She Likes My Blanket

My name is Isabella Emma, people called me Bella. The story I wrote is based on what I experienced a few months ago when I finished my studies in one of the big cities in Central Java. I had to stay there until I waited for my time to graduate. I stayed at my one of close friend’s boarding houses. Why am I staying with my friend? Why don’t I live in my own boarding house? The reason is that I only stay here for about a week and by chance at my boarding house, the people are returning home due to a long holiday.

After my friends and I finish our studies, they will return to their hometowns. However, it’s just the two of us, Aaliyah and me. We are still waiting for the day when we can return to our hometown. Regrettably, we still have work to do. Thus, we decided to stay here for a while.

It was Friday night when we decided to watch a movie before we went to sleep. We enjoyed watching movies and eating cakes. We didn’t realize that the clock had struck 3 in the morning. Aaliyah told me that she was so sleepy that she went to sleep first, while I was here still awake because I couldn’t sleep. Not long after that, I thought maybe I should go to sleep because it is 3 am, and some people say that this is the time evil spirits are around us.

I tried to close my eyes even though I wasn’t feeling sleepy yet.

I tried to close my eyes but failed. The night is getting late, and I still can’t sleep. The night air was so cold that somehow I couldn’t handle it; then I took the blanket my mother gave me. It is a cloth commonly used by Javanese women in ancient times. This cloth is a legacy from my grandmother, notwithstanding, I rarely use this cloth when I am at home. It happens that this is the only blanket left in my boarding house for the reason that I have brought the other blankets home.

I looked like a woman who had just died and was covered with a cloth.

Suddenly, when I was about to sleep, I felt something pull my blanket.

I thought to myself, “Aaliyah is so upsetting that she took away my blanket. I am so chilled.”

A few moments later, something tugged at my blanket again. I felt uncomfortable this time and tried to warn her by saying, “Put on a blanket if you feel cold. Don’t try to disturb me, and don’t try to reach for my blanket again. I’m trying to sleep.” I told her sternly.

Aaliyah didn’t answer, and I assumed she agreed. Therefore, I continued my sleep while holding onto my blanket tightly in case she grabbed my blanket again.

As I thought, she tried to pull my blanket.

Again.

And again.

My patience was running out, and I couldn’t sleep without wearing a blanket. This time I had to wake her up to reprimand her directly so that she realized that what she had done was very discomfiting.

Sadly, that’s not her.

I try to get up and open my eyes, and I see the hand of a woman in a white dress, holding my blanket tight.

I tried to convince myself that what I saw was not something obvious but just a dream. She looks at me. Please, tell me this isn’t real.

I turned to the side and realized that Aaliyah was still sleeping, and the thing that was tugging at my blanket was a pale woman with long hair. I screamed so loudly that everyone in the boarding house woke up and went to my room. Everyone was confused and shocked at the same time but they tried to calm me down.

After the accident, I returned to my boarding house. I was deeply traumatized.

My current place is convenient and secure. I’m a little more laid-back now.

I wondered why the creature took off my blanket while I was sleeping.

Maybe “she” likes my grandmother’s blanket.