A Hiking Journey
By: Dalma Perkins
Tags: Stories, Spirituality, Hiking, Short Fiction, Short Story

Photo taken by Dalma T Perkins

A Hiking Journey

It isn’t unusual for me to hike by myself. For me, it is a way to escape the stress, drama and fast-paced fervor of city life.

I try to go out at least three times a week, if my schedule allows, to whatever hiking trail or nature preserve that touches my fancy. Many are far and out of the way, which delights me, while others are closer and just offer a cursory taste of what has become an addiction.

I started out walking in local parks, going around and around their walking paths but found myself annoyed when people would walk right into my self-imposed exercising and meditative states.

“Ugh, how I long to be in an area where there are limited encounters with the nervous, the preened and the show-offs.”, I would recount my walking expeditions to my best friend.

Ali could never understand my need for so much isolation until I invited him, and he discovered my addiction to nature. The vibrant greens of trees, grass, and plants that have not been sullied by the trash of the city. And not to mention the beauty of nature.

Today’s adventure was unplanned and a whim. The stress of writer’s block, coupled with dealing with another false start of a relationship has me in an internal uproar.

This trail is all so new to me. I had only walked one or two trails here in the city since moving back. The idea of hiking where I have never been excited me. It also makes me focus on the steps I take.

Here I am, thirty minutes in and not a soul to be found. I must admit that the start of the hike up the little dips and hills were way too easy for an intermediate hiker like myself.

I come out to what looks like a pasture with vehicle ruts leading the way. “Well, thank you.”, I murmur quietly to myself.

I look around me, taking in the blue of the sky without a single cloud, the tree-lined horizon that looks like a dense forest from my vantage point and the openness of the field.

“My god. You have done it again.”

Following the ruts, I come to the trees and notice that it is an uphill trek from here. “Good, a challenge.”, I speak defiantly.

Climbing and panting my way up, I have no time for thought, just action. These hills were meant to slow down any who dare travel and climb them.

After some slight difficulties, as in me falling on my butt a few times, I reach an even path.

“Well, at least I made it up here.”, I utter as sweat leaks down my neck and back.

The path is fairly wide and is carpeted with the mulch and animal scat of previous seasons. Picturesque as my surroundings are, I had promised myself at the start of this hike, no cellphone or pictures. My first encounter here would be pure and untouched by modern marvels.

Once again looking around, I notice that the tree growth here makes for a natural tunnel of sorts. It pleased me that the creator would accommodate such beauty in any place I may tread.

Slowly, I wander down the path. “No rush. No rush”, I think to myself.

Meandering down the path, the thoughts that were blocked off when I was focused on hiking up and climbing, began to creep in.

The previous day’s conversation with Mr. Shah presented itself front and center. His claims of how beautiful I am and that he wants a deeper connection makes me huff. The one text that lingers in my mind after he abruptly hangs up our video call hangs like a horror movie fog in front of my mind’s eye. “It’s a culture thing.”

I begin the same argument again in my mind. To hide from everyone that you are interested in another person and hanging up on them because someone enters the room is now considered a cultural thing.

“Bull. He’s full of bull.”, I raise my voice to almost a scream.

“Why can’t I find someone that is honest, loyal, exciting, adventurous, and has the other qualities I need?”, I think angerly.

Stopping to take a deep breath and clear myself of the negativity approaching. I stand still and let the fresh and quiet atmosphere wash over me.

In my soliloquy, I didn’t notice how far I had walked along the path. Reacquainting myself with my surroundings, I notice that I was near a cliff.

“Wow. What the…”, came instantaneously.

I pick up on my pace wanting to reach this landmark in my journey. There was a sort of thrill building in me. I had no idea where it came from.

The path seemed to end right where the rock cliff began. I slowed, as I needed to make sure I didn’t cause any injuries to myself on the rocks and gravel.

I reach a sort of shelf. It was the perfect shape and size for someone to sit down on. I was tired from the exertions I had made but wanted to take in what this cliff had to offer in the way of scenery.

And what a scene it was. Looking out, I was able to see hills and a large mountain out in the distance. Everything was lined with greenery and trees. The sun was portraited in the sky. The sounds of nature in all its beauty was present everywhere.

I was so mesmerized by what my eyes were gulping in that I almost missed the footfall to the right of me.

Turning and positioning myself to a defensive pose, I looked towards where I thought this step came from.

As my eyes, made contact, I was almost knocked out of breath by what I was seeing before me.

To describe what I was seeing would make others doubt, but it was a very tall male presence. If my measuring skills were on par, I would have to say that he was about 7 feet tall. He had black wavy hair that came to his shoulders. He was standing in profile, which gave me a view of his nose. It was sharp and straight. His lips were almost in a cupid’s bow and he owned a full goatee.

This male was dressed in a very pristine white throbe which brushed the top of his feet. His feet were sandal-clad. He and his style of dress were so out of place to me here.

My confusion and surprise must have been stamped on my face because this male presence smiles and turns towards me.

“Do not fear me, Toni.”, a deeply resonating accented voice comes to me vocally and mentally.

The only thought that came to me at that moment was we have never met or been formally introduced.

“Then let me introduce myself formally. I am Tazir Ahmed. I have been given the honor to guide, teach and enlighten you.”, came the same emanating voice. The presence bows slightly, with hands posed to his sides and head nodding towards me. His eyes making their first appearance in vivid green with a brown rimming glimpse.

“No. Wait. I. I. I don’t know you. How do you know my name?”, I sputter out the words, feeling shocked and distrusting.

“Fear me not. I will not harm you. You have been my life’s work since you came to be here on this realm.” Tazir speaks firmly and matter-of-factly.

“SAY WHAT”, leaving my inside voice and pleasantries behind, I become defensive, angry and defiant.

“You who are so ready to be more, see more and uplift yourself, are now questioning it?”, comes this deep vibrating rebuttal response.

“I come to you at a time when you have almost lost hope in life, in love and in yourself.”, Tazir continues. His voice quieting and peaceful.

“No one knows that. I have never mentioned that to a soul.”, I speak low and in astonishment.

“Only those in the heavens know of your deepest thoughts, desires, and successes. You, Toni, are a ward never left.”, Tazir’s voice rises as in praise.

“All I wanted, today, is to hike and be at peace.”, I speak meekly.

“And all we wanted today, for you, is to help you realize your true life calling. To make you whole again and to bring you closer to who you are meant to be.”, Tazir voice vibrates. An ethereal light emits from within him.

Speechless, I just stare. No words could have express or even define what my eyes and mind were taking in.

“Come. Sit. Let me tell you what I know of Toni Ali. Let me give you an offering from the heavens.”, Tazir spoke the words as if they were precious drops of lifeblood.

I sit heavily on the shelf, still without words, stunned.

Tazir weaves images transposing them on the scene I so loved from earlier. It was my life in review.

That day, all I wanted was to hike. To find peace of mind and work out some of the anger and frustration that seem to be the rhythm and rhyme of my life. But from that moment, I discovered that there was more than what my troubles were giving me. That day, I began my spiritual journey.