SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Paid for Life

Time crawled towards midnight. The wall clock shows twelve o'clock exactly. From a sidewalk lit by a few street lights, it looks like Mr. Subekti just came home from a dimly lit stall while staggering. A bottle of wine was spent alone. In addition, he spent the rest of the money he borrowed to gamble, but luck had not sided with him. Again he had to swallow the defeat and go home empty-handed.

When about to enter the alley of the house, a vaguely visible figure of a large tall creature was waiting for him. It's just a hallucination, ' thought Mr. Subekti. However, his assumption was broken after hearing the growl getting closer. Panicked Mr. Sukbeti immediately turned around and ran away heartily. His breath was wheezing when he asked for help from the surrounding people.

Behind him, a dog-headed creature with fiery red eyes and having pointed canine teeth, was chasing after Pak Subekti. He can't wait to devour his prey as quickly as possible to finish his hunger. Not wanting to lose the victim, the creature walked with very wide steps. Of course, this made Mr. Subekti tremble in half fear until his knees were squeezed.

When he arrived at a dark garden, Mr. Subekti hid. He thought that the strange and monstrous creature could not find him in that sealed place. For a moment, the man adjusted his breath while gathering energy to strongly run back towards his house. Although his head is still dizzy, Mr. Subekti tried to stand up and spread the view. It turned out that the signs of the creature's presence did not exist at all. Armed with full confidence, Mr. Subekti walked slowly and looked in all directions to ensure his condition to run away completely safe.

Step by step led the middle-aged man out of the garden filled with shady trees. When he was about to get out of there, again there was a growling sound that came from nowhere. Mr. Subekti doesn't care. His footsteps accelerated even more, but his unrecovered consciousness was right, making him fall down many times. Mr. Subekti tried to get up, then ran small. However, a large hand had gripped his foot first, then dragged his body back into the dark garden.

"Tolooong! Tolooong!" shouted Mr. Subekti panicked mixed with fear. His shrill voice was not heard by anyone.

Unconcerned with the cries of its prey, the creature pulled sharp nails out of its fingers. The merciless clawing of Mr. Subekti's body. The middle-aged man screamed loudly as the wounds on his body spewed out fresh blood. The creature tore Mr. Subekti apart, then ate his flesh greedily. The darkness of the night and a gust of cold wind pierced, became a silent witness to the death of Mr. Subekti. The creature sent by Mr. Jumadi has finished eating the fall. Next, he left behind a middle-aged man lying lifeless in the garden.

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

The day changed, the sun rose. Not usually Mr. Risman wears a short-sleeved shirt combined with long black cotton pants. Her neat appearance made Bu Inah smile, carrying a cup of coffee.

"Well, so dong, sir. Soon I will be working at a rich man's house. Even if you are a gardener, at least your appearance must be neat," praise Bu Inah put coffee in front of Mr. Risman.

"Ah, this mother could have." Mr. Risman blushed. "Thank you, yes, ma'am, I've agreed that you work at Mr. Hilman's house."

"Yes, Sir. Good jobs don't get rejected, right? Hopefully this is the beginning of a change in our fate, sir."

"Aamiin, Mum. Oya, later you will all ask permission on Mr. Hilman so that Mother can also work to help her wife prepare food at home."

Ms. Inah paused for a moment, then said, "But, sir, our children are young, they need guidance from Mother as well. Maybe, for now, you are the only one working. Later if the children are old enough and understand our situation, God willing, the mother will follow the Father to work there."

"That's right, Mom." Mr. Risman nodded. "Yes, then you go first. Assalamualaikum."

"Getishalight."

Depart Mr. Risman pick up sustenance to a new place. On the side of the road, it looks like Mr. Hilman's car is waiting. The driver got out of his car, then greeted Mr. Risman to make sure that the person he picked up was right. After being sure, the driver took Mr. Risman into the car, then took him to the house of Mr. Hilman.

As Mr. Hilman's car drove, an ambulance came into the alley to Pak Subekti's house. It looks like four people raised a coffin containing the body of Mr. Subekti who has no shape. As soon as they arrived at the middle-aged man's courtyard, Bu Sukiyem cried hysterically. He could not believe the bad things he saw this morning. Unable to accept reality, his consciousness slowly disappeared, then fainted.

