How I wish...

JUNE 1, 2011 - This is one of the most unforgettable days of my life. I was harassed by a guy in a supermarket in Batha. I will not tell what nationality he is to avoid any impression and criticisms in general.

My family and I were buying grocery in a supermarket. My father and little sister stayed outside to sit because my lil sister was not feeling well. My mom and I decided to buy some stuff at Al Swalim Supermarket. My mom went to the vegetable section and I headed to the chocolates part. I was complacently standing and choosing what chocolates to buy, when I suddenly felt a hand on my buttocks. It lasted more than a second. I was like hypnotized that couldn't move and didn't know what to do. When consciousness came back in me, I strongly tapped the man's back and shouted "You freak!". He stared at me and made a what's-the-matter gesture. I threw the basket I was holding on him. A very big man who works in the supermarket came near us. He then punched the offender. Everything happened so fast. Some men even helped in attacking him. I just found myself crying.

I ran to my mom and told her what had happened. She rushed to the place where the incident was occurring. They were still bashing the man. Filipinos, Indian, and Bangladesh helped out. Due to my mom's anger, she also slapped and clawed him with her hands. I was still crying. I was so afraid and felt sorry for the man at the same time. I was already pacifying them and telling them to stop. But Filipino men told me not to for they know there have been many cases like this that happened in the vicinity. A big trouble it was!

When everyone stopped from hitting him, he was trying to explain and was staring at me. I didn't understand what he was saying because he used Arabic words. I was still crying, but this time those tears were for him. I don't know. All of a sudden, my heart melted. I know I was being disgraced but I pity him for being physically attacked by many people. We stared at each other's eyes and I saw how painful it was for him as his forehead bled. =( My mom and I went outside the supermarket to inform my father regarding the scene.

Workers from the supermarket called a Mutawa (police) to settle everything. We made a complaint. A mutawa told us the culprit lost his things during the fight, hence they cannot identify who he is. I felt sorry for him even more. :-(

I am in Saudi Arabia, a very conservative place and a Muslim country. Women here wear "abaya" (dress that covers the whole body) and "hijab" (head covering). Men are expected to stay away from women whom they are not related to. Men are expected to respect women.

I, as a woman, know and feel what an "accident touch" is and what a "touch in purpose" is. I can identify which is which. What the man did to me was a lascivious action. In fact, there are already many reported cases like this. And I would like to tell you that this was the 3rd that I was being harassed. The 1st and 2nd times were all crap for I just cried and let those pervert run away. So this time, it was an achievement for me because I was able to defend myself somehow and dint let another pervert run away. I dunno why it is happening to me. I am only a common woman who wears abaya and hijab like every woman here does. I don't even wear make-up, lip balm only.

I really hate what had happened today. I personally was hurt by his action. However, I still feel sorry for him. :-( I hope he didn't do that in the first place, so that nobody would get hurt. :-( Nevertheless, there is happiness in my heart. I witnessed people's care for women. I was able to prove to myself that Filipinos would do anything for their fellows. There was a man who came near us to ask how everything was. He said he was one of the people who hit the culprit. He showed us a cut on his hands.

Today, I also realized that I am not strong enough to face some ordeal in life. After few days, I will be back in the Philippines, a country where there is abundance of crimes here and there; rape, kidnapping, and the like. I am scared that this might happen to me again in the place where my family is not with me. And what am I going to do? I will just cry again and be a cry-baby forever?! :-( I am scared, very scared! :-(

It is around 2 a.m. now. Tears fall as I do this blog. I don't understand myself. I'm the victim here but these tears are for him. I cannot forget the man's eyes. I cannot forget how people hit him. I cannot forget how he tried to explain his side while being punched by people. I cannot forget how he shouted while he was staring at me. :-( Whenever I recall everything, I cannot control myself from crying. How I wish he didn't do that. How I wish... :-(