The Stray Cat

Born sickly, I was prohibited to stuffs that have fur or going to dusty places. For that certain matter, I never got the chance to have the thing they call- Adventure. A big stall next to our library is my very own classroom. I have private teachers and have advanced classes too. Societal gatherings, theater, parties and other social activities are the things that comprise my daily schedule. Different from what they call normal.

            As what I usually encounter, this morning I got out of the car and heard someone saying, “Look! It’s the only daughter of Mr. Milan!”

            Another girl replied, “Yes she is! I’ve heard she gets everything she wants since her dad is a museum owner and they run a lot of businesses.” And that just made me look down and frown. I wish what they said was real. They may want to be in my shoes but they just would regret it in the end.

            “You know it’s hard to be Tasha Milan.”, stated Potch as Pitchie stands at her back. I smiled as the fact that they’re the only things I’ve got runs in my mind. I treat them as my sisters, though they are just the twins of my dad’s long time co-worker in our company.

            “It’s your dad again, isn’t it?” asked Pitchie. I shook my head and continued walking to the center of my art gallery. It was a big day for me. Everyone was taking a pretty close look at my work of arts; my passion, my emotions and my emptiness.

            “You did great!” said dad. “And I am grateful to be your father.” He added.

            While strolling in the place, I found out that outside the gallery was a garden. I stood directly glimpsing white roses and breathing in fresh air. I recalled every memoir of my childhood.

            Later on, I saw this white cat near the side of the pond. As I try to get closer to it, Potch whispered, “Don’t get near it, it may run!” I am about to listen to hear advice but I saw the sad creature weeping and in its blue green eyes, I can feel the pain caused by a limp in its hind leg.

            I took of my scarf and gently wrapped it to the cat’s body. “No! Stay away from that cat!” shouted Pitchie.

            “Your lungs! Your weak lungs! You…you’re sick!”, she worriedly stated.

            “Can we have her?” I asked. Her face was saying a no, and I start to pout.

As she saw my glittering eyes about to drop a tear, she automatically told me, “Ok, ok… We’ll keep her.”

“But if Mr. Milan knows about this, we’re dead Pitchie!” Potch reminded.

“I’ll take care of it. Promise dad won’t know.” I said.

“Aha! Let’s use the vacant room near your bedroom as her home.” said Pitchie. For me, it was a great idea. Potch held the cat into her arms and we drove the cat to our mansion. We hid her inside the picnic basket and slowly sneak it in to the vacant room. We medicated its leg and gave it some food.

“Aren’t you afraid to get seriously ill again Tasha?” Potch asked me.

“No, not at all.” I responded. I wasn’t afraid because the cute face of the cat enlightens my mind. Plus it was the first time I got to get near a cat.

“What should we name her?” Pichie asked happily. 

“Mary! Let’s name it Mary.” suggested Potch.

“Naa… Let’s call it Claire.” Said Pitchie.

“Uhm, how about Maire?” I asked them, asking for their support.

Both of them agreed to call the cat Maire. We took good care of Maire. Feed her luxurious cat food and got a personal trainer for her to well-trained.

It’s been quite awhile when we became busy with that stray cat we found. We treated it as if it was really ours. It was also a puzzle to all of us why instead of being in the worst condition, I become lively each day.

The time that dad knew about it Maire also came. It was the time when I was in the garden painting the playful cat. I was terrified of what dad will say about what I did. I was preparing myself- taking a deep breath and facing my cheek, ready for a slap. But in its place he did not got mad. He asked me, “Is that the cat in the painting we entered in the charity fair that was sold for $192 million during the bidding?”

I never thought he’d recognize. But he actually did. I did not receive any hurtful words or even a snap in the face.  Taking the cat away from me did not cross his mind although he limited my time with Maire.

I was so happy of the sudden changes that are happening in the run of my life right now. Until, I felt different. I didn’t realize that I was too busy with this stray cat that I even forgot having time to be with the persons who are always there for me since then. Potch never passes by our yard neither Pitchie. They only come during weekends unlike before where they are always beside me whenever I need them. I didn’t take the present scenario negatively, “Maybe they’re just busy.” I always say.

