The devil's race in Swat

Overwhelmed  by  emotions,  I  race  to  whatever  peace  that  can  free  me  from  this  hell. I race in this marathon that will never have an ending.          

It’s  called  the  Devil’s  race,  which  includes  heartbreaking  obstacles  no  one  gets  over.  It started  with  a  corrupted  government  with  his  advisors  taking  advantage  of  powerful  positions. It begins with the anthem of bombs erupting, bullets spraying and God’s people crying.             

Others  and  I  have  been  in  this  race  before.  I  remember  running  with  my  parents. Remembering  them  saying  to  run  and  never  look  back.  To  never  look  back  because  we’ll  be okay. Running  and  running,  I  was  obedient  because  my  life  depended  on  it.  Then,  I  was  lifted from  my  feet  with  thick  and  heavy  force.  Falling  on  my  face,  bullets  fell  from  the  sky  as  if  God was  trying  to  be  my  soldier.  In  a  split  of  a  second,  I  look  behind  me  and  only  saw  pieces  of parents.               

Others  and  I  have  tried  to  prepare  ourselves  for  this  race.  Most  left  the  country  when there  was  a  chance.  Some,  few  of  us,  stayed  for  three  reasons.               

Reason  one:  few  of  us  were  strong  contestants  who  were  not  willing  to  give  in.                

Reason  two:  few  of  us  were  forced  to  play  a  game  flooding  with  blood.          

Reason  three:  few  of  us  were  traitors  to  our  real  traditions  and  were  in  the  audience, anticipating the death of their own people.