Since my first appearance before the judge, I paid my court ordered alimony payments and always on time.  

And not that I’m making any choices based on this; I also happened to discover that my hopefully soon-to-be ex-wife was actually in a relationship with the previously mentioned handyman.

How about that, my suspicions seemed to now been justified.  Or they just fell into place, either way.  I’ll do you one better, he’s living in the house with them.  

Oh, touché.  Looks like we both found plaster for a broken marriage.  

Feeling rather done for a few reasons, I flat out refused to pay November’s payment to Hemma or anymore for all that matters.

Prior to this decision I had made request for appointment to see Judge Sandy to appeal my case and it had now been granted.  I also made up my mind to represent myself; I felt I was my own best lawyer after having counsel with 2 other members of the bar.

On that day in court I declared I would no longer pay.  ‘Send me to jail if you have to but no more.’  I was brief in my statement and in that I made sure to mention Hemma moving that man into their family home.  ‘What is the point your honor in my financially supporting that?’

With a look on his face I loosely translated as him finding humor in my plea, he announced he’ll take his pause to review the case file.  After a few restless -on my part- moments, he asked me to rise for his decision.  

“Mr Masala, I‘ve decided to free you from the payments to Mrs. Masala.  However in order for that to happen you must first bring the payments up-to-date.”  

And there you go.  I ended up having to pay that November payment which I earlier defied to do.

Judge Sandy finished with  “And I’m granting you the legal separation.  Divorce is still not an option at this time.  As I mentioned before about the waiting period, that is still in effect.”  

I felt happy and sunk at the same time.  

“Other than that, now you can go, you are a free man Mr. Masala.  You can even leave Fiji if you so desire.”  Gavel banged on the judgement desk, I’m semi-free.

Okay yes, I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders as I stepped out of the courthouse that morning.  It was as though I was 18 again and no longer a stressed out adult, at least not on that front.  

Hey, I’ll take it!

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