Sixth Day Morning
I was in an evacuation site in a larger country which language I cannot speak of.
We were given hot drinks. We were already warned that it wasn’t safe. I sneaked at the back door. I saw a calm old man and had a few dialogues with him, while checking out if there is something suspicious outside.
I took a peek with what’s happening inside and went back to him. It was about mid to late afternoon. I saw from afar that there were men heading to our place. Calm as he is, the old man raised his right hand and gave a few hand signs. I thought it was for me, so I asked what it meant. He did not answer. I leaned at the left part of the place and when I turned to him again, he’s already gone.
The men were fast approaching. I tried to remain calm, at least on the outside. I went to the front door of the building and saw people panicking. I looked for a way to escape and found a road. I was about to take the road when I thought, my family and rescuers may not be able to contact me at all. While I was hesitating, I heard the voice of a friend shouting out my name. I came to him. He said there’s no more time to run.
The friend told me to lie on the floor, in between our two male friends so I’d be safer, then he’ll cover us with a huge thick black cloth.
Just right after covering us, yells of people started to horrify the place. I couldn’t understand what they were speaking but I knew they were crying for mercy. There was harassment. I prayed to at least die right away and not be tortured.
I woke up with heart palpitating. A tear fell from my left eye.
I write with a heavy heart.
Today is the sixth day since the siege in Marawi City broke.
