That afternoon, I decided to flip my mattress and wash the sheets.

Everything looked perfectly normal — until I spotted a small cluster of tiny black grains tucked deep into the corner of the bed.

They were dull, yet faintly shiny — like miniature bits of coal.

My stomach dropped. My first thought: insect eggs.
Roaches? Beetles? The idea made my skin crawl.

I grabbed a sheet of paper and carefully scooped a few up to take a closer look.

They were hard, dry, and definitely not alive.
But then… where had they come from?

Curious — and honestly a little scared — I snapped a picture and sent it to a friend who’s into herbal remedies and traditional healing practices.

She texted back almost immediately:

“Those are kalonji — black cumin seeds. Someone must’ve placed them there intentionally.”

I blinked. Seeds? Under my bed?

I looked it up online, and my jaw nearly dropped.
Kalonji has been used for centuries as a charm to ward off sickness and evil energy — often hidden under mattresses, thresholds, or even sewn into pillows to bring peace and protection.

For a moment, I felt uneasy.
Who would do that — and why without telling me?

Then I remembered.

My grandmother had visited just a few weeks earlier.
She’s always been the kind of woman who believes in quiet blessings and the old ways.

That evening, I called her.

“Grandma… did you put something under my mattress?”

She chuckled softly.

“Ah, you found it? Yes, it’s kalonji. May it keep you safe. You’ve been restless lately, and I thought a little protection might help.”