HOW WE WERE YOUNG AND STUPID

It is 8pm. Edison is still working in his office, struggling with his documents.

“I need to finish these. With my continuous improvement in my work, I’ll be promoted in no time. My wife will be proud.”

These words keep ringing in Edison’s mind.

Today is their fifth anniversary. Vanessa is sitting in the living room, waiting patiently for Edison to pick her up to their usual restaurant for dinner. She is wearing the new dress that she bought a month ago just for this special day. Vanessa treasures the special occasions that she celebrates with Edison. She believes that the mighty God above has given her the best guy that anyone could ever find. Edison possesses many assets and they make him an almost perfect husband.

It is almost 9pm. The restaurant is closing soon. And yet, Edison is still working in his office, totally ignorant of the promise he made to his wife. In fact, he isn’t concerned of the time at all. Just then, his phone rings.

“Hey, I’m still waiting for you at home. Do you want to me go to the restaurant by myself?”

Edison remains silent for a while, thinking to himself, “What restaurant? Doesn’t she know that I’m working right now?”

Bewildered by the silence from her husband, Vanessa says, “Don’t you remember that you made a reservation over at our usual place? For our anniversary?”

Edison then looks at his watch frantically.

“I’m sorry, dear. I’ve totally forgotten about that. I’m still working now.” Edison answers apologetically.

Disappointed by the answer, Vanessa hangs up the phone.

“Edison isn’t being himself today. It’s our anniversary and he’s totally ignorant about it. Did something happen?” Vanessa starts to get suspicious, thinking of all the possible reasons behind his attitude.

The clock strikes twelve and Vanessa is still letting her imagination run wild. As for Edison, he has already reached home and is bathing.

“All right. I should do something about it. I’m going to make another reservation at the restaurant for tomorrow.”

Vanessa is already sleeping. Or is she? She just didn’t feel like talking to Edison after the phone call. Seeing Vanessa sleeping comfortably, Edison proceeds to bed without telling her about his plan.

The next morning, Vanessa wakes up without Edison beside her. He has gone to work. However, he leaves a note lying next to her.

“Dinner at our usual place tonight at 8pm. Will pick you up from home. I promise and I love you.”

Feeling relieved after reading the note, Vanessa skips off from the bed, ready to prepare for the night’s celebration.

“You did a great job, Edison. If this persists, you will be promoted in no time.”

Upon hearing these, Edison’s heart did a little somersault.

“Thanks, Boss” Edison replies.

“How about dinner with me and the other managers tonight?” Edison’s boss says.

Thinking that this is another opportunity created by his boss for his promotion, he agrees to the request immediately.

It is 7.52pm. As usual, Vanessa sits in her couch, waiting for Edison. At the thought of both of them having dinner at their usual place, Vanessa smiles to herself.

“I have another project for you, Edison. If you finish this successfully, you will be promoted.” Edison’s boss says.

Not letting any opportunity to slip off his hands, Edison agrees immediately.

“With my promotion, I can buy a car. In time to come, a big house is within reach.” Edison purses his mouth in a self-satisfied smirk at the thought of that.

It is 8.14pm. Vanessa has yet to receive any call from Edison.

“CHEERS!” Edison has taken in too much alcohol that he can normally take. He is drunk. Without doubts, he has definitely forgotten about the reservation that he made for the second time.

It is 8.56pm. Giving up hope, Vanessa unzips her dress and removes her make-up.

It is 2am. Edison returns home in a drunken stupor. This time, Vanessa feels that it is necessary for the both of them to talk it out. It has been a long time since the day that they really communicated with each other.

“You’ve broken your promise towards me for the second time. After this, will there be a third time, a fourth time, fifth time… You’ve changed, my dear.” Vanessa says.

“Yeah, yeah yeah! I’ve changed. What are you doing to do about it? A divorce? Do you know that I’m doing these for my promotion?!” Edison shouts at Vanessa.

“So you really think that promotion is all I wanted? I need a great life? Do you know that I’m already satisfied with all that I have right now? I don’t need you to be promoted.”

“You don’t need it. You don’t need it. But that’s what I need. The credits. The big bucks that I will earn after this promotion.” Edison replies, shouting again.

“That’s it. All you want now is a promotion. I guess we need to separate for a while. You ought to think it through.” Vanessa says disappointedly.

Edison has been working on the project that his boss has offered him. All these while, he has been thinking whether his decision to divorce has been wise. He feels that something is lacking ever since.

Upon completion of the project, Edison feels excited just thinking about the benefits that will arise after his promotion. However, little did he know that his boss is not even thinking of giving him a promotion.

“You promised me a promotion. But what you’re doing now is directly opposite from what you’ve said.” Edison says angrily.

“Oh oh oh. Hang on a second. Which ear of yours hears that I’ve promised you a promotion? That’s just your wishful thinking.” Edison’s boss says without looking at him.

After a heated argument with the boss, Edison decides that he should not continue working with him anymore.

It has been months since the day that Edison lost his job. It is pretty hard for him to look for another promising job at this age. This certain day, he happens to be strolling aimlessly along the streets and he sees Vanessa with another man getting into a posh car. Isn’t this what Vanessa didn’t like?

It is only this time that Edison realises that he has lost everything. A promotion is worthless. All that he ever wishes for now is Vanessa back.