind him was not affected at all. He continued to reveal the blanket that covered the bodies of Atikah and Sukma.