SANTRI'S CHOICE
CHAPTER . 40 . THE RESTRAINED SUKMA

By afternoon.. A man walks while daydreaming, he carries a hoe and wears a caping . Jamal lives with his wife and two daughters .

Tok took, tokk ,

"Assalamualaikum ." he said

" Waalaikumsalam" replied a girl as she opened the door

" Wuah the father has returned from the field" said his sumringah, he took Jamal's hand and brought him in . She is Princess & Jamal's youngest child.

Jamal followed his youngest child into the house with a smile . After his father entered, the Princess returned to play in the middle of the house

Jamal's wife immediately made him a cup of coffee and gave it to her husband .

" His coffee, sir "said Sartinah, wife of Jamal .

After putting down his hoe and hat, he immediately approached his wife, then sipped coffee slowly . While Jamal's eldest son, Fitri was in his room .

Jamal is just a freelancer, he has no land . Jamal's house is just an old, earth-floored hut . While Sartinah , a day - a day only as a washing worker . With their income that is far from enough, making both girls have not gone to school even though their age is quite enough .

When night falls, Sartinah turns on the outboard lights . Because the electricity in their house has been cut off due to not being able to pay . The sticky light was filled with a little kerosene, the fire was covered with a lid shaped like a funnel made of glass . Sartinah must be careful to put it so as not to be nudged . Because if it is nudged and fell, then the cover glass will break and the fire will immediately strike quickly, especially their house is made of bamboo cubicles .

Sartinah saw Fitri reading an outdated book . Sartinah was very sad and sad to see her . Every time a book was thrown away by his master, Sartinah asked for it . He wants his children to be able to learn even though only through books - used books .

Sartinah sighed, then approached her husband who was sitting cross-legged in the living room . The Jamal and Sartinah houses consist only of a slightly large and elongated living room, in a bulkhead with a broken sideboard cabinet . Behind the sideboard is made space an a place to gather or eat together . Then there was a bamboo partition and a door leading to the kitchen and bathroom . Across the living room and the room behind the sideboard there are three bedrooms lined up, the size is small - small . In the house there are no guest chairs, only mats - butut mats that are in the title above ground . The furniture is old and eighty percent damaged there - here .

Sartinah sat next to her husband, Jamal ..

"Pak .." call her , break Jamal's daydream .

Jamal turned to Sartinah ,

" Why mom ?" ask her

" Children have time to go to school, sir .. Cassian . Fitri should have been third grade SD , withheld three years . While the Princess is also restrained , should her this year rise to second grade . We don't have any money at all, what about sir ?" ask Sartinah sadly .

" Yes I also know, ma'am .. So this is me thinking again, find a way out" said Jamal

The day keeps changing ,

the sweat soaked all over Jamal's body sitting on the mat while wagging - menggibaskan his caping .. Today the weather was so hot, Jamal who was working on his field Pak Fatih tried to rest for a moment . He opened the provisions prepared by his wife this morning .. White water placed in a large bottle and a bushel containing rice and side dishes .

Slowly Jamal began eating his lunch alone, he was less tasteful because he was still thinking of ways to get money so that his children could go to school .

Nurdin who saw Jamal immediately approached his ,

" Haaii Mal, is it over ?" nurdin asked while sitting next to Jamal

" Eehh you, a little more for today .. The rest is tomorrow, Din .

Where are you going, Din ?" ask Jamal while putting down the food container that he has cleaned up .

" Want to the next village, by chance see you have not returned "his reply while grinning

" Oohh ." said Jamal briefly as he nodded - nodding with his head bowed, uninspired .

" Heeii Mal, why .. kok even nduk and bengong ?" nurdin asked while patting Jamal on the shoulder

" Uh ah engga, eng .. What's wrongwhat's wrong, Din's healthy family ?" jamal diverted the conversation

" Thank you be healthy .. What is your family, all healthy right ? " say Nurdin

" Yes healthy, alhamdulilah, Din "a short Jamal replied

Nurdin who saw the Jamal gelagat a little different immediately urged Adnan to tell a story

"Like her you're having a real thought huh, Mal ? If you want to tell me please, Mal .. In guaranteeing his secret safe, you will already know me . Yes if I can help yes I help , if I can not help at least I help prayer , Mal . hhehe" said Nurdin tried to make Jamal

Nurdin and Jamal have been friends since childhood, they are from the same village . Since the same - the same married, they so rarely met. In addition to their busyness to make a living, because it is also the place of residence is separated several villages .

After sighing, Jamal finally told his problem to Nurdin .

" This is Din .. My children have time to go to school, you know what my life is like . I was confused, what else should I do so that I can finance the children and meet the needs of the household" said Jamal at length

Nurdin also listened to Jamal's words, he seemed to think seriously .

