SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

New Friends

Albi and Atikah had just returned from studying religion. Along the way, they chatted a lot about Albi's new friends and experiences today. Hilman's only son is very happy to find things that he just discovered outside of private tutoring activities.

Not feeling, after a long chat, the two had already arrived home. Atikah said goodbye to Albi, but the boy held her back for a while.

"Well, tomorrow we pay again, right?"

"Of course."

"Tomorrow I'll wait for you on the porch. If I'm not there yet, just call."

"But, if Aunt Farah comes while angry, how?"

"Mama will not be angry. There's Papa who's gonna calm him down."

"alright. Then I go home first, yeah. Assalamualaikum."

"Getishalight."

After Atikah left, Albi rushed into the house. When he was about to climb the stairs, Hilman faintly heard the sound of snapping from his parents' second room. Albi was worried. To eliminate his curiosity, he tried to find out.

From the crack of the bedroom door, the boy peeked. Hilman seemed so angry at Farah, who he thought was not good at being a mother. Albi, who wanted to find out the cause of her parents' quarrel, slowly opened the door and entered the room. Sontak, Hilman and Farah stop the debate when they find Albi entering their room.

"Eh, Albi. You've come home as it turns out," said Hilman with a face that changed as usual, welcoming Albi by the door.

"Pa, why did Papa snap at Mama? Mama's wrong is Papa?"

Hilman was stunned for a moment, realizing his loud voice snapping at his wife was known by Albi. Farah who had been silent since, glared at Hilman.

"Let's answer Albi's question! Is it wrong of me to have Papa yelled at everything?" chirps Farah grumbling.

Hilman tried to temper his anger on his wife. For a moment, he took a deep breath and exhaled. After his heart was slightly relieved, he led Albi to the child's room. He did not want if his irritation to Farah spilled just like that, especially in front of Albi.

Farah who was still feeling annoyed, rushed off to the kitchen. His anger he overflowed by calling Bi Reni out loud. The late arrival of the maid, further burned her heart. However, the still turbulent direction had not subsided when Bi Reni came.

"You're a big catfish, anyway! Quickly make orange juice!"

"Good, Non."

"Don't wear it long!" Farah glaring.

"I'll get ready soon."

"Let's take it to the back garden by the pool, yeah."

Bi Reni nodded, then immediately picked up the orange from the refrigerator. He was always targeted whenever Farah was upset. Of course, this always made Bi Reni turn irritated, so she did not hesitate to expose the disgrace of her employer's household to everyone.

Meanwhile, Hilman tells Albi to sit on the bed. Stared at his only innocent wayang son. There was regret in the depths of his heart. Something stuck in his chest from the moment it came out of his room, it finally overflowed into the whirring of tears.

"Pa, Papa why? Papa was sad because of my question in Papa's room?" tanya Albi frowned.

"No, Bi. Papa ... Papa's just pissed off by himself."

"Obsolute? Why upset, Pa?"

"Yes, Pa. I met new friends. They're so fun. Besides, the teacher is also good. He wants me to read iqro for the first time. Even though my friends over there fuss over me, at least I got a new science."

Hilman stroked Albi's head and said, "Good, Albi. Your determination is strong to pursue knowledge."

"Pa, next time we pray together, yuk! Said Bu Rahma, congregational prayer is much reward."

"Yes, Bi. Later Papa try to pray with you."

"Don't forget to take Mama too."

For a moment Hilman was pensive when he heard Albi's words. Farah's stubborn nature, makes her feel like a failure to be a husband. Especially when he was about to perform the prayer of Isya a moment ago. Instead of worshiping together, they just quarrel because2 the problem of his son studying.

He looked at his son again, and then said. "Albi, forgive Papa, yes."

"I'm sorry? Sorry for what?"

"During this time Papa is too busy working, so can not teach religious knowledge with you. If our family understands religion like Mr. Risman's family, maybe our lives will be more peaceful."

"It's okay, Pa. Now, right, there's Atikah who I'm sure I go to the mosque to study religion. I'll pay a lot of money there."

"Really, Bi?"

Albi nodded. Hilman immediately hugged his son, with a burst of happiness. His heart did not stop being grateful. At the presence of Mr. Risman's family, one problem he thought about Albi, was finally resolved. He also felt conscious, that all this time had been far from God who gave all the wealth to him.

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

The day has changed. As the sun rose, Bu Inah drove Sukma to kindergarten. Although Sukma's body was still feverish and lethargic, the girl forced her mother to keep going to study. There are new friends, he said. However, every time Bu Inah asked her name, Sukma could not answer her.

Upon his arrival at school, Sukma said goodbye to his mother. Hurry up he goes to class, then sits on the back bench. For him, the back bench is most comfortable occupied because it is rarely monitored by teachers. In addition, the presence of the 'new friend' made him more comfortable sitting there.

Long enough the little girl sat around looking at the entrance. There were only children his age who were playing while joking with his friends. In the solitude of Sukma in the corner of the classroom, Giska suddenly sits next to him.

"Sukma, who are you waiting for?" tanya Giska looked at Sukma.

"That's .. my new friend. He likes to squat here. Next to me," explained Sukma while pointing at the corner of the wall.

"Who? How come I never see it?" ask Giska, still curious.

"His name .. his name .. I forgot his name. Want ... Want ... What do you want, huh?" sukma said, trying to think. "Anything like squatting here while carrying a baby girl doll."

Curious, Giska peered into the right corner of the seated Sukma. In that narrow place, no one was ever seen there. During the sitting with Sukma, the short-haired little girl had never seen another child there.

"You're mostly daydreaming, Sukma. Maybe it's just your imagination."

"No, Giska. He really exists, really, really" Sukma assures. "But he never wears our kayak. His clothes are white, dirty, like they're never washed."

Giska tried to remember again, but the figure of the child with the characteristics that Sukma mentioned was never seen in the corner of the class. He only remembered the figure of a child with the same characteristics, once gave a baby girl doll to him. However, his encounter with the little girl, had been quite a while.

"Giska, look! He's coming!" point Sukma towards the entrance, with sparkling eyes.