Laras held Raka's body tightly. Their lips met as their faces drew close. Caught in the moment, Raka kissed her full, plump lips.
Laras responded by kissing him back passionately. Raka's desire burned even hotter, especially when the low-cut neckline of Laras's dress accidentally slipped open as she moved.
"Let's move to the bedroom, honey," Laras whispered seductively.
"Yes, darling," Raka replied, immediately lifting his wife into his arms.
Once inside the bedroom, Raka removed all his clothes and positioned himself on top of Laras's beautiful body as she lay on the bed. He leaned down, and Laras responded by kissing him deeply.
"Darling," Raka's voice was hoarse with lust.
"Yes, honey." His wife's soft moan only fueled Raka's arousal. He wanted to satisfy all his desire right away.
Their passion rose to its peak. Raka kissed Laras's red lips again, slowly trailing down to her neck, then to the slightly exposed area of her chest, leaving red marks there.
Laras let out a soft cry and suddenly said, "Ah, honey?! What is this?"
Raka felt guilty. "I don't know, darling. What's wrong?"
"Hahahaha … take that!" A mocking laugh echoed faintly in Raka's ears, but it was crystal clear to Laras.
Disappointed, Laras quickly grabbed her dress and left the room, heading straight to the bathroom. Raka hurriedly put his pants back on and followed her.
"Darling! We can try again later. Maybe I'm just tired from staying up late last night. I'm sorry, okay?"
Knock knock knock!
Laras, who was already showering, ignored the knocking on the bathroom door.
"Whatever!"
Only the sound of running water could be heard. Raka went back to the bedroom to get his phone and called someone. From inside the bathroom, Laras suddenly let out a muffled scream, but Raka didn't hear it because he was busy on the phone.
"Is the herbal tonic ready now? I'll come pick it up. Thank you."
He ended the call and prepared to approach his wife again. Just then, Laras stepped out of the bathroom with a satisfied smile on her lips.
Her body looked weak, as if she had just climbed a mountain. Sweat covered her entire body.
"Darling, come with me. Let's pick up the herbal tonic."
"What kind of tonic, honey?"
"You'll find out soon enough. Have you stopped sulking yet?"
"Ah, honey. I was really upset, you know."
Raka gently wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder with affection. Laras was his first love, and the same was true for her. Their first love had led them all the way to the wedding altar.
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, a tall, handsome Middle Eastern figure smiled victoriously. He stood nearly four meters tall.
"For the countless time, you lose, Raka."
A cold wind carrying the scent of musk brushed against Raka's face and then vanished.
"Did you hear that just now, darling? It sounded like a radio. Why did it mention my name? And that perfume smell is back again."
"I didn't hear anything, honey. But I can smell the perfume too."
"Maybe the neighbors turned their TV up too loud. Hurry up and get ready!" Raka urged.
Laras went into the bedroom to change. Raka sat in the living room smoking a cigarette, waiting for his wife to get dressed. His heart felt relieved knowing that the herbal seller had stock available when he needed it.
His friends had recommended the tonic since the beginning of their marriage. Back then, Raka didn't think he needed it because his stamina was still strong. He couldn't understand why this time his "weapon" had failed so miserably in battle.
It was completely unexpected, especially since he was physically fit and not sick. The incident earlier had left Raka's mind racing. He refused to think negatively and was still trying to find a way out of today's problem.
"Come on, honey! We can do some shopping too. I want to cook your favorite chicken soto."
"Alhamdulillah. Thank you, darling! I was worried you were still angry."
"It's okay, honey. I understand. You must be exhausted." In her heart, Laras thought, *Your replacement is much stronger than you.*
"Yes, darling. Thank you for being so understanding."
Raka gently kissed his wife's forehead. They walked out of the house together. Laras locked the door. She looked radiant, a sweet smile never leaving her lips since she came out of the bathroom. Raka didn't realize that his wife now had a substitute lover in bed.
They rode the motorcycle together toward the herbal stall in the market. Laras felt guilty for betraying her husband. Earlier in the bathroom, that handsome figure had appeared again.
His voice was soft in her ear, just like before. The distinctive musk scent on his body ignited Laras's desire. The fine hair on his arms and chest made her dizzy with infatuation, clouding her rational thinking.
In the bathroom, they had made love again until Laras was completely exhausted. The jinn's spell had successfully ensnared her.
Now the same figure had returned to his true form — towering as tall as the empty house nearby. He watched the couple riding the motorcycle in front of him.
Without revealing himself to Laras, he didn't want to appear strange in his lover's eyes. He had to look perfect as a human to her.
"Stay with me, darling," he whispered. The words were carried by a gentle breeze straight to Laras's ears.
*Yes, honey,* Laras replied in her heart, the soft reply reaching the four-meter-tall figure seductively. A smile adorned his heavily bearded cheeks.
"Darling, I'll request a new work assignment. I don't want to keep doing night shifts. It's not fair for you to be alone every night."
"Now that's more like it, honey," Laras replied while hugging her husband tightly.
Raka greatly enjoyed the embrace, but Laras could no longer give herself to him completely. Half of her heart had already been given to the Middle Eastern figure. She still loved Raka, but now her love was divided — something her husband didn't know.
"Honey, what if I get pregnant?"
"You're saying strange things, darling. I really want to have a child soon. That's why we're going to see the doctor tomorrow. I'm taking the day off so we can get checked," Raka said, tightening his arm around Laras.
"Thank you, honey," Laras replied as tears fell from her eyes.
My husband is so kind. He loves me so sincerely. Why did I betray him?
If I get pregnant by him, what will happen to our child?
He's not even human, Laras realized.
Her conscience was in turmoil. This beautiful woman shed tears. She finally understood her foolishness. She vowed to avoid that handsome figure.
Laras knew deep down that what she was doing was wrong. Although her lust was satisfied by him, her heart was not. The love and affection Raka gave her as a husband could not be compared to that being.
"Astaghfirullah hal adzim!"
Laras sought forgiveness from God while closing her eyes. Tears continued to flow endlessly, soaking the back of Raka's shirt. Feeling the wetness on his back, Raka immediately stopped the motorcycle at the side of the road. This strong, short-haired man turned around.
"Darling, why are you crying? You looked so happy earlier, wanting to cook something special. What's wrong? Let's get off the bike first."
Raka gently wiped the clear tears from his wife's eyes and cheeks. He then led Laras to a long empty bench nearby. They sat side by side as Raka looked into her face.
"What's going on, darling?" he asked softly.
"Honey, please don't be angry, okay?"
"InsyaAllah, I won't be angry. As long as you're honest with me."
"I had intimate relations with a jinn … twice. At first, I couldn't tell the difference because he came in your form. The second time, we did it in the bathroom just now. It felt like I was under a spell. Forgive me, honey!" After saying this, Laras burst into heavy sobs.
"Astaghfirullah hal adzim. We need to see the Kyai immediately, darling. You have to undergo ruqyah. Alhamdulillah that you told me. We'll find a way out together."