A Broken Promise and a Life Lesson

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I remember when I was in secondary school, our food and nutrition teacher taught us how to bake. I have always had a passion for cooking and baking so I put all my mind in learning. Towards our examination, a group of people came to our schools and told us they were organizing a baking contest, I registered immediately. I had spent weeks practicing my vanilla cake recipe, practicing until my hands ached from whisking and my clothes were covered in flour.

My parents promised to be there for me, to support me and cheer me on. Their support meant everything to me, my mom said, "we wouldn't miss it for the world". My dad also said they would be there in the front row to cheer me on.

When the day of the contest came, I was really excited. I got the venue early and started getting my station ready. As the venue was filled with other contestants and their families, I kept waiting for my parents, looking at the door every minute, hoping they will come in at any second.

The minutes ticked by. The contest was about to start, and still no sign of them. My heart sank, but I tried to stay focused. They are just running late, my teacher said. "They will be here",she said to me. I nodded my head, trying to fight back the tears that was about to roll down my eyes.

The contest started and I baked my heart out, pouring all my love and effort into the cake. Every now and then, I would look up hoping to see them in the crowd but they never came.

When it was time to judge, I stood proudly beside my work, wishing and hoping that my parents could see it. I was amazed as I was called and given second position. It should have been one of the happiest moments of my life, but as I held my ribbon, all I felt was emptiness.

I walked home alone, with my ribbon in my hand, having a mixed feeling of pride and deep hurt. When I walked through the door, I found my parents sitting on the couch. Mom was watching TV, while dad was on his phone.

"oh, my dear!" mom exclaimed. How was the contest?
With the way she spoke, I knew they had forgotten all about the contest. I held up my ribbon, showing her, with a fake smile, trying to keep my voice from breaking. "I got second place" I managed to say.

"That's wonderful", my dad said but didn't look up to see me. "Sorry we couldn't make it. Something came up at work".

I waited for an apology but it never came. They acted like it was no big deal, like breaking such an important promise was just a minor slip-up.

The achievement I'd been so proud of just moments ago now felt hollow. I just walked into my room and cried my eyes out.

As time went on, my hurt turned to anger, then to a quiet sadness. I stopped sharing my excitement about cooking with them. Whenever they ask about my baking, I would give short answers. Part of me hoped they would notice the change and finally apologize, but they never did.

• Lessons learned

I learnt that sometimes we have to find closure in our own. We can't always get the apology we deserve, but we can choose how to move forward.

My parents not keeping their promise taught a valuable lesson about self worth, the power of keeping promises, and the importance of acknowledging others' feelings. It wasn't an easy lesson, but it helped shape me into a stronger, more compassionate person.