SUKMA: The Deal With the Devil

Nudism

It is a tradition of Muslims in this country to return to their hometowns when the Eid al-Fitr celebration arrives. After so long Mr. Risman's family did not return to Indramayu, finally the anticipated day has arrived. Mr. Risman's finances are gradually improving, making it no longer reasonable to celebrate holidays abroad. Ms. Inah also now does not have to bother thinking her daughter will be fussy during the trip. As for Sukma and Atikah, jumping excited when invited to go to Indramayu by both parents.

However, the feeling of gamang fiddled with the mind of Mr. Risman after a while decided to go home. Indeed, his life is now improving. However, on the other hand his little heart felt clumsy if it faced off against his richer and more established brothers. Not only in terms of economics that makes Mr. Risman inferior, about the presence of his children was thought. Mr. Risman's brother already has children growing up, while he only had two children aged nine and seven years when he was about to step on the head of six.

Seeing the anxiety in Mr. Risman's eyes, Ms. Inah sat next to him. She understood very well, her husband was still traumatized by various bad events that they had experienced during their stay in the village. Ms. Inah patted Mr. Risman on the shoulder until her husband turned his head.

"What do you think again? Doubt to go back to the village?" tanya Bu Inah looked at Mr. Risman's eyes.

"Actually you still feel ashamed to go back to the village, Mom. You know, right, the attitude of your brother and sister over there. Their lives are well established at this time, but the habits .. ah, you can not imagine if we just returned to the village now," explained Mr. Risman lethargic.

Ms. Inah smiled faintly and said, "Sir, we haven't been back to the village for a long time. From before Atikah was born until now, we have never visited the family there. I know, how my brother's behavior is. But, do you not feel sorry for the living mother? I'm sure, sir. Mum must have missed you in the village, especially after years of not coming home."

Pensive Mr. Risman thought about his wife's words. Remembering the face of the old mother at home, waiting for her arrival who had not come home for a long time. Likewise with his father Mr. Risman who is gone. For a long time Mr. Risman did not sprinkle flowers and water the prayer water in the last bed of the father.

"If later you feel awkward to stay at Mother's house, we can stay at Abah's residence. The last time we left Indramayu, his brother Mother just stayed with Wawan, Mother's sister. After all, the family of the same father Mother is only different from the village, the distance is also not too far," suggested Bu Inah.

"Yes, we'll see the situation there. If possible, stay at my mother's house. We haven't seen our parents in the village in a long time. You also understand, I must miss Abah and Wawan there," said Mr. Risman.

"Yes, Sir. In addition, we also need to tell Atikah and Dedek if we still have relatives there."

Mr. Risman nodded. "alright. Now Mom's clean up first. Tomorrow morning we will go to the village. It's the last night you're selling."

Ms. Inah agreed, then moved from next to Mr. Risman to clean up the clothes that will be brought later. Meanwhile, Sukma, who was happy, suddenly fell silent while lying on the bed. It felt like a bad feeling was about to happen. I don't know what it is. Clearly, Sukma's feelings are really bad.

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

The day that awaited has arrived. After finishing packing, Mr. Risman's family rushed away. Not to forget, the door was locked. Atikah seemed excited to visit his parents' hometown, especially when taking public transportation. Happiness emanated clearly on Atikah's radiant face. Meanwhile, Sukma still looked glum. Every now and then he stared at the small bottle of wind oil containing Wanara that changed his size to small.

Upon arrival at the Cicaheum Terminal, Mr. Risman's family got off the public car to buy souvenirs. It is incomplete to go home empty-handed. At least carrying a hand for his mother and brother can restore Mr. Risman's self-esteem, although only a little.

Furthermore, Mr. Risman took his son and his wife to rush on a bus headed for Indramayu. Atikah seemed to be getting happier. This was the first time he had ever taken a bus and traveled long distances. Sukma who sat next to him, just sat pensively. Atikah who happened to see the uneasiness on the sister's face, patted her shoulder.

"Dec, what's wrong? Why did Dedek continue to moody? Grandpa dizzy? Nausea?" tanya Atikah looked worriedly.

