SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Sellers

The day changed, the sun rose. This is when Mr. Risman began to pioneer a career as a catfish pecel seller. Before peddling food sales, he studied first at Haji Gufron, the Master Pecel Lele who managed to create many branches in various regions, especially Padalarang.

Since six o'clock in the morning, Mr. Risman has been at the Haji Gufron residence to learn how to make delicious catfish pecels. Patiently, Haji Gufron taught Mr. Risman. From starting to take care of catfish so as not to feel bland, until the presentation so that customers can enjoy. Indeed, Mr. Risman was initially nervous enough to begin the processing. However, Mr. Risman's intelligence and strong will, making the processing of catfish pecel feels easy.

Haji Gufron praised Pak Risman's speed in learning to make this street culinary. He is sure, Mr. Risman will create his shop crowded in one night. However, there is one lack of Mr. Risman in making pecel catfish, the sambal terasinya sometimes too sweet. Mr. Risman listened intently to Haji Gufron's input, until the boom was completely steady.

While Mr. Risman learned to make catfish pecel, Sukma escorted the mother into a new Kindergarten, which was located quite close to the contract. It takes time for the youngest to adapt to the new environment. When he first came to class, he found it hard to get out of his mother's arms. However, slowly he tried to blend in with other friends.

As in the previous school, Sukma chose the empty bench at the corner. He sat by the window to see his mother occasionally. Although Bu Inah repeatedly said that he would not leave him alone like his time in Bandung, Sukma was still reluctant to believe. According to him, the first day as a new student is a difficult thing. Just as hard as writing the number one for the first time.

On the bench next to Sukma, several children gathered. They're talking about pets. Sukma was interested in chatting, then suddenly stood among the girls.

"You know Monika? He's my favorite Persian cat. Costly. But baby, yesterday my cat died" said one of the children named Sere.

"Well, what a pity dong. Then, you want to buy another cat, is that it?" ask her friend, her name is Kezia.

"Yes. Later if Papa I come home from abroad, he said he wanted to buy a better cat again," replied Sere.

"Your family has a lot of money, yes, Sere," said Ami.

Sukma, who was standing near them, suddenly fell. "Eh, uh, I also have a pet. Her name is Wanara."

"Who are you?" ask Ami.

"My name is Sukma, I just entered school today" Sukma replied innocently.

"Oh, Sukma. I know, my name is Sere" Sere said, sticking out his hand.

Sukma shook Sere's hand with a knotty smile. Later, Kezia and Ami share Sukma. They don't look so friendly, but want to know a new friend.

"Sukma, what is your pet? Cat, cuckoo, or hamster?" ask Kezia.

"I keep a monkey. Gedeee really," replied Sukma while moving her hand upwards, like depicting the real figure of Wanara.

"Monkey? Where did you come from? From forest?" sere asked, then followed by the laughter of his two friends.

Sukma. "No. I originally lived near Om Hilman's house."

"Om Hilman? Who's she?" ami asked with a frown.

"He's my father. My father and my mother worked at his house Om Hilman," explained Sukma.

"Oh, so you're the maid's son?" asked Kezia with a cynical look.

"It used to be, now it's not. I moved here to sell pecel catfish" said Sukma.

The three girls nodded.

"Yes, Sukma. Where did you get that monkey?" ask Ami.

"From Aunt Farah."

"Dikasi?" ask Sere.

"No. The monkey himself wants to come with me. Aunt Farah and Om Hilman do not know that the monkey is the same as them. Wanara used to be naughty, likes to eat people's meat. But after I took care of him, he got good. I love eating bananas too."

Hearing Sukma's explanation, the three girls were astonished. Kezia and Ami were curious, then started asking again.

"Sukma, what's your pet monkey like? How come Om Hilman and Aunt Farah don't know if there's a monkey in their house?" asked Kezia frowning.

Sukma circulated the view, looking for the right answer to Kezia's question. According to his experience playing with Wanara, no one could see him. In fact, his own brother had to be blindfolded in order to see Wanara.

