SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Skin Specialist

Farah just finished her shower. The warm water he was wearing, was unable to eliminate the aching and itching all over his body. Even before dinner, he continued to scratch his neck and hands. To relieve the unbearable itching, once in a while the smooth-skinned woman apply eucalyptus oil to some parts of the body.

Hilman called Farah to come to the dinner table immediately. However, his wife did not leave the room. The man was surprised, not usually Farah linger in the room when dinner time arrives. Curious, Hilman went to the room to find out something his wife was doing.

Open the door slowly. Farah was scratching her back and neck on the edge of the bed. Hilman approached his wife with a frown, then sat down beside her.

"Farah, why are you scratching everything? You're allergic, huh?" hilman asked attentively.

"I don't know, Pa. Since I went home, my body has been heavy. After the bath, uh, even hives like this," explained Farah, while grimacing to hold the itching all over her body.

"Ah, I know. You must have eaten seafood, huh? I told you not to eat seafood anymore. 'You're allergic to eating that way."

"No, Pa. The vow! I didn't eat that at the hotel. Just drink orange juice."

"So, why are you scratching?"

"No idea, Pa. Maybe in this room there's a lot of mosquitoes."

Hilman spread his gaze across the room. To her knowledge, Ms. Inah always takes good care of the room, even often spraying her room with anti-mosquito spray. It is impossible to have a lot of mosquitoes in your home.

Not believing Farah's opinion, Hilman tried to see his wife's hand. Her skin was smooth white, turning red. There are no mosquito bite marks there, only red color due to the loud scratching done by his wife.

"Tap us to a skin specialist, yes. Maybe it's as sensitive as something, eat your skin red-red like this."

"Yes, Pa. Maybe my skin is sensitive. I don't usually think gini, you know."

Hilman held Farah's hand, then took her to the dining room. This time, the itching suffered by Farah, moved to the face. Instead of scratching him, he tried to hold him back and be as reasonable as possible in front of Albi.

Meanwhile, at Mr. Risman's residence, Atikah was upset to see the side dishes served by his mother. His face continued to frown at the tofu, tempeh, and kale that Bu Inah served in the living room. Mr. Risman who saw the annoyance on his daughter's face, tried to muffle her.

"It's okay to eat this too. At least we can eat three times a day" persuaded Mr. Risman.

"But I'm usually eating such food only," ketus Atikah snorted bitterly.

"So, what do you want to eat?" asked Mr. Risman looking at his daughter's eyes fixed.

"I want to eat the food that Mother used to make at her house Om Hilman. Mommy can't eat like Om Hilman's family at our house? For example, meat stews or foreign foods commonly eaten A Albi."

"Mom can't, Atikah," timbrung Bu Inah, put the plate on the carpet. "But the capital is not enough to buy food."

"If there's no capital, why don't you bring the rest of the food here?" atikah asked half a grumble.

"Bu Farah likes to be angry if the food is left. Even if he left, he likes to throw it in the trash and never let his aides eat the food he eats" explained Bu Inah.

"Well, what is it? Aunt Farah is very stingy, yes," ketus Atikah is angry.

Ms. Inah ignored Atikah's words. He returned to the kitchen to bring a kettle and glass. Atikah is still frowning, especially no one understands the sense of boredom to the food tonight.

From the room, Sukma came to the living room while carrying his new doll. Atikah who was still upset, evaporated his emotions to Sukma to make his sister was amazed.

"You if you eat don't bring a doll all dong. It's mealtime, not playtime" Atikah's cerocos stared intently at Sukma.

"I just want to eat this doll, Tea. Not to play," said sukma, her voice slightly trembling like she was about to cry. "Why, anyway, Teteh can't be so much the same as me? I'm wrong, aren't I, if I bring a doll here?"

"Steh you're not sure if you see food like this," explained Mr. Risman, his eyes were staring at the television, while his hands were holding the remote to move the broadcast.

"Oh, Teteh bosen eat the same tofu, tempeh and kale? I can make this food turn into food that Teteh want," said Sukma smiling widely.

Atikah is cheating, not believing. "Ah, time?"

"Steh don't believe it? Okay, let Dedek look at Teteh, yeah."

Sukma put his palm on the food that was served by Bu Inah. His mouth was creeping like a spell he had memorized a long time ago. Every now and then her tiny hands trembled as if sprinkling something into the food in front of her.

