SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Funeral

Sukma and Atikah are getting ready to go to school. The two went along with Bu Inah and Mr. Risman who would be serving. Sukma was astonished to see his mother who yesterday had a fight with Miss Lastri, went to treat the annoying person.

"Mom, why, anyway, visit Mr. Beni's house all? The mothers who pulled Dedek's hand yesterday, right, have fought with Mother. The man was nyebelin anyway," ketus Sukma snorted sebal.

"We are neighbors, Sukma. It is fitting that we join in mourning if there are neighbors who died," said Bu Inah with a smile.

"Welcome to mourn or do you feel happy because the person who will harm Dedek died?" ask Sukma.

"Hus! This grandpa is careless when he talks. There is a mother who is saddened by Mr. Beni. He lost his wife so quickly" replied Ms. Inah. "Already, now go, gih. It's noon."

"Yes, Mom."

They finally separated after coming out of the gate. The direction to Mr. Beni's house and school is different. If Sukma departs north with Atikah, then Bu Inah and goes south.

It did not take long for Ms. Inah and her husband to arrive at Mr. Beni's residence. Lots of people in droves, watching the procession before the burial of Bu Lastri. The children of Bu Lastri who live in Jakarta also came, seeing the face of the mother for the last time. Mr. Beni looked teary-eyed, hit by the sudden departure of the wife.

Together with Mr. Risman, Ms. Inah infiltrated the crowd, then entered the residence of Mr. Beni. His presence was first welcomed by the eldest son of the owner of the house. There was sadness on the man's face, though not a single tear fell on his cheek.

"Patient, yes, son. Maybe it's his destiny" said Mr. Risman.

"Yes, Sir. It's just that I'm sorry, I haven't had time to lead my mother down the right path" the man said, embarrassed.

"What's wrong. Maybe it's been the way it is. Now pray, may Allah accept his other charities."

"Yes, sir."

Shortly thereafter, Haji Gufron and Fadil came to serve. Not only that, he was also asked by other residents to bark the body of Bu Lastri. Haji Gufron was visibly saddened by Bu Lastri's death. However, he had known Mr. Beni's family for a long time, although lately there has been frequent conflict.

Seeing Mr. Beni was hugging in front of his wife's corpse lying stiff, Haji Gufron felt empathetic. He approached the fat man, and sat down next to him. Haji Gufron rubbed Mr. Beni's back and offered condolences for Bu Lastri's death.

"Patiently, sir. Maybe it's time God took the life of Miss Lastri. God loves Miss Lastri more, sir," Haji Gufron said.

Mr. Beni wiped away the tears, then said. "Yes, Mr. Haji. I'm still in shock. Last night I was convulsing and couldn't be built up. I've been trying to build him up, but fate seems to say something else."

"Already, Sir. No need to remember anymore. At least you've tried."

"I'm also very sorry, sir. All this time, I couldn't control my wife and took her on the right path. I repeatedly reminded him of the sustenance, as a friend of Mr. Haji said, but Mother was stubborn. Oh God!"

"Already, sir, already. There is no point in constantly regretting your mistakes. Meningan pray Miss Lastri to be accepted by His side."

Before being buried, the body was put in a coffin and crucified first. Although he had a fight with Bu Lastri, Haji Gufron was willing to become a funeral prayer priest. Regardless of the words of those who accuse him of hypocrisy, Haji Gufron remains in his opinion, that the fardhu kifayah prayer that he did, is simply out of pity for Miss Lastri.

Finished, the coffin was carried by four people, including Fadil and Mr. Risman. During the journey to the tomb, Fadil accidentally smelled the smell of carrion from inside the coffin. He did not want to talk much, even though the person next to him complained because of the disturbing smell. Fadil, who knew the nature of Bu Lastri during his life, could only say in his heart, maybe this was a lesson from God.

Upon arrival at the cemetery, residents who drove Bu Lastri's body to the pit, looked astonished. The excavation of the grave by the guards of the tomb since morning, has not been completed. Haji Gufron came forward, curious about the slow work of the gravediggers.

"What's this about? Why isn't the excavation finished?" haji Gufron asked, frowning.

"The ground is very hard, Mr. Haji," replied one of the diggers.

"Hard? Have you tried using water?" ask Haji Gufron again.

"Udah, Mr. Haji, but the result remains the same."

"Why not try it in another area? It's a pretty big funeral."

"Udah, Mr. Haji. This is the third time."

