The recitation of the holy verses grew louder and more thunderous. Kiai Jaffar was no longer simply reading — he was shouting with full spiritual strength. Sweat poured down his face and beard. The santri followed with all their hearts, their voices merging into one mighty wave that shook the entire house.
"Ya Allah! Ya Rahman! Ya Rahim! Sever every bond! Return Your servant, Laras, to the arms of her rightful husband!" Kiai Jaffar roared.
Raka joined in, shouting through his tears. His voice cracked, but it was filled with hope.
In the jinn realm, Zahir suddenly let out a scream of agony. His perfect body began to smoke. His skin felt as if it were being scalded with boiling water.
"Arghhh! What is this?!" he roared, clutching Laras tightly. "No! You cannot leave!"
Laras screamed in terror as her body was pulled by an invisible force. Zahir tried desperately to hold onto her, but the tighter he gripped, the more his own body burned from the holy verses piercing through the veil between worlds.
"Aaaahhh!!" Laras cried out in pain.
With one powerful pull accompanied by a blinding white light, Laras vanished from Zahir's embrace.
---
Back in the human world, a fierce wind suddenly swept through the center of the room. The lights flickered violently before going out completely.
Kiai Jaffar's eyes snapped open wide. Right in front of him, in the middle of the circle of santri, a completely naked woman appeared, lying weakly on the floor. Her body glistened with sweat, her breasts still full and leaking milk, with red marks clearly visible on her neck and thighs.
Only Kiai Jaffar could see her.
"Astaghfirullah! Laras?" he whispered, his voice a mix of relief and shock. He immediately turned to Raka.
"Raka! Quick, get a thick blanket! Now!" he ordered firmly.
Raka, confused but obedient, rushed to the bedroom and grabbed a large blanket. He returned panting.
"Where, Kiai? Where is my wife?!" he asked frantically.
"She's right in front of you, in the middle of the circle. Lay the blanket over her and cover her entire body!" the Kiai replied without shifting his gaze.
With trembling hands, Raka followed the Kiai's instructions. He spread the blanket over the seemingly empty space and carefully wrapped it around her.
Suddenly, Laras's body became visible.
First her smooth legs appeared, then her thighs covered in red marks, her hips, her now-flat stomach, her still-swollen breasts, and finally her beautiful but deathly pale face.
Laras lay unconscious beneath the blanket. Raka stared at his wife's naked body, swallowing hard several times.
"That bastard… he enjoyed my wife's body," Raka muttered bitterly, though loud enough for the Kiai to hear.
"Many istighfar! Be grateful that Allah has returned Laras to us," the Kiai gently advised.
"Laras!!" Raka fell to his knees and pulled his wife into his arms. His tears fell heavily onto her face. "Darling… Alhamdulillah, you're back…"
The santri simultaneously uttered praises and takbir. Some looked down in embarrassment, aware that Laras was still naked beneath the blanket.
Kiai Jaffar let out a long, exhausted breath. His face looked weary but victorious.
"She has been successfully pulled back into this world. However…" He paused for a moment, "the blood bond with that jinn has not been fully severed. The child has already been born. This connection will be difficult to break."
Raka nodded while continuing to hold Laras tightly, as if afraid she might disappear again.
In the jinn realm, Zahir knelt on the palace floor, roaring with rage. Thin smoke still rose from his body.
"Laras, you are mine! I will come for you again!" he hissed, his eyes blazing like the fires of hell.
At the same time, Kiai Jaffar said, "Raka, please move Laras to the sofa. We need to sever her remaining bond with the jinn's child."
"Yes, Kiai." Raka carefully adjusted the blanket to fully cover his wife's body, then carried her to the sofa.
"Help by doing zikr!" the Kiai instructed. Raka nodded.
The Kiai approached Laras. "Follow my recitation and place your hand on your stomach, moving from the solar plexus to your navel. It may feel painful until the recitation is finished."
He paused briefly, then continued, "If the pain comes, shout 'Allahu Akbar!' Do not be afraid of anything that happens, for Allah is with us."
Raka felt a warm breath-like air around him. He recited zikr and salawat silently, praying for his wife's healing and safety.
"Continue, Laras. Let the jinn's influence leave your body. InsyaAllah, after this, your body will be much healthier."
"Yes, Kiai. Bismillah…" Laras's voice gradually sounded steadier, no longer in pain.
"Hey, old man! Open this cursed circle! Don't you dare take my future wife!"
Zahir's furious shout echoed from outside, circling the house. The jinn could no longer enter because the house was now protected by the prayers.
The white-turbaned Kiai merely smiled upon hearing Zahir's screams. He remained focused, guiding Laras closer to freedom from the jinn's spell.
"I can't take it anymore, Kiai! Honey…! Aach… it hurts so much!"
Laras's voice grew weaker. Raka could only intensify his zikr. Blood began flowing from between Laras's legs. Kiai Jaffar channeled strength to her through his prayers.
"Darling, stay strong. You can do this. I'm praying for you," Raka said while gently stroking her stomach.
"Laras, you can do it. When the pain comes, I will guide you to recite Ayatul Kursi. Shout 'Allahu Akbar'."
Kiai Jaffar began reciting the verse slowly, and Laras and the others followed.
"Auuuchh…! A-allahu A-akbaaar! It's burning inside my stomach. It wants to burst out!"
"Recite louder, Laras!"
"Come on, darling! You're strong."
"Let's go, Laras! Laa haula wa laa quwwata illa billah!" shouted Kiai Jaffar.
While everyone was busy encouraging Laras, a sudden knock came from the front door.
"There's a guest. I'll check the front," Raka said, starting to stand up.
"It's no one, Raka. That's Zahir trying to sabotage us," Kiai Jaffar replied calmly.
"Assalamu'alaikum, Mr. Raka!"
A very familiar voice called from the front door.
"That sounds like the RT's voice. It might be important," Raka said, already standing and walking toward the door.
Kiai Jaffar immediately stood up and spoke to one of the santri.
"Guard Laras! Keep reciting Ayatul Kursi without stopping. It seems Zahir is influencing Raka's mind."
"Understood, Kiai!" the santri replied.
The Kiai followed Raka. He began murmuring prayers and blew on his palms three times before pressing both hands on Raka's back.
"Bismillahirrahmanirrahim! La Ilaha Illallah…! La Ilaha Illallah…! La Ilaha Illallah!"
Raka suddenly became calmer. He looked around in confusion, scanning the room.
"Astaghfirullahal adzim! I heard strange voices earlier, Kiai," Raka said, wiping his face with his hands.
"Alhamdulillah, you're finally aware again," said Kiai Jaffar. Suddenly, his attention shifted elsewhere.
"Raka! What's in that black plastic bag on the table?" the Kiai asked, pointing.
Raka turned around and walked to the table, followed by the Kiai. Unexpectedly, the plastic bag containing fish given by Tami was emitting smoke and a foul smell of blood.
"Do you have any raffia string, Raka?"
"Yes, Kiai. Wait a moment," Raka replied, quickly heading to the cabinet and opening a drawer.