How Embarrassing! I actually stepped on and broke a lady's slipper!

Last Saturday, while on a field trip at the Padang and Fort Canning conducted by Dr Farrell a most embarrassing incident happened. It was an undergraduate history module which does not concern me but I turned up anyway to see what new insights I could get from my supervisor. He certainly enriched my mind with information that I did not know just like Chinese saying, "yi shan bi yi shan gao" (one mountain is higher than the other). As the 30-over of us were walking along the road near City Hall MRT Station towards Fort Canning Hill, I accidentally stepped on one of the Year 3 undergraduate lady's slippers and broke its strap! The following conversation and action was most embarrassing:

Lady (agitated): Aiyoh! Why you step on me and broke the strap of my slipper?

Malcolm (apologetic): Sorry! Sorry! I am really sorry.

Lady (agitated): How am I going to continue with the field trip now!

Malcolm (worried): Oh, yes, you still need to climb up the hill!

Lady (agitated): Aiyah!

Malcolm (apologetic): I tell you what. There is a Bata shoe shop nearby across the road. I get you a new pair of slippers.

Lady: Ok! I will wait here. I can't walk there.

Malcolm: Never mind! I will pay for your slippers. Its my fault anyway!

(So I ran across the road to the shoe shop, hurriedly enquired for the ladies' section and chose a pair of slippers. I know nothing about women's taste so I just got a pair that seems nice and sturdy. I had to be quick because the rest of the people are already way ahead of us and I don't want to miss them. I paid for the slippers hurriedly and then ran to the traffic junction where the lady had crossed over slowly)

Malcolm: (Bent down to put the slippers on the ground below her) Here's the slippers. I didn't have time to choose and i didn't know what you like but its definitely stronger than your previous one. I hope you like it.

Lady (embarrassed): (Putting the slippers on) How much is it? I pay you.

Malcolm (apologetic): Never mind. Its my fault anyway. (Bent down to pick up her old pair of slippers). Do you still want these? If not I throw them away.

Lady (embarrassed): You don't have to do that! Oh, well, I don't want them anymore.

(I threw her old slippers away and then we all walked hurriedly towards the others.)

Oh, its so embarrassing! It all happened in front of so many people! I had a good chat with her and her friends after that but nothing could remove the awkwardness and embarrassment that we both felt. What a day!