" You want me to meet someone who might be able to help you, Mal ?" ask Nurdin

" May Din .. Who and when ?" Jamal asked enthusiastically

"Let me introduce you in person tomorrow night, Mal .. I went to your house first" Nurdin said after he thought for a moment

" Well, then I wait for you tomorrow" said Jamal

" Okay siipp , then I continued Mal "ansaid Nurdin while moving from his seat , he patted his dirty pants because he was sitting on the ground with Jamal

" Yes Din, heart - heart on the road .. See you tomorrow " said Jamal smiling

Nurdin nodded and waved his hand before stepping away from Jamal . Jamal immediately continued his work in the fields .

Tomorrow night, after magrib Nurdin keeps his promise . He came to Jamal's house . After a brief conversation with Jamal and his wife, Nurdin and Jamal leave immediately .

By midnight they arrived at a house ,

tok tok tok tok

"Assalamualaikum" said Nurdin, knocking on the door slowly .

"Girishavisalam .. Who ?" voice from within

" I .. Nurdin, kang " answered Nurdin

Not long before the sound of the door opened, then came out a middle-aged man .

" Oohh you, come on in .. Enter "his words were friendly while opening the door wide and allowing Nurdin and Jamal to enter

" Please sit "continue

Nurdin and Jamal sat next to each other in a chair made of bamboo, while the man sat in front of him .

" What are you doing here night - night , Din ? And who is this ?" he asked while looking at Jamal

Jamal immediately smiled and greeted the man

" I'm Jamal, Nurdin's friend" Jamal replied politely

The man nodded - nodding then turned his head towards Nurdin back ,

" This is kang .. My intention was to ask for advice on this topic ", Nurdin said, pointing politely at Jamal

" Nah Mal, this is kang Parman .. Hopefully Kang Parman can help you ", Nurdin said

Jamal nodded with a smile, he really hoped Kang Parman could help him according to Nurdin

" Oohh so, indeed you have a problem what, mass Jamal ?" ask Parman politely

"Ehmm like this kang, sorry if my arrival and Nurdin disturb akang .. And also troublesome kang Parman" said Jamal berbasa - stale

" Yes it's okay - what , please story .. What can I help you with" Parman said

" Yes, good kang ... " Jamal also told his desire to have a lot of money in order to meet the needs of his household

" Yes already , if you want to have money here tomorrow again . Alone too, pa-pa, how ?" ask Parman

" Good kang " replied Jamal pleased

Then Jamal and Nurdin said, they went hand in hand in the dark of the night while talking to drive away the lonely .

" Din, tomorrow you're not going to Parman's house ?" ask Jamal

" As her I don't need to come along, Mal.. You went there by yourself, didn't you ?" nurdin

" Yes pa pa pa pa, makasih much yes, Din .. You are indeed a true friend , hehe . " said Jamal , who was immediately greeted to bend slowly on Jamal's shoulder while chuckling by Nurdin

They parted at junction , to head to her house each .

Bend his day , after returning from the field Jamal prepared to go to the house kang Parman

By late afternoon Jamal had reached the house of kang Parman .

Tok tok, ' 'tok ,

" Assalamualaikum kang Parman, I'm Jamal" Jamal said

The door was not open for long ,

" Let's go in, Jamal mass" said kang Parman who was waiting for Jamal

After the two sat down ,

" So you want to have a lot of money, Jamal mass ?" ask Parman

" Yes kang, can kang Parman give me a job or what ?" ask Jamal politely

Parman seems to think, then he says "It's been , gini aja .. Later you come with me yes, I am ready first "his word

" Nice" replied Jamal briefly

Jamal follows Kang Parman to a place he doesn't know yet 'he just tailed behind kang Parman without asking much .

After walking for almost two hours until they were in a house in the middle of the forest . On the porch of the house sat an elderly man . He sat in an old bamboo bale .

When he saw me and Kang Parman coming, he immediately stood up from his seat and stood in his courtyard .

" Mbah ." said Parman while doing his mnyalami . Jamal also followed Parman, he greeted the elderly man .

" Come in" said the man

" Good mbah "answered Parman . Parman and I went into the house

The man called 'mbah' was sitting on a mat . In front of him there is a short table on the black cloth and various kinds of keris as well as various flowers . The smell of incense was strong .

Parman and I sat next to each other in front of the Mbah

" This is Mbah, whose name is Jamal .. Want to ask for help " said kang Parman

" You told yourself the same thing Sarman said .. He used to help people who were in trouble like you " continued kang Parman while looking at Jamal

" Oiya well, Din .. Here's the kang.." replied Jamal . He also told his wishes and difficulties to Mbah Sarman .

" Capable to mbah "answer Jamal .

For the sake of earning a lot of money for my wife and children, whatever work I will do, inner Jamal .

