SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Strives to Survive

Mr. Risman was pensive for a moment, recalling the black shadow that was about to grab his daughter. Soon he put it on the floor, then put on a sarong. While Bu Inah who was still curious about her husband's answer, asked again.

"What's really going on, sir? Tumben lights are turned on," said Bu Inah with a frowning forehead.

"Mom don't ask too many questions. It's best to play Sukma for a while keep sleeping him."

Mom turned to her little baby who was lying next to her. "Oh, yes. Dek Sukma woke up," he said holding the baby who was still awake.

Mr. Risman continued the Tahajud prayer. At least with the care of his wife and daughter, he did not need to feel afraid anymore. The middle-aged man solemnly performed the prayer, offering to the Almighty so that his life would be better. Not to forget, he asked for protection from Him so that Sukma is fine.

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

Day by day, Mr. Risman's family lived with a sincere heart. Now not only Mr. Risman who works at Hilman's house, Bu Inah also helped Farah in nurturing Albi. Although Albi was always taken care of by Bu Inah, Atikah could not come to the main house at Farah's request. In the end, the girl became rarely noticed again. He often plays alone in the pavilion with his old teddy bear.

One afternoon, Atikah felt lonely. Ms. Inah usually comes home at five, then bathes the little girl. However, this time the middle-aged woman came home late, so Atikah had to wait a little longer. While waiting for the arrival of the mother, Atikah went into the room and fell asleep in bed. He stared at the wall clock, his long needle pointing to the number three. Maybe fifteen more minutes Miss Inah will be home.

In the midst of his loneliness, Atikah heard a noise from the kitchen. Instantly he was aghast, then swept his gaze around him alertly. Instead of being frightened, the girl tried to find out. Walk slowly towards the kitchen. There's no one there. Only pans and basins were scattered on the floor.

He picked them up, then kept them at the table. After finishing tidying up the kitchen furniture, Atikah rushed to the living room. However, before actually leaving the kitchen, the little girl heard a woman's voice humming in the bathroom. His heart thumped when he found out that there was someone other than himself there. As he remembered, his father still took care of Hilman's home garden, while his mother had not finished taking care of Albi and Sukma.

Atikah approached the bathroom. The woman's smile rang loudly in her ears. Slowly the little girl peeked out from the opening of the door. The figure of a woman with long hair and wearing white clothes, was standing in one corner of the bathroom. She plays with her hair that covers her entire face. His head lowered, to the point that Atikah did not see what his look was like.

"Who is that?" asked Atikah with a trembling voice.

The woman's smile stopped. His head slowly lifted. He had the hair covering his face. A grinning smile was clearly drawn on his pale face. Atikah, who saw the horrible face of the woman, gasped and ran away.

"Momuu! Ibuuu! Help me!" jerit Atikah ran away from the pavilion.

Mr. Risman who was washing his hands after arranging the garden, coincidentally saw Atikah running in fear. Soon she caught up with her daughter with anxiety that was stirring her mind. Meanwhile, Ms. Inah who was about to leave the house, was astonished to see Atikah. He approached the little girl, then hugged her.

"Well, why run around like that, son?" ask Ms. Inah.

"I-it, Ms. .. there .. there ...."

Mr. Risman crouched down near Atikah, then held his hand gently. "What's up, Atikah? You seem to be scared."

Atikah turned her head and looked at her father's eyes for a moment, her sadness was unbearable. While shedding tears, he hugged Mr. Risman tightly. "Father, don't stay home alone. I'm afraid, sir," he said sobbing.

"Yes, yeah. Father will not leave you. What is it, anyway, that makes you so scared?"

Mr. Risman and Ms. Inah looked at each other. According to them, it is impossible for a madman to enter the area of Hilman's house. The strict guarding of the security guard in front of the gate made it difficult for both of them to believe what his daughter said.

Ms. Inah held Atikah's hand and said, "Now we go home, yes. Same father your mother nemenin."

Atikah shook his head quickly. "No way, Mom. There's a crazy man in there. I don't want to go home."

"Yes already, later the crazy man you throw out first. You can go into the house, yeah."

"Promise, Sir?"

Mr. Risman nodded quickly. The little family returned to the pavilion after finishing their work. Meanwhile, Farah who was paying attention to their attitude from inside the house, only looked at the cynic. Most of the drama, he thought.

In the pavilion, Mr. Risman entered first, while Bu Inah followed him from behind while being held captive by Atikah. One by one the lights were turned on. There's nothing weird there. Mr. Risman rushed to the bathroom, ascertaining the truth of Atikah's words.

Open it slowly the bathroom door, then look into it. There's no one there. However, the cold weather pierced until the feathers Iud Pak Risman bristled because of it. Without any strange thoughts, the middle-aged man waltzed out of the bathroom.

"Are there really crazy people there, sir?" ask Mom Inah curious.

Mr. Risman shook his head. "Nobody, ma'am. Maybe Atikah saw it wrong."

"But I saw for myself, sir!" sergeant Atikah assured, then walked into the bathroom while leading his father. "He was standing there! There!" the light pointed to one of the corners near the bathtub.

"What's right, Atikah?" ask Bu Inah to stop.

"Yes, Mom. I'm not lying!" said Atikah steady.

"Yes, from now on we must pray first before doing anything. Don't forget, read ta'awuz first so that the devil fears us. Remember, we are human beings, beings nobler than the jinn" Risman said.

"Yes, Sir. Atikah promise to pray first," said the little girl looking at Mr. Risman.

"Later if you see something strange again, keep reading the short letters you memorized, yes."

Atikah nodded slowly. They returned to the living room to unwind for a moment. Not to forget, Ms. Inah closed the front door, considering that magrib will soon arrive.

In silence, Mr. Risman thought of a strange incident since he forgot to close the door when dusk arrived. Besides being creepy, the delicate creatures that roam the pavilion sometimes make it not especially do prayers. However, Mr. Risman and Bu Inah still try to survive, given the sustenance obtained since working at Hilman's house, able to improve the needs of family life.