This is a true story that I had kept it in me for the past few years. It had been a horrifying experience for me as not only to my status as a student is affected; my stupid act had also brought shame to my whole family. Relatives, neighbours kept giving us the sarcastic looks whenever we met at shopping centres.
There was once when my sister and I went to buy groceries at the supermarket near Woodlands, Singapore, we met a close neighbor to my family. Instead of the usual greetings and warmth smile crafted on their lips, that meeting proved to be an embarrassment to me. My sister, who is the innocent party, too was shamed because of my wrongdoings. Whispering to their two young sons was a remark that would surely break the heart of anyone who listened to it. “Make sure you don’t mix or even play with them again. I do not want our family to become thieves. ”
Holding my sister’s hand, we solemnly walked away from them. Tears were about to flow but I held it back. I wanted to prove to not only them but also the whole world that I had changed and will make my parents proud again…You may be wondering what I committed to receive this harsh repercussion. Well, this is my story…
During the school holidays in June, I went to Causeway Point in Woodlands to buy something that my aunt requested me to purchase. As it was the first time at the supermarket, I went browsing around the supermarket before buying the items for my aunt. While I was at the toy’s section, something caught my attention. Sitting prominently on the shelves was a game console. Peering at its price’s tag, I was utterly disappointed. The price was beyond my budget. Coincidentally, I saw another game console sitting beside the one I liked, with a much cheaper price. Due to the desire to own the game console that I liked, I did the ultimate mistake in my life! With my heart pounding vigorously, I looked around to see if there was anyone nearby or looking at me. Once I saw that the surroundings were clear, swiftly as lightning, I swapped the price tags.
Mix feelings of fear, guilt and triumph overwhelmed within me. Forgetting my original purpose, I proceeded to the cashier to pay for the game console. With my heart like thousand of beats pounding the smooth skin of the drum, I handed over the console for the lady to scan the item. As the barcode reader accepted the transactions, I paid for the console and hurriedly dashed out of the shopping centre, I was grinning and imagining the great fun that I will have, all the way to the bus interchange. I just cannot wait to reach home!
As I was waiting for the bus to arrive, I sat at the bench and pondered on the smoothness of my illegal act. Suddenly, my thoughts were rudely interrupted by a tap on the shoulder. It was the hand of a big burly Indian man. With a grouse voice, he commanded me to follow him into the shopping centre. Too shocked to reciprocate, I followed his instructions. He then took out the game console and asked how much I paid for it. I smugly told him the price and showed him the receipt. He gave me a sarcastic smile and went out to have it checked. He came back shortly and told me the original price.
At first I denied by saying that I had paid according to the price stated on the tag but when I saw him calling the Police, I realized that my defence had fallen on deaf ears. The next 15minutes were proven the longest in my life. I kept thinking about the things that were bound to happen to me.
Soon after the Police arrived and certain enquires from them were answered, I was handcuffed and lead out the supermarket. Thousands of eyes fixed onto me, as I was lead to the Police car. Whispers of remarks could be heard along the way, and tears soon swelled in my eyes and remorse filled me.
Not long after my belongings were surrendered for safekeeping, I was thrown inside the lockup. My eyes kept peering at the four walls and cold floor. I sat at the corner and cried my hearts out. After the procedural steps were taken, I was allowed to call for my aunt to bail me out.
My distraught aunt came to bail me and after some stern warning from the investigating officer, I was allowed to go home. I was to report back to him in two weeks, as only by that time, I would be informed of the result prior to the investigation. While awaiting the result from the investigation, my life was indeed a restless one. I kept thinking and worrying about my fate and going into the Boys Home. Throughout the days, I often cried and had numerous sleepless nights. My family was also affected by my wrongdoings. My parents kept quarrelling because of me and our family was the talk of everybody in the block.
After all those days of anxiousness, it was the day where I need to report back to my investigation officer. Once in his office, I was told that I would be placed on probation and a curfew was to be imposed on me. I was indeed lucky as the management from where I had stolen from decided not to pursue the case. I thanked my investigating officer numerous times and swore that I will never do the act anymore. I really regretted doing such a stupid thing and brought shame to my family. I will never commit any offence again!
