Agarwood: The Journey

The slopes are slippery and precarious. Traversing them is more challenging than I’d imagined. I now wonder how my father felt during his retreats on the Atlas mountains. I can hear the stream up ahead as the heavy rainfall hits the water. Exhausted from the climb I wade warily upstream in knee deep water. I am met by some fallen trees, logs and huge boulders. A monitor lizard leaps across the logs and into the stream with a splash. The lizard has spotted its prey; a large snake hunting right behind me. There are dozens of fireflies hovering around yet again. They are a welcome presence here. The rain is unrelenting and I can hear the heavy roar of thunder. I stay still and raise my hands to the sky and say, Glory is to Him Whom thunder and angels glorify due to fear of Him. There is no time to waste. I climb the boulders, tread the fallen trees and wade through a kinder stream. I can see the forest floor up ahead. The stream flows into a serious of rock pools. Almost home and dry – soon I hope!

The forest floor is home to many a moving creature. I quicken my pace constantly scanning the trees for an opening. My enthusiasm is wading considerably as another loud cry of thunder bellows in the near distance. Something crunches under my feet. I shine my torch on the floor below. A creeping cast of huge red crabs are making their way through the trees. It hadn’t occurred to me that the entrance might be concealed. I follow the scuttling carpet of crabs down on my hands and knees. They disperse immediately. Their fate lies in consecutive random splashes. We have reached yet more water. Through the rain I can just make out the noise of a waterfall. I follow my instinct and head towards the noise of flowing water. Suddenly I stop dead in my tracks. The familiar smell of sweet, fragrant fruits permeates the air. I am sitting with Imam Zafran in his humble home on the blue lagoon. I am walking the nameless streets of Burma. I am praising the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah bless him and grant him peace in a room blessed with the presence of Arifeen. I am telling my story to great men who already know who I am. By the light of Mustapha I am ready to unearth that which is deemed Secret.

I am now at a small set of falls. I tread them with great care. The stones and rocks are small and not at all secure. At every few hundred yards of water I come across a small fall. The source of the Secret is almost within my reach.

Something flies past me and grabs my attention. A huge bat indeed! I lose my balance and drop my torch. I retrieve it from the water’s murky grip only to find the batteries have set themselves free. I wonder if the Ancient Romans ever encountered such problems. I am glad my torch isn’t an emblem of enlightenment and hope. This would definitely be the journey’s end.

I am well and truly in the middle of nowhere. It would appear the last of the falls is just up ahead. Another bat flies past my head. Human echolocation would be most useful right now. In the far distance I can see a very small light. I quicken my pace almost running towards it. The water below is a mere trickle now and I am soon treading forest floor again. At last, there is light. Bats are swirling around the man made lamp as they devour mosquitoes and other flying insects. On the beaten track below are a series of bent twigs and neatly folded leaves. I have seen these signs before. I engage in some ‘goodly breathing’ and compose myself. I inhale the sweet woody fragrance. I believe I have finally reached the cave.

By his feet lie a six foot keleput (blowpipe) and a rattan bag. He sits between two rocks wrapped in an animal hide. I open my rucksack at once and hand him the package from Imam Zafran. He holds it to his chest for a moment before placing it in the rattan bag. He nods his head and reaches for my hands. We sit like this for a few moments as he closes his eyes. My hands feel painstakingly warm. I look at the Penan Headsman again, he is deep in meditation. Just as I think I can take it no more he raises his hands above mine. To my sheer delight the Secret now lies in my hands.