The Darkest Night

retrieved from link

“Booommmmmmmmmmmmmm” that was a bomb sound near our home. The sky was as dark as a yawning grave; we couldn’t hear the beautiful sounds of birds that produce a sweet rhythm early in the morning.

 It was on December, 10th 2015; I was with my tiny, smiley and brown mother and the three coolest sisters at our home in Musaga City located in Bujumbura, Burundi. It was after having taken dinner; we were in our house with great humor to laugh about. I remember we were making fun of our younger sister on how she did not know to cook beans. The neighborhood was as calm as a summer sea with fresh air.

Protests erupted in Burundi earlier in 2015 against President Pierre Nkurunziza’s third-term bid. People especially youth were involved in this demonstration by showing up signs that contest the third term. Musaga was leading other cities in that protest, and it was where the first manifestation started. During that period, all the schools were closed and some of the NGOs. No one was allowed to go to work because the protesters were closing the roads which led to the hunger and the water shortage. Throughout that time, many insurgents had been killed and others arrested.

From day to day we witnessed the worst cases where people were killed by the police during the day without being able to do anything. The neighborhood was split in two; one part was occupied by the police and the other by the protesters. The roads were also divided; the policemen occupied the main roads while the protesters dealt with the small roads within the city. The situation continued to worsen from day to day; sometimes we were passing almost two days without going out because of the confrontation of the demonstrators with the police. I remember, my sister had given birth in the clinic located in town, but we couldn’t reach her because all the roads were closed.

Sometimes, I was wondering if we would survive because the situation had become too much. At home, we made sure that at 5 pm, we were already in the house because there was an army patrol at 6 pm which required people to be in their house.

December 10th 2015 at 4 pm, a soft voice called me, “Coco” it was my mother. “Yes, Mamouch” I replied. “Call your sisters, I have something to tell you” she continued. She was pale; her angelic face had disappeared all of a sudden, all that remained was grief in her eyes. I called all my three sisters; we sat down on our red couch. I was sitting in the middle of them with the hands on my cheeks waiting to hear what my mother was going to tell us. I was expecting to hear a bad news because her face was gloomy. “Go buy what is necessary for today and tomorrow; I have a bad feeling that we are going to spend the worst night.”. “But what is it Mamouch? Can we pack all our things?” Asked my little sister. “Just do what I am telling you first, and ask me later” Answered her. I went to her room and took 5000 Burundians francs and went to the small market located in 500 meters from our home. I bought the necessary stock for two days as she has recommended us. Arrived at home at 5 pm, big sister cooked and at 7 pm, and we were taking dinner with a lot of jokes on the table. We had even forgotten what Mother had told us.

“Bonjour, Salut, Bye Bye” that was our favorite French emission we were watching after clearing the plates. All of sudden, that which was as loud as thunder covered space. It was a whole firing of fired arms in the neighborhood; it was around 11 in the night. We all lie on the ground, suddenly the electricity was cut, and the quarter became quiet. “Close the door, close the door,” Mamouch whispered. “I am scared” replied my older sister. My mother got up and closed the door immediately, we all went in her room using the light of my phone.

From this time, fired arms become spontaneous, and we did not sleep even for five minutes, we began praying so that God can protect us. The situation continued like that until 3 am. “Please don’t kill me, I am not among them” this was a scream of our neighborhood. Those were soldiers with stony heart entering people’s houses in search of boys. They were killing every boy found in houses.

 Around 4 am, we heard a weird loudness from our gate.  “What is it, Mom? They are going to kill us” murmured our last born. “Don’t worry, God is with us, just keep praying,” whispering Mamouch. It was the demolition of our gate, and in just one second, they were already in.  “Dododododododod, open the door, or we are going to bomb you.” That were soldiers knocking our door with a lot of strength. “Coming, Coming Chief” Mamouch replied. “Hurry up, you bastard” they continued. She opened it, and we were behind her. Once opening the door, we surprisingly saw many soldiers carrying out different categories of guns, the two of them who were in front of our door were pointing on us their guns. “Where are the boys, bring them, we know you have hidden those bastards.” Shouting on Mamouch. “There are no boys in this house,” answered Mamouch. “Shut up old witch. We are going to verify if we find even one we will kill all of you.”  Five among them were already entered the house. They looked everywhere, and they haven’t found anything. My little sister didn’t support what was going on, so she fainted, and I tried to hold her and bring her in my room. About 5:30 am they left, and we started arranging the chaos that they left in our house. That was the worst night we have ever had with my family.

Although I will never forget the courageous of my mother throughout this situation, without her love, protection, and support, we would die. From that time, I believed that every storm has an end. Whichever situation people face, if they believe in God and work together, they will always remain victorious.

" Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise"

                                                                       ©lovie😍