SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Banaspati Fire

"Sir, what about my son? He's fine, right?" ask Mom, worried.

"Something seems to be troubling her subconscious, ma'am. That's why it's like this" replied Mr. Suwandi.

"Oh Allah, his body was dry but not feverish. Mr. Suwandi, please do your best for Dedek Sukma, yes. I will help you with prayer."

"God willing, Mom. I'm just trying, the rest is God's decisive."

Bu Inah prayed in his anxiety, hoping that Sukma's condition would quickly improve. Likewise with Atikah, who is very sorry for the condition of his sister since her body weakened this afternoon. He did not expect, that the consequences would be this bad. His mind returned to wondering, if only his inner eye was not closed again, maybe he would act faster so that Sukma did not droop weakly as it is now.

Meanwhile, the fight between Ki Purnomo and Wanara, lasted increasingly fierce. The fire that Ki Purnomo spewed from his mouth, can be immediately extinguished by the spit of Wanara. The ape did not expect, that he still had other powers than making others rich and eating humans as collateral.

"Damn it, you, Monkey! It could have been dodging me. Come quickly, fight me right now!" geram Ki Purnomo.

Wanara's attitude is getting more and more stingy. He hid among the flames that bound Sukma, while occasionally trying to get into it. Sukma, who realized Wanara was nearby, waved for help. But alas, the blazing fire in front of him, did not let the nosy ape in to save him.

Unexpectedly, in the midst of Wanara's effort to save Sukma, Ki Purnomo suddenly appeared from behind the monkey. Without lingering, Ki Purnomo spewed fire towards Wanara, until the ape's tail burned. Because of the heat of the fire blown by the shaman gondrong, Wanara shouted for water around him. He could not bear if the fire on his tail was spreading towards his body.

Wanara is getting increasingly violent and uncontrollable. Screaming, he ran to and fro asking for help. Nevertheless, his frustration with Ki Purnomo was mounting, to the point that he ran towards the fire head of the gondrong man. So upset, he was because the fire did not go out, as hard as his feet kicked Ki Purnomo who was not ready to spit fire. Instantly, the gondrong shaman's head was thrown very far away, even his figure disappeared above the sky.

Along with the departure of Ki Purnomo from the dream of Sukma, water droplets fell to extinguish the fire. Sukma that was initially weakly exposed in a circle of fire, while his body felt fresh, like a bath. Her strength gradually recovered, until her form could transform into a little girl with jet-black and horned skin. Sukma stood up, then jumped up and down in excitement. So did Wanara, who was happy because her tail was not on fire anymore.

"Wanara, where's this rainwater coming from?" ask Sukma.

"You have to get up quickly to know the cause of this rain" Wanara said, then disappeared from Sukma's sight.

In the real world, Mr. Suwandi feels relieved to feel Sukma's body temperature is decreasing. The little girl's eyes opened slowly, until Mr. Suwandi stopped rubbing water on Sukma's face. Bu Inah who saw Sukma gradually recovered, immediately grabbed his youngest daughter.

"Alhamdulillah, Dedek finally realized too," said Bu Inah moved.

"Mom, why is Dedek's face wet? Dedek's out of rain, huh?"

"So the body of the Sukma Deck is hot. So, Mr. rubbing prayer water into the face of the Sukma Deck," replied Mr. Suwandi.

"Oh, that is," said Sukma nodding softly. "Thank you, yes, sir."

"Yes, both Dek," said Mr. Suwandi as he rubbed Sukma's head, then looked at Bu Inah. "Then, excuse me. Next time, if Sukma Deck is all right, call me. God willing, I'm ready to help."

"Yes, Sir. Go ahead. God willing, I will call you if there is a problem like this again."

Pak Suwandi said goodbye to Bu Inah and Sukma. After he got out of the rented house, Ms. Inah immediately closed the door. Meanwhile, Atikah rushed to his sister, making sure her condition had improved. Regretfully, he looked at his sister pity.

"Dedek, if only Teteh had not squatted on the sidewalk, maybe Dedek was fine," said Atikah full of regret.

