Life Changing, Part 2

Continued from part 1...

The driver went to his car to check the damages. He was with an umbrella. He seemed to have become interested in what I have to pay him.

I approached the tindera. She grabbed my head and whispered something like, "mali siya, isumbong mo siya, wag ka papayag." Everybody else was just watching the scene.

The man asked for 200 pesos. Then he called his wife and returned to his van to check for more damages. Her wife came down the van. She approached me. I took note of the man's name, cellphone number, and position in the army. She took my name and cellphone number as well.

Then, her wife left and got into the van. I didn't hand her any money. I thought they were leaving. The man came down again and demanded 50 pesos this time. (Ang cheap). I gave him 100 pesos instead dahil wala na akong barya. Then he finally left.

Whata relief.

The tindera gave me water to drink. And I expressed my intention of staying with them for a while kasi medyo nakaka-shock talaga.

Then they began to talk.

Apparently, the tindera was a wife of a policeman. Asawa ng pulis. She said there lives 2 policemen in the house beside her tindahan. Then everybody else was against the man, of how he wasn't suppose to use threat against me despite the incident.

The other 3 men from the barangay office came. They too, told me how wrong the man was. They said, he wasn't supposed to pull a gun, that he should be wearing a shirt since he is a soldier, that he shouldn't be drinking.

They ALL insisted that I should report it to the authorities. That they will be my witnesses. That I will surely win. That the man will surely pay for what he's done.

At this point, I was in a dilemma -- mercy or justice. Mercy or justice - the man had kids, if I report him, he'll be taken out of the job, his family will surely suffer. On the other hand, justice has to be served. As God doesn't leave things like these unpunished.

I chose mercy.

I went to the barangay office together with the 3 men. I reiterated the whole incident to them. They again, insisted me to report it to the police.

I denied their offer. Although my reason was because I felt pity for the man, I told them that, "ok na, 100 pesos lang naman".

I thanked the 3 men from the barangay. Then I crossed the street and went to the tindahan. Wala na yung mga nag-iinuman. The tindera was still there. I expressed my gratitude to her. I mentioned that I'm from Church of God, Marilag as well.

I then left the area.

-- The Dilemma --

Mercy or justice?

As my friend pointed out, justice should be applied -- so it will not happen to other people. Or, mercy -- he will go to jail, he will be kicked out of the force, he and his family will suffer. I have his name, cellphone, car plate number. What should I do?

In any case, I'm thankful God gave me a second chance. Moreover, whether I got shot or not, He is really good and sovereign. There's no doubt to that.