Salaam

Salaam

It is 5:30 in the morning, Ziv has been tossing and turning since he retired to bed last evening. Sweaty, mouth dry, and with a pounding headache, he decides to give up on sleep entirely. With one more restless twist beneath the sheets, Ziv finally sits up and opens his eyes. He is alarmed to see that his window is glowing. An electric blue, reminiscent of the blue light emitted from a television screen, is shining brightly on the other side of his window. “What?” Ziv asks audibly, to nobody. With mind groggy and heart racing, he cautiously exists his warm bed and heads towards the light.

He pulls back the curtain on the window and gasps loudly, stumbles backwards, nearly falling to the floor, shocked by what he has seen. “What on earth…” Ziv whispers quietly, almost under his breath.

Outside his apartment there is a small young child dressed in a white gown. The blue light is coming from a diamond shaped space on the kid’s forehead. It is a strong, steady, beam of iridescent light coming from the diamond shaped space on the child’s forehead. The child’s eyes are closed and she seems to be focusing intently, as if producing the luminous ray is occupying an immense amount of concentration and energy. Ziv isn’t positive, but he thinks he can see perspiration on the child’s face. It’s as if the task is strenuous.

Then, something strikes Ziv, “What is this? Furthermore, what is a child doing out in the desert all alone.” Ziv knows how cold it is in the early morning hours in the Sahara. It’s true that the days are scorching hot, but at night the weather cools off, and temperatures drop drastically. Instead of being puzzled by the sight he is seeing- a small young child with a powerful shaft of brilliant color gleaming from her head- he is concerned by the fact that she may be freezing.

Ziv looks around his room, finds a blanket, pulls on a brightly colored Dashiki, then hurries outside.

As soon as he exists his home, he is struck by how quiet is is. There is not even the high-pitched chirping of crickets or the familiar sound of blowing wind. The next thing Ziv is surprised by is that there are no animals, not even a stray cat, and the sands are devoid of any people. It is only he and the child.

As Ziv tentatively approaches the child he is overcome by how hot it is outside. He thinks, “Well, she’s not going to need this blanket,” before laughing warily. He takes two more steps in the direction of the human- at least he thinks she’s human- illuminator. As he does, the illustrious light, suddenly and without warning, extinguishes.

It is nearly pitch black now. As Ziv’s eyes are adjusting he hears something. Initially, he doesn’t know what he is hearing. He cannot decipher words or meaning from the noise. He takes a few more steps in the child’s direction. The sound continues, a bit louder. Ziv is relieved when he realizes that the child is speaking Hassaniya, an Arabic dialect common in these parts. Roughly translated to English, the words Ziv is able to make out are: “Come no closer. I am working. You have interrupted my work. I was in the process of casting a light-spell of protection over you and your house.” Ziv, surprised, a bit taken aback, but incredibly intrigued, responds (in the same language), “Who are you? Where did you come from? Why on earth would I need protection?”

The child, in the same serious, soft, monotone voice says simply, “There are bad omens existing within your shelter. You are in danger. In less than a fortnight’s time you will die. That is, if I am unable to complete my spell.”

Ziv is shocked upon hearing this. It’s true that he hasn’t been able to sleep soundly for weeks, which, he thinks, could be due to bad omens, but his life is in danger? Suddenly, he is frightened. The reality of what is happening is sinking in. He had been running off of pure adrenaline, but now that it is fading he realizes- for the first time, really- how bizarre everything that has been happening is. He doesn’t have much time to ruminate on this because the child speaks again. “Please Ziv, go back to your home, let me finish. It is for your protection.”

“Uh, wait, wait a minute, how do you know my name?” Ziv asks in a shaky, breathless voice.

The young girl laughs before saying, “I am 2,000 years old. I know many things. I know your name, I know your past, I know who your ancestors are, I know your future, and I know that you are in danger. I know you thought that I was cold and brought me that blanket you are holding. That was very kind of you. You are a kind, steadfast man. That is why I chose to travel lightyears from my home, on the planet Zorst, to save your life. Now, please, if you don’t mind, let me continue.”

The man is confused. But, at the same time, he trusts the child. He thanks her, then retreats whispering only, “Salaam.”

As he turns to leave, back towards his home, a feeling of relief inundates his body. He can hear, ever so faintly, the child saying- in a voice that sounds fresh and sweet considering her age- “Salaam, brother.”

Ziv gets home, opens the door, removes his Dashiki, and crawls back into bed. The darkness is receding and the sun is rising. The blue light coming through his window- which, at first was terrifying- is comforting. His head hits the pillow and he is out cold. He sleeps a dreamless sleep and finally awakes at 3:00 pm, feeling well rested. It is, in fact, the best rest he has been able to achieve for many, many weeks. As the sleep flees from his mind and body, and he is back amongst the living, he jumps up and walks quickly- almost sprinting- to his window. He looks outside. There is no light. There is no child. There are only many people going about their day as usual.

The thought occurs to Ziv that it may have all been a dream. But then he sees his Dashiki on the floor, crumpled up next to the blanket.

It is time for the evening prayer. Ziv walks outside, makes Wudu in the basin of water in the front yard. Returns home and prays Asr, the afternoon prayer. Afterwards, he prepares a meal of lamb and rice. As he is eating and without warning a thought intrudes and he feels extreme grief and sadness. “I didn’t even thank her. I should have thanked her. She very well saved my life. And she traveled so far to do so. I hope she got home, back to Zorst, safely and okay. I didn’t even ask her name. How impolite of me.” He continues to say aloud, “Thank you little one. Thank you for casting your light-spell of protection over me and my home. I am ever so grateful.”