The Next Moment - 1600 hrs

I knew that it will be a hard moment, when all the dust fall, when all's quiet again. But I did not know it will hit me even earlier than the actual word "bye bye daddy" reaches my ears...

Yesterday, when Sharon and I were getting the bags ready for the flight home today, Iggie decided to also pack his little bag. So he stuffed it full of his favourite - 香香bolster, blanket, toy cars, telescope (make belief using calendar), straw and toothpick...then he wore the same outfit that I received him just a fortnight ago at the airport...and before he could say anything, I found my eyes welling it fast. And when he said "Bye bye Daddy, take care...", I was already sobbing pretty uncontrollably.

And this morning, when we were about to leave the house to head for the IFC city check-in, the whole emotional wave hit me under the belt, and I found myself sobbing off in the kitchen...for I know all these mess will be gone...soon. YES I am addicted to whining Iggie, crying Nick Nick, soiled pampers and washing their pieces and pieces of clothes.

In two weeks, my apartment went through an overhaul and a fine test-run. I now have 3 TVs, 1 steamer, toys, books, female clothes, shoes, kids clothes...and we lived the last two weeks on a totally different platform - what I shall call - as a family.

Meals were cooked by Sharon for Iggie, Sharon's favourite Japanese fried rice and Iggie's favourite grilled salmon were eaten at our lovely dining table (converted from our TV delivery box...) and Polar Express played out on our new TV at the background...Sharon asked me if I would be bored rushing home everyday if she were shift up here...and why would I be??? She's concerned that I should lead a more "enjoyable" life whilst seconded in Hong Kong; drinks after work, eat-out with colleagues, etc. But but but... That's not what a husband and father with two kids have in mind... I can go to the playground every night, I can go to Disneyland every weekend, I can watch Polar Express whenever Iggie wants...but I wun need to and will not want to be drinking everynight (ok except for a Friday night cool-off drinks)...

So that leads me back to...the EMOTION again. We checked in our luggages early at IFC this afternoon, and settled into a Viet restaurant... The funny thing was that both Sharon and I chose this restaurant...and it was certainly a good choice. Nice decor, nice sittings, and excellent food... Sharon, Iggie and I enjoyed the place and food soooo much. Anyway, I kind of knew tears would not come at the airport today, and indeed when Iggie said bye bye and take care, my tears held up. I knew I will be more worried if Sharon made it to the boarding gate fine with the two boys...But once they left, and I headed to the Airport Express...my tear glands just released the dam gates, and I was sobbing once again. For you see, it is the start of "reminders"...we went riding on the MTR so very often, till Iggie learnt how to say "请不要靠近车门...Please stand clear of the door...", and I was aptly reminded of Iggie when I stand waiting to board the airport express. And every step along the way home reminded me of Sharon and kids...at the Maxim cake shop at Central-HK Interchange (when Iggie threw tantrum and got scolded by Sharon when we were heading to Disneyland...), the last carriage that we took so that we have some space for the push chair and Sharon with Nick....

And yes, I reached home sound and safe, but not before another wave of emotion hit me when I started to pack up the "mess" left behind...arrrgghh...and when I finally spoke with Sharon at 2045hrs. knowing that she and kids survived the flight... I was again crying off as I spoke with her, hearing Iggie on the background wanting to tapian, and Nick nick sleeping off from the medicine he took on the flight... All's quiet again at Unit D. 43 F, Tower 1, Grand Promenade...