Morning Chaos

A married couple lay asleep on their bed, having spent a long night in comfort, as the city had been drenched in heavy rain. Their sleep was made even more comfortable by the soothing sound of raindrops, and morning arrived unnoticed.

The husband, who had worked diligently into the late hours, slept deeply despite having an important meeting at his workplace today. The wife, who usually woke him up every morning, struggled to fight off her own drowsiness. She was lost in a pleasant dream until the morning sun's rays infiltrated their bedroom.

Opening her eyes slightly, she was startled. Her eyes widened as she witnessed the morning sunlight streaming into her bedroom. In disbelief, she quickly rose from her bed, opened the window, and was surprised to find that the sun was already high in the sky.

"Oh no! I overslept," she murmured to herself.

Dashing towards her still-sleeping husband, she attempted to wake him before the situation became critical.

"Darling, wake up," she whispered into Hendra's ear.

Hendra remained motionless, deeply immersed in his dreams, reluctant to awaken from his slumber. Dian, determined to rouse him, gently landed a loving slap on his face while speaking a bit louder to ensure her husband woke up.

"Darling, wake up! You're running late. I overslept this morning!" she shouted.

Hearing this, Hendra jolted awake as if struck by lightning. Disregarding his dream, he leaped out of bed like a lion preparing to pounce on its prey.

"What?! Why didn't you wake me up?" Hendra rushed to the bathroom to get ready.

Meanwhile, Dian fulfilled her role as a wife, preparing breakfast and all the necessary items for her husband's work. The morning chaos demanded swift action, and Dian barely noticed that their child had been awake for a while, amused by the antics of their parents.

"Breakfast is ready, dear. I've prepared it for you," Dian invited her husband.

"No time, I'm almost late! I'll eat at the office. The meeting is about to start soon," Hendra firmly refused.

Dian knew it was her fault. Her husband's face showed concern and a hint of irritation. Nonetheless, she tried to patiently assist him in getting ready. After tying his tie, Hendra hurried out of their apartment without a farewell or a warm morning kiss for his wife.

Hendra was in a rush. Skipping the elevator, he ran down the emergency stairs to reach the parking lot. With only 15 minutes left before his crucial meeting, today was pivotal for his career at the company. No mishaps could jeopardize his future.

"I hope I'm still in time. Come on, let's hurry. Only 15 minutes left," Hendra muttered, tapping his forehead in regret.

Fate was not on his side. Just as he left the parking lot, he got stuck in traffic. The city was truly congested, a daily companion for its residents. Vehicles were tightly packed, and congestion was a familiar companion for everyone in the city.

"Damn it. This traffic will last forever," he lamented, slapping his forehead in regret.

Although his office was not too far away, like many urban dwellers, he chose to use his private car, contributing to the primary cause of traffic in big cities.

Hendra decided to abandon his car, rushing through the crowd. He needed to reach his office on time; otherwise, his career might be at risk.

Gasping for breath, not being accustomed to regular exercise, he glanced at his watch occasionally. He struggled to run through the bustling crowd. Even on the sidewalk, people were walking and some running due to the traffic jam – an extraordinary sight compared to ordinary days.

"I still have time. Hopefully not too late," Hendra encouraged himself, although he knew his breath was running out, and his legs were growing tired.

Hendra's efforts were not in vain. He arrived just in time, sweating profusely but relieved. Morning exercise before the crucial part of the day began. Hendra wiped his sweat, breathing a sigh of relief. At least, he wasn't late to start his significant day.

Taking the elevator to the meeting room, he found several prominent investors and his superiors waiting. They all looked serious, anticipating the start of the presentation. Today, the concept to be presented was not solely Hendra's; his colleague was also given the chance to present. Surprisingly, there was unexpected competition between them.

"Andre? What is he up to?" Hendra wondered.

His superiors asked him to sit as the meeting was about to commence. Hendra didn't have the chance to receive an explanation from his superiors, but the sharp gaze he directed at his colleague conveyed his questioning thoughts. Andre, his colleague, only smiled, aware that Hendra would not accept this situation.

"Good morning, everyone. I appreciate the presence of the esteemed investors in this joyous moment," Mr. Bram greeted and commenced the meeting.

After the welcome, Mr. Bram invited Andre to present his concept first. The company was planning a new housing project on the outskirts of the city. The development would not only serve as a residence but also incorporate shopping and educational centers, aiming to decentralize urbanization and encourage people to stay on the outskirts without the need to migrate to major cities.

Hendra, who has been planning this housing concept for a long time, collaborated with Andre for several months. However, today, Hendra is surprised to see Andre taking over the project that has been Hendra's dream and significant idea. Hendra experiences torture and humiliation, while Dian at home feels guilty about the chaos that unfolded. Dian is anxious about her husband facing this crucial moment, hoping he can get through the tough day and achieve his dream as a worker.

"I hope everything is going well. I wish you can achieve everything you've been fighting for. Your hard work will yield positive results." Dian expresses her hopeful concern.

Dian looks out from the apartment window. The city streets are filled with vehicles, a common sight in large cities. The traffic jam adds to Dian's anxiety, worried that her husband might be running late for the office.