My Primary 5 students have to write a composition of at least 150 words on the topic A Celebration. They also have to incorporate the notion of Congratulations. I thought I would write something for my students to model after.

—— “You forgot that the cake should be halal-certified?” my wife hissed, her voice sounding like a whip. I swallowed hard, feeling the lump in my throat. I tried to avoid her glare, wishing desperately that the ground would swallow me.

I was in hot water. Today was my son’s birthday, and I had enthusiastically bought his favourite chocolate cake from Chateraise. Only then did I belatedly realise that his Malay classmates would not be able to eat it because Chateraise did not have a halal certification. Now, my wife was livid, her lovely face distorted, as if she wanted to skin me alive.

“FIX THIS!” My wife could no longer contain her anger, which erupted and washed over me like hot lava. Ouch! However, there was no time to waste. I dashed to Northpoint City and checked out Swenson’s. Thank God! I could see a chocolate cake inside the fridge. Without hesitation, I bought it, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Carrying the halal-certified cake gently, I hurried over to my son’s kindergarten. My shirt was soaked to the core, but being punctual for my son’s celebration was a non-negotiable. My son’s eyes sparkled with joy the moment he saw me. My wife, on the other hand, stared daggers at me.

“Tyler’s daddy is here. Let’s all congratulate and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him,” his kindergarten teacher declared. My son was instantly surrounded by his classmates. All their faces lit up with joy, and their excited chatter charged the atmosphere. They congratulated him profusely and patted him on his head and shoulders. My son relished being the centre of attention, grinning so widely that his cheeks must have hurt. He was beside himself with euphoria - and it showed up in how he twirled around like an Energiser bunny.

“Happy birthday, Tyler,” everyone chorused in unison, their loud voices reverberating through the air. I heaved a sigh of relief. It seemed like my son would have a whale of a time after all. As for me, I found out the hard way that not ordering the right cake would make my wife furious!