SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Miss Ratmi's refusal

A nurse escorted Mr. Ramlan to the room where the mothers were being cared for. How relieved Mr. Ramlan's heart when he found Mr. Ratmi who was lying weakly in one of the wards, while awaited by Mak Asih who had been worried about the condition of Mr. Burhan's wife. Incidentally too, they had just arrived from the surgical room.

At the end of the mother who had just given birth, while occasionally wiping the tears that fell on her cheeks. "Assalamualaikum," said Mr. Ramlan, smiling knots while holding the sadness that stuck in his chest.

"Waalaikumsalam, Pak Ustaz," Bu Ratmi and Mak Asih replied simultaneously. Both seemed happy to welcome the arrival of Mr. Ramlan.

"How is Mrs Ratmi's condition? Already lightened?" ask Mr. Ramlan.

Ms. Ratmi nodded slowly and said, "I'm fine, only my stomach still hurts."

"It's okay, Mom. It is natural if it hurts like giving birth by caesarean section. That is the struggle of a mother. Then we should be devoted to parents who have struggled between life and death to bring life to a new generation."

Mak Asih and Bu Ratmi nodded in agreement.

"Eh, by the way, where's the baby's grandpa?"

"Maybe it will be brought here soon" said Ms Ratmi. "Yes, how is my husband? Is she okay?"

Mr. Ramlan's heart trembled when asked about Mr. Burhan's condition. His sadness reappeared until he could no longer hold back his tears. Not a word came out of his mouth, just sobs.

Seeing Mr. Ramlan's reaction, Ms. Ratmi was increasingly anxious about her husband's condition. Various bad guesses haunted his mind to the point that his heart did not feel calm. Even with Mak Asih who can't wait to hear the news about Mr. Burhan.

"What's up, Mr. Ustaz? Can Mr Burhan be saved?" tanya Mak Asih was curious.

No time Mr. Ramlan replied, his phone rang. Soon the cleric reached into his pants pocket and stared at his cell phone screen. It turned out from the organizer of the circumcision event.

"Sorry, Ms. Ratmi. Excuse me first, someone called," said Mr. Ramlan hurried out of the room.

"Yes, Sir. It's best to pick up the phone first," said Bu Ratmi with a big smile.

While Mr. Ramlan picked up the phone, Mr. Ratmi and Mak Asih looked at each other. The question of Mr. Burhan's condition still bothered Ms. Ratmi's mind. He held Mak Asih's hand.

"Mom, my husband is safe, isn't he?" mrs Ratmi asked with teary eyes.

"Just pray, Mrs Ratmi. May your husband be well."

"But ... What if he dies? I can't bear to lose my father. Sure enough, he left on this happy day. Pity my son, his father can't embrace."

The heart of Mak Asih heard the words of Mrs Ratmi. It's too bad they lost Mr. Burhan. In addition to being the head of the family and life support, Mr. Burhan also has a compassionate heart. Poor son, who could not see the face of the father for the first time.

Meanwhile, a strange thing is going on in the baby's room. Babies cry so much that they overwhelm midwives and nurses. Since the arrival of Mr. Burhan's son, the air in the room feels cooler and makes the nurses' hair goosebumps. The situation there is getting uncontrollable and gripping. Some babies are given to their mothers, while others are handled by nurses.

In the midst of the commotion, Mr. Burhan's son actually fell asleep. She only cried once, when she came out of her mother's stomach. Next he slept quietly as if indifferent to all the commotion that was happening around him.

Seeing the baby's calm reaction, Ana's midwife was anxious. Although he felt his hair bristling, he still tried to hold the son of Mr. Burhan, then patted his cheek gently.

"Deck, get up, Deck" said the midwife in a soft voice.

The baby was quiet for quite a while. Ana's midwife kept trying to wake her up. He really wanted to make sure the baby was alive or dead, given the condition of the mother who came to the hospital after the accident. However, after a long period of worry, the midwife finally smiled with relief. The baby she was carrying responded, then opened her eyes for a moment. His body moved slowly, indicating his condition was fine.

"Well, you're awake apparently. Now it's time to meet your mother. Come on, let's go there!" said Midwife Ana semringah.

Mr. Burhan's son understood what Ana's midwife said. He smiled widely, making the young midwife anxious to see him. The baby was put in a stroller, then delivered by a nurse to the mother's room.

In the other room, Mr. Ramlan hung up. As a religious leader who obeys his promises, he must be professional. Forced Mr. Ramlan to leave Bu Ratmi and the body of Mr. Burhan at that time. However, before leaving the hospital, Mr. Ramlan reunited Bu Ratmi and Mak Asih. With a heavy heart she had to say goodbye to Ms Ratmi who was waiting for news about her husband.

"Can't it be postponed, Mr. Ustaz?" tanya Mak Asih frowned.

"Sorry, Mom. They invited me long ago. I can't delay it" explained Mr. Ramlan with a clear face.