" From tomorrow night yes .. You just come to the sacred tomb not far from here . When the sun goes down you are already there , so continue for three days . Read this mantra "sarman mbah said, while giving a piece of paper inscribed with a sentence Jamal had never heard at all .

" Good mbah" said Jamal as he received the paper and put it in his pocket .

After receiving instructions from Mbah Sarman and the location of the tomb they both returned home .

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After magrib , Jamal was already in the sacred tomb that was shown by Mbah Sarman yesterday . He also began to take a position next to the tomb, sitting cross-legged with the ground .

Then Jamal took out a paper from Sarman's altar, then read it slowly . He did that until the sun started to rise . And keep doing it up to three nights in a row - come along .

After finishing 'em, he returned to the house of Mbah Sarman .

" Your ritual is over .. You really want to be rich, have a lot of money ?" ask mbah Sarman

" yes" answered Jamal

" yes yes indeed .. Sure ?" repeat Mbah Sarman again

"Truly, sure as hell" answered her with a smile

Mbah Sarman nodded - a nod then Mbah Sarman moved from his seat leaving Jamal alone. Soon he came out again carrying a tray covered with a cloth . The tray was like his empty .

The tray was placed in front of Jamal , Mbah Sarman closed his eyes while kamit kamit . I don't know what he read about ten minutes later .. Jamal saw like there was an item or object piled on a tray covered with a piece of cloth earlier .

Mbah Sarman opened his eyes and looked at Jamal ,

" Open it .." The order goes to Jamal

Jamal also according to , he immediately opened the cloth that covered the tray slowly.

How surprised Jamal saw his contents, he was really - really amazed by what was in front of him .

" Mmmbaah .." said Jamal

" That's for you, yours .. Please take "answer Mbah Sarman

" a .. Really for me, huh ? This much , mbah ? " ask her in disbelief

" Yes to you, just bring all the "answer Mbah Sarman casually

" Bener, ga pa pa if I bring , mbah .. This is really my , eehhh he meant to me ?" Jamal still can't believe it, his facial features confused . He had never seen this much money stack, not to mention the few necklaces and bracelets that were between him .

Between joy, amazement and fear envelops Jamal's heart .

" Yes, take it there" said Mbah Sarman

" Good ka..Then mbah " said Jamal .

He immediately put jewelry into his backpack that has been butut but he always carry it anywhere .

Then slowly begin to turn to the money, he took a pile of money and put it slowly . Then stack the two, turning and smiling towards Mbah Sarman . He saw Mbah Sarman sitting relaxed while lighting his cigarette . Mbah Sarman just nodded .

When Jamal turned his head back towards the third pile of money, arrived - arrived there plastered the face of his eldest son, Fitri .

" Chaa .. " Jamal jumped in shock, he paused to take the money . Then rub his eyes, then look back into the pile of money .

There still seen his eldest son, Fitri wearing blue shorts and a white tee t-shirt cartoon image is sleeping .

Mbah Sarman who saw Jamal gelagat, immediately turned off his cigarette .

Jamal is silent, his face is down . He was confused, why could there be the face of his child on the pile of money .

" Why silence .. just input all her, ayoo" said Mbah Sarman

" A.aanuu, mmbah .. I am confused, ke.. Why is there a shadow of my son on top of that money pile ? " said Jamal stammered

"Haha.. Hhaahaa . "mbah Sarman laughed out loud

While Jamal just gawked not understanding

" Lha yaa, do you want a lot of money, want to be rich .. yes ituu .. in the same exchange your child " replied Mbah Sarman calmly, then rekindled his cigarette

" What does this mean, why should it be exchanged .. let alone exchanged with my child ? " ask Jamal in confusion

" Mahaa ... Stupid, what you did yesterday is the same as the rest just the way that I distinguish "answered Sarman

" Astagfirullahal aziimm" said Jamal surprised, he limp to hear her .

And at once also the money and jewelry in front of him just disappeared .

" Oalaahh is gone, Mbah" said Jamal innocently as he looked into his bag

" Don't you say that sentence here, if you call it, then all the treasures will disappear" replied Sarman in annoyance

" It has not been pa pa , mbah .. I want the money and the treasure for my children and my wife . If I have to lose them, what are my treasures ..There is no meaning anymore " said Jamal sadly

"Alright, whatever .. Just don't you say the sentences earlier or there is the name of God here "said mbah Sarman with restraint emotions

" Good Mbah, thank you very much .. Sorry if I refuse, I say " said Jamal, immediately get out of Sarman's house .

"Hhmm" that's just the answer from Mbah Sarman. He let Jamal go from his residence .

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That afternoon he was at home, he only said that he had not earned a fortune to his wife . Then he saw his two children with relief .

Beware of his morning, Sartinah was astonished by Fitri who never woke up from his sleep . Sartinah has awakened several times but still does not budge .

