We were on the road for about thirty minutes, driving non-stop, till we got to the end of the road we were on. It was a T-junction. As soon as Jessica got there, she stopped the car with utmost force that I care wasn't taken, it could have caused the car to somersault.
I sighed deeply and didn't say anything to her for sometime, and neither did she as well. After a while of the silence, I opened the side door next to where I was sitting and got down. I looked at the T-junction, and I saw that I knew two of it. I started walking towards the one infront.
Walking for about five minutes, someone grabbed me by the hand almost shoving me to the ground. At first, I was really scared as I wasn't expecting that kind of a thing. Out of self defense, I moved backwards stretching my hand to hit whoever it is, then I realized it was Jessica. Gosh, I heaved a deep sigh of relief, glad that it wasn't something else.
"What is it Jessica? I left your car for you. Isn't that enough huh? Why don't you just leave me alone and go to your family? Aren't you tired of hanging around me already huh?? I scolded, then walked out on her.
She came and stood infront of me, obstructing the way, hands akinbo and showing no interpretable expression on her face.
"What is it? What do you want? I don't have the time to argue with you, so let me be."
"Sonia, where exactly are you going to? You want to trek the whole day before you get home? What is wrong with you?
"Everything Jess. Everything is wrong with me. Can't you see it? I said, almost screaming and at the same time trying not to let the tears out.
She sighed and held me on my shoulder. "Sis, yeah I understand that you are not fine. But this won't help you either, alright. Let's sit down, think something through and figure out how to pass through this, as we always have." She said, in a way to calm me down.
"Jessica, just leave me alone. What is at stake now is not and cannot be compared to any damn thing we might have encountered and fought together, okay. So, don't you dare compare it."
"Sonia, stop doing this to yourself. You know what I mean, I'm sure you do, clearly."
"I don't care about that, and if you really really think you care about me, then help me find my children." I replied.
"Sonia come on, you know I am trying to help. I can't be comfortable knowing that they are not at home. Even now, my own kids should be back, but because of you, I am still here, haven't even called home to know what's going on. You think I don't still care about you?
"Jessica, if you want to help me find my children huh, then this is what you will do." I paused, expecting her to show interest before I continue.
"Okay.. what is it? I am listening." She replied sounding quite excited.
"Don't stand on my way, that's the only thing you can do for me right now! I said and shrugged lightly. I left her standing there and walked away.
"Sonia, where are you going to first of all? Sonia, come on, don't be like this." She shouted from behind, but I kept walking and not looking back.
After a while, I turned around to know if she was still there standing. I saw her walking back, perhaps she was going back to her car. I regretted why I didn't leave the house with my car.
Where could these kids be? Where could they possibly be? Oh God, please I need your help. I'm really going crazy right now.
Jessica should leave me alone for the meantime, I am really not in the mood to argue with her. Arguing with her is always inevitable, whoever might be the reason for it anyway.
What will I tell Alex, what will I tell my husband. If he calls me, what excuse will I give for not speaking to his children. Oh, I'm so doomed.
Who would have told me that sending Nancy to pick the kids would have led to this problem I am facing now huh. Why didn't I listen when Jessica warned me about it. I should have asked them to wait for me in school while I reschedule any meeting I had then. Or I should have gone to pick them and leave them in my office till I am done with everything I had to do. Why did I make such mistake, why? Why? Why?
I was walking on the road and talking to myself. I could feel the drops of tears on my cheeks and I used the back of my palm to clean it up. Some of people walking on the road would turn to look at me, as they could see muttering inaudible words to myself. I wonder if they also passed me off as a psycho.
Where was I going? Jessica was right, I really didn't have any direction. I was just wandering on the road like a zombie. I knew where I was anyway, so I couldn't get lost, but I was only wasting much time. I needed to find my kids today, no other day but today. But, How?
I stopped by the roadside after I spotted an empty stall, so I went there and sat down on one of the chairs I saw there. I thought of what to do, where to go to find them and perhaps how to do so as well. Just then, I heard a car pull up just infront of me. I looked up lazily from where I sat.
** ** **

As soon as Sonia replied bluntly to me and also walked out on me, I felt distressed, overpowered and chattered. This is my best friend. We are not only having issues, we are having a big problem that we don't even know what the answer or solution to it is.
I felt frustrated. Why wouldn't she listen to me atleast. I know I haven't lost my kids, and God forbid if that would ever happen. But, atleast I could feel her pain a bit. She is my best friend and anything that hurts her hurts me, why can't she see through that. I wondered
What should I do now she decided to ignore me and walk away, even after offering to help her. I know she is dejected, but walking on the road without any target will only be useless. How long will she last on the road, just a few hours.
After a brief thinking in my head, I walked back to my car, opened it and jumped inside. I needed to call Amanda and get to know about the kids. There is no need calling Eddy since it wouldn't make any sense at all. He will only use this opportunity to make sure he gets me angry, which I don't bargain for.
I picked my phone and dialed Amanda's number. She picked up just in time.
"Heyyyyy sis. Good evening, how are you doing? I didn't see you when I got home from work. Aren't you coming home tonight?
"Amanda. Come on. You know you're a vibe anyway. Is my husband in the house now? Is he back from work? I asked her.
"Mtcheeew. You bother a lot about him. Well, he called me and said he won't be coming home tonight. At first, he said he'll be coming home very late from work. Then, later he called again and said he will not be able to come home tonight, that it would be very risky to do so."
"Oh okay. But, but, he didn't call me to let me know any of the things you just said now."
"Sis, you know how he behaves. This morning we really had small issue that almost led to a big one. If not that I had to leave for work." She explained.
"What happened? I asked.
"Well, it's about the kids. I told him that I will prepare them for school, but he should help me drive them. He flared up and started raising his voice at me. Sis, if not that he is my brother, I could have hit him so hard."
"Hahahaha. Seriously. Well, Amanda, just take it easy, okay. Don't kill my husband for me."
"I won't ma." She answered, laughing.
"Alright, please, take good care of them for me, okay. Tell them that I would be back soon and I miss them already, can't wait to come back home.
"You're funny. Don't worry, I will treat them properly alright, so don't bother yourself."
"Yes ma'am. Amanda, thanks so much for helping me out okay, I owe you a lot!
"There's no problem, just take care of yourself and then stay safe."
"Yeah I will. Do take care too."
I ended the call thereafter. I thought of calling Eddy, but changed my mind.
I started my car and started driving towards the road where Sonia went. I spotted her from afar, entering into a stall. I got there and pulled over, then got down to meet her.