Caught In Your Chaos ✓

Chapter Fifty-One

My mom wasn't a first-hand example of 'Helicopter parents' per se, but she was overbearing at times. Mostly, when it came to our life at the university and our future professions slowly advancing towards our relationships. I had witnessed Molly go over with the same. Maybe that was the reason she ended up taking a job in Paris. And ever since, Mom had started putting all her concerns and motherly attention to me. She wasn't impossible to deal with and was always friendly with people. But when it came to her family, she had always been like a warrior with a polished sword. You wouldn't dare to even think about hurting any one of us.

As we returned to my dorm room, I had already prepared myself for an ear-bleeding lecture from her. She still treated me like I was a middle schooler or something. How could she expect me to be the perfect replica of her conventional self? Not that I didn't love her with all my heart, but I was learning to be me, and her constant reminder of my mistakes wasn't any help.

I wasn't surprised not to find Leah in my room, given that my mom had already paid a visit earlier. And mom being her classic self, might have either scared the shit out of my roommate or pissed her off. Although it was a relief that no one would witness me getting tamed like a child at eighteen.

She went right on her point as soon as we settled on my somewhat messy bed. It started with a shorthand version of her concerns regarding my academic college life and that I should not let the opportunity slip away from me. She quickly switched to the topic where she forbade me to have a company of guys like Jake and stay away from their negative influence. She didn't want me to spend my college days partying and getting drunk over the weekend. According to her, I should know better, and I should do better. I don't blame her; Every parent wants only the best for their children.

"I don't want you to get hurt, sweetheart, and guys like him don't know any better," she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a motherly hug. I didn't know until then that I missed her warmth. No matter how much I ignored the truth, it was a phase where I needed her support. I needed her to tell me that she was there with me through the journey of growing up and stepping into adulthood. I needed her to hold me through the loneliness and pick me up when I stumbled. After all, she had always been there as my anchor.

"Mom, why don't you stay here tonight. It's almost 2 o'clock, and I won't let you drive at this hour." I broke from her embrace and said. It indeed was too late for her to drive back, and we would have to wake up in four hours. She nodded, giving me a faint smile.

Her words kept ringing in my head like a ticking bomb, and I didn't want to believe her - but there was a strange feeling settling deep within my bones. That feeling only grew as we both slept the night in my bed. I know I was quite an adult to sleep beside my mom, but I would do that in a heartbeat, even in my fifties. After all, I did give her a hard time by not responding to her messages and call. She was genuinely scared, and that was all the more reason for her outburst on Jake. Poor Jake!

I looked at my mom's sleeping face and released a breath. The frowns on her forehead had subsided, but I know the image she created of Jake in her mind wouldn't go that easily. I pulled out Jake's hoodie that I was wearing earlier from under my pillow and took a whiff of his scent. Lately, it had become one of the most calming smells to keep holding on to my sanity. As I closed my eyes, only one face danced in front of my eyes- Jake looked hurt. And it wasn't just the physical pain reflecting in his black orbs. It was more than that.

~~~

After grabbing a quick breakfast at a cafe near the campus, I finally parted from my mom. Of course, she renewed my do's and don'ts by clearly adding Jake's name in bold letters and highlighting it. "I don't want you to be around that guy. He looked like trouble, and please trust your mother in this." She had warned me again, and all I wanted to tell her was - I'm already in trouble.