"Put your cellphone in your bag and look ahead, Seren. You'll bump into people while scrolling."

I was a bit annoyed by mother's warning words.  The right corner of my lips slightly moved towards the right cheek and I made a random sound of vague annoyance.  But I didn't stop scrolling through Instagram.  Even though my eyes on the mobile's screen, I can accurately predict whether someone is coming around or in front of me.

"Seren, put the mobile in your bag."

Now I heard my mother's stern voice.  With the same reaction, I rolled my eyes and put the mobile bag as per her words. I looked at my mother's face with a displeased expression.

"Happy now? Too much!"

I asked mom a bit harshly.  I passed her in an angry attitude and started walking forward.  I began to walk slowly from looking at the nearby shops. Suddenly I felt the touch of a soft and warm hand on my elbow. I didn't look at it. I didn't feel the need.  Because I am sure that the owner of the hand is my own mother.

"Sweetheart, think a little before you get angry.  What would happened if someone snatched your mobile and run away?"

Mother's sweet voice always turns my icy anger into liquid in an instant.  And mother always uses this opportunity.

"Mom!  Look around you before thinking negatively."

My voice still sounds a little annoyance.  I look at my mother and show a girl on my left hand gesturing.  She is busy making reels.  Her mobile is leaning against a pillar.  The distance between the girl and her mobile is about a meter.

"Did you see that?  How carelessly she keeps her mobile so far away to make reels? She is not afraid of being stolen.  How can someone take it from me?"

I asked my mother a stubbornly.  Mother uttered a muffled word. She was undoubtedly trying to say something. But she stopped herself. Or failed to form sentences. But I know she won't be quiet for long.

"Better safe than be sorry, Seren."  Mother said in a low voice.

I just sighed. I didn't reply. Because mom didn't say anything wrong. There is no point in regretting the risk later.  But in some cases  there's no other way without taking risks. How strange! I pointed my index finger towards the cosmetic shop on the left in front of us. But before I could say anything, I was interrupted by a sleepy yawn. I quickly cover my mouth with the back of my right hand. I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Let's go to that store, Mom.  I need some cosmetics."

Mother nodded in agreement.  I took a few steps forward and pushed the handle of the glass door inside before my mother could do it.  Then I opened the door holding the handle and stood aside.  I bowed my head slightly and smiled as Mom took a step inside and greeted her.

"Welcome, Your Highness."

I uttered mischievously.  Mom smiled.  Then she patted my head gently.  It has become my habit to do such mischief with my mother whenever I get a chance.

🥀

I finished shopping and left the mall woth my mother. Darkness covered all around us. The stars shining like diamonds in the cloudless dark blue sky overhead.  Overcast weather. But the environment is not stagnant.  Crowds and traffic noises are present and it always will be as long as the human being exists. I went towards the parking lot with my mother. I got my driving license when I was nineteen.  I also bought my own car by earning money in various and honest ways. So that mother does not have to stand in the sun and wait for the taxi while going somewhere. Although this car also added the earnings of my mother and elder brother.

I opened the car's passenger seat's door and helped mom to get inside and put the shopping bags on the backseat.  Suddenly there was a little sound. My phone vibrated inside my hand bag. I keep the door of the driving seat open with the help of my body and took out the mobile phone from the bag.  Three new messages.  But it's an unknown number. I opened the message with great interest and started reading it.

Stranger: Black suits you so well, my little cobra.

After reading the first message, my eyebrows furrowed between my forehead.  Was it sent to my number intentionally or by mistake?  I observed the number. Still couldn't recognise it.  "Little Cobra"!  Weird nickname.  No one I know calls me by this name.

Stranger: I made a platinum love cage for my precious little cobra.

"Platinum love cage!  What does that mean?"

I uttered wordless sentences.  I looked at the clothes on my body in the light of the parking lot. I am dressed in black. That means the person who sent me this message is right somewhere nearby?  I looked around curiously.  Although it is very foolish thing to do so.  Because the number of cars and people are not less here.  But the messages immediately worried me.

"Seren? Any problem, dear?"

I quickly turned my gaze and looked at my mother sitting in the car at the sound of my mother's voice. Her expression was clearly thoughtful. I shook my head negatively.

"No, Mom.  no problem  General messages."

I answered mother's question in a normal voice. I deliberately lied. My mother is already worried about me. Although I, myself the main reason for her anxiety. I sat in the car. Fastened the seat belt, I turned the key and started the car. Mom is looking at something on her mobile. I am driving looking at the busy road in silence. Trying my best to concentrate fully on the road.  But my thoughts wandered back to the stranger's message. I heard nother sound of the message. I glanced at the front, blinked my eyes and looked at the mobile phone.  I saw the same number on the screen again. I didn't read the third message then.  Now the fourth message appeared. It's getting annoying. I took the mobile and put my hand on the steering wheel and put the mobile on silent mode.

🥀

After climbing the stairs to the third floor, my legs started to feel numb. I hunched forward slightly like a ninety-year-old woman. I put my hand on the side wall and stopped for a while.  I am breathing heavily than usual. Heart rate also increased. But nothing unusual. I stood the same way for a few seconds.  Then I stood straight looking at the floor of the fourth floor.  I ran holding the shoulder bag with my hand. Stepping on the fourth floor, I sighed.  I glanced at the stairs beyond. 

It is not unusual or bad to take a short break and glance at the passing road.  But a long break… will definitely have a negative impact.

will continue…