"Yes already, it's okay. I can understand, really. It's best for Pak Ustaz to go there soon, pity they wait," Ms Ratmi said.

"Then I say goodbye. Later I will contact Sari to come here. Assalamualaikum."

"Waalaikumsalam" replied Ms. Ratmi.

When Mr. Ramlan came out of the room, Mak Asih was still overwhelmed by questions about Mr. Burhan. On the grounds of dropping off Mr. Ramlan, the old woman asked Ms. Ratmi for permission. After getting approval from Bu Ratmi, Mak Asih rushed to approach Mr. Ramlan. Luckily, the religious leader had not gone far.

"Sir Ustaz!" exclaim Mak Asih while running small.

Mr. Ramlan turned his head, then turned his body. "Yes, Mommy."

"Sir Ustaz, you haven't told me about Mr. Burhan's condition. How is he doing now?"

Pensive Mr. Ramlan when remembering the death of Mr. Burhan. He stared at Mak Asih who was still wondering, then bowed lethargic. He took a deep breath until he was mentally ready to convey the sad news to Mak Asih.

"Pak Ustaz .. what Mr. Burhan ...."

"Look, Mom." Mr. Burhan pulled Mak Asih's hand to one corner of the hospital while looking to the right and left, "Please Mom deliver this news to Ms. Ratmi at the right time, yes."

Mak Asih nodded. "What happened to Mr. Burhan?"

Mr. Ramlan exhaled for a moment. "He is .. He has been called by the Almighty."

Shaken Mak Asih heard the words that came out of Mr. Ramlan's mouth. He closed his mouth, shedding tears. His gaze floated, then led to the room where Bu Ratmi was being treated.

"Sir Ustaz! You're not lying, are you? Mr. Burhan .. d-he ...."

"I'm not lying, Mom. Back in the ICU, the doctor was trying to save Mr. Burhan's life, but fate said something else. Mr. Burhan is dead and taken to the morgue."

"Oh Allah, have mercy on Ms. Ratmi. When her son was born, she had to lose her husband."

Mr. Ramlan patted Mak Asih's shoulder. "Mom should continue to support Ms. Ratmi to stay strong. Tell me this news at the right time. The mentality of a mother who has just given birth is very sensitive, so be careful in conveying this news."

Mak Asih nodded slowly. "Will I try, but ... What if Mrs Ratmi is not strong enough to hear the news?"

"Yes, sir, please."

Mr. Ramlan rushed to the hospital lobby, while Mak Asih stepped foot into the room of Ms. Ratmi. His heart crumbled when he looked at Mr. Burhan's wife from the entrance. Wiping away the tears, he sat down beside Ms Ratmi's bed.

Seeing the sadness on Mak Asih's face, Ms. Ratmi was curious. With a frown, he asked, "What's up, Mom? Why is Mom sad? Any word on my husband?"

Mak Asih shook his head, according to him this is not the right time to deliver the sad news. "Eh, what about the grandpa? She hasn't been here?" tanya Mak Asih diverted the conversation.

Shortly after, a nurse came carrying a stroller containing Ms Ratmi's child. He called out the name of the mother, then entered one of the wards. Along with the influx of nurses carrying Mr. Burhan's child, the cold burst into the room. Some residents of the room felt there was something strange. The babies in the wards were different, crying very loudly like they felt something terrible was coming at them. Mothers who have just given birth, trying to calm the baby in her cradle, but the gripping atmosphere actually makes everything chaotic.

Meanwhile, the nurse handed Ms. Ratmi's child over with a sigh. "Congratulations, Mom! You have a very beautiful daughter."

With pleasure, Ms. Ratmi received her daughter into a hug. However, for some reason his smile suddenly disappeared just like that when he looked at the face of the baby. The grout was no longer visible on Mrs Ratmi's face. His eyes widened, his mouth gaping.

"What's up, Miss Ratmi?" ask Mak Asih.

No response from Ms. Ratmi. Fear had enveloped his entire heart and mind, making the mother who had just given birth difficult to speak. Cute and innocent parasites are commonly seen on every baby, there is nothing on the face of the child Ms. Ratmi. The woman actually saw the figure of a small jet-black baby with sharp fangs in her mouth. His head had two ox-like horns, and when the baby opened its eyes, it appeared a pair of fiery red-colored eyeballs with piercing sharp gazes.

Ms. Ratmi felt threatened when she found her daughter's gaze like a wolf about to pounce on her prey. She threw the baby while screaming. "Dispose him! He's not my son!"

Mak Asih immediately held the baby. "This is your son, Ms. Ratmi."

"No! He's not my son! He's a son of the devil! Didn't you see that horrible face?" shouted Miss Ratmi panicked.

The nurse and Mak Asih frowned, astonished. The two looked at the crying baby in Mak Asih's hands, and found no strangeness at all. Let alone the terrible look, his face and body also look ordinary like a baby in general.

