Metals of Compassion

By Akan Ante

'Metals of Compassion' is a collection of short stories with love for humanity as its theme.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publiseer Publishing
• Release date: Nov 6, 2017

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PERSON

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This effort would never have come to be without the gift and prodding of the Holy Spirit my Inspiration and prime Motivator for creativity

My wife and children thank you for putting up with me especially in the days that seemed dark and devoid of hope. God gave you all to me I love you.

My parents and siblings wonderful people you are. I found myself in this family and I love you all.

To all my in-laws I could never wish for anyone better. You are all wonderful.

My Pastor, Pastor Emmanuel Eze and Pastor Foluke Eze thank you so much for teaching me the Word of God, I love you.

My profound thanks also goes to Pastor Chris Otabor for his logistical support.

The President of The Haven Nation, Zonal Director Haven Zone C, all Zonal Secretaries and Governors in Zone C, The Haven Kubwa, Elite Haven Kubwa, you have all been a very wonderful spiritual family; God is a Master Strategist and he put you all in my aion for such a time as this.

My brothers and sisters in Christ Embassy Kubwa Church especially, Bro Sunny Emmanuel and family, Bro Itoro Phillip and family, Bro Ugochukwu Okeke and family, Bro Charles Edewi and Family, Bro Uyime Phillip and family, Bro Edwin Orifa and family, Bro Kolawole Emmanuel and family, Bro John Iboro and family, Bro Lawrence Monsodi and family, Bro Michael Lovely and family, Bro Innocent Oyemike and family, Bro Joe Ewa and family, I love you all thanks for your prayers and show of love.

METALS OF COMPASSION

In April 1994, the Hutus began a campaign of genocide against their fellow neighbors the Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Within 100 days, 800,000 men, women and children were killed. The killing was stopped by rebel RPF forces aided by fellow Tutsis from nearby Burundi, Uganda and Congo. As the rampaging RPF forces enter Kigali, panic stricken Hutus-the army and ethnic militia or Interhamwe- fearing revenge for all their misdeeds make to escape across the border into Kenya and other neighboring countries. It was an all man for himself situation. Along the way some are hit by stray bullets and left for dead. Here is one such encounter.

Habimana, Habimana oh please, Habimana get up please, the soldiers are already upon us Nsengimana cried. There was so much confusion as every one in sight was running for his or her dear life and at the same time dodging from bullets and grenade explosions. Occasionally, someone got hit by a bullet or shrapnel and fell down dead. All around her there were dead bodies, there were so many dead bodies around and many were wounded to various degrees.

In the midst of so much confusion it was out of the question to ask anyone for help.

The grim reality of aloneness now began to creep into her mind as she saw her brother Habimana lie motionless. Habimana was her only brother and the only surviving member of her family. Both her parents and three sisters were killed previously during the shelling that took place all through the night. Now her brother, the only surviving member of her family was at the verge of death too.

She placed her right hand over the wound on his forehead. It oozed out thick red blood and as far as her untrained eyes could see, death was about to snatch him away too.

How cruel could life be? She repeated continually as she cried at her helplessness at saving her brother.

In that brief instant she made up her mind to leave him alone to his fate and continue her quest to live through the war even if it meant not to have any family. But as she started to get up with tears streaming down her eyes more at her failure to save her brother than at the loss of her whole family, her eyes caught sight of a figure her consciousness did not want to admit was there. Half- crouched, half- standing, her world stood still for a moment. She couldn’t believe her eyes and at the same time she wished her and no one else could hear the violent thumping of her heart. She blinked at the same time wiping the tears from her eyes as if she could wish the figure away.

But it was still there, a soldier’s boot, and as her gaze traveled upwards and above the boots, the rough brownish green of a soldier’s uniform took the shape she least wanted to accept.

Her heart thumping, Nsengimana let her gaze travel slowly upwards. There was no doubt about it an RPF soldier stood above her with a sub-machine gun pointed at her.

Fear took a total grip on her causing her not to gather her thoughts clearly. She just looked dazedly at the Tutsi. What could she do to save Habimana and herself now that their real enemy stood above them?

The soldier lowered his rifle. Nsengimana crouched closer to the ground watching him suspiciously. Would he kill her or even rape her? Or would he just rough up her body and allow her to live? She quickly pushed the thoughts away knowing that no Hutu would receive mercy from a Tutsi after all that had taken place in the past three months. Tears of helpless rage cascaded down her eyes.