"It's okay, Tea. Precisely Dedek happy if Teteh did not prevent Dedek. Dedek again healed Wanara from the influence of the mantra gondrong fathers. So Dedek's energy runs out."

"Oh, yeah. But thank God, now Dedek is gone."

"Yes, Tea. But, Dedek was still afraid. The heads of the gondrong fathers who were fighting Dedek this afternoon, came to Dedek's dream while gushing fire. Sereeem really, Tea," said Sukma with a frightened expression.

"That means, the gondrong fathers are still upset because Dedek did not behave politely with him, so it appears in Dedek's dream," said Bu Inah interjected.

"really? Dedek thought the dead person would not come to the dream and revenge with Dedek," Sukma said innocently.

"What's? Dead already? How could he have died this afternoon? Is it because Dedek fought him?" atikah asked with wide eyes.

Hearing Atikah's question, Bu Inah's heart returned unsettled. Soon he answered Atikah's question before Sukma. "No. The fathers had a congenital disease, so they died."

"Oh, kirain because he's fighting Dedek. I still want that big Dedek energy. Dedek can smash a bald om-om at the station lightly" Atikah said.

"Dedek also lurched-"

"Dedek nginjek land. Every day also mengginjek land, right?" cut Bu Inah stammering. "Here you better get some more sleep. Tomorrow should be school, right?"

"Yes, ma'am" said Sukma and Atikah.

Next, the two lay down on the bed and read a prayer. Atikah and Sukma closed their eyes, hoping for a beautiful dream tonight. Bu Inah patted Sukma's thigh, so that he could quickly sleep in his sleep, and did not remember the nightmare that disturbed him a few moments ago.

Meanwhile, Wanara who was sitting beside the mattress, stared warily at her surroundings. Worried in case Ki Purnomo comes again and annoys Sukma. If the gondrong man dared to disturb Sukma, then Wanarah will deal with him first. He will not back down a bit, because the form of Ki Purnomo now, more easily finished than in human form.

Apparently, Ki Purnomo is not far from Sukma. He was still wandering in the rented area, waiting for the right moment to finish Sukma. Although still upset to have been defeated by a small child, Ki Purnomo was happy. With the separation of spirit and sorcery from his body, he found it easier to take revenge. In the form of his Banaspati, Ki Purnomo can finish Sukma from dreamland, as well as real nature.

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

A nightmare is coming again to Bu Inah. After a long time trying to forget the previous dream, Bu Inah was still terrorized by the Demon King through his subconscious. This time, the middle-aged woman was unable to see anything around her. There was only the sound of men's laughter echoing around him.

"I'm everywhere, Inah. Don't try to challenge me!" answer the man's voice.

A touch of magic, pushing Bu Inah down. The middle-aged woman tried to get back up. However, a black hand had pushed him first, leaving Bu Inah helpless.

"Hows it? Have you seen the consequences if you challenge me?"

"I'm not scared at all!"

"alright. But, wouldn't you be afraid if that happened?"

"What thing? What do you mean?"

A scene that happened this afternoon, was shown again to Bu Inah. The form of Sukma who was killing Ki Purnomo, turned into a terrible figure in the eyes of Bu Inah. Sukma became a little horned girl with flames all over her body. Seen, Fadil and Fani try to stop Sukma. However, Sukma's extraordinary strength, making both of them difficult.

From Ki Purnomo's body, a black aura emerged emanating from his body, and it slowly blended with the flames on Sukma's body. Bu Inah did not understand, what aura had been released from the man and also Sukma.

"That's what happens if my daughter burns with anger. No one will hear him, including you, Inah! After all, she is still my daughter. A little demon ready to take out a human at any moment."

"T-no! No way! She's my daughter, a human child. You can't bend his attitude to be like you!"

"I didn't do anything to my own daughter. It was precisely his demonic soul that came out just like that when angry. Didn't that make it clear that your upbringing is nothing compared to the innate nature of his father?"

"No! Sukma can't be like that. No matter how hard you try to mislead my daughter, you will never be able to!"

"A perverted path you say? It is your path that is perverted. He's a son of the devil, should have walked my way. Then never challenge me. Understood?"

"I won't give up while my heart's still beating."

