Things Get... Crazy

The month of Ramadhan came and we had to perform sawm or also known as fasting.

Everyone in the house, including Mila, was in the bottom hall reading the Holy Qura’n. It was after Tarawikh prayer and we thought, why not read the qura’n? I looked around and nudged me cousin.

“What is it Insyirah?” Said Hannah who was sitting next to me.

“Yana isn’t here.” I told her, my face growing pale. Hannah looked around and looked back at me. She too was worried.

Suddenly, we all saw Yana walking around and about. When she was near the hall we were at, Hannah’s father, or Papa as I called him, called Yana.

“Yana!” He called. Yana looked at us. “Why not join us for our Qura’n session?” Offered Papa.

“I can’t.” Said Yana grimly. Before Papa could ask why, Yana suddenly showed her palm and suddenly, salt came out. She then chanted the same thing Hannah and I had heard. We were both holding hands in fright.

When she had finished chanting some weird words, she looked at Grandma grimly. At once, I had a very bad feeling about it.

No one said anything and Yana went away. Everyone stood their quietly, not saying a single word. Hannah and I wondered if they too saw the salt coming out of Yana’s hand.

“Mother!” Shouted Hannah’s mother, or Mama as I called her. Grandma had fainted next to her. Abah went to his sister without any hesitation and shook his mother. He was trembling. Grandpa had gone white.

“Mother! Wake up!” Shouted my father, his voice shaking. Grandpa had gone over to Grandma, saying, “Don’t go this way dear.”

“What are you all shaking her for? Bring her to the hospital, NOW!” Shouted Mother when she saw the three people trying to wake her up. Abah nodded and carried Grandma with Grandpa. Mama was shivering while being comforted by Papa.

Hannah and I exchanged glances. Suddenly Hannah nudged me and told me to look at the upper level.

I looked where she told me to and saw it; the black figure we had both seen. Somehow it looked even bigger this time. With its big red eyes, staring at us.

A cold shiver went down my spine and I began to sweat. I could sense that Hannah too, was sweating

💀💀💀

It has been 2 days since Grandma was in the hospital. And since then, some weird things have been happening.

Ryan’s mother, or Mamachu as I call her, is carrying Ryan’s baby brother, in her tummy. And I heard that Mamachu had scolded Yana for losing her earrings from India. Upon hearing this news, Hannah and I got worried. What would happen to Mamachu? Apparently, it wasn’t long before our question was answered.

It was a fine day when Mamachu asked Yana to make her a drink. “Oh I will make the best drink you’ve ever tasted ma’am.” Said Yana, giving an evil grin. She went into the kitchen and Hannah and I followed her.

There we saw the black figure and this time, it was holding a bottle that contained some weird stuff that we both couldn’t figure out.

We saw Yana putting the things into Mamachu’s drink and while she was doing so, she was chanting some weird stuff. It didn’t sound familiar. I guessed it was another one of her horrifying spells.

“Here you ggo ma’am.” Said Yana as she handed out the drink to Mamachu when she was done. “Do enjoy. It’s probably the best drink I’ve made.” She once again gave us an evil grin and looked at me and Hannah. I almost jumped when I saw the black figure behind her. Hannah held my hand firmly.

“Err-Mamachu, I wouldn’t drink that if I was you.” Hannah told her. Mamachu looked at the both of us weirdly.

“But why not? It has a delightful aroma. It’s sure to taste good.” Mamachu said and with that, she drank the water. Hannah and I stared in horror, holding each other’s hands. Praying that Mamachu wouldn’t die or anything. Who knows what the effects could be.

Horrifyingly, she finished the whole cup. Mamachu then said, “That was surprisingly delicious. You two should have tasted some.”

“Rather not.” I told her. She shrugged and went to the kitchen to put her cup. Hannah and I looked at each other.

‘Clang!’ We suddenly heard.

Hannah and I came rushing into the kitchen and found Mamachu lying almost lifeless on the floor.

“MAMACHU!” I shrieked. Hannah was shaking.

“Make yourself useful and call Achu.” Said Hannah. Achu is Ryan’s father.

I didn’t hesitate. I came running down the stairs, leaving clattering sound behind me. I didn’t care if I was making a tremendous noise; all I cared was about getting Mamachu to safety.

I arrived at the door, making a tremendous knock on it. I heard footsteps in there and the door opened. There stood Achu in his shorts and a grey shirt.

“Achu! Achu! You have to follow me-NOW!” I told him.

“Wha-Why? What’s going on?” He asked, not understanding the tense situation.

“Mamachu-She fainted!” I told him. His face grew shocked and pale.

“Ya Allah!” He said and I led him to where Mamachu fainted.

Once we got to the kitchen, where Hannah and Mamachu were, Achu carried his wife and raced down the stairs with her in his hands.

“Thanks girls!” He said as his voice faded as he went downstairs.

“Welcome!” Hannah and I replied. We heard the keys rattle and the door opened and then closed with a tremendous slam.

“We better not mess with Yana.” I whispered.

“You tell me.” Hannah said as she held my hand. Suddenly, Hannah and I heard a loud voice chanting something.

“What the…?” Hannah said.

“Come on now.” I told her as we both went into the kitchen were the maids’ room were.

We both found Yana in there. She was there with the black figure. And this time, they were talking in English.

“Did the old woman die?” Yana asked. Hannah and I trembled, we knew who the old woman was; it was Grandma.

“No… She didn’t. For her belief in Islam was big. Allah protected her…” Said the black figure. Its voice was horrifying, making my knees shake.

