I looked it up online, and the more I read, the more amazed I became. Kalonji — also known as Nigella sativa — has been used for centuries in many cultures as a protective charm. People used to hide the seeds under mattresses, in doorways, or even inside pillows to guard against illness, bad energy, and nightmares.
What I had mistaken for something creepy was actually an old-fashioned blessing.
The Call That Explained Everything
Then it hit me. A few weeks earlier, my grandmother had stayed with me for a weekend. She’s always been quietly spiritual — the kind of woman who leaves prayers folded inside drawers and murmurs blessings when she waters her plants.
That evening, I called her.
“Grandma,” I said, half amused, half curious. “Did you put something under my mattress?”
There was a pause — then her soft, familiar chuckle.
“Ah, you found it already? Yes, sweetheart. It’s kalonji. You’ve been sounding restless lately. I thought a little protection might help you sleep easier.”
A Quiet Blessing
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