Asih

Good evening. What's your name?

I am Riri.

Sis, this is Asih.

Who is Asih?

I have to get home.

You call her "kuntilanak."

I know her as...

Asih.

37 YEARS BEFORE DANUR

Rain, rain, go away

It's raining in the village And it's cloudy here

Who's the little girl in a veil?

Take a glance at her, and you will stumble

Oh, oh

Sweet girl

Bathing in the river

Her hair is all wet

If you don't pray or fast

You will be tortured in your grave

You've put together the crib.

There's still a month to go, right?

I know.

But Andi can't wait.

He said this might make the baby come out earlier.

He's funny.

Ita!

Where did you get that?

It's from my colleague.

What do you think?

That thing looks older than me.

You're funny, Mom.

Let's use it for now.

-We can get a new one on my next payday. -Okay.

Mom!

Please don't exert yourself.

Just ask me and let me pump the water for you.

Okay?

There, it's full.

Come on.

Mom.

Don't you need a towel in the bathroom?

Thank you.

Ita.

Don't carry heavy things.

-Please ask me to carry them for you. -Okay.

I forgot to bring them in.

-That's okay, Mom. -Now, let's eat.

Tonight is my turn to do the neighborhood watch.

I've passed two times already. I should definitely do it tonight.

Take an umbrella.

Yeah, the weather is a bit strange today.

It's raining, but it's warm.

They call it the rain of the dead.

Mother, people die everyday.

And babies are born everyday, too.

Here.

Thank you.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1980

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1980 THE BIRTH DAY OF AMELIA

Honey?

Honey?

Mom?

Mom?

Mom?

Good.

One more time. You're almost there.

Breathe.

Hold it. Take a deep breath.

Take a deep breath.

Take a deep breath.

One more time. The baby is almost here.

-You can do it. -Push a little more.

A little bit more. God, give her strength.

I can see the baby. Keep pushing.

Keep pushing.

A little bit more!

Ita, I'm off to work now.

Bye, Amelia.

-Peace be upon you. -And upon you, peace.

-Bye, Mother. -Drive safely.

Let me take her out.

Morning sunlight is good for her.

-Here we go, baby. -Thanks, Mom.

Don't keep her out in the sun for too long, please.

My baby.

Mom?

Mom?

Mom?

Mom?

Mom?

Mom?

The sun is already high. We shouldn't keep Amelia in the sun.

It's too hot for her.

But I thought I pushed her stroller up here.

You must've forgotten.

Ita?

Ita?

Yes, Mom?

What is it, Mom?

I heard someone humming a song. Was it you?

Have you taken your medicine?

-I'm not sure. -You're not sure?

Let's check your schedule.

Thank you, but you shouldn't have.

Not at all.

My daughter is too old to play with dolls, anyway.

Should I be concerned

that Amelia was born a month early?

Don't worry.

According to the Quran, as long as your pregnancy

and breastfeeding period totals to 30 months.

That means you must breastfeed your baby for about two years.

By the way,

it's better not to put your baby's crib near the window.

Why is that?

Spirits can peep from outside.

Until your baby is 40 days old, you should always keep a close eye on her.

Don't take her outside for too long.

Especially at dusk.

When I was assisting a childbirth in the neighboring village,

there was a rumor of a woman committing suicide.

Creepy, right?

And what's worse, they couldn't find her body.

They said before taking her own life,

she killed her own baby.

Please, I don't want to know the rest.

Please, never forget to put a pair of scissors under your pillow.

So evil spirits won't come near.

Have you heard the knocking sounds of the utility poles at night?

That means a wise man is walking by.

Nobody knows who he is, or how old he is.

Nobody knows where he comes from.

The people from the neighboring village call him "Abah."

Abah?

They say he knows what happened to the spirit of that woman.

If the number of knocks is greater than the time of night,

then a spirit is present.

It makes my skin crawl.

Oh, oh.

My sweetie pie, how are you?

How is she today?

Thank goodness, she's been very sweet all day.

What a good girl. My sweet baby.

Rain, rain

Go away

It's raining in the village And it's cloudy here

Who's the little girl in a veil?

Take a glance at her, and you will stumble

Oh, oh, sweet girl...

If you don't pray or fast

You will be tortured

In your grave

Mom, bring her in!

It's almost dark. You have to bring Amelia inside.

I was just about to bring her inside.

A baby shouldn't be outside at dusk.

Ta...

please don't raise your voice at my mother again.

I know, I'm sorry.

I was afraid something might happen to Amelia.

I got you. My sweetie pie.

Ta.

Why did you put a pair of scissors under the pillow?

Mrs. Sekar said it will ward off evil spirits.

You're just being superstitious.

I'm not being superstitious. I can feel something weird today.

Have you buried Amelia's placenta?

Not yet. I didn't have time this morning.

You shouldn't delay that kind of stuff.

You're putting her life in danger.

Do it tonight.

I think Amelia has a fever.

She's a bit warm.

A little bit of crushed shallots on her forehead will do.

Bury the placenta now.

I don't want anything to happen to Amelia.

You haven't buried it?

All right, I'll do it.

What has her fever got to do with burying the placenta?

Don't forget to say a prayer when you bury it.

Yes, Mom.

You're still up?

I can't get enough breastmilk for her.

Did you eat the sweet leaves I boiled for you yesterday?

Don't worry.

Mom...

I'm sorry for raising my voice at you earlier.

I understand your concern.

Don't worry about me.

I'm going to wash myself before praying.

Ita?

Ita...

did you just come from the kitchen?