Horror at the Mall

A lazy Sunday morning it was, when my mum decided to literally beg me to accompany her to the mall to do the weekly groceries shopping.

"It is not that I don't enjoy shopping with you mum. Its just that, when we go shopping, you have this shopping list prepared. So technically, it should only take us about 30 minutes to finish it. But you NEVER...I mean N.E.V.E.R get it done quick nor do you follow the shopping list!", I begged.

"Oh..Come on you. It is not that bad.This time I promise it would be a quick trip. I have to prepare lunch before your grandparents get here. Come on.Scoot!", she said cheerfully.

Dragging my feet which felt like it was held down by 100tonne of weight, I got in the car.

At the mall, of course, being the sweet daughter I am, I graciously offered to push the cart.

5 minutes into the shopping arena, to my astonishment, my mum strictly followed the shopping list. No pit-stops or whatsoever. I was very much impressed.

Vegetables, meat, bread, cold beverages. Isle after isle, she just zoomed. 25 minutes later, we were at the checkout counter.

I was so happy that, what was suppose to be a half day activity, just took half an hour.

As it was Sunday, all the counters were packed with busy shoppers. Today, I didn't mind standing in the queue. Not at all. Smiling, I wished everyone a very good day.

5 customers to go and it would be our turn to pay.

"Oh shoot! I forgot the eggs! I'll be back in 5 minutes honey. Hold the line".

My mum disappeared into the mall again.

"Hold the line"

Oh God! there were only 3 customers ahead of me now!

As the items were checked out one by one, my heart pounded faster and faster.

My eyes straying in the sea of homo sapiens. Desperately in search for my mum.

"Oh God! Where are you mum!!"

Sweat streaming down my cheeks. I look at the person in front of me.

"Shoot. He has only 2 items! Why is the lady at the counter so efficient today? Of all the days! She chooses today to be efficient!"

Oh no. I am next. I take a gulp. I don't even have cash on me to pay for the items in the cart.

Right when the guy in front of me handed the cash, my mum was next to me.

"Sorry about that", she said casually.

Not a single word was uttered that day.