The hand that pushed Bu Inah to the ground immediately choked the middle-aged woman's neck. Ms. Inah felt tightness and difficulty breathing. His life seemed to be forcibly uprooted by a black hand that strangled him.

Nevertheless, the determination of Mother's heart to God is not reduced. His tongue has never spoken the words of no God but Allah clearly. Instantly, the man's growling sound echoed around Bu Inah, turning into a deafening fierce scream. Along with that, Ms. Inah woke up and heard a knock on the door from outside.

Hurry up Bu Inah got off his bed, then opened the door. Visible Mr. Risman lethargic after selling catfish pecel on the roadside. Ms. Inah helped her husband bring the merchandise inside. When finished, the door is closed and locked.

While waiting for her husband to wash his hands and feet, Ms. Inah pensively thought of a nightmare a moment ago. Sometimes his eyes were fixed on Sukma who was lying beside him. His brain thinks hard, trying to find the best solution so that Sukma can reduce his anger. If left unchecked, then the words of the Demon King will come true and later Bu Inah can not control his daughter anymore.

Finished washing his hands and feet, Mr. Risman changed his sweaty clothes. After that, he lay down near Atikah while watching the dreamy Bu Inah.

"Mom, let's go to sleep! Tomorrow's bad luck nyiapin breakfast for children," said Mr. Risman with a soft voice.

Ms. Inah shook her head. "Mom's still thinking of Dedek, sir."

"Thinking? Thinking about what, Mom? The problem with the police has been solved. Now I don't have to worry."

"Not that, sir," said Bu Inah turning to Mr. Risman. "Our child, the youngest, if angry can not be controlled. I'm afraid, the incident happened again this afternoon."

"Okay, Mom. His name is also children, it is natural to express yourself. There will also be a time when he will handle his emotions. Just relax."

"Quiet down? I really can't calm down, sir. I'm afraid, Dedek's gonna walk the wrong way."

"Mom, as long as we are patient in educating him and not accompanied by anger, God willing, Dedek will not be misguided. After all, every child has time. What I have to worry about is his future. Adolescence is unstable. At that time, you have to be a friend to your kids so they're comfortable."

"alright, Sir. Hopefully we can educate Atikah and Sukma well, yes. After all, they never lack our affection."

"Yes, Mom. Aamiin's."

So fell asleep, Mother Inah in her dream. Sukma's self-concern slowly faded after hearing her husband's words. At least by teaching kindness and controlling emotions to the young Sukma, he can be proud of having a godly child, even though his life is threatened by the Demon King every time.

The next day, Sukma, who was well dressed, was ready to go to school with Atikah. After the brother finished tying his shoes, the two kissed his parents' hands and said goodbye. Not to forget, Bu Inah entrust Sukma to Atikah in order to take good care of him.

After exiting the rented area of Hajj Gufron, the view of people passing by, fixed on Sukma. Their strange attitude is clearly known by Sukma, until the little girl looks at astonishment. Not usually for Sukma, noticed by many people, especially until viewed cynically.

"Teteh, why do people worry about it like that to Dedek? Is it wrong for Dedek to be with them?"

"They may just happen to be concerned about Dedek doang, not deliberately worried about Dedek with annoyance," replied Atikah lightly.

While walking down the highway pavement, Sukma saw again the strangeness in the attitude of the surrounding people. They seem to dislike and tend to be afraid to see the figure of a plain little boy walking across them. In fact, there was a mother who was leading her son to stay away from the two little sisters. He whispered to his son, so as not to imitate the attitude of Sukma in the future.

The atmosphere got worse when Atikah and Sukma entered the school area. The other students looked at Sukma in horror, then ran to the classroom. Similarly, with mothers who take their children to school, they seem not happy to see Sukma.

When he was about to enter his class, Sukma overheard a mother's bad words to his classmate, Nauval. Looking cynically, Nauval's mother said, "Be aware that you are close to the child! If you're as smart as him, I won't give you a week's worth of pocket money."

Sukma's chest tightness heard the words of the woman of Farah's age. His heart was very sad, knowing that people suddenly did not like him in a day. However, Sukma tried to remember well the words of his mother. Patience.