SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Bad News

An hour has been taken by Sukma and the man who drove him. Although the motorbike felt heavy because Wanara who was sitting behind and leaning his head on his shoulder, finally the man managed to drive Sukma to the front of the road to the contract Haji Gufron. Not yet had the man turned his motorbike towards the road to the residential area, Sukma had patted him on the shoulder first.

"Stop, Sir. Stopit! Stooops!" sukma.

"What's up, Deck?" asked the man turned to Sukma after stopping his motorbike at the side of the road.

"It's only been here, sir. My house is deket really," said Sukma.

"Loh, why? Meningan Mr. Anter to the front of Adek's house. If there's another kidnap, how about it?"

Sukma shook his head quickly. "Just get down here, sir. Besides, I'm being punished with my monkey, anyway. Later if someone tries to kidnap, will be taped to my monkey."

"Alright if Adek wants to come down here."

Sukma got off the bike with Wanara. Every now and then the little girl turned to her beloved monkey, then patted Wanara on the chest. He was worried, due to the fight with Blind, the monkey even fell ill.

On the other hand, the man who drove her home, was still watching the little girl's behavior intently. It is clear to him that Sukma is not an ordinary child, even tends to be strange. In addition, during the trip earlier he often felt strange things burst into his chest, especially when his hair goosebumps and his shoulders feel heavy.

"Sir, thank you, yes, I'm going home. Here, I have a little money for you," said Sukma while offering five thousand.

"Not bother, Dek. Mending money for Adek jajan aja," refused the man.

"Oh, yes that's it. Thank you very much, yes, sir, for letting me go home."

"Yes, equally. Be careful on the road, yeah."

Sukma nodded, then turned around leaving behind the person who had escorted him. A few steps from the highway, Sukma memapah Wanara who is still panting due to the endless blows launched by Blind. From a distance, the man who was escorting Sukma noticed the awkward movements of the little girl. His heart confirmed, that someone who had been delivered home was indeed strange.

After walking far enough from the highway, finally Sukma and Wanara arrived in front of the rented gate of Haji Gufron. He opened the gate slowly, while treating Wanara who was still sick. From the rented terrace, it appears that Bu Inah turned to him, then rushed to the youngest who had disappeared long enough.

"Geez, Dedek!" exclaimed Bu Inah touched the face and body of her youngest daughter, then kissed her. "Where did the grandfather run out from? Mother was worried about Nyariin Dedek."

"And already Dedek said, that was Dedek to the stall first," said Sukma with his leisure.

"To which shop? I've been looking for Dedek to every shop but nothing. Where did Dedek end up, anyway?"

"Dedek runs out of the stall which is a bit distance away from the school, Mom. Pas Dedek wants to go home, uh even muter-muter out of nowhere," said Sukma alibi.

"What do you want to snack on until it's loud to a faraway stall? If you want a snack, find a stall that is deket only. If the snack is not available, Dedek can go home first, ask for anther with Mother or Atikah Tea. Dedek knows, I'm really worried about Dedek," Bu Inah's cerocos is upset.

"Yes, Mom. Maafin Dedek," said Sukma with a parched face, then bowed lethargic.

"Next time do not repeat, yes. This grandpa made Mom anxious. Let alone a day, last night Dedek was gone to make Mother worry," said Bu Inah. "Now come with Mom inside, the wound on your knee must be cut out of diobatin."

Rushed the two into Mr. Risman's residence. When the door was opened, Mr. Risman was surprised when he found the wife entering with her youngest daughter. He asked Bu Inah about how to find Sukma. Bu Inah said that Sukma got lost after searching for the stall in question.

Without lingering chatter, Bu Inah took Sukma to the bathroom to clean his wound. After that, Sukma changed his clothes that were filled with dust. Before going to bed, injuries to the knee of the sukma were treated with caution by his mother. Sometimes the little girl grimaced in pain.

"Hold the pain first, let it heal quickly," said Bu Inah.

"Yes, Mom."

"After this Dedek eat first, yes. Abis maghrib hasn't eaten yet."

"No, Ma. Dedek eat it later with you sahur. Dedek is so sleepy."

"Yes, tomorrow Dedek do not fast first. You see, Dedek's eating schedule today is a mess."

Sukma nodded, then lay down on the bed. So tired, he did not have time to treat the deep wounds suffered by Wanara. The little girl just glanced towards the kitchen, looking at her pet monkey who was lying on her chest.

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

One of Mr. Risman's habits after no longer staying in the pavilion is to turn on the TV in the morning to watch the news. According to him, every event that happens in this world is very interesting to listen to. Many valuable lessons and insights that are often obtained.

Sukma who just finished healing Wanara on the second floor rented terrace after the chiki pajan from the shop of Pak Beni, sat next to his father. He watched the news carefully. Atikah who just finished filling Ramadhan book. He watched the headlines today.

The TV screen displayed an abandoned building overgrown with weed plants around it. From the events told by the reporter, there has been an incident of kidnapping in the building. All three perpetrators have died and the police are conducting the TKP. Shortly thereafter, two eyewitnesses emerged who were patrol officers last night. Of course, Sukma felt no stranger to the two men.

Secretly, Sukma covered near the kitchen and opened the chiki he bought from the shop of Pak Beni. To dampen the turbulent tension in his chest, he devoured the chiki one by one without releasing his gaze towards the television. Soon, Bu Inah who had just finished washing the dishes, came towards Sukma.

"Ngapain Dedek is sitting here? There, watch the TV near Father!"

On the TV screen, a bearded man who escorted Sukma last night, began to name the abductees. He did not know the name of the main victim, who was none other than Albi. A few seconds later, Sukma's name came out of his mouth.