"Come, answer, Sukma! Don't you just want to have a pet" urged Ami.

"Ih, no. I'm not ngibul. He actually exists, can say also if you want to eat. Only, if you want to see, must be blindfolded first" said Sukma.

"Where can animals talk" Sere argued. "I have often bought pets, expensive too. None of them can talk."

"Oath! My pet can talk! You guys don't believe it?" sukma said.

The three girls shook their heads. Sukma was anxious to prove it to his three new friends. He also took the initiative to do the same thing as Atikah.

"Yes, now you close your eyes" said Sukma.

"Well, why close your eyes?" ask Kezia.

"You want to see my pet, right?" Sukma asked back.

"If you're here, what do you think about closing your eyes?" ami's Refutation.

"So you will see my pets if you close your eyes first" replied Sukma reassuringly.

For a moment, the three little girls looked at each other, then nodded. They start to close their eyes. The persistent Sukma wanted to show his pet, began to put his hands on his friend's eyelids one by one while chanting the mantra. Finished chanting the spell and opening his third inner eye, Sukma waved at Wanara who was standing near the entrance of the classroom. The monkey obeyed Sukma, then stood beside him.

"It's finished, now you can open your eyes," said Sukma gave instructions.

The three little girls slowly opened their eyes. As his vision became clearer, a large-bodied ape was looking towards them. Suddenly, the three girls screamed in fear at the sight of a large-bodied ape standing beside Sukma. Panicked Kezia and Ami ran straight to the other corner of the class. While Sere looked pale and trembling looking at Sukma's pet.

The class atmosphere becomes rowdy due to the act of Sukma. Kezia and Ami, who were crying in a corner, told the other students that Sukma was bringing a pet to class while pointing at his new friend. Some students do not believe it, while others are curious. Sere who was still sitting trembled, instantly fainting as Wanara greeted him.

Seeing the commotion in her foster children's class, Miss Maryam immediately calmed them down. Kezia and Ami who were still crying hysterically in the corner of the classroom, were approached by the hijab teacher. Gently, Miss Maryam began to ask the two about what happened so that it made them cry histetically.

"I-mom .. m-the new student took the monkey to class," Kezia said in a trembling voice.

"Yes, Mom. Tuh, look! The monkey again worried about Mother next to Sukma," said Ami while pointing at Sukma.

Although not so confident in the words of his two students, Maryam still approached Sukma who was standing near the stool of Sere while flickering. He tried to be as friendly as possible to the new students who are still adapting it. With a wry smile, Miss Maryam greeted Sukma.

"Hi, Pretty Girl. What's your name?" ask Miss Maryam.

"Sukma Cakrawati, Mom. Call me Sukma" replied Sukma with a big smile.

"Sukma, did you know that you can't bring pets here?"

Sukma.

"Well, from now on, you can't bring pets, let alone take them to class."

"Oh, yes, ma'am." Both eyes of the sukma grow. "Yes, I told Wanara to wait outside."

Sukma turned to Wanara and told her to get out of the classroom. The monkey complied, then rushed out. Miss Maryam who saw Sukma's behavior, increasingly felt astonished. He thought, Sukma pet is not just imagination, but true. The hijab-wearing woman believed that some children were blessed with the advantages of seeing invisible forms. Perhaps Sukma was one of those who was given the gift, he thought.

"Mom, my pet has come out" said Sukma.

"Goodoo. Next time, if you go to school don't bring animals, yes," advises Miss Maryam.

"Good, Mom."

Before starting the lesson, Ms. Maryam along with several other students' parents, brought Sere to the UKS room. The little girl today has not been able to participate in teaching and learning activities due to fainting, while Kezia and Ami want to go home so scared. The sukma only looked at them in wonder.

"Said to see my pet, but even on a cry. Huh, you suck!" muttered Sukma, then sat on his stool at the corner.

