I was on my way home from college one day, it was around 4 pm, and I was just about to enter our building.
A boy who looked like he could be in high school said something dirty to me.
I ignored him and started going up the stairs.
 I heard footsteps following me.
I looked down and saw that he was coming up behind me!
I took off one of my flip flops and stood there waiting for him.
He had intended to take me by surprise and assault me, but I ended up shocking him instead!
It was an amazing feeling.
I’m not always able to react like that, however.
I was crossing El-Tagneed Street one morning, it was ten minutes to 7:00, when suddenly, a man driving past in a car spanked my behind.
 
It was cold—it was February—but my body started sweating all over. I became a nervous wreck and my face turned shades of yellow and green.
I went to a friend’s place, but I couldn’t speak. When she saw me in that state, she asked me what had happened, and I told her.
I haven’t set foot in that street since!
I'm always scared of any cars or bikes that pass me in the street.
It’s a difficult feeling, not being able to walk anywhere because you’re afraid of everything. Because you believe that any man, young or old, could assault you.
*Performed in:
Shut Up - Assiut - 2015