I felt restless the whole day. Friday was the day and she would bring all the children, including the maid to her house - and I would be left alone. I wondered how I could pass my time. Perhaps it will be the time for me to go out. But where can I go? Throughout the years, I have given my life to the family and I have lost touch with reality. Without her and without the children, I would have nowhere to go. It was a frightening thought. I do not even know who to call to go out with me. Or shall I revert to the days of being single - when I go out drinking - alone? I dreaded the thought. But my thoughts were broken by a SMS. She SMSed me, asking me if I could fetch S from school at 4pm. She had earlier promised and made arrangements to fetch S from school at 4pm. But, she mentioned that she was busy at work and could not get away. She asked if I could help. What sort of response was she expecting? I replied OK and continued with my work. It was already pass 2pm that I suddenly realized that my car was not with me - I sent it in the morning to the workshop to replace the brake-linings. How can I fetch S without my car? Then I thought that even without my car, I can still get a cab to fetch S. My called my mechanic and surprisingly he told me that my car was ready for collection. I took a cab to the workshop to get my car. And then I drove to S's school. It was still early, barely 3.30 pm and I waited a while before I saw her. I held her hands as we crossed the road to my car. She asked me why I was fetching her and not mommy. I did not answer her. I dropped her outside the gate as I needed to run some errands. When I got home again, it was almost 6pm. She had told me that she would come to fetch the children at 7pm. I asked the children to finish their dinner and be ready for mommy. We ate our early dinner but F told me that she would not be going. I asked her why and she said that she wanted to study for her test next week. Morever, she said she will be bored there. S was different, she was all raring to go. We finished our dinner and it was already 7pm but there was still no sign of her. We sat on the sofa to watch TV. When she came, it was almost 8pm. She did not look in my way or talk to me. I felt uncomfortable and I retreated to the bed room. I tried to read something but was unable to. The little one came into the bed room and I played with her for a while. I pinned her down and kissed her. Then she came into the bedroom and started to remove some pants and clothings. I looked at her intently but she did not look my way. It was time for them to go. S came to hug and kiss me and say goodbye. The little one did not even say goodbye. And she just mumbled that she was going. And they were gone. I felt very empty and lost. It was only for a night that the kids will be gone but I just have this sense of emptiness in me. I went out to the living room. S was lying on the sofa watching TV. Then S SMSed me, telling me that she loves me. I sat on the sofa - not knowing what to do. There was nothing I could no. Now that F was not going, I was not exactly alone and I could not possibly leave her at home and have my own programme. I knew then that I would just have to wait for time to pass.