SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Promise Not Done

After school, Atikah seemed annoyed to see her sister still playing with Susan's doll. Without stopping by the pavilion first, he rushed to meet his mother who was still preparing lunch at Hilman's house. His hot and scared heart made him unable to bear to see the doll that Sukma played with his magical friend.

Upon arrival in the kitchen, Atikah immediately called her mother. Bi Reni who was carrying a plate containing side dishes was surprised by Atikah's arrival at her employer's house. Even with Bu Inah, was surprised by the arrival of his daughter to the house of Hilman. He immediately approached his daughter who looked very angry.

"Well, why are you here? Did you forget, Miss Farah would have upset you if you tried to come here?"

"I don't care, Mom. Why, the hell, that doll I haven't thrown away yet? I'm still afraid to see the doll" Atikah grumbled.

"Mother has not dared to throw away the doll, Atikah. Don't you see that Sukma Dek is still happy to play with his dolls?"

"Yes, I know, Mom. But I'm also worried that until Dedek fell ill because of the doll."

"Fall sick you say? Atikah, try to remember carefully. Two days ago Dedek fell ill, but since the doll was with him, he has suddenly recovered. Usually Dedek pain up to a week after the hair cut."

"I don't want to know, Mom. Just throw the doll away. If not, let me throw it away."

Atikah leaves the Hilman kitchen. His face was still bent, resentment still lingering on his chest. He could no longer wait to snatch Susan from Sukma's hand, and threw her away.

However, before leaving Hilman's house, the girl accidentally crosses paths with Farah. Of course the hostess didn't like it when Atikah was there. As Atikah was about to get out of the house, Farah approached him.

"Why are you at my house?" ask Farah in a pitched ketus.

Atikah. "I-I .. I ... I've met my mother."

"Oh, now you're getting sassy coming here, huh?" tanya Farah folded both hands. "Other times if there is a need with your mother, just wait in the pavilion! Just take my house."

"M-sorry, Aunt. Last ... t-so I had an urgent need."

"Your needs are no more important than mine. Already, go home! I like to talk to poor kids like you."

Without saying any more, Atikah walked into the pavilion. Despite feeling hurt by Farah's words, he tried to ignore them. For him, Sukma's safety is more important than his sadness at Farah's words.

Upon arrival at the pavilion, Atikah snatches Susan's doll from Sukma's hands without permission. Sukma was surprised by his brother's actions. He stood up, pulling Atikah's skirt tightly.

"Steh, what do you want to do with my doll?" ask Sukma with wide eyes.

"This doll can't be here. This doll should be thrown away right now!"

"But Teteh, I like the doll at all. Maurin was also saddened that the doll was thrown away."

Atikah paused for a moment, then stared intently at Sukma. "Maurine? Don't you mind him! Doesn't this doll belong to Maurin? Let it be thrown away! He will be taken again with him."

The nine-year-old girl walked outside the Hilman home area in a hurry. Her hands trembled violently holding a shabby baby doll, but her strong determination gave her courage in her heart. On the other hand, Sukma pleaded while crying, asking for Susan's doll to be returned. He did not stop chasing his brother who continued to walk towards the gate.

Seeing his two daughters not getting along, Mr. Risman who had just finished arranging the garden, immediately approached them. He was very worried, especially hearing Sukma's cry that sounded loud. He called her the names of his two daughters, but they did not reply at all.

In front of the gate, there was a trash can. Atikah glanced for a moment at Sukma who had shed tears. Deep in his heart, he felt compassion for the sister who was crying sobbing. However, Sukma's safety is far more important than his pleasure playing with Susan's doll. Without hesitation, he threw the baby doll into the trash.

"Dusa-aan!" pekik Sukma's.

The little girl's heart crumbled dimly, seeing her beloved doll thrown away. Mr. Risman held Sukma, then stroked her hair gently. The pain implied in his sobs, made the middle-aged man's heart feel slashed.

"Well, why did you dump the doll? Don't you see, Dedek to this cry?"

"I'm afraid of the doll, sir. Last night the doll was carrying a knife like it was killing me. I also don't want to see Dedek why."

"But this is not the way, Atikah. You persuade your sister well. Later if Dedek has agreed, you can just throw the doll."

"I'm sprained, sir. Yesterday Mom said she wanted to throw the doll away, but it turned out .. ah, I can't make a promise."

"Steak naughty! I don't want to play with Teteh anymore" Sukma interjected.

"As far as you are, Dek. Tetah does this for your good as well. Tetah do not want you why," Atikah's cerocos grunted annoyedly. "I'll go home first, sir. There's a lot of PR to do now."

