If Only I Listen

If only I listen that my mom said to me, this kinds of things will not happen! It was Friday morning. I got up bright and breeze prepared to enjoy a stress-free long weekend in Langkawi with my cousin. During breakfast, my brother in Kuala Lumpur called. I had couriered him three stamp albums as requested. He must have called up to thank and offer me some pocket money for my Langkawi trip. The minute I said, "Hello, you do not have to thank...." he blasted away. " are you trying to sabotage me? you know how important the albums are to me. I specifically asked for the albums marked'I' for International instead you sent the 'In' the album of Indian stamps. I can not complete my project today and it is your fault. Do it now and this time get it right!" He put down the phone leaving me gaping at the phone. Devastated, I decided to do something helpful for mom. At least she would be more grateful. I collected all my soiled clothes and dumped them into the washing machine. Mom saw and shouted, "You cannot wash your clothes without check the pocket first. What if there is a important thing in the pocket. I do not want to responsible on that." I was in a bad mood, and my mother started to be bossy. That was not right! I just left her and continued my work. Then, I looked for my passport to assure myself that I had received the US visa. I was due to go on a three month exchange programme next month. Where is my passport? I looked high and low and all the likely places. But I could not find it. I sat down to retrace and recollect I had it in my pocket two days back. My Levis jeans were hanging....... " Oh no, they are in machine!" I just put them there to be washed. Waiting for the wash to be completed was an agony. I pulled out my jeans and the passport looked complete wreck! Thunderstruck, I sat very still to keep from going hysterical. I consoled myself that there was still time for me to apply new passport and visa. Wondering why such things could happen to me, I remembered what was my mother just said. Every word that come from our mother will be fulfilled. Regret! that was my feeling. I went to her room and said "I am really sorry". She just nodded and hugged me.