The air reeked of gasoline and sweat, aggravating my frazzled nerves as I willed AC7 to arrive. The fans were blowing at me, their steady whirring seemingly mocking the perspiration flowing down my spine. Cold spine.

5.07pm. The seconds ticking by, I needed to pick up the kids by 7pm.

Thank God! I saw one AC7 bus arriving at the berth. Tired passengers boarded. The bus pulled away. Things were moving at last!

Until it got stuck in the middle of the causeway. Oh my goodness. One day’s worth of freedom is NOT worth the stress incurred in trying to get back to my kids. I could do nothing. Logically speaking, I ought to reach Yishun by 6.30pm.

The stretch of highway that linked Singapore and Malaysia? It’s not that long actually, but I only descended upon Singapore soil at 5.50pm. Yes, I can answer with such precision because I kept switching off the Airplane Mode, hoping for my telecoms network to be restored. I was dying of boredom and had my longevity reduced by the mounting pressure. Was I going to reach Yishun Bus Interchange by 6.30pm???????

Okay, my network was restored by 6pm. From Woodlands to Yishun. I should be able to make it, barring any unexpected incidents. I started to relax a bit and gulp the thunder tea iced milk tea I had bought at 客人来 at Mid Valley. This parentified Cinderalla should be able to make it in time.