"Sir, Fitri is not awake yet - wake up .. Tumben, usually he always gets up early . why yes sir ? But I hold his body not fever kok , sir "ask Sartinah panic

Jamal immediately ran to his child's room, he tried to build it and check his child's body temperature, normal .. No fever .

Then he was reminded of the events at the house of Sarman mbah ,

" Mommy, yesterday Fitri wear what clothes ?" jamal asked heart - heart, heart thumping fast waiting for his wife's answer

" Today it was Fitri wearing the same blue shorts cartoon white T-shirt, it was still on the sunburn . Why is that sir ?" sartinah was confused

Meanwhile Jamal was drowned limp, he covered his face . It's my fault, inner Jamal . He tried to hold back the tears in front of his wife .

Sartinah who was standing next to Jamal was staring puzzledly ,

" No pa pa ma'am ...We wait a minute, who knows when you wake up " said Jamal while moving out of his child's room

They also waited for days - days , after almost a week no signs - signs Fitri aware . Jamal also came to his best friend, Nurdin . He told Nurdin all of his stories including the condition of his son now .

" Oalaahh Mal, after I mbah Sarman it does help a lot of people who want to rise to office , dapet work, smooth business and others . It's just that, I don't know that . I think that if it has succeeded the most in its remuneration in the form of money . Not like this .

Yes, I will help find people who can do your child yes" said Nurdin , ' said , he felt guilty for taking Jamal to the place of Sarman's altar which he himself did not know clearly what kind of help would be given by Mbah Sarman and also his rewards .

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Coincidentally there was a pesantren wife who came from the same village as Mr. Jamal . He was also a little familiar with the family of Mr. Jamal . When she heard of the calamity, she immediately told her husband to ask for help from abah .

" Assalamualaikum bah "greet Ahmad while greeting abah when finished praying isya meramaah .

Abah immediately answered his greeting in full.

" I'm sorry to disturb bah , if I may have something to say ", Ahmad continued

" May , let's sit here first "say brother while taking a sitting position in the mosque yard

" What's up, Mad ?" ask abah

" Look, in my wife's village there are residents who experience strange events. Info his firstborn son has been a few days is not awake - wake up. Already called the puskesmas doctor, his word is fine . There have been some kyai even shamans but still can not treat it .

Sorry before, can I ask you to help the people ?" asked Ahmad politely

Abah seemed to think for a moment, then ..

" Well, try to look first .. Just give me his surname and address, you will be there with Danu. You help pray with the santri here yes " said Abah

" Thank you very much, Bah .. Well bah " said Ahmad sumringah, then he also gave a piece of paper that already has the name Jamal and his home address .

Before meeting abah, Ahmad had indeed prepared his . Ahmad has long been one of the administrators in pesantren abah , his main task is to prepare the schedule of the students and also provide thorough supervision .

After talking for a moment, Abah and Ahmad returned to their respective homes .

The next day he asked Danu to meet Jamal's family together .

After arriving at the residence of Mr. Jamal, Babah and Danu also introduced themselves .

" Jamal sir, is there anything you do that results in a son like this ?" ask abah .

Because in the vision abah , there is a ritual performed by the man who is in his presence at this time .

" I don't know if this is the result I've done .. Because at that time I had canceled directly when my child's face was imagined" said Jamal

Then Jamal explained everything he did. Sartinah could only cry hearing the explanation of her husband, she did not expect her husband could fall unconscious .

Abah and Danu heard carefully until Jamal finished telling the story . Then I asked back to Jamal ..

" Has anyone tried to save my son ?"

" It's been bah , but the word they can't . They cannot break the agreement . I don't understand what they mean, bah" Jamal said

" So here's Mr. Jamal, the father's son named Fitri is currently his tribe is being held . By the time Mr. Jamal agreed, it was the agreement that began to be bound . Although Mr. Jamal did not take the property, it did not cancel the agreement of Mr. Jamal . Moreover, Mr. Jamal has done his ritual until it is finished .

Perhaps that is why the people who help their children cannot continue, because they must make the jinn or the devil submit . Subjugating them is not easy .

The ritual at the tomb was only an intermediary tool made - just make it , not the person who died that granted Mr. Jamal's request . It was the devil or the jinn who made it by scapegoating the sacred tomb" said abah explained

Mr. Jamal's cry broke out, he deeply regretted his stupidity .

He is worried about the fate of his son, currently he hopes his abah and his santri can save the tribe of Fitri who are restrained in the occult due to his mistakes .

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Haaii the readers terzeyeeng .. This is my first novel , please do if many typo and plot still mess 🙏🙏😬

PLiiss help aqoh fix with saran2 you guys ya🤩 .. LIKE 👍 tp jgn in bomb ya😁🙏 ,, KOMEN 💕 ,, VOTE ⚘ Listenedih 🙏🙏🤗 luv u all 🤗