Waiting for the butterfly to fly out of it's cocoon!

 "Mumma you know what happened today.....", he used to start his chatters right after aligning from his school bus. "Mumma please help me, I've lot of homework this week. What's for lunch?", he would nonstop bombard me with questions and stories. "This one is a chatterbox, alike me", I used to think.

And then just like a caterpillar goes into a cocoon when it's time for metamorphosis, this little boy of mine, the chatterbox, unexpectedly muffled up. He stopped sharing his daily encounters, that my ears were eager to listen to. After coming from school he grabs the remote control of the TV set and starts surfing through the shows. The cartoon channels are replaced by Shark Tanks, anime, international shows, Chess series, football and everything diverse.

"What happened at school today dear?", when I ask. "Nothing special", is his plain answer. The excitement in his voice, the voice modulations when he shared his stories, suddenly vanished.

"What's for lunch?", is what remained constant.

"Mumma please knock the door, don't barge in", when he first said this, me as a mom, instantly felt the distance. "Is my boy going far away from me? He doesn't need me anymore?", such daunting thoughts vexed me.

"Oh come on! He's a growing boy. He needs his space", Mr. Hubby's classic reply when I share my worries with him.

And I know, he is right. He's a teenager, an adolescent. He surely needs his space. While this mom is agonised knowing her son doesn't hinge on her anymore, at the same time, she is equally delighted to see him independent. Falling, getting up, striving on his own.

The big brother who once joked and pranked around his younger brother, now seems uninterested in his silly, kiddish jokes. "Mumma, bhaiyya doesn't let me in his room", the younger one complaints.

"He has his boards beta, let him study. You distract him if he let's you in na?", I try to pacify him.

He studies on his own, not needing my help for his homework. He makes his timetables, he completes his own projects. He rides his bicycle to anywhere around, to buy pens, books, supplies. "Mumma, mumma" calls have become infrequent.

He has learnt to ride a scooter so sometimes he drops me to nearby places too. I still remember how I used to make him stand in the front of my scooter. Hold him tight between my knees so that he doesn't dash the speedometer in case of abrupt braking on a speed-breaker. And now, I hold him, sitting pillion, instructing him to reduce speed on speed-breakers.

"Girls and boys are different dear. The changes in them after the puberty makes them behave diversely. Don't compare your time with his. Girls mostly get closer to their moms but boys start getting away. They trust their peers more. They want to hang out with friends more. It's universal, don't be so apprehensive about it", Mr. Hubby consoles me every now and then.

I understand what he means to convey, but my mind is anxious. He has his secrets which he doesn't want to share with me. He doesn't tell me everything like he used to do 2 years ago. And I cannot force him or scold him as I did previously too. He is grown up, more matured. I know all of it, yet, it's a mom's heart, frail, when it comes to her kids.

His mobile, out of the blue, has a password now. He has his opinions, which may not always align with mine. He puts forward his views and argues when he feels the need. And all this is new to me, but makes me glad that he is developing a sovereign personality, self-reliant, not influenced.

This boy used to hate talking to girls. When I asked him to make an invitation list for his birthday, he never wanted to invite his girl classmates. But this year, the scenario just altered. He invited his whole class for his birthday. I smirked when I read his invite list.

He wants to style his wardrobe, not very keen on my guidance for it. His hairstyle, which I disapprove of, doesn't modify for months. He spends more time in front of the mirror. These days, his cupboard has a section, separately, for perfumes and scents.

The kid who used to never take interest in clothes or where I buy them from, streets on malls. Now, seems attentive about brands. "Mumma can we get that H&M hoodie?", he asks. I find these changes in him adorable.

This age is a beautiful phase in everybody's life. And I believe, each one should enjoy and celebrate all of this.

I am eagerly waiting for this caterpillar inside the cocoon, who is struggling, trying and working diligently to breakthrough and transform into an elegant butterfly. A butterfly who will spread it's vividly hued wings and glide through the ebb and flow, uncertainties and accomplishments, disappointments and happiness, envisaging on it's way.

PC: Gettyimages.in

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The scariest part of raising a teenager is remembering the stupid things you did as a teenager ~ Unknown. 

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