Sukma shook weakly. "No, Tea. Dedek does not feel dizzy or nauseous, really. Just ...."

"What's the matter, Dek?" tanya Atikah is getting curious.

"Why from yesterday's heart Deed deg-degan."

"Ah, maybe Dedek was just nervous because he wanted to meet our brothers in the village, so deg-degan."

"But it's different, Tea. About what's going to happen, huh? How come Dedek's afraid of gini?"

"Hm, maybe Dedek is afraid of travel mabok. Kan, Dedek's the first time to go to a far away place, just like Teteh."

"No, really, Tea. Dedek is not afraid of traveling, really. Dedek, right, strong. The time to take the train from Bandung to Padalarang is also not why-why."

"Thank God then. Meningan now Dedek bobo aja, let's not feel afraid anymore."

"But Teteh will not leave me fit again bobo, right?"

"No. If Dedek bobo, will be carried with the Father."

"Yes, yeah."

"Udah, now Dedek bobo first, yes."

Sukma closed his eyes, then rested his head on Atikah's shoulder. Fatigue due to travel from Padalarang to Bandung, making Sukma fast slumbering. In fact, the little girl did not realize that the bus was already on its way.

During the trip, one by one passengers enter the bus seat. Not just passengers, sometimes even the buskers go in there and sing a song. Finished the street musician showed his ability, he went down the passenger seat, thrusting a can of milk to fill the rupiah seikhlasnya.

Sukma was still asleep in his dream, although the fanfare during the trip was so obvious. In his dream, he entered a house with many windows around him. Almost similar to Farida's residence, but the house he entered was filled with various modern furniture. The floor is also fitted with patterned tiles as in the Hilman pavilion. Sukma awkwardly walked around every corner of the house.

After walking quite far inside the house, there was a sound of wood creaking in one of the corner rooms, precisely near the kitchen. Slowly Sukma opened the room door. Faintly, there was a shadow of a rocking chair occupied by someone, facing towards the window. Clumsy, the little girl stepped into the room, making sure that the person sitting was human.

However, Sukma had not had time to greet the person in the rocking chair, the sound of giggling old woman screeching in the entire room. Sukma was aghast, until he took a few steps back and undo his intentions. The man sitting in the chair came down, and then walked bent over to Sukma. His wrinkled face further made Sukma tremble. The little girl panicked, then turned around while shouting for help.

At the same time, Sukma awoke from his sleep. He stared at the scenery on the bus, then breathed a sigh of relief. Atikah who had noticed Sukma was agitated, staring at his sister fixedly. Even with Mr. Risman and Bu Inah, who moved from his seat to see the state of the youngest.

"No, Ma. We're not fighting. From earlier Dedek bobo, kok," replied Atikah turned to his mother.

"Keep what? Why is Dedek screaming for help?" asked Mr. Risman curious.

"T-tadi .. was Dedek dream to meet grandmother, sir," said Sukma stammered.

"Oh, so if you want to sleep read prayer first," said Ms. Inah.

"So Dedek forgot, Mom," said Sukma.

"Yes, now Dedek bobo again. Our journey is still long," said Mr. Risman, rubbing Sukma's head.

"But Dedek doesn't want to bobo anymore, sir. Afraid of dreaming of serem again kayak earlier," said Sukma.

"Yes, it's up to Dedek. You guys don't fight, yeah," Ms. Inah warned.

"We will not fight, really," said Sukma and Atikah simultaneously.

Mr. Risman and Ms. Inah sat down again to her seat which was behind her two daughters. The bus passed through Subang. Just a few minutes away the journey to Indramayu is taken.

Sukma long enough to look at the scenery through the window, his anxiety brought from the rented house, increasingly felt obvious. Many times he rubbed his chest, hoping that fear would no longer cover his heart. However, how hard Sukma got rid of his fear, his heart even more pounding, especially when getting off the bus at Terminal Jatibarang.

Mr. Risman then took his wife and child on public transport to his parents' house. The journey took about half an hour to arrive at the home of his mother Mr. Risman. The expanse of pampering the eyes along the way, still not able to shed anxiety in the heart of Sukma.

