Agarwood: The Journey

We travel in silence under a vast and almost dark, unsettling sky. Lofty treetops form an immense canopy of protection as we propel down the river. Nasir, my Iban companion senses a change in the weather. He holds his hand out to gage if the rain has begun. He gestures towards the long houses on the forest covered slopes. I am tempted to accept his kind offer but politely refrain. Time is of the essence.

Hundreds of fireflies hover around the boat anticipating the downpour that is about to begin. The beam of Nasir’s torch reveals a pair of bright eyes in the water. It is not the only pair present here. We scan the water from left to right as we make our way to the mangrove river bank.

The rain beats down on the canopy above. I bid farewell to Nasir. He insists that he stay with me and warns me of the dangers ahead. I give him the small package that Imam Zafran has entrusted me with. He shakes my hand and says what I believe to be a prayer. He turns and leaves.

I open my rucksack, take out my torch and secure my rucksack firmly back in place. I stand under the trees and remind myself of why I am here. As always I place my reliance with Him who has placed me here. I reflect on a saying of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. He renounced the world saying that he is like a rider who stops under the shade of the tree for a short time and, after taking rest, resumes his journey again, leaving the tree behind.

I follow in his noble footsteps and leave the trees behind and embark on yet another journey. I pray the Secret will manifest itself before very long.