NBC

Just before I departed from Hai Sing , I shook hands with the members of the Tuba Section and wished them all the best. All of them told me I squeezed their hands too tightly. I thought maybe the firm handshake might show the faith I had in them. And with that, I left, as they rushed to change into their uniforms before boarding the buses, a sea of turquoise blue.

I wish now, I hadn't.

I should have stayed when, our conductor, Mrs Chua asked me if I was going with them to the competition venue. I should have stayed when one of the members told me she was nervous. I should have stayed when just outside the bandroom, screams echoed -an indication that the haunted dungeon for the carnival was in progress.

But I left.

I got the results from Sock Leng who messaged me after it was disclosed. Silver. I know I couldn't have changed anything.

The least I could do was be there for them.

And I wasn't.

Much worse.

I thought maybe it was a good thing that I wasn't.