Oftentimes, when we watch survival movies, we boast to ourselves and friends that we can do better in such situations. But when faced with reality, we realize surviving is not easy. Making it for a day or two is not a bed of roses, not to talk of weeks or months.
I was watching a movie one day - it was a robbery attack where robbers broke into a house. The people inside were fidgeting like they were being electrocuted, and they couldn’t do anything to save themselves. Even the one with a phone couldn’t call the police. I remember being so angry with the owners of the house and concluded that it was just acting because me? Never!
But as the saying goes: never say never.
I always saw myself as strong-minded and able to survive whatever comes my way. But there’s always something that comes to test how well we really know ourselves.
One night after a church program, I came home, prepared dinner, and served my mom and elder brother (the others had traveled for Christmas). We chatted until late in the night, then everyone went to bed.
I was sleeping soundly when I heard my mom’s voice: “Who is there? Who is there?”
I came out to see her and my brother outside, holding machetes. I was confused and asked what was happening, but the look on her face said, “Get inside.”
So I went back in and waited for them to return. They didn’t. After a while, I heard another voice - unfamiliar, definitely a man’s. I peeped through the net and saw two huge men rummaging through our metals outside. Since our compound is fenced, that meant they had jumped over.
I thought of locking the door, but it would make noise. Scared, I ran into my mom’s room and hid in her closet. My heart pounded so fast I thought it would burst. My hands and feet were cold as I prayed for my mom and brother’s safety.
The men later came inside, searching for what to steal. If there was anything greater than fear, that was what I felt. I stayed quiet, praying they wouldn’t open the closet. If they did, I was sure I’d collapse.
So many thoughts ran through my mind. I wished I had followed my mom and brother. I wished I could disappear.
Thankfully, they didn’t find me. But they left with my brother’s watch, my mom’s money, and some metals outside. When my mom and brother returned, I tried to explain but my voice shook badly. They told me how they chased one thief, not knowing two others were still in the compound.
That day I realized I might not be able to last long in any survival situation. My so-called “strong mind” abandoned me. I couldn’t even think straight.
So what do you think? Am I still strong-minded, or not? Honestly, I don’t think I am anymore.
I hope you enjoyed my story. Thank you for reading through and for your sincere contributions 😘
N/B: The photos I used are mine.