Sontak, Mr. Risman, Ms. Inah, and Atikah were surprised to hear the name. The three turned to Sukma who suddenly froze while eating chiki. Slowly the little girl chewed and swallowed her food.

"Why did you see that Dedek kayak?" sukma asked, frowning, then flickering.

Bu Inah and Mr. Risman stared intently at Sukma.

"Ng ... Father, Mother, Dedek's name, right, a lot in this world. Not Dedek doang," said Sukma stammered.

Shortly afterwards, TV screens showed the parents of the victim who had been questioned by police. Hilman's face was clearly displayed in front of Mr. Risman's family. Not wrong again, Sukma was involved in the case as a victim.

Bu Inah who just finished cleaning the dishes, immediately sat opposite Sukma. The little girl looked nervous as her mother looked at her, like she was looking for him with questions. Mr. Risman who realized a tinge of annoyance emanated from his wife's face, immediately approached the two. His premonition said, that Ms. Inah would be tougher on her youngest daughter.

"Mom, hold on to Mom's anger. This is fasting" said Mr. Risman.

Bu Inah let out a long sigh, trying to hold back his anger at the youngest. After being quite calm, he finally asked, "Dedek, tell me the truth about Mom. Where was Dedek last night?"

With trembling and teary eyes, Sukma replied, "K-kan Dedek ... D-Dedek said it. Dedek went to the stall."

"Sir, please, Dedek answered honestly. Mother will not say anything Dedek, kok," persuaded Bu Inah with a softer tone.

Sukma's tears just broke. He stared at his parents who were looking forward anxiously waiting for answers. To vent his courage, Sukma swallowed his saliva and regulated his breathing.

Atikah who felt sorry for Sukma, immediately sat next to him. He was so concerned to see his sister so intimidated. He embraced Sukma, then rubbed his shoulders.

"Sir, let's talk honestly with Mom and Dad. Dedek knows, right, that lying is not good. If Dedek lies, his nose will be long, loh, like Pinocchio. Dedek doesn't want that, does he?" persuaded Atikah to look at his sister's eyes fixed.

Sukma immediately looked at his nose. When he touched his nose, he imagined how bad it would be if he reached his face like Pinocchio. Sukma shook his head quickly, then looked at his brother.

"Dedek does not want to have a Pinocchio-like nose," said Sukma pursed his lips.

"Well, now Dedek is talking honestly with Mom and Dad. Dedek will not be anything, really. Dedek's nose will also not be as long as Pinocchio's," persuaded Atikah.

Sukma looked at his parents and said, "What's wrong with Dedek nolongin A Albi from the bad guy?"

Suddenly, Mr. Risman and Bu Inah were surprised to hear Sukma's question. They looked at each other for a moment, as if it was difficult to believe that the Sukma referred to by the kidnapping eyewitness was his youngest daughter.

"J-so true ... Dedek's a kidnap victim too?" ask Ms. Inah with wide eyes.

"Dedek is not a victim, Mom, but has already nolongin A Albi," replied Sukma asserted.

"But ... how did Dedek find his son Mr. Hilman overnight?" Mr. Risman is getting more astonished.

Sukma recounts the early events of his departure searching for Albi in detail, though his heart was still very nervous. At first, Mr. Risman was increasingly in disbelief when Sukma said that he went to look for Albi just by walking through the occult. However, inevitably he must understand, that everything the youngest said is true, especially when he heard Sukma had met with Hilman in a warehouse.

Meanwhile, Atikah and Bu Inah were still listening intently. Sukma continued the chronological sequence of the search for Albi in the abandoned building. Bu Inah begins to worry about his daughter confronting a middle-aged man and his two high-bodied men. However, his concern for Sukma's safety soon perished after remembering that the youngest has extraordinary powers in dealing with adults.

"Then Dedek killed those two people?" asked Bu Inah, still in an anxious tone.

"At first Dedek did not want to kill the two people, but because the evil fathers threatened Dedek continue, yes, the two men were knocked down," replied Sukma.

Mom Inah's chest felt tight. He smothered his mouth, as if reluctant to accept the fact that Sukma had killed the two great bodies.

Not caring about the turbulent sadness in the mother's chest, Sukma continued the story again. He had succeeded in releasing Albi, but the freedom of both was scuttered by Mr. Jumadi. Sukma said that when he wanted to get out of the building, he would be killed.

Then it became more and more open that Bu Inah knew about it. His body relaxes as Sukma explains how to free himself from the knife that threatened him at that time. However, Bu Inah's worries had to fade as well when Sukma explained that he was crouching first to avoid the knife that was directed at him. Until finally, the little girl told of having been driven home by the man interviewed on TV earlier.

After Sukma told him that he managed to save Albi, the atmosphere became quiet. Risman stared at Sukma. Ms. Inah was sluggish, leaning her body against the edge of the mattress. While Atikah can only gawk at everything said by his sister.

In the middle of the silence, there was the sound of the door being knocked, followed by a greeting from a man. Mr. Risman got up from his seat, then slowly opened the door. How surprised he was to see three men in full police uniform, coming to his house. As for Bu Inah who is still shocked by Sukma's speech, he collapsed when he learned of the arrival of the police.

"Good morning, sir. Is this really Sister Sukma's house?" ask one of the police.

"Yes, b-totally. What's up, huh, sir?" Mr. Risman asked in a nervous tone.

"We from the police asked the Father and your daughter to come to the office. We need a tip from your daughter about Brother Albi's abduction case."

Both Mr. Risman's eyes widened to hear the police explanation. It was Sukma who was still sitting in the rented corner. He felt sorry to see the fear on his youngest daughter's face.