Ms. Inah learned of the sad news from neighbors around her house. Some people invited him to worship, but he chose to postpone it. The safety of his two daughters better come first than to mourn in Pak Subekti's house. He went to Neng Putri first, the older girl whom he trusted to look after his two daughters.

After finishing with the business of leaving his two children, Bu Inah went to serve with other neighbors. Along the way, some mothers talked about the ugliness of Mr. Subekti. Not a few also consider the fateful incident experienced by a man who is a punishment from the Almighty.

"Momens, don't talk about the ugly things of the dead! We should just pray, may the spirit of Mr. Subekti be received at His side," said Bu Inah.

"Not to be naive, Miss Inah. That's the truth, isn't it? Other than never returning the money she borrowed, she likes to act arbitrarily with the poor" said a middle-aged woman.

"really. I also heard from other neighbors, that he died in the hands of a wild animal" said another mother.

"Anged by a wild animal? Ah, that's right?! It's urban, where there are wild animals roaming the city," murmured Bu Inah in disbelief.

"The word that has been said, is so, Miss Inah. His hands were full of scratches, not to mention the rest of his limbs. It's out of shape, Mom!" obviously a fat-bodied woman.

Dumbfounded by the mothers who heard the woman's statement. It is impossible if there are people killed by wild animals in urban areas, except if he works at the zoo. However, in reality the body of Mr. Subekti was found in a suburban park. So, it was also strange if the man was attacked by a wild animal in the park.

Upon arrival at Mr. Subekti's house, many people looked up. There are also ranks of men praying the corpse in congregation, in front of the coffin. Meanwhile, Bu Sukiyem was still crying in his room. Her body is helpless, accepting the fact that her beloved husband is dead. Witnessing all that, Bu Inah so remembered the incident last night when Pak Subekti borrowed money from her husband. Stunned Bu Inah when he realized the money given by the rich man. In his mind it occurred to him that money was what brought disaster to Mr. Subekti. While exhaling, Inah thanked God as much as possible. He and his family have survived the danger of falling money.

Meanwhile, Hilman had yet to leave for the factory. He was still waiting for Mr. Risman's arrival, making sure that the scavenger he was waiting for came. However, shortly afterwards there was the sound of a car horn from the front gate of his house. A security guard opened the gate, and the car entered the front yard of the house.

Upon arrival in front of Hilman's house, Mr. Risman got down from the car with a look of amazement. The European-style two-story house, made the middle-aged man reluctant to blink an eye. Hilman, who knew Mr. Risman's presence, was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. The regret he felt last night, vanished from his heart. Immediately he approached Mr. Risman, then patted him on the shoulder.

"Sir. Mr. Risman," said Hilman casually.

Mr. Risman nodded, then turned to the owner of the house with a big smile. "Eh, sorry, Mr. Hilman. I admire your house too much."

"It's okay. Oya, where's the other father's family? They're not coming here?"

"No, Sir. Mother said she was not ready to join the work, pity our son, still small," explained Mr. Risman in a condolent tone.

"Oh, yeah. Okay ... tomorrow or the day after Mr. Boyong they're here, yes. It's okay, my wife doesn't come to work either. At least, our pavilions will inhabit later."

"Okay, thank you very much, sir. I owe a lot of gratitude to Mr. Hilman."

"Don't talk like that, sir. I also feel sorry if you have to go back and forth to spend the cost," said Hilman with pity. " Then you're ready to work here, right?"

"All right, now come with me."

Hilman showed me the front area of his house. There are several types of bonsai and shrubs that must be neatly arranged by Mr. Risman. Not to forget, he also explained how to care so that the plant remains beautiful. Next, Hilman took Mr. Risman to the back area of his house. There are several pots containing ornamental plants, which are stored near the terrace and swimming pool. The other side of the yard is overgrown with Japanese grass, as well as mango trees that fruit a lot.

