I have a secret pet peeve.

I hate it when I’m asked to be the chauffeur 5 seconds before my brother needs to go out.

“Eh, drive me out to Kovan MRT.”

No “please”. No apologetic tone about inconveniencing me.

The request feels more like an army general issuing an order to his ever ready driver, who is expected to answer to  the general’s every whim and fancy. It doesn’t matter whether he is taking a call, taking a break or taking a shit.

Even worse is when I get woken up at 7am to these words,

“Eh, drive me to camp leh.”

Same authoritative tone. Different brother.

Cue irritance and frustration.

Whats that? I should just say no?

There is a sense of helplessness at such moments. Memories of how my dad used to wake up at 6.30am , driving me and my brothers to 2 or 3 different location everyday. Knowledge that if I refuse, the request will go to my overworked parents.

Words of protest desert me, and the secret remains secret.