Mak Asih tried to calm Ms. Ratmi, then showed her the newborn daughter of Pak Burhan. "Look carefully, Miss Ratmi. There's nothing terrible about this baby. His face is very similar to yours. How could this child have a face like a demon."

Ms. Ratmi looked at her daughter for a moment. His son's face was still the same as the one he had seen before. He pushed hard the baby shown by Mak Asih, then threw away his face. His trembling hands covered his entire face, reluctant to see a baby that looked more like a monster than a human.

Seeing Bu Ratmi's reaction, Mak Asih looked at the nurse as she calmed the crying baby girl in her carrier. "How is this, Sister? He won't accept his son."

"Maybe Mrs Ratmi is still traumatized after the accident, so it's hallucinating."

"If this continues, pity this baby. She won't get her first breast cancer from her mother."

"We will try to get this baby to get nutrition. We will also contact a psychologist to accompany Ms. Ratmi. Usually mothers who give birth often experience baby blues or even depression."

"I beg you, do your best for this mother and child."

"We'll do it."

Ms. Ratmi looked towards Mak Asih. "Excite the baby! Otherwise, I will kill him right now!"

Panicked, the nurse took the baby from Mak Asih's hand and put him in the stroller. The baby did not stop crying, his hunger was not fulfilled. The nurse took Ms Ratmi's daughter back to the nursery. The atmosphere that had been calm, was slowly rowdy by the cries of the baby. Ana's midwife who had been on duty since, was astonished by the incident.

"Why are those babies crying at the same time again? Have you brought them to their mother? Or not yet full of breast milk?" ask Midwife Ana in a grumbling tone.

"We don't know the cause either, ma'am. Ever since Miss Ratmi's daughter was put there, the babies have been crying a lot. Though they have been reunited with his mother, even already full given ASI," explained one of the nurses.

"Then, what's the problem? Don't tell me that Miss Ratmi's daughter was the cause," said Ana's midwife, still astonished.

"Come, Ma. Every daughter of Mrs Ratmi is kept in the nursery, the air there feels terrible. We didn't feel like we were in the nursery, but in the morgue" another nurse explained.

Shortly after, a nurse who had put Ms. Ratmi's daughter came. "Mom, there's bad news!" he shouted at Ana's midwife.

"What news?"

"So I gave Ms Ratmi's daughter to her mother to be given ASI, but Ms Ratmi's reaction was very bad."

"How did Mrs Ratmi react?"

"He rejected his son. He said his daughter's face was like a demon. I also don't understand, maybe Ms. Ratmi is still traumatized by the accident."

Hearing the nurse's explanation, Ana's midwife tried to find out. Hurry up to the room where the mothers gave birth to be cared for. While examining other patients, Ana's midwife took the time to meet with Ms. Ratmi.

How surprised Ana's midwife when she found Miss Ratmi agitated. His glaring eyes and trembling body, made the young midwife frightened. However, her professionalism as a midwife is still a priority. Calmly, Midwife Ana walked up to Bu Ratmi and held her hand.

"Calm down, Mom, we're here. There's nothing to be afraid of" persuaded Midwife Ana, her voice soft.

"Mom, where's the baby now? Don't let him get brought here again! He's not my son, but a son of the devil!" said Ms. Ratmi, her voice sounding trembling.

"Yes, Mom. We'll work on it."

"No, no! I need to throw it away right now. I'll pay whatever you want, as long as the baby disappears from my sight."

Instantly both of Ana's Midwife's eyes widened. "But, Mum. He's Mom's son."

"I told you, he's a son of the devil! I would never have received it even if it was born from my womb."

Dumbstruck Mak Asih and Midwife Ana heard the statement from Bu Ratmi. Mak Asih patted the middle-aged woman's cheek and looked at her fixedly.

"Istigfar, Mrs Ratmi. You don't deserve to talk like that. She's your daughter after all, your long-awaited ten-year-old son."

"I don't care, Mommy!" Ms. Ratmi threw away her face. "But he must be thrown away, let him die!"

"Don't, Miss Ratmi! Don't do that! If Ms. Ratmi doesn't want to take care of it, let me."

"No! Mak Asih also do not take care of the devil's child! If Mak Asih raised him, I would always be haunted by his presence," said Bu Ratmi staring intently at Mak Asih's eyes. Next, he turned his hopeful gaze to Ana's Midwife. "Please throw the baby away right now. I could not bear being overshadowed by her figure, even her terrible voice was always ringing in the ears. If you want to do it, I'll pay you whatever you ask."

Ana's midwife pensively pensively for a moment. She doesn't usually find a case of a mother who wants her child dead. In fact, he knew very well that the baby born to Ms. Ratmi was not the result of an illicit relationship. Staring at Bu Ratmi who was still afraid, his heart began to fade.