Atikah stared at her sister's strange behavior lazily. While holding his chin, he throbbed and flickered lethargicly. Seeing no change in the food in front of him, Atikah considered his sister's actions to be mere silliness. There are no miracles there, just boring side dishes ready to eat.

Another Atikah, another Mr. Risman. He remains relaxed watching television while occasionally yawning to resist sleepiness due to being too tired to work. One side of his eyes was already sleepy, on the other side his stomach was rumbling from earlier because of hunger. Although Sukma acted like an impromptu shaman, Mr. Risman paid no heed to him at all.

Ms. Inah who had just arrived brought a teapot and a glass, was astonished to see the behavior of Sukma. The youngest princess caught him by surprise.

"Dedek shakes hands on food?" ask Bu Inah while smiling amusedly.

"Darget ... Dedek only wants to change the food so that the kayak that Teteh wants," replied Sukma innocently.

Ms. Inah chuckled, saying, "This grandfather is there. Is this in the movie world, can make ordinary food into restaurant food?"

"Tante Farida can do it, ma'am. I've seen him turn maggots and dried leaves into food" explained Sukma.

Instantly, Ms. Inah, Mr. Risman, and Atikah were stunned to hear Sukma's words. The warm atmosphere of welcoming dinner was suddenly silent. Bu Inah recalled the story Wewe Gombel had told his mother while in the village. The creature was able to turn disgusting animals like maggots, turning into a basket of rice.

Mr. Risman did not want the silence to drag on long enough. He took a plate, then put rice and side dishes in front of him. Even with Bu Inah and Atikah, they are no longer strong to hold hunger. Meanwhile, Sukma was smiling waiting to be fed by his mother.

At the first feed, Mr. Risman was immediately amazed at the taste of simple food made by his wife. Tofu and tempeh fry it feels very delicious, more than usual. Atikah who had been fussy since then, immediately ate voraciously. Likewise with Bu Inah, who seemed amazed to enjoy his homemade food.

Not wanting to let the youngest starve, Bu Inah fed Sukma. The little girl devoured him quickly and chewed him slowly.

"Tuh, right, the food is good" Sukma chirped, chewing the food in his mouth.

"Well, yeah, Deck. The food is so good gini," decak Mr. Risman. "Mom, what were you cooking? How can the food taste so good?"

Bu Hinah blushed. "Mom only uses the usual materials. Don't wear anything weird."

Unlike the family of Mr. Risman who enjoyed his dinner, Farah actually felt the food made by Bi Reni was strange. Not only that, the itching that was floating all over his body, making the woman not nervous. Nevertheless, Farah continued to try her hardest not to scratch her body.

"It's also a business, Farah. Sometimes up, sometimes down. Not always up above. Just pray that the crisis experienced by the legacy company Mas Burhan quickly finished."

"I always pray for that, Pa. But if it continues like that, it will be bankrupt for a long time. What besides thinking of the company, Papa still thinks of his son Teh Ratmi?"

"If I can be honest .. yes, I still think of his son Teh Ratmi. How it is, taken care of equally. I also want to know where he lives now. If only I knew where he was now, I would have brought him here. We take care of it together."

"Have it, forget about the boy. If Teh Ratmi said her child was thrown away by a midwife, the baby could have died six years ago. Meningan now Papa just take care of business until moving forward again. If it goes bankrupt, where will I put my face?"

Hilman did not answer Farah's words. After his last mouthful, he went from the dining table to his study. According to him, there is no point in arguing with his wife. There are still many company reports that have not been read. He also does not want to forget about the princess only wayang sister-in-law, who knows where her existence.

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

At half-eight in the morning, Hilman and Farah were already getting ready to go to a skin specialist. Along with that, Sukma delivered Bu Inah school. When Hilman and Farah were about to get into the car, Sukma ran over to the two.

"Hi, Om Hilman. Where are you going with Aunt Farah? Must be going to the zoo, huh?" ask Sukma.

"Om going to Aunt Farah's clinic. Last night he scratched his skin continuously," replied Hilman accompanied by a small laugh.

"Oh." Sukma. "Kirain wants to take his monkey home to the zoo, Om. The fur is exposed to the skin of Aunt Farah continues, so make a gatel."

Hearing Sukma's words, Farah was furious. "What are you talking about, anyway? From yesterday talking only monkey."

