A Promise

A Promise

        I looked at my watch. It’s already 10 o’clock! I honked the car in front of me but it was to no avail. The traffic was moving at snail’s pace. Taking out the piece of paper from my pocket, I sighed. The paper rode ‘Don’t be late’!

        “Daddy, can you come to my ballet concert this Sunday?” My daughter, Jane asked. Looking at her pleading big brown eyes, I had no choice but to agree with her. She smiled and gave me a piece of paper. Then, she hopped off.

        This few days, something cropped up at work. My boss had asked me to work overtime as the company needs more manpower to finish a project. Also, I was going to New Zealand for a business trip and will only come back on Saturday. If only I could say no.

        A few days after, I touch down from my plane. Finally, I was home at last. It was already 11pm, and I headed straight to bed. I set my alarm clock on 9am, three hours before the concert.

        “Ring…ring…” The alarm clock shrilled. Bleary-eyed, I pressed the snooze button. Then, realization hit me like a sledgehammer. I looked at the time. 11.30 pm.! I was late! Immediately, I drove straight to the concert.

        On the car, I thought, “If only I had not have jet-lag. NZ time is four hours ahead of Singapore!” I looked at the traffic in front of me.