12:05 am

It is 12:05 at night. I am walking alone through a road and whispering, "If I knew that I would be late, I would never leave my car at home".

There is no taxi or any humane sign anywhere near. I have been walking for almost 45 minutes. Now, I feel a bit tired, but still, a long way to go.

This happened because of my bad. I never thought sleeping at my office would cost like this. I can't remember when I actually fell asleep. I was working on my desk. And then when I woke up, I found myself in front of my boss who was supposed to be on vacation today. I thought that it was a dream. But unfortunately, it wasn't.

A dog is barking on the road. Though I don't fear dogs, this sound makes me feel unfamiliar. The dog's face isn't good at all. I feel I should run.

All on a sudden, a flash and I see the dog flying away. The dog falls dead on the side of the road. It was a car that had hit the dog a few seconds ago.

The car stops and a person comes out. But the flash of that car is so intense that I can't see anything clear. Maybe, the person has seen me. But instead of coming towards me, he gets in the car and leaves the spot at full speed. But why? Right now, everything seems weird to me.

From where did the car come? Why did it hit the dog? And why did the person flee after seeing me? All these questions were rounding in my head. Suddenly, I realize that the car was very similar to my car. In fact, the same.

Thinking about all this, I start running. All of my tiredness has gone away. I have to reach home as soon as I can.

My legs are hurting. I don't know how much I have run. But finally, I have reached home. It is 12:42 am. I straightway go to my garage finding my car.

At first glance, I see a dark room. I turn on the lights and see a car-shaped object covered with cloth. I carefully put off the cover and the car is there. I feel inexpressible relief seeing the car. It means that was not my car. But the color of both the cars is the same and maybe the company too. However, then why did he flee after seeing me?

I can't think more. I am so tired. I feel very sleepy. I enter my room and fall into my bed without changing dresses. Within a few minutes, I started sleeping.

The phone rings. I can hardly see the sunlight coming through the window with my fuzzy eyes.

The ring ends and I take the phone. Shockingly, it was my boss. But why did he call me in the dawn? Wait, is it really dawn? I look at the clock and it is 10:17 am. My office was at 8:30. I am again late.

I rapidly go out and get into my car. I don't have the time to take breakfast. I have to reach the office before my boss calls me again.

Should I really go to the office in this situation? But if I don't go, the salary will be gone. So there is no other way.

In the office, everything looks calm except my boss. As usual, he is shouting at someone over the telephone.

My hair is untidy. Actually, I am totally untidy. Even I haven't washed my face. In this look, I am going towards my boss's cabin.

Every step is making me more uncomfortable and more nervous than before. I don't know what will happen after meeting my boss. I am surely gonna die today.

Standing beside the door, I politely greet my boss. He hasn't noticed me yet and continues his shouting over the telephone. I know if he notices, the shouting will divert toward me.

Should I say again? But I don't feel courage at this moment. I slowly knock on the door and this time, he notices me and puts the telephone down.

After a few seconds of staring, he asks me to sit and says, "Listen Richard, we need to talk. You are the most impunctual person in my office. I have given you many chances because you are the son of my friend. And see, today you are late again. In this position, I can't continue more with you. I need to take care of my company. Do you have something to say?"

"I agree with your words. I have really become a burden to your company. But sir, please give me one last chance. I promise you that I will give my best to your company. Please don't resign me like this."

"Why would I keep you in my company?"

"For your friend."

"And what if you fail?"

"I will take the resignation letter willingly."

After few seconds of silence, boss says, "Alright. One last chance. Don't make any mistakes. Otherwise, you know what will happen."

"Thank you, sir. I will keep my words. Just believe in me. I will do my best."

"However, today you're already very late. Go to your desk and complete your tasks or you won't be able to go home today."

I become a little emotional at this point. I never thought that he would give me another chance. I have to work hard from now. I can't make him upset again.

Going to my desk, I start working. The task is huge. I will be needing a long time. I have to work as fast as possible.

After 30 minutes of working, I looked at the watch. It is 11:57. For a mysterious reason, I feel that I am forgetting something. But what am I forgetting?

Suddenly, I realize that today I have a date with Emma, just 1 hour later. But boss will never allow me to go today. What have I done! This is our first date. What will I say to Emma now?

I have called Emma but she hasn't received. Maybe she is busy with her work. So I text her. I don't know when she will reply or whether she will reply or not. I feel so bad. But I have a lot of tasks to finish.

I focus on my work again. In every few minutes interval, I look at my phone searching for her reply.

1:03 pm on the clock. The phone rings. No, it isn't a call. It is a message. I grab my phone immediately. Emma messaged me, "I know you, Richard. Don't worry. I ain't getting angry. I understand you. You must be busy with your works. Call me after finishing your works. I will be waiting."

This message got tears in my eyes. I feel so much emotional. Actually, I can't express how I really feel. I feel like I am the happiest person on the earth. Suddenly, a man calls me. It is my colleague Alex. I was in obsession. Alex says, "It is lunch time. Won't you eat lunch?" I am too hungry right now. But the work pressure is so high. So I say, "Yeah, I will. But not now. After few minutes". I start working again.

My task is complete at last. What a relief! In my whole day, I just took an interval at 3 pm for lunch and it was just 15 minutes break. However, what time is it now? It is 11:39 pm.

I shut down the computer, take my bag and leave the office. Late-night driving is a very relaxing thing to do. The road is empty, with no possibility of accidents.

I take my phone and call Emma. Talking to her gives me pleasure and relief. However, she hasn't received the call.

After a few minutes, she calls me back and I receive it. Right now, I am talking and driving. This seems so risky but the road is fully empty. Keeping the call on loudspeaker, I hold the watch hanging in my car gently. What is the time? The time is 12:05 am.

Staring at the clock, I have forgotten that I am driving. Realizing that, I look forward and there is a dog in the middle of the road. Oh no! I am going to hit that. And in a few seconds, the dog is gone. I stop the car to see what has happened. I find a man staring at me. Maybe, I should talk to him or he needs some help. Wait! That is me! It isn't possible. How can this happen? It is the exact same place and time where and when I saw the accident last night. 

My heart rate feels very high. Without thinking anything, I get in my car and run in full acceleration.

Written by: Tasnim Ferdous