The Tomb Next to the House
14. Get used to Their Presence

I slept alone for two nights. Understandably, Raihan's work cannot be left alone. Not infrequently also some disturbances I often ignore.

How not?

My mood is really fucked. Moodku's ruined. The husband I usually take to share complaints did not think his presence.

Even the astral beings who always disturb me. Like at the moment. While engrossed in watching television broadcasts, the shadow of the mother-in-law dressed in all white with a hollow back that had blackened, flashed before the eyes with disrespect.

The faint shadow was getting clearer and clearer. Honestly, I was surprised. But with those who have often shown their form to me, long time to get used to me.

"Hey, move. Watch the soap opera again!" hardikku.

His deep, blackened eyes were fixed straight at me.

Deg.

Astaghfirullah ... It's also spooky. I should have pretended not to have seen it. Duh, stupid me.

The donut ghost was—because he had a hole in the middle of his stomach to the back— tilted his head to the left, fixedly staring straight, straight at my netraku who was looking at him nyalang.

A second later, he suddenly flew towards me. I quickly pulled out a blanket to cover my entire head, chanting a few prayers and verses I could.

Silent. There was only the sound of the television I was watching. Feeling safe, I opened the blanket to the neck.

"Yahoo!" yell loudly.

Goddamnit! It turned out that the donut was right in front of my face. Tilting his head, he showed his blackened teeth in several places. The smell of his rotten body penetrated into the nose into the heart.

My lips continue to mutter some verses of the Quran. Slowly his ugly form became faint, and then disappeared.

Thank goodness, Alhamdulillah ... Honestly, I can't stand the smell more foul than a pile of garbage in the house-in-law.

I'm sure he hasn't had a bath in years. When he died, no one bathed him?

Stupid timing. That's not my focus now.

All I thought about, how could I escape from these troublesome eyes? I want my life to be back to normal, without any interference from beings that are already different in nature.

Tok Tok Tok

"Astaghfiullah!" My body gasped at the sudden knock on the door.

"W-who?" manyu timid.

"This is Al, Ma. Mama why are you screaming?"

Idiotically. Of course it's Althaf. There were only two of us at home.

Quiet for a moment to digest this ambiguous situation. Is he really an Althaf or some other creature? Though worried, my feet still stepped closer to the door.

My hand is now holding the handle. But I just stopped there long enough. For a moment I thought, afraid that the decision I made would only be detrimental to heart health.

My heart is back. Cold sweat was coming out of my pores.

"Yes, Mama's open."

Chequek.

My reflex was to rewind when the person outside the room first opened the door.

"A-al?" shirihku. The bead of my eyes that was pouring towards him had already moved restlessly.

"Mama why? Kok, that's pale. Like seeing a ghost" said Al, showing a strange look.

"You are the ghost" I said softly.

"What did Mama say? Mama's healthy, right?" Al came in, approached me who was already in acute tremor all over the body.

"A-Al, stop! Don't come any closer!" stop me, because Al just keeps getting closer.

"Why is this mama?"

Yes, God ... This creature in front of me is it Al, my son, or just a subtle creature in disguise?

Not strong with various thoughts raging, my view began to blur. Then slowly it was dark, and I could remember nothing more.

The cry of Althaf who called me no longer ignored me. This head feels like it's about to break. I can't afford it.

Brugh.

...----------------...

The next day I got sick. With his understanding, Mas Raihan instead put aside the work for the sake of taking care of me. I am grateful to have a husband as alert as he is. My guilt grew as I realized, I could not maintain my pride for her.

It's the third day I spent just lying on the bed. There's nothing I do but sleep, fill my stomach, and go to the bathroom. All the housework Raihan did. Althaf is also good at taking care of his own needs.

But the bad feeling kept on feeling. Don't know why I keep thinking about my next-door neighbor, Yati. Maybe just my feelings.

He's the one who's been visiting me for the past three days. Although never brought a hand or the like, but his presence has made me happy. I feel like he cares for me. After I recover, I have to thank him.

"Mass?" call me Raihan when I feed you lunch.

"Yes, Deck?"

"What time did Yati come home? I fell asleep earlier. So feeling bad, I even slept right after he looked up."

Mas Raihan knitted his brows. But not a word was said from his lips. That makes me a little awkward.

"That's it. Don't think too much. The most important thing is that you are healthy first. Relaxed. Focus on healing. Remember the doctor. You can't have much of a thought." Raihan's words can make me carve a knotty smile, even though my heart isn't that calm.

What is wrong with this feeling of mine?