Chapter 4 - The Anxious Wait

"Recruits, do you want to see your parents today?" My sergeant shouted. "Yes Sergeant!" We all shouted. "Do you want to see your loved ones?" "Yes Sir!" We echoed, with me shouting as one the loudest. Our morale and spirits were damn high that day, as the day we had been waiting for two weeks had finally arrived.

Today was Parents' Visiting Day, the day which ALL recruits had been waiting for ever since they came into this hellish place. Everyone can't wait to see thier loved ones. I was also one of them. Even though both my parents would not be coming, knowing that my Ah Ma would be coming is more than good enough.

At about 12 noon, all recruits in BMTC School 1 were gathered at the parade ground there. All recruits were told to sit there and wait for their parents to come. As I turn around the place, I saw many anxious faces. I was also very excited and nervous as well. When the first bunch of people came in, there were many cheers. Recruits jumped from their seats to join up with their parents below. Soon, there were many people and recruits were leaving one by one to join their loved ones.

I was getting panicked by the second, as I couldn't see any sign of my relatives. I looked around and realised that the place was almost empty already. Almost all recruits had left with their parents to have their meal already! Then came along another one of my loser buddies Kan Cheong. He came to me and asked where were my parents. I was tongue-tied and I couldn't answer him. He pointed me to his parents and siblings. I felt envious of him. For a moment, I thought that no one is coming to see me. I felt so sad. Seeing Kan Cheong walking away chatting with his parents, I felt so jealous. I felt like crying.

I turned around and saw two of my platoon mates. They came to me and said, "See who's gonna be the Royal Rumble winner!" No! I don't want to win it! I thought to myself. I wanted to leave with my loved ones. Just when I thought all hopes were gone, I saw my uncle coming in. Upon seeing him, I felt like having a heavy load off me. I felt so relieved. Soon followed all my visitors. A total of seven in all! I think I broke the record for most number of visitors brought. No wonder they were late. But I thought, "Late is always better than never."