"Astag."

Haji Gufron turned to the people who were getting hot because the sun was rising. He invited the Bu Lastri family and residents to read prayers so that the funeral business is facilitated by the Creator. They agreed, and the prayer began with Haji Gufron.

After long enough to ask God for ease, finally the burrow that will be the last bed of Bu Lastri was completed. Some people including Mr. Beni's eldest son went down to the burrow, then together received the body of Bu Lastri. Although they feel the burden to be laid is very heavy and disturbed by the smell of a stinging carcass, they still do their job carefully.

Not felt, finally Bu Lastri's funeral was completed. After reading the prayer, the residents one by one returned to their homes. Meanwhile, Mr. Beni who is still sad, stayed for a while beside the mound of the tomb Bu Lastri. Haji Gufron accompanied him, persuading Mr. Beni to try hard to face reality. He knows very well it feels left by his beloved wife, so Haji Gufron is very empathetic to Mr. Beni.

"Keep your heart, Mr. Beni. Just ikhlaskan. Maybe someday in the afterlife, Mr. Beni will meet with the wife of the Father," said Haji Gufron.

"I try hard, Mr. Haji, but this heart feels hard to sincere."

Mr. Beni nodded, trying sincerely to let go of the wife. Finished with their affairs, the two left beside Bu Lastri's tomb. However, after eight steps left the last bed of the fat-bodied woman, again Haji Gufron and Pak Beni smelled a pungent aroma around her. When Mr. Beni turned his head towards the wife's grave, his eyes widened.

"Sir Haji, Pak Haji! Lookie! There's blood coming out of my wife's grave!"

"Allahu Akbar! What else is this?"

While Pak Beni and Haji Gufron are busy dealing with strange occurrences in the cemetery, Sukma questions Andra in class. Like yesterday, he did not leave class, despite being told by his religious teacher. The little girl was curious, about something that happened to someone after dying to Andra.

"Andra, will the nyebelin live quietly in the grave?"

"Why are you like that?"

"I have neighbors. His people are really happy. Before he died, he held my hand out loud. Tuh, look! There's still a trace!" said Sukma while showing his wrist that there is a red grip.

"God! You got hit too, didn't you?" ask Andra curiously.

"No. You see my mother's hunting came, kept getting angry with the nyebelin' guy."

"Thank God you weren't beaten. Oya, where were we talking?"

"Will the nyebelin be quiet in the grave?"

Andra paused for a moment, staring at the ceiling. He tried to recall something the religious teacher taught in the next class and his experience after being buried. After a long time of thought, he finally got the right answer.

"So, every living person has his own charities. As I recall, in the grave there will be two angels. His name is Munkar and Nakir. If we can't answer their questions, we'll be beaten."

"Oh, that, yeah. Means the nyebelin people will not calm dong in his grave."

"so. Unless he repents before he dies."

"Refid? What repent is that?"

"Repent is asking God for forgiveness and promises never to repeat sins again. If that's the case, it probably won't be punished."

"Oh, yeah."

"Yes, Sukma. Soon the month of fasting. You like fasting?"

Sukma. "I like to follow the sahur, but I don't follow the fast."

"Loh, why?"

"Soalah, said my mother, if not strong almighty half a day. Last time it was fasting, I just finished till Ashar."

"Well, you're great, Sukma! Fasting for a long time is cool, especially if it reaches maghrib."

"Yes, this year I will try to fast until Maghrib. Hopefully strong, yeah."

"You must be strong, Sukma. Not like me. Every month the fast arrives, I can't follow the same fast as my parents."

"Why is that?"

"Said my mother, the pain will be worse if fasting. After all, sick people are also not recommended to fast, really."

"Hm, you're good, yes, every month fasting is not like someone else's."

"I feel very sad, Sukma. Not enjoying sahur and breaking with parents. It must feel different if I fast."

"Hm .. yeah, too, anyway. Uh, but even if you don't fast, like to buy lebaran dong clothes with your fathers."

"If lebaran clothes, anyway, like to be bought. I'm most concerned when Lebaran arrives. Can show off new clothes in front of friends, but ...."

"But what, Andra? Dirty-looking spikes?"

"No. Temen-temen like to do it, if I want the good. Fasting is not, Lebaran's turn to follow the show of new clothes."

"Why, in this world, is there a person who is crazy?" chirp Sukma snorted sebal. "They, don't know if you're sick. God is not evil as a sick person. Why do they dare to judge?"