A Break Apart

CHAPTER 38. Trauma

"You sound like a catechist." I laughed over the phone and he joined in.

"All I'm saying is, give him a chance, and soon all these would be over. You feel miserable because you keep running away from the problem. You should face it instead," he said.

I sighed. "I know, but it's not that easy."

"I get that, just promise me you'll talk to him."

I contemplated for a while. "I can't promise that... but I'll try," I said sincerely.

"That's fine. Trying is a good start."

"Yeah..." I trailed off, glad he didn't push further.

"And sorry I'm calling, my plan was to come over to see you instead, but then this job interview came up-"

"Hey, it's fine. The interview is pretty much important. And you all need to stop treating me like a child by the way," I said jokingly.

He chuckled. "It's not our fault we care too much, kiddo."

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Austin, I'm not a kid."

He laughed. "I have to go now. See you soon."

"Thanks, Aus. And good luck with your interview. Make us proud."

He laughed, a nervous one. "I'll do my best. Thanks."

"Scared?" I asked him.

"Ahhh... phew! I'm sure I can handle it."

I laughed at his reaction. "Of course you can. You'll be fine."

"Thanks, Nadine."

"Sure."

"Bye for now."

I chuckled while I hung up, and then I put the phone back on my bedside table and collapsed on my bed. The calls were exhausting. I then got up and went downstairs to fix myself something to eat.

I walked into Mum. She was sitting in the couch, already dressed for work as usual.

"Good morning," I greeted curtly, heading straight to the kitchen.

"Nadine?" Her sad voice halted my movement, but I didn't turn around. "Are you still mad at me?"

I blinked my eyes a few times, pushing back fresh tears, and then I reluctantly turned around and started walking to the couch. I sat with her, leaving a little space between us, my eyes in another direction.

"I'm sorry about yesterday."

Her apology hit my conscience and I looked at her. "I should be the one apologising for being a brat. I didn't mean any of the things I said last night. I'm sorry I caused you a lot of stress."

Her eyes were filled with content. "Come here," she said. I drifted closer and hugged her with a satisfied sigh. I never enjoyed fighting with her.

"I missed you," I let out the words I had kept trapped in my overnight hardened heart.

She laughed lightly. "Missed you more..."

"You owe me ice cream," I said as we pulled away.

She chuckled. "Anything you want, dear."

I smiled.

"You plan on talking to him soon, right?" she asked, and I averted my gaze with a sigh, wishing they could all understand that it was a personal decision I needed to make on my own.

"You know," she paused, "only a mother would understand the magnitude of fear I felt when I called your phone and heard it ring from upstairs after knowing you weren't in. I had to start calling the closest contacts on your phone-"