Amman

Ava was awakened from her deep sleep by some sounds in the kitchen.

clink clink clink

She quickly grabbed the lamp sitting on the side table next her, ready to face the intruder.

A woman stepped out of the kitchen holding a mug. She seemed rather calm for a woman who was about to get beat with a lamp.

" Who the hell are you?!" Ava yelled.

" Exactly what you prayed for," the woman replied with a smirk. The woman was quite beautiful with dark hair that complemented her golden skin. She did not seem to be much older than Ava, most likely late twenties or early thirties.The woman wore an all-red dress that had gold embroidered trimmings. She walked to the living room with such confidence and took a seat on the couch. She placed the mug on the table in front of her and looked at Ava in the eyes.

She did not seem threatening so far. Ava looked at her and said, " I am sorry I don't know what you're talking about. I am gonna ask you to please leave or I will have to resort to calling the cops." Ava pulled out her phone to show her she was serious.

Ava continued before she was cut off, " I do not want any trou-"

" Are you going to keep standing there holding your lamp or do you want to talk discuss this?" she said while gracefully setting her finger on Mrs. Anand's prayer book.

" I swear you humans get more senseless every passing century!" She laughed while looking at the lamp that Ava was still holding defensively.

Ava was done trying to reason with whoever this mad woman was and began to dial the number for law enforcement.

" It won't work." The woman looked at Ava placing both her hands on her lap.

Ava dialed the number and she was greeted by the no service tone.

" I see how this can be quite alarming but I can explain everything if you take a seat." The woman extended her arm forward inviting Ava to take a seat.

" We can talk about Mrs. Anand, " the woman continued.

" Mrs. Anand? How do you know Mrs. Anand? " Ava asked.

"How about this?" the woman proposed. " I will let your phone service work once again and you can keep your lamp with you too if you let me introduce and explain everything. "

She snapped her finger. " Okay, should be working now."

Ava's phone started to light up with notifications from text messages to missed calls from her family.

" Also, you do not have to take a seat. If you feel safer standing there, that is fine. Although I will have you know, any efforts against me are useless. I have powers your mortal mind could not even fathom. Do not worry, child. I am not here to harm but to aid. I give you my word as a god that I shall not harm you. Perhaps a proper introduction is in order. To keep things simple, my name is Amman. This is my collective name for I have many different forms, names, and attributes. I am the divine mother, curer of illness, and goddess of contagion."

The woman's voice and demeanor changed from strong and bold to caring and nurturing.

" I have heard the afflictions and prayers of my people once again. " She picked up the prayer book and held it close to her chest.

" Ava, I have heard your prayer and those of Mrs. Anand. I cannot stay much longer so I will have to hurry with this explanation. I am here to help the state of the world against this pandemic. As I have said before I have many different forms and many different powers. I will manifest my different forms to help this fight and end this suffering. You will personally witness the fruit of these prayers, Ava. "

Ava stood holding the lamp in shock. She was so in shock the lamp slipped from her hand and crashed to the floor with a big crash.

The noise of the lamp jolted Ava awake.

"It was just a dream," Ava thought.

Ava thought in relief. Her forehead had beads of sweat from the dream. She sat up putting her hand to her face while letting out a big sigh.

Ava's eyes grew as she noticed something peculiar. A mug still hot with vapor being released from it. The mug sat on the prayer book. The prayer book was already opened and Ava walked over to examine it more closely. The mug was placed over a page that had one of Mrs. Anand's written prayers.

Ava picked up the mug and set it on the coffee table. She grabbed the book and her eyes once again opened wide at who the prayer was dedicated to.

The words clearly spelled out Amman. The next page was folded at the top corner. It was another prayer dedicated to another goddess. The goddess's name read Sheetala and at the bottom of the page was an added note.

Ava, thank you for your prayers and dedication They are not unseen.

P.S.

I have left you some tea made from the waters and leaves of the Ganga river. This will protect you and boost your immunity.

Author's Note

I honestly did not know how this story would start or end when I started writing. The plot was still unfolding in my head while I was writing and it was very fun to do and see that after it's completion! I decided to ultimately focus my project on the different forms of the goddess of contagion! I found some pretty interesting characters for the next story. Also, professor Gibbs informed me that many people are praying to this goddess at this time that we are facing. I hope everyone is doing well and safe! Thank you for reading so far!