27th March 1993, it was a Saturday morning that I went back to Jurong Junior College to appeal for a chance to be taken in, a second time. The apprehension was overwhelming when I was asked to wait outside the vice-principal office that morning. Thoughts of how to convince my VP occupied my mind completely. And as the seconds jumped on my Citizen D120, my heart pounds harder. Because, even if I succeeded in getting the official documents from the school, I needed to rush to CMPB by noon before it closed. I only had 1 shot, 1 opportunity, to seize something that would be life changing.
The door opened, and I was asked to meet my vice-principal. I can still remember her stern look vividly, scrutinizing my pass academic records as she speak, "So you want me to take you back?" "Yes madam!" I replied spontaneously and continued, "I know I didn't fair well before, because I did not put in my fair share of..." Before I could finished my sentence, she interrupted, "But look at how badly you've done, how do you want me to believe that you'll not repeat history again? And you know what? If I do take you back, chances are you'll bring the ranking of my school down!!" My ego was pushed to rock bottom with those words from her, but I know ego is what I have to throw out of the window that day. After all, I don't deserve to be respected for what I've done, or rather, what I've not done for the school. More pleas from me followed, but were all responded with firm, no(s). At one point, I was prepared to go down on my knees to beg for a chance, and as I bend my knees at the verge of tears, she said, "I can see your sincerity today, but can you promise that you'll not let me down tomorrow if I say yes?" I replied with total conviction, "Definitely definitely! I will not let you and the school down ever again! Thank you madam thank you madam!"
It wasn't a relieve nor excitement when I held those documents dearly in my hand, because my passport to a second chance in life had to get to CMPB before noon to have my application completed. Failure of which will render all my previous efforts, useless. My watch says 11am, exactly an hour before the timeline. I spared no effort to get myself to CMPB as soon as I can, running whenever I wasn't on motorized transportation and, I made it.
Life wasn't smooth sailing from then on, I have to learn the new and re-learn the wrongs, but I was determined. And through it all, my BMT buddy's trust and encouragement has always been my tower of strength when the going gets tough. I earned a place at the National University on my 2nd take at the 'A' levels, and was posted to the Officer Cadet School after my 2nd enlistment to BMT.
People came people went, things stayed things changed. What accompanied me through the multiple school examinations, tormenting military trainings and tests was my Citizen Pro-master Windsurf D120 watch; never missing a beep of reminder nor a tick of time.
Rare photo taken during OCS training
(I am 2nd from left, with the shiny bezel on my wrist)
(I am 2nd from left, with the shiny bezel on my wrist)
Overseas training in ROC
Commissioning Parade
Perhaps, just like any relationships, there is never right or wrong; some marriages last a life time from loving at first sight, while others divorce soon after marriage even when they've spent a lifetime knowing each other. Started of as a crush, I am grateful and indebted to my D120 for its faithfulness through some of the toughest days in my life, which I still keep (the watch and those memories) as remembrance till today...
Retired, but always remembered
What a nice memory of your watch.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed. And I often wonder if it'll work again if I put fresh batteries in it :)
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