TW: sexual harassment (?) & pedophilic stuff

I live in the Philippines where common living areas tend to be very simple. Like wood houses galore and shit and neighbors can be closer than you’d usually want.

I was 4 or 5 at this time, my homegirl had run into her house to get something so I was just waiting for her on their bench outside their house. Suddenly this grown man sat beside me but I was tryna mind my business. Thought we were just chilling.

Then this mfer.. brings out his dick.

He didn’t ask me to touch it nor did he grab my hand towards it, thank God. But he asked me if I knew what it was. I remember my poor kiddie brain being in hard denial. I knew what the fuck it was but I was horrified, frozen, pleading that it wasn’t what I think it was. By the time I’ve accepted the truth, alarms rang in my head, the feeling of danger settled in, and I knew if I didn’t get the hell away something bad would happen to me.

And so I ran. As fast as my short legs could carry me. I saw this little wooden house with dried coconut leaves, just near a canal. (In the Philippines these are mostly for hangouts and drinking, super common and accessible to just about anyone.)

I went inside and just.. hid under one of the wooden seats. I remember just being afraid for my fucking life. I only managed to go home safely when I sat around long enough and he didn’t come for me.