Mama was never terrified, in fact she was the strongest woman I've known all my life.

But on that fateful day, fear was evident on her face when papa ran into the house and told us to hide immediately.

You see, the tension was already rising everywhere 

I was young but I could feel it 

Mama always sighed, lifted her hands up to the heavens, muttered some prayer and continued her work.

But today was different, my parents were under the bed and I was in a wardrobe, my parents eyes were darting back and forth.

Until I heard the first gun shot, then screams 

I was terrified but I knew better, the Hutu were attacking the Tutsi.

They barged into our house, Mr Ngabo our neighbour was holding a machete, his eyes red from emotions I can't quite pin point, heaving like he just ran a marathon.

He sighted Mama leg and dragged her out, she let out a loud scream and papa scrambled out

In an attempt to save her, he was struck 

Once, twice, thrice and his body landed with a thud

He faced Mama and before she could plead, he struck her neck.

Fear, anger, confusion, terror, all this emotion descended on my fragile body at once that I began to tremble.

Mr Ngabo was our lovely neighbour, we exchanged food until the Belgium people came and told him his skin and nose made him inferior.

He left the room when he was satisfied with what he has done

I stayed in the wardrobe for what felt like an eternity.

I finally went out and all I saw was horror, Ntwali arm was severed and on his wrist was the bracelet we exchanged when we promised to be friends forever.

A genocide just started and today was just the beginning.

PS: This write up was inspired by the Rwanda Genocide that happened in 1994