6:35p.m. Saturday 24th November 2007. I was in a total daze from my afternoon nap when yoga text me "Do you know that the dragon boat capsized in Cambodia or Vietnam". I was fast awake, and immediately called back to reassure that I wasn't dreaming. That's because I told Yoga that I last saw him at the terminal before he left. I did not pinch myself for double assurance. I knew that I was really awake.


Shit! How backdated I was to learn such a mishap have happened and worse, my section junior in NS was inside the team. Since NS days, this kid, Justin, has always been so passionate about dragon boat. Representing Singapore for various competitions and events, I could always see his face beaming with pride and passion when the word "dragonboat" was mentioned. The only thing I could ask for when I was his sergeant, to channel an equal amount of passion and hardwork into technical maintenance.


And the thing that freak me out was, I last saw him on Thursday at Airport staff canteen, just hours before he left Singapore to Cambodia for the competition. I wished him luck on that very day.


Prayers heard, for just a simple reply when I text him, "Hey kid, please reply to let me know if you're ok". 45 minutes later, I recevied a reply "I'm fine man". He really scare the hell outta me. Imagine you last saw the person, learnt that something happened and wish the 5 missing wasn't him.