“Stop it idiot.” Hannah whispered to me.

“Sorry.” I told her back.

“You fool! I called you to kill the old woman!” Shouted Yana, almost making me jump. I’m a coward I told myself. “Ugh, will the pregnant one die?” Yana asked with a sigh. Hannah and I gasped. Please Mamachu, be strong.

“That… is not for certain yet…” Said the black figure.

“Well what’re you waiting for?” Said Yana, angrily. “Got to the hospital and find the woman! And kill her infant if possible.”

Hannah and I ran away, afraid of being caught by the black figure and what more Yana.

“I-I can’t live like this! We’re going to lose Grandma, then Mamachu then…” Before I could finish, Hannah slapped me hard on the face.

“Get a hold of yourself idiot! Don’t say that! You’re not the only one who’s scared! So shut up and get a grip will yah? You’re a coward.” She told me. I grew red with embarrassment.

“All we can do is pray for the best. And don’t you mention this to anybody, alright?” Hannah continued. I nodded. We both then went into the prayer room, praying with all our hearts for Grandma and Mamachu. 

To be continued in: Two Down-One Has a Story

Meeting Yana

I’m Insyirah. I’m an 11 year old girl, living with my parents in my grandparent’s house with my grandparents. In this house there is my quirky 11 year old cousin, Hannah, and her siblings, Aiman and Lidya, with their parents, my cousin Ryan with his parents, and my two trouble making siblings, Nadyne and Ihsan. Life was perfect, all until one day.

My grandma has two house maids and unfortunately, one of them ran away. She was a nice maid. Patient person. I would never forgive her I told myself. Grandma, upon seeing this situation, hired a new maid. Leaving the remaining maid, Mila, cooperate with her.

The new maid went by the name Yana. She was a woman whom I think was in her 20s. She had a scar on her cheek which made me squirm whenever I saw her. She had a look that I disliked very much. Yana was a quiet maid for a while, all until something sparked.

“YANA! Why did you break my favourite vase?! Ya Allah!!” Shouted Grandma one day. Yana came rushing to her with her hands playing around.

“Sorry ma’am. I didn’t mean to I…” Before Yana could finish talking, Grandma cut her off. And by then, Hannah and I had already hid behind the stairs, listening to every word.

“I got this vase from Shanghai I tell you! SHANGHAI! My husband is old and he possibly couldn’t travel back to Shanghai to buy another vase!!” Shouted Grandma again, with anger. Yana didn’t say anything.

“You stupid and foolish maid! PAH!” Continued Grandma. She made a tremendous rap on the table and left, stomping away angrily.

Hannah and I were still hiding behind the stairs, our faces pale. I was about to say something when suddenly, Yana chanted something. Hannah and I looked back at her and saw black smoke coming out from her hand.

My cousin and I stared at her, mouth wide opened. When the black smoke had finally came out, it transformed into a ghost-like figure. Yana looked grimly at the figure and chanted something, as if ordering it to do something.

When she had finished, the figure turned back and looked at the spot where Hannah and I were hiding. We both trembled. I was about to scream in horror when Hannah covered my mouth. I could feel her hands trembling.

The eyes of the figure were not dark, yet not bright red. It looked like the devil I thought to myself. After moments of staring, the figure vanished.

“What in the world did Grandma hire?!” I said, whispering once Hannah let go of my mouth.

“I don’t know. But whatever it is, I have a feeling that we must tell Grandma.” Hannah told me, grimly.

“Is Yana still there?” I asked, having the fear that Yana would come for us next.

Hannah looked at the place where Yana was standing and then said, “No. She’s not there. Come along to Grandma’s room.”

We both ran as fast as our legs could carry us and found Grandma in her room, sitting on her favourite chair, complaining to Grandpa about the broken vase.

“Come on dear, she’s a new maid. You don’t want her running away like the last maid, right?” Reasoned Grandpa kindly. Grandma gave him a fierce look and he backed away. He saw us and said, “Hannah and Insyirah are here.”

Grandma looked at me and my cousin with our faces still pale. “Oh what’s wrong dear? You looked like you’ve seen a ghost.” Asked Grandma as we both walked over to her.

Hannah and I poured everything we saw. And mentioned the horrifying figure as well in our story. Grandma only gave a laugh and said, “Oh you children. I wonder what you both have been watching.”

“What? Do you think we’re playing around grandma? Grandma, we saw these things happen! Don’t you believe us?” Hannah started, rather offended at Grandma’s response to the whole story.

Grandma only laughed and Hannah scoffed. “It’s true!” Hannah raised her voice. “Go on Insyirah, tell her!”

“It’s true grandma! I almost—“ Before I could finish, grandma cut me off.

“Go play your toys or whatever you play with and don’t disturb me please.” Said Grandma, quite firmly to the both of us. She then got up from her chair and to her bed.

Hannah and I walked out of Grandma’s room, upset. “Seriously, who does she think we are? Little kids like Nadyne and Ihsan? Thinking that we say stupid rubbish?” Hannah said, angrily.

“Maybe because she didn’t see it with her own eyes.” I told Hannah. “When you think it over, it is a story that seems like a fantasy, don’t you think?”

Hannah paused then grinned. “Yeah, I guess so. No wonder Grandma thought we were telling her rubbish.” We both laughed.

“But,” I said, being serious once again. “We have to convince her that we saw that figure. What do you think Yana could be holding? Some black magic you think?”

Hannah nodded and we both held hands, wondering what to do.

To be continued in: Things Get... Crazy