Then she gathered her wits together thinking but an Inienzi* must never think a young Hutu was afraid even if she is a woman.  With shaky hands and at the same time her eyes were roving around she found a stick and picked it up to attack the soldier.

She stood up timidly waiting for the Tutsi’s reaction as she waited poised for an attack. But he showed no fear. He shook his head slowly from side to side; not angrily, not frowning as you would have expected, not in the least bit agitated but only as though he felt pity for her as if he knew quite well she couldn’t hurt him.

Disappointed but also relived Nsengimana let her emotions show.

The soldier spoke, his words sounded friendly, almost gentle. He spoke in Kinyarwanda their common language.

I see your brother is wounded?

It is none of your business... Inienzi! She replied spitefully.

The soldier threw down his rifle, laid his hand on Habimana’s head and knelt down by Nsengimana. He took his right hand and placed his thumb at the base of his palm to feel his pulse.

She looked at the rifle lying so close to her hands. Should she pick it up? If she was quick enough, she could shoot the soldier. That was what she always wanted to do-to kill Tutsis they were not fit to live as she was told by her people.

Weren’t Tutsis Inienzis that littered the environment she asked rhetorically?

But the way that the soldier was looking at Habimana, from the way he put his arm around him and tried to make him sit up Nsengimana realized that he, at least exhibited compassion alien to Inienzis. This was no Inienzi. It was very bewildering.

The soldier raised his hands above his head and clicked his fingers. With a start Nsengimana looked around. Only then did she notice more Tutsi RPF soldiers; their heads were sticking out from a ditch.

Were they a small patrol reconnoitering? Or were thousands of them still hidden in the bushes ready to pounce on Kigali?

Three soldiers crawled out of the ditch and came up. One was carrying a grenade launcher while the other two carried AK47 rifles.

The soldier who was kneeling tried carefully to revive Habimana. He stirred. Thank you, Nsengimana! He murmured. Then his eyes opened. He had no idea where he was. His great brown eyes were dazed. Slowly he turned his head and looked at the Tutsis. Nsengimana saw him shrink back, and his eyes grew even bigger with fear.

Nsengimana! Habimana tried to get up, but he was too weak.

They’re Tutsis Nsengimana replied helplessly also feeling waves of shame wash her being as she remembered she almost left him for dead.

Take them to the Red Cross camp but give them something to eat first the little boy’s head has been scraped by shrapnel he needs urgent attention

"Yes sir! The soldiers chorused.

Nsengimana was aghast. The very tribe of people she joyfully wanted to see exterminated were the ones giving her and her brother a new lease of life. She began to weep ashamed at the ignominious role she had played during the war expressed so vividly by the derogatory words she blurted at the soldier who found her.

She knew she could not take back her words. How she wished time could retrace its steps and give her a second chance at self-expression.

The soldier turned to leave but she pulled at his shirt and he turned to face her

Why?

Why; what?

Why did you not finish us? Why did you not kill us? You could have done it with a single bullet

The soldier looked at her thoughtfully stroking his chin as he did so.

Simple, you are not my enemy

She looked at him questioningly.

I did not do it because you have a reason to live. You have a right to life to dream and to hope and to express love.

I did not express love when I called you and your people Inienzis, you had a reason to be offended then if not before.

You were wrongly informed that is why you called me that name.

I have been told that from my youth

Yes I know you, have been misinformed from your youth by our mutual enemy. You have been misinformed by those who seek to keep us divided so we cannot see the mutual benefit we can enjoy from each other

She began to weep again. She had no defense against his words. She remembered the killings, the rapes- even of pregnant women. She remembered defenseless children being used for target practice by the Interhamwe. Sadly she was a part of all these atrocities yet she and her brother had been given a new life by this same people she called Inienzis.

Please forgive me, She cried. She went on her knees in a pleading gesture holding on to his trouser.

The soldier stooped and lifted her to her feet What is your name?

Nsengimana

Nsengimana He repeated. Meaning ‘I pray God.’ He said thoughtfully.

She nodded.

Nsengimana... He said patting her on the shoulders ...do as your name suggests.

How?

Pray God that our people shall see one another the way God truly sees us. As one; there is no difference between us. We even speak the same language. So why should we kill ourselves? If we all know this, there will be no need for war.

She remained silent.

The soldier continued "Go ahead and spread