That afternoon, while turning my mattress and washing the sheets, I spotted a small pile of black grains tucked into a corner — dull, slightly shiny, and resembling tiny pieces of coal. My stomach tightened. Were they insect eggs? Droppings? The thought alone made my skin crawl. I carefully scooped a few onto a piece of paper, only to find they were dry and solid — not moving, not alive. Perplexed, I snapped a photo and sent it to a friend who knows about herbs and traditional remedies. Her reply came within seconds: “Those aren’t bugs — they’re kalonji seeds. Someone must have placed them there intentionally.”

Curious, I began searching online and quickly learned that kalonji — also known as black cumin — has been used for centuries in many cultures as a symbol of protection. People often scatter it under beds, near doorways, or even tuck it into pillows to invite peace, repel illness, or block negative energy. The discovery left me both surprised and intrigued. Who could have done such a thing in my home, and why?

Then it struck me — my grandmother had recently visited. She’s always believed in quiet blessings and old customs, the kind passed down through generations without fanfare. When I called to ask her about it, she chuckled softly before admitting, “Ah, so you found it! Yes, I left those. You’ve seemed restless lately, and I thought a little protection might help.”

In that moment, what had first seemed eerie turned into something profoundly tender. Beneath the sheets, hidden in the corner of my bed, was not superstition but care — a small act of love woven from faith, tradition, and a grandmother’s gentle wish for my peace.