            Days, weeks, months passed by. The faster time goes by, the shorter the time I spend with Pitch and Potch. Maire grew and learned much by this time. One day, while busy reviewing the files and papers for my class, Maire was playing with a ball of yarn. The air is filled with Mozart’s music then suddenly… “Ahhhhhhhh! Ahw! Ouch!” I cried.

            I fell off the chair and couldn’t remember anything… until I woke up seeing dad beside me whereas I am lying in my bed. I feel cold and my hands are shaking. I saw a big bandage in my leg and there I knew I was bitten. Pitchie and Potch are also there, bothered of what may happen to me next. I got sick for some time, find it hard to stand alone and even walk.

            Maire was then brought to the veterinarian where she is to stay for rehabilitation. I was sad to know about it but sadder to know that despite all of the good things we gave her, a scar is what’s left for return.

            Pitchie despondently talked to me. She was saying a bitter goodbye. “Why??! Why are you moving away?” I asked. She was teary-eyed; no words came out of her mouth. She turned around weeping and ran away.

            “Potch, tell me what happened.” I ordered. She can’t look straight to me and there I knew something was really wrong. I grabbed Potch’s hand and said, “Everything will be fine right?”

            “I don’t think so Tasha.” She slowly uttered. “Your dad blamed us of what ensued to you. She didn’t even let us explain… I- I am sorry Tasha. But we have to move away. Forgive me for saying this but your dad is so cruel to us! He threatened us that if we won’t move away, our father and our businesses will suffer the consequences.” She added.

            I was shocked saying, “What?! This can’t be!!!” I hurriedly got my phone and called dad, I said, “Dad we have to talk.”

            “Is this about the cat? Well baby, don’t worry. Later, I’ll fetch the cat from Doctor Francisco. I’ll buy Maire treats plus I’ll buy your cat a nice mat where it can lay down. Isn’t that a great news honey?” dad spoke fast.

            “It isn’t dad. I want my friends back, not that stray cat. Dad, why do you have to take them away from me? It’s not their fault anyway. I’m the one who forced them to take that cat even if I know it’s wrong. Pitchie even sacrificed everything she have the moment she dais, ‘Ok, ok! We’ll keep her.’. Dad I promised her and Potch that I’ll take care of everything. They are more than a friend to me. The two of them are beside me whenever I find you unexplainable with All these stuffs you want me to be who I am not. Dad, I love Potch and Pitchie. And if I were to choose, I’ll choose them over that stray cat. Daddy, please don’t sent them away. They’re the thing that’s left for me. The one who always go for whatever it is that makes me happy. Please dad!” I tearfully replied.

            Dad was sorry about that. I am so happy to know that he granted my petition. I, Pitchie and Potch are now ok. We do the things we used to do together before. No furs, no yarn and no bites. Thru what I experienced opened a new chapter to my life. It made me realize that things who makes you happy for now doesn’t mean to make you happy till the end.

            In the other hand, Dc. Francisco fell in love with our adorable, cute little fellow Maire. She asked me, “Are you still gonna get your cat? If not please let me have her.”

It was a pleasure to me to know that Maire has a new home.  Where it is possible for her to get what she really wants. Though I’ll miss the time when I found my dress torn out by her paws, didn’t sleep well because of her noisy meows, sneeze continuously because of her fur and lose my appetite all because of the smell of her poop. But one thing I thank God for letting me found that stray cat. Because that cat thought me to appreciate the people who do great things for me and see it myself how true to me my friends are.

“Tasha, thank you for all of this.” said Potch.

I smiled and replied, “No. don’t thank me. I am the one thankful to both of you. You two became great good friends to me. Giving me the love that my father lacks and helping me out in different obstacles I face since then. Thanks girls!”

Pitchie stated, “Stop it Tasha. Don’t be too emotional. Oh, you’ll always be hurt in the end if you think everyone will do the same as we do.”

“I know I am weak but I know you guys are never gonna hurt me. I trust you two Pitchie.” I said.

The three of us then learned to be careful of whomever we meet each day. We always place in our minds that friends should be able to never give up.

Betrayal is never a chance it is a choice and as humans, we should highly pursue to appreciate something other people around us do for us. Because we may not know it is worth their everything.

By: Justin Mae Lico Aguilar