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

Towards the Maghrib, Mr. Risman began packing his wares. With the help of Bu Inah, Mr. Risman brought his merchandise to a place of sale that was not too far from the contract. Atikah and Sukma followed behind. They want to know where his father traded.

Apparently, Haji Gufron has prepared a sales cart for Pak Risman on the side of the road. Not to forget, he also installed catfish pecel banners and long benches for customers. Mr. Risman felt sorry for Haji Gufron, who had prepared all the needs of selling for his survival. He is very grateful for the kindness of Haji Gufron in pioneering a career as a catfish pecel seller.

"Not to worry. Think of this as Mr. Risman's first step in trading," said Haji Gufron interspersed with a small laugh.

"Ouch, Sir. Again, I say thank you very much. I also apologize for inconveniencing Mr. Haji."

"That's it, Mr. Risman, don't think about it. Importantly, now you are selling quietly. Deposit problem, later we renegotiate when there is income."

"Well, Mr. Haji."

"Then I go home first. Hope the trade sells, yeah."

Mr. Risman nodded, then put some of his wares on the wagon. Ms. Inah helped to clear the wares until it was really neat. While waiting for customers, Mr. Risman fried some catfish. Mom Inah cleaned the table and swept the dried leaves on the ground, hoping to make customers comfortable eating there.

While both his parents were busy preparing the merchandise, Sukma and Atikah were playing on the sidewalk. Flickering vehicle lights become a sight for Sukma. During his stay in the pavilion, he had never seen a night view as beautiful as this. So happy, he ran to and fro feeling the night wind that was increasingly piercing.

Atikah who accompanied Sukma to play, felt overwhelmed by his sister's agility. He feels responsible for the safety of his sister as long as both parents are busy. Wherever Sukma ran, he followed him.

"Dedek, stop running! Don't go far!" atikah Exclamation.

Sukma ignored his brother. He actually continued to follow Wanara who ran while jumping up and down in excitement. The monkey looked happy after not being Mbah Suro's partner again. At least with Sukma, he does not need to be in charge of judging humans, but still get food every day.

When he was about to pass another roadside angkringan, which is a meatball seller's cart, Sukma's step stopped for a moment. From a distance, he saw a merchant putting a white cloth into the cauldron. Shortly thereafter, a creature clad in white cloth appeared sitting on a customer's bench.

Slowly, Sukma walked closer to the wagon. Wanara who was busy running, was immediately detained by the little girl. His tail was pulled as hard as possible until the monkey fell silent.

"What's up, Sukma? Why did you suddenly stop?" tanya Wanara looked at Sukma with a frowning forehead.

"Wanara, you see that, don't you?" sukma whispered, her eyes still pointed at the meatball vendor's wagon.

Wanara turned his eyes to the cart seller, then nodded. "It was just a meatball who was stirring the cauldron" he said.

"No! Not that!" sukma felt anxious.

"Then, which one? The pocong?"

Sukma looked at Wanara. "Pockmarks?"

"Yes, it's a pocong" Wanara said.

"Pocongs? Why is the pocong on the meatball bench? Doesn't she like being in the cemetery, does she? Ah, lest he bother the tradesman, like you're gnawing on Aunt Farah's body."

"No. Just yummy! He does not want to interfere, but as a seller," explained Wanara.

"Seller? What the hell? I just heard."

"That's a creature that can make the trade become in demand. So, if there's a creature sitting there, then the buyer's food could be good."

"Oh." Sukma. "Means he can turn food into good food dong kayak Aunt Farida."

"Tante Farida? Who's she?" asked Wanara scratching his head.

"He's Aunt Arini's brother" replied Sukma. "I've seen him turn maggots with dried leaves into rice with capcay."

"If it's any different, Sukma."

"Keep, how are you?"

"You'll see later." Wanara then turned his face to the meatball vendor's yard. "That look! Someone wants to buy! Let's see, how the pocong makes the food so good."

Sukma noticed the meatball seller was serving the customer carefully. Atikah who had been chasing him since, suddenly stopped seeing Sukma speechless near the meatball seller.