A taste of sorcery

‘Good afternoon Anti Bint,’ she said in-between sobs. ‘I’m sorry I can’t help myself.’ She continued but broke down and sobbed harder, now on my shoulder. ‘Calm down Asiya , don’t cry any more. Whatever it is I know we can solve it please. Come to my room and let’s talk. ‘ I assisted her […]

‘Good afternoon Anti Bint,’ she said in-between sobs. ‘I’m sorry I can’t help myself.’ She continued but broke down and sobbed harder, now on my shoulder.

‘Calm down Asiya , don’t cry any more. Whatever it is I know we can solve it please. Come to my room and let’s talk. ‘ I assisted her to walk back to my bedroom.

‘Ok, so what is the problem?’ I asked as soon as we were seated.

‘Yesterday after dropping the children at school, I came back to see something like drops of dirt on the tiles in many parts of our house. While marvelling at how the powdery substance got to be everywhere, I followed its trail, only to find Abdul in front of my room sprinkling some just by my doorstep. I asked what he was doing and he said he was sprinkling a protective medicine for us around the house. I asked him protection against what and he said against Jinns and other sources of evil. I laughed and said what about the Fatihas, the Ayatul Kursiyyus, the Ikhlas, Falaq and Nas that we recite every morning and evening aren’t they enough protection? He replied that sometimes you need a little extra protection through herbs.

I said to him that to me nothing beats the verses of the Holy Quran if I wished to seek protection against anything, and with that I simply walked into my room, not even bothering to ask who gave it to him. Later in the evening I was inspecting the house to make sure everything was put off or locked properly before going to bed when I passed by his room. I suddenly heard my name being pronounced, he was apparently on phone. I couldn’t help myself so I stopped and eavesdropped, hoping I will know why I was being mentioned.’ At this point she broke down again and resumed her sobs.

‘Please Asiya, stop crying. Don’t give yourself a headache. What did you hear him say?’I interrupted.

‘He was telling someone, apparently the man who gave him the powder that I just laughed and walked away when I saw him sprinkling it. But I won’t laugh much longer if it begins to take effect. That his liberation is near, in his own words he said ‘Didn’t you say from now on, I will be able to say no to her and the heavens will not fall? I can’t wait to see that day. All I know is even as I speak to you now her wish is my command.  I’ve always known that my devotion to her was unnatural but I never knew it was because she charmed me, I just thought it’s because I love her so much. Any way thanks so much for showing me the way and for the powder. I will keep using it till I break her evil hold on me. Then I will be free to deal with her.’ By now I was totally frozen by his doorway. Then realising that he had finished the call and might suddenly put the phone down and walk out, I moved away to my room.’ She concluded, wiping away the tears.

‘Did you talk to him later? ‘ I asked, helping her to wipe more tears.

‘Yes, I went to my room and cried my heart out. Then I walked to the children’s room to be sure they were all asleep. After that I walked to his room and went straight to the point. He didn’t look up when I entered, which was just as well because looking into his eyes might weaken my resolve. I sat on the bed next to him and simply said: I couldn’t help overhearing what you were telling someone on phone, I didn’t realise I was the Jinn and other sources of eveil you were referring to in the morning.’

‘What, who said I was talking about you?’ He asked totally shocked.

‘It was obvious from your responses. In fact I only eavesdropped on your phone call when I heard you mentioning my name in anger. How could you ever believe that I will want to harm you, how could you?’ I demanded, losing my temper.

‘Because the signs were beginning to show’ he now admitted. ‘I can never, ever say no to your demands. I am always happy with what you do, as if you were a perfect angel. Whenever friends gather together and chat about their families, I never seem to have any complains. Well onw of them noticed and said to me it appeared as if I have a perfect marriage and I told him yes. Then he warned that it wasn’t natural. That you had to have charmed me with sorcery to have me believe you were perfect.’ Abdul explained.

‘Really? And do I look like the kind of person to engage in sorcery?’

‘Who said such people have any distinguishing marks? All I know is that all the indicators he asked me to look for are there. You love to burn the incense, he said most bewitching charms are added there. You like making kunu beverage for me whether I asked for it or not. A lot of those charms are added there. Then you are always wearing the humra perfume and it is another bewitching agent. But the single most telling thing is that I can’t seem to find any fault with you Asiya. It’s just not natural. ‘ he insisted.

‘Doesn’t it ever occur to you that I may be trying so hard to do everything right, and that’s how come you have no complaints? Isn’t it possible that even if I am not perfect, you just happen to be more appreciative of my efforts because you are nicer by nature? How can a stranger just walk up to you and put such horrible suspicions in your mind and you will swallow them just like that? Does it never occur to you that the man might have been jealous of your seeming contentment and is trying to ruin it? Yes our 8 year old marriage might not be perfect, but I have been happy and my children have been happy and I can never allow anyone to walk up to me and say it isn’t natural, I wouldn’t listen to it.’ By now I was crying so hard he was forced to put his hands on my shoulder.

Then he said: ‘You know, you have a point there, maybe this guy is just trying to get me worried and make me unhappy. Please forget everything you heard me say. I will get rid of that powder tomorrow and never listen to him again.’ Abdul assured me. I somehow calmed myself and looked straight into his eyes and said:

‘Just for the record, I have never been to a sorcerer, a spiritualist or a herbalist. I have never believed in them. The only time I have seen these people is in television dramas. I was brought up to believe in praying to God for all I need. I was also taught from a young age that whoever patronises such people, for whatever reason, renders forty days of prayers null and void, for each consultation. I can never allow myself to suffer such spiritual loss. If you have any problems with my using the incense, the humra perfume or making your daily kunu, please tell me now, I will stop all three.’ I offered.

‘No, no please Asiya, don’t stop. They are some of things that endear you to me. I don’t know how I could have been so foolish as to believe you could use them to harm me. I am truly sorry my love, I promise never to listen to such talk again. In fact I will stop going to that chat joint all together, it’s too dangerous for our happy marriage.’ He promised and I wanted so much to believe him. But by morning time the pain of betrayal overwhelmed me again and I have been crying ever since. I keep asking myself if all it takes is one friend to launch him on such a dangerous path, what will happen if he meets more others?’ She asked.

‘You are right but don’t let it bother you for now. Rejoice that you have convinced him and keep praying against the future. Kai, men are incredible. To think that they always say it’s us women who are putting ideas into one another. And now look at this,’ I replied her.