It’s one of those days when you go out of the world feeling like you’re half – naked. No, I did not go out still in my pajamas or my fly open, not as scary as that.

I had a hard time going through this day. Of all days that it has to happen, it did today.

I barely made it this morning and was as unsuccessful at lunch time. I had had to ask favors from total strangers so that I could get by. It’s not really that big of a deal asking help from others [or my friends] but it would have been a lot easier if I had my own.

I resolved to just go home after lunch but I had an important task to accomplish, so I had to stay in the office and survive this fateful day without it.

I was silently cursing myself how I could have forgotten something so important and necessary. I may forget my house keys, ID, watch, cellphone or my hanky but I can still manage. I sometimes overlook these things especially when I’m in a hurry, but I always see to it that I have this one thing in my pocket. I usually have it with me everywhere I go so I did not bother to do a rain check before heading for work. Today, never had I felt so useless and helpless without this accessory.

I just realized it when I was just a few meters away from the office. I was incessantly looking if I just misplaced it in one of my pant’s pockets. But nothing’s there. I was just about to have my first puff for the day when I realized that – I forgot my lighter!