"But really, you know, Auntie. The monkey was scratching again. The fur is sticking to the skin of Auntie," explained Sukma sambol pointing to Farah's shoulder. He did see a great ape caressing the shoulders of his parents' employers.

A few seconds later, Farah scratched her neck and hands. The unbearable itching, made him want to immediately arrive at a skin specialist clinic. Without saying goodbye to Bu Inah and Sukma, he got into the car grimacing.

"Then we go first, Ms. Inah," said Hilman, then followed his wife into the car.

Hilman's car drove, while Bu Inah and Sukma continued their journey to school on foot. Before their steps far enough away from Hilman's residence, Bu Inah was disturbed by Sukma's speech. He stared at the youngest who was walking while humming children's songs.

"Dek, what does Dedek mean by saying that to Ms Farah? He's getting angry with you" said Ms. Inah.

"Dedek doesn't mean anything. Dedek see for yourself, there's a monkey on Aunt Farah's back."

"Ah, you are there. Why don't you see?"

"Mother likes it, huh! Like Teteh, every time I see anything, you like to say nothing. You are strange," said Sukma, then hasten his way.

Ms. Inah shook her head. I don't know what was on her daughter's mind when she saw Farah suffering from itching all over her body. Nevertheless, little heart of Bu Inah holds the belief that Sukma is different from other children, given the many strange events beyond reason that the youngest has experienced lately.

While Bu Inah and Sukma arrive at the school, Farah and Hilman arrive at a specialist dermatologist clinic. Lucky, not much in line today. It's just that Farah's impatient nature makes things difficult for Hilman.

"duuuhu. Long time, really, ngantrenya. I didn't have a strong itch yet" Farah grumbled as she scratched her neck.

"Patience for a moment. Just need to wait for one patient to be examined, kok," Hilman persuaded, trying to calm Farah.

One patient was called to the doctor's office. While waiting for another patient's examination, Farah scratched her back and neck. Sometimes, his shoulders felt as heavy as being burdened by something. Really, Farah's feelings were not murmuring at this time until her lips continued to grumble.

After a long wait, it was Farah's turn to be called a doctor. With Hilman, he entered the skin specialist's room for immediate examination.

"Good morning, Doc" said Farah, grimacing occasionally.

"Good morning, Mrs Farah. May I know, what is your complaint at this time?" ask a female doctor, her name is Dara. It was written on the sign attached to his clothes.

"Look, Doc. Since last night, my wife has been itching" Hilman said.

"Oh, does Madam have an allergy to certain foods?"

"Yes, Doc. I have an allergy to seafood, but yesterday I didn't eat any seafood at all" Farah explained.

"When is it a cold allergy?"

Farah nodded quickly.

"All right, I'll check first, yeah."

Dara's doctor took a dermatoscope, then examined Farah's hand skin using the device. There's nothing strange about the patient's skin, there's just the red color of the scratch marks. Doctor Dara put the dermatoscope back in, then looked at Farah.

"Mrs Farah, I suggest you not scratch too often. Your skin will be thinned," said Dr. Dara.

"Well, how else, Doc? It doesn't feel very comfortable" Farah replied with a parched face.

"But I don't find any disease on your skin."

Farah and Hilman were stunned for a moment when they heard Doctor Dara's explanation. Feeling inadmissive, Farah started grumbling.

"What's right, Doc? The itch is unbearable, loh, this," Farah murmured.

"Dok, please double-check. Maybe there was something strange on my wife's skin" Hilman said, still in disbelief.

Doctor Dara examined Farah's skin again. This time he examined the patient's neck. But the result was still, he did not find any abnormalities in Farah's skin.

"Let's just say, I give you a recipe to reduce the itch."

Doctor Dara wrote a prescription on a piece of paper, then gave it to Hilman. Without lingering, the couple said goodbye to Doctor Dara and thanked him.

Next, Farah and Hilman went to the medicine room to make up for the prescription that Doctor Dara gave. There are two types of drugs that Farah received; tablets and ointments. They also waltzed out of the clinic, hoping that the medicine he bought could cure the itching in Farah's body.

Looking at the couple from afar, Ratna smiled with satisfaction. He believes that the arisan money obtained by Farah yesterday has been used for treatment. Just wait for time for his revenge to be fully avenged.