SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

The Old Man's Idest

It has been three days since Susan's doll was burned, Sukma reluctantly speaking to her father and brother. His attitude tends to be more shy than usual. His heart felt great regret for Maurin. Sukma is like losing all passion to live life.

Often Bu Inah persuades Sukma to get excited as usual. Not to forget, the middle-aged woman fulfilled her promise to buy her youngest daughter a new doll. However, the little girl remained sullen. The new doll was not Susan, and Sukma did not like it.

After Ashar, Sukma was escorted by his mother to go to the mosque. Among children his age who are engrossed in playing and running in the madrasah area, Sukma is the most shy. Upon arriving at the bench, he just sat across from the table, looking at the children running around.

"Sukma, play cat-sling, yuk!" take Giska to pull Sukma's hand.

"No way," said Sukma.

"Come on, play the game!"

"If I say I don't want to, I don't want to" Sukma snorted.

"Well, how come you're mad at me, anyway? I'm, aren't I, just making sure you play."

Not wanting his problem with Sukma to be prolonged, Giska ran over to the other children. Sukma only glanced for a while, then daydreamed again at his desk. His face was still bent, his mouth pursed.

After a long time, finally, Ms. Rahma entered the madrasah. As usual, the children began the lesson by reciting prayers followed by memorizing short letters. Sukma just fell silent while blinking. His mouth, which usually follows the rote of other children, is now completely closed.

Seeing Sukma's strange attitude, Ms. Rahma felt astonished. Before thinking strangely, the bespectacled woman looked towards where Sukma was sitting.

"Sukma, why don't you go along and read short letters like everyone else?"

"No, Mom."

"Well, why not? We're here to learn, Sukma."

"I want to learn, but kelp."

"Why order? Same with Deden?"

Deden who did not accept the allegations of Ms Rahma also said, "What am I wrong, Mom? I don't want Sukma."

"I'm not cut with Deden, ma'am. Ah, I don't want to pay."

Sukma held her bag, then kissed Rahma's hand before leaving. Madam Rahma who was astonished, did not want to let her students leave just like that. He felt he had to know the cause. Before Sukma came out of the mosque, Ms. Rahma held his hand.

"Sukma, let's tell Mom. What's the matter, until you go home?"

"I hate you, Mom, even Atikah Tea. They're all naughty! They burned my Susan doll" Sukma said with a sullen face.

"Sukma, maybe they did all that for your own good. They actually love you and want to give you a new doll better, so ...."

"Mom is just like them!"

Sukma ran away from the mosque where he was teaching. There was not the slightest intention from his heart to return to the pavilion where his family lived. His heart was already filled with a deep hatred.

Meanwhile, Ms. Rahma was unable to prevent Sukma's departure. Other students were still waiting at the madrassa to be taught. He asked one of his parents to pursue Sukma. However, the speed of running Sukma is difficult to pursue.

Sukma was crying all the way. He was confused where to go. The places he memorized were only around Hilman's residence, the mosque, and his school. The little girl decided to go to school. Perhaps by being there, his heart would calm down.

The distance between the mosque and the school is quite far, even having to pass through the cemetery area first. However, it is not a big problem for Sukma. Wherever he went, supernatural beings followed him, and Sukma was not aware of it because of his deep sadness.

"Eh, what a pretty boy is crying?" The soft voice of an adult woman suddenly made Sukma stunned.

Curious, Sukma looked up and found a woman of Farah's age standing before him. Her long hair unraveled, her sweet face with red lips further made her appearance attractive. He wears a white T-shirt wrapped in a pastel blazer in a knee-length sponge skirt suit. The woman rested in front of Sukma, so that made the little girl a little frightened.

"T-Tante m-mau what?" ask Sukma inching a little.

"You don't have to be afraid, honey. Just call me Aunt Farida. Auntie pity see you cry alone here."

"Keep if I cry, want aunty, is that it?"

"It's not just you, but Auntie will fulfill all your will."

Sukma's eyes suddenly grew to hear Farida's words. "Really, Auntie?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"Then, Auntie can turn back on Susan, right? I love her so much."

"Susan? Who her? Your sister?"

"No. Susan is a doll. It's shabby, but thanks to him, I have a new friend."

"Oh, yeah. If it's a shabby doll, Auntie has something like that."

"Really?!"

"Yes. That's Aunt's old doll. Even if it's been a long time, but Aunt kept it."

"Then I can borrow it, okay?"

"Of course," Farida said as she nodded. "Here, don't cry anymore. Now we go to Aunt's house, yeah. Aunty will prepare good food for you."

The two left the kindergarten where Sukma studied. They walked in the direction that Sukma had gone before. Farida held the little girl's hand. However, at once the woman took off Sukma's hand when she felt the heat radiating all over her body. Sukma scrunched his forehead, then looked up at Farida.

"What's up, Auntie? How come my hands are off again?"

"E-nothing. Let's go together, yeah. We'll be at Aunt's house soon."

And sure enough, it didn't take long for them to arrive at Farida's house. The house was not so big, but it was quite comfortable to live in. The garden is minimalist, overgrown with various flowers and ornamental plants. Sukma followed Farida to the terrace. After the door was opened, Sukma was welcome to enter, followed by Farida from behind.

At the residence of Mr. Risman, Atikah who was ready to go to teach, staring at the wall clock. It's six a quarter less, and soon it's almost magrib. Usually, Sukma will come home at five in thirty minutes.

Seeing the anxiety on Atikah's face, Bu Inah was astonished. He sat next to his daughter.

"Mom, magrib's soon. But, why hasn't Dek Sukma come home yet, huh?" tanya Atikah looked at Bu Inah.

"Yes, yeah. Do I need to go to the mosque, huh?"

"No need, Mom. I'm leaving now, yeah. I hope to meet Dek Sukma."