Regardless of Sukma's cry, Atikah immediately returned home. At least the frustration and fear that had stuck in his heart since last night, had already been completely wiped out. Now he can live a quiet life, without the need to restlessly watch his sister play with the terrible doll.

Meanwhile, Sukma was still crying in Mr. Risman's arms. Ms. Inah immediately went outside Hilman's house to find out what really happened. He also knew very well, Farah did not like to hear Sukma's cry which he thought was very disturbing.

"What's this, sir?" ask Ms. Inah.

"Astagfirefull!" Mom Inah smothered her mouth for a moment. "It's all Mom's fault, sir. If only, last night didn't promise anything to Atikah."

"Easy, Mom. We better calm down Sukma. Later if Bu Farah hears Sukma's cry, it can run am our business," said Mr. Risman.

"Yes, Sir. Mending we bring Sukma to the pavilion first," said Bu Inah.

The three of them walked into the pavilion. Mr. Risman did not stop calming Sukma. Every now and then he persuaded, he would buy a new doll that was better than Susan. However, Sukma strongly rejected Pak Risman's persuasion. He said the doll was very valuable, it could even bring in new friends for him.

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

Mentari rolled into the western horizon so quickly. Not noticeably, the wall clock has shown at four in the afternoon. After asking permission to go outside on Farah, Bu Inah immediately escorted Sukma to the mosque. Next, he went to Giska's house to talk about the important things about the doll his daughter had been playing with all this time. Incidentally, his house was not so far from Hilman's residence. Therefore, it is enough on foot that Bu Inah can get there.

Arriving at a minimalist two-story house, Bu Inah rang the bell. Soon after, Giska's mother came to open the gate. The short-haired woman invited Ms. Inah in, then immediately called her sister Giska.

While waiting, Bu Inah swept a glance across the living room. Red sofa and minimalist glass table, looks suitable in a room that is not so spacious. On the left wall, there is a black cloth inscribed with Arabic calligraphy.

"Bu Inah, introduce, this is my eldest son," said his mother Giska, showing the figure of a handsome young man with a tall body.

Ms. Inah smiled kindly, then stuck out her hand. The young man greeted Ms. Inah without hesitation.

"Rifalbi," said the young man.

"Mom Inah."

"Yes, you guys talk first, yeah. I want to prepare a sweet tea" said Giska's mother.

"Not bother, Mom. I won't be long."

"That's it, don't worry."

After Giska's mother went to the kitchen, Rifalbi opened several jars filled with cookies and served them to Ms. Inah. However, Ms. Inah felt awkward and told the young man to close the jar. Without wanting to linger, Ms. Inah wanted to immediately open the main topic of conversation that had plagued her mind lately.

"Rifalbi, actually I came here to ask you something," said Ms. Inah.

"Oh, about that. My mother told me about it at a glance, so I quickly went home from college."

"Sorry, yes, if I interrupt your lecture."

"It's okay, Mom. I'm glad I could help."

"Thank God then." Mom is relieved. "Look, Rifalbi, yesterday my youngest daughter got a friend, her name is Maurin. She's also a baby doll, her name's Susan."

Hearing those two names, the feathers of the Rifalbi's nape instantly brushed. His memory of the terrible events of a few years ago, again disturbed his mind. Actually the young man was afraid if he had to tell all the events that had been experienced by him and Giska. However, giving help to the person targeted by Susan's doll is more important than her fear.

"Then, did your daughter experience any strange events?" ask Rifalbi curiously.

"Actually the one who experienced the strange event was not my youngest daughter, but the eldest. Last night she saw her doll walk herself into the kitchen. He secretly peeked at the doll. Turns out, the doll had a knife and attacked my eldest daughter."

"Geez!" said Rifalbi dumbfounded. "That's exactly the same as I've been through, ma'am."

"really?"

"Yes, Mom. When the doll was brought by Giska to the house, the night I heard a noise in the kitchen. When I saw it, it turned out Susan was rummaging through the kitchen while crying."

"Geez! Means the same as my eldest daughter."

"Not only that, I was also attacked by Susan's doll. But luckily, the little girl in white came to persuade the doll to stop attacking me. He said they had more important goals."

"Destination is more important? What's that about?"

"The only target for them was Giska. Looks like they wanted Giska's life from the start."

"That's it, huh? So, what is that doll you threw away too? You see, this afternoon, my eldest daughter was angry because my promise to throw the doll was not kept."

"Just be free, Mom. The doll will still come back, even if it's thrown in the trash."