Didymos’ Night of Awakening

Didymos lay awake, listening to Peter’s snores. Each breath Peter took filled the room. The snores had a rhythm: slow start, steady increase, sudden stop. Didymos found this pattern oddly soothing. He smiled in the darkness, enjoying the simple beauty of Peter’s deep sleep.

An Uneasy Night

Didymos couldn’t sleep. His mind was wide awake despite the long day. He wondered why. Usually, he slept well unless something bothered him. But nothing unusual had happened that day.

A Strange Pain

Soon, Didymos felt a strange pain in his heart. It grew stronger, making him restless. He got up and walked around the room. He stood by the window, staring into the dark night. He listened to the cicadas chirping. He thought about the pain. Was he sick? Was his time up? He felt anxious. He thought about waking Peter to share his fears but hesitated.

A Sweet Realization

Then, Didymos realized something. The pain wasn’t from sickness. It was a sweet ache, a feeling of love. He wondered if he had been waiting for this feeling all his life.

A face appeared in his mind. It was clear and beautiful. He couldn’t recall when he had seen this face before, but it felt familiar. It was unexpected and vulnerable, yet it filled his heart.

A Face to Remember

Didymos didn’t want to sleep. He feared losing the memory of that face. It was the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Pure and innocent, it deserved to be remembered forever.

Didymos fell asleep very late that night. Peter had to wake him up the next morning.

A Warm Farewell

Lazarus said goodbye with warmth. He insisted they stay for breakfast. He reminded them of the long journey ahead and the heat of the day. He gently scolded them for not bringing water.

Mariam, Lazarus’ sister, brought waterskins for their journey. Peter was touched by her kindness. Lazarus praised her thoughtfulness.

Lazarus walked with them to the gate. The sisters watched from the porch. Didymos hoped to return to their home someday.

Parting Ways

Didymos and Peter walked through the alleys to the main street. There, their paths diverged.

“We are going in different directions,” Peter said, regret in his voice.

“We know each other’s secrets,” Didymos reminded him gently.

“We will be faithful to each other,” Peter replied.

Didymos held Peter’s hand. “I have met many people in my travels. I have shared meals with them. But I have never revealed my identity to anyone. Peter, I have told you everything about myself. Though we have known each other only a night, I feel like I have known you all my life.”

“A herald of the future has brought us together,” Peter said.

“Exactly! I was never meant to be here. I was looking for John the Baptist. Judea is unfamiliar to me. I realized too late that John’s Bethany was a different place. I felt frustrated then. But now, I feel that losing my way was meant to be.”

They embraced warmly, neither wanting to let go. Didymos felt tears in his eyes. They said goodbye silently and parted ways. One walked towards Jordan, the other to Jerusalem.

Excerpted with permission from The Second Book of Prophets, Benyamin, translated from the Malayalam by Ministhy S, Simon and Schuster India.