“We want to go home to break fast”
A PHV driver in Singapore shared a quiet moment from what started off as a routine evening job via a Threads post.
@askmichellelee had picked up three migrant workers on a cash booking. The app had been glitching and blinking, so she accepted the ride without much thought.
The fare had gone up slightly after they selected the nearest available car.
“The price went up a little more… you guys in a hurry?” she asked.
One of them replied, “Yes… we want to go home to break fast.”
The driver acknowledged and continued the journey.
A Small Moment that Turned Personal
One of the men sat in the front seat, on a video call without earphones, and out of curiosity, the driver took a quick glance.
“Is that your wife? She’s beautiful,” she said.
His reaction was immediate.
The man’s face lit up, and he began introducing everyone on the screen — his wife, two daughters aged eight and four, and a baby who was just four months old.
The driver joked, “Wah, you doing World Cup ah? Every four years one kid.”
They both laughed, and for a moment, the car felt lighter.
“Almost every 4 years”
Then came a line that shifted the mood.
“I don’t get to go home much… almost every 4 years.”
The driver paused.
“When was the last time you went back?” she asked.
“Before Chinese New Year… now don’t know when can go back again.”
After that, the car went quiet.
Watching Their Lives from Afar
It was a short ride, but one that stayed with the driver.
For many migrant workers, being overseas means missing out on the everyday moments most people don’t think twice about — watching their children grow, spending time with family, even just sitting together at home.
Instead, much of it happens through a phone screen. A call here and there. A few minutes when time zones and work schedules allow.
What we Take for Granted
The driver later reflected on how easy it is to complain about daily inconveniences — traffic, work stress, rushing through the week. But for others, the reality looks very different.
Being able to go home every day, to see family in person, is not something everyone has. For some, it takes years.
Netizens Say it Struck a Nerve
The story resonated with many online.
Some pointed out that even going home once every four years is considered “lucky” for some workers, with others not returning for nearly a decade.
Others said it was a reminder to appreciate what they already have, especially the people around them.
Several also highlighted how migrant workers continue to play a significant role in building Singapore, despite the distance they endure from their families.
A Quiet Reminder to Slow Down
The driver ended her post with a simple reflection:
Maybe the life we are trying to escape from is someone else’s dream to return to.
And maybe the people we see every day are the ones others are working years just to hug again.
Sometimes, what feels routine is already something someone else is waiting years for.
Read the post here:
https://www.threads.com/@askmichellelee/post/DWAxAoHEskw
More from Wake Up Singapore:-
From Watching on Phone to Taking the Stage: Migrant Worker’s Chingay Dream Comes True
“Who Do You Miss Right Now?”: Migrant Workers Share Quiet Longing During the Holiday Season
Migrant Worker Who Rescued Kiko Was Longtime Family Friend, Says Owner After Frantic 2-Day Search
If you have a story or a tip-off, email admin@wakeup.sg or get in touch via Whatsapp at 8882 5913.
Interested in advertising on our media channels? Reach out to us at admin@wakeup.sg!
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram and X!
Wake Up Singapore is a volunteer-run site that covers alternative views in Singapore. If you want to volunteer with us, sign up here!