In the midst of Hilman's explanation of how to arrange the garden, Albi came to them. The five-year-old boy was astonished to see Mr. Risman.

"Papa, who's that father? How did I just see?"

Hilman held onto Albi, then explained. "He's Mr. Risman, the new employee at our house. Come on, Albi, greetings to Mr. Risman!"

Albi obeyed his father, then kissed Risman's hand. "Welcome to work at our house, yes, sir. I will play the same as me."

Hilman and Mr. Risman laughed at the words of Albi. His small and crisp voice made both of them anxious. So anxious, Mr. Risman pinched Albi's cheek and said, "Yes, Mr. Risman will play with you."

"Gaziness!" Albi laughed cheerfully.

Without them noticing, it turned out that Farah was paying attention from the dining room. Seeing her son kissing the poor, she felt unable to bear it. Soon he approached the three of them with his face bent. Of course his arrival like that makes Hilman and Mr. Risman amazed.

"Papa, why, tell Albi to kiss the poor man's hands all over? It should be Mr. Risman who kissed Albi's hand!" murmuring Farah while whispering in Hilman's ear.

"Shut up, Farah! Later if the whimper Mr. Risman, how? After all, isn't it good to teach the Albi to have manners in the older ones?" reply Hilman whispered.

Farah fell silent, then looked at Mr. Risman. His scowling face turned soft for the sake of formality in front of the new employee. To complete the play in front of her husband, Farah reached out as a sign of introduction.

"My name is Farah, Mr. Hilman's wife" he said with a smile.

Mr. Risman shook Farah's hand and said, "Risman."

Disgusted, Farah released Mr. Risman's hand post while grimacing.

"Oyes, Sir. Now you can start working. Lay out our home page as neat as possible, yes, sir. Hopefully you feel at home here," said Hilman.

"Okay, I'll do it."

Hilman and his small family broke into the house, while Mr. Risman started picking up tools to tidy up the backyard. Farah who saw the situation of Mr. Risman is fine, remembered the money from Mr. Jumadi.

"Pa, buy me some jewelry from that money, yeah."

"Jeez, Farah! Didn't I tell you many times? The money is for Ratmi Tea. Tahlilan Mas Burhan event also requires a lot of money. Then buy the jewelry. I can buy it too."

"But, Pa. If later Papa gave the money to Ratmi Tea, Papa must also be part of it, right?"

"You are so self-reliant, yes," said Hilman staring intently. "Already ah, I don't want to debate with you. Long time I stress before work."

Hilman rushed to the factory to monitor the production of the cloth. Not to forget, he brought a suitcase containing tens of millions of rupiah, which has been completed in number. Today the man uses the services of a driver to take him to two places. First to her sister-in-law's house, then to her workplace.

The distance between Hilman's house and Mr. Burhan is not that far. Enough to take fifteen minutes, he had arrived at his brother's house. When he arrived there, Hilman walked in a hurry when he saw Mrs Ratmi sitting alone on the porch of the house.

"Tea, Tet!" exclaim Hilman with a crisp face.

Ms. Ratmi never answered, her eyes looking far away. Her heart was still crumpled to hear the news of her husband's death from Mak Asih when he returned home from the hospital. The loss of two loved ones enveloped his soul until it lost its sanity. Now he can only daydream and daydream. Every now and then her tears trickle down, remembering all the sweet memories with Mr. Burhan before death took her husband's life.

Hilman was worried. He shook Bu Ratmi's shoulder until he woke up. The woman was stunned, then looked at Hilman, frowning.

"Hilman's? Since when have you been here?"

Inevitably, Hilman must understand the mental condition of his brother-in-law who is not stable. He patiently faced Ms. Ratmi and said, "I just came, Tea."

"Who are you here for?"

"On your own."

"Oh."

"Teh, I brought the money that Mr. Jumadi borrowed. Who knew Teteh needed to make Mas Burhan tahlilan." Hilman handed me the black suitcase.

Ms. Ratmi stared at the end of the suitcase in the hands of her sister-in-law. He still remembered very well, the money returned by Mr. Jumadi was not good. The woman hesitated to accept the suitcase.