On arrival at the edge of the village, Pak Risman got out of public transport. The atmosphere of the village was very different in the eyes of Pak Risman and Bu Inah. When he last left Indramayu, the village was still not much populated. Many new houses have been built. In fact, Mr. Risman had forgotten the way to his childhood home.

After walking far enough, they finally arrived in front of the courtyard of an ancient-style house in the corner of the settlement. Mr. Risman and Ms. Inah were in a hurry with Atikah. I can't wait to meet my parents and relatives who have been left behind for a long time. As for Sukma who had been restless since then, walking doubtfully entered the courtyard of the house.

From the terrace, Mr. Risman knocked on the house many times while saying hello. After a long wait, a woman opened the door from the inside. He seemed surprised by the arrival of Mr. Risman.

"Oh, Kang Risman?! Agb ... Are you home?!" said the woman of Bu Lastri's age was dumbfounded.

"Yes, Neneng. This is Kang Risman. Look, who's the same here!" mr. Risman said.

The youngest brother of Mr. Risman named Neneng was wide-eyed to see the brother coming with his wife and two daughters. To convince himself, he pinched his right hand. Sure enough, what he saw was not a dream.

"Come in, Kang! I haven't been home for a long time. Mom likes nanyain only, when Akang comes home," said Bi Neneng.

Mr. Risman and his family entered the house. Sukma looked around, feeling familiar with the house he visited at this time. Mr. Risman sat on the living room sofa chair, which was several sides already hollow.

Shortly afterwards, Neneng came from the kitchen carrying four glasses of fresh tea and placed them on the table. At first glance, his face does not show pleasure to Mr. Risman's family. However, he kept it hidden with a smile on his lips.

"Atikah, Dedek, let's say hello to your aunt. This is called Bi Neneng, the youngest brother of the Father," said Mr. Risman.

Atikah happily kissed Bi Neneng's hand. The woman seemed to be smiling knots, knowing she was respected by her daughter Mr. Risman. Next, he walked up to Sukma, but the reaction of Pak Risman's youngest daughter was clearly different. Sukma shook his head quickly, then held Ms. Inah's hand tightly. Of course, both his parents were astonished to see Sukma's strange attitude.

"Loh, Deck? Come quickly, sun hands with Bi Neneng. She's Dedek's aunt, too" Ms. Inah said.

"No way." Sukma shook his head, then saw a crocodile emerge from behind Bi Neneng. "Essir first the culture, later Dedek will greet Aunt."

Soon, an old woman wearing a snail, walked with the help of a stick. When he entered the living room, Mr. Risman and Ms. Inah moved from his seat. Not to forget, he also invited his two daughters to meet the mother.

"Emak, pripun kabare? Ngapunten, Mak, Risman can only return Sakien," said Mr. Risman kissed his mother's hand, then hugged the frail body of the old woman while shedding tears. (Emak, how are you? I'm sorry, Mom, Risman can only go home now.)

"Risman, Mom bingah ningal sira karo Inah back maning. Saka sira lunga mengkota, the mother of rumangsa deserted," said the old woman took off her embrace and wiped away Mr. Risman's tears. (Risman, Mom is happy to see you and Inah coming home again. Ever since you guys went to town, Mom's been feeling lonely.)

"So, by the way, Mak. Ana Neneng ngurus Emak," said Mr. Risman. (Don't talk like that, Mom. There will be Neneng who takes care of Mom.)

Next, Ms. Inah went to greet the old woman, then kissed her cheeks. Mother felt overwhelmed to see Mr. Risman's wife being polite, even though many years had passed. As for when Atikah kissed his hand, Mother was happy because Mr. Risman had finally been given offspring.

In contrast to Mr. Risman's warm welcome to his mother, Sukma actually rushed to hide behind the sofa. He really did not want to see the old woman, especially when he thought back to his nightmare while on the bus. Mother's face was very similar to that of those horrible grandmothers. In fact, his entire body was visibly engulfed by a pitch-black aura that made the feathers of Sukma stand on end.

"Dedek, here sun hands used to be the same grandma!" exclaim Mr. Risman.

"No want! Grandma is evil! Dedek doesn't want to shake Grandma's hands!" sukma shouted, refusing the order of the father.