-I-
The kitten lay helpless, battling for its death.
I was helpless too, stood there as a mere spectator, crying frantically, and feeling guilty all the time.
When I stood there watching her pain, I regretted my decision to have her as my pet. I should have vowed to take care of her before I accepted her. I should have been a little more careful.
I don't remember her name, or maybe I didn't even name her.
I got the sweet and tiny creature from Mini's home. Mini was my best friend, and her mom, Mariamma Aunty, was an ardent feline lover. One day, I went there to meet the cat mom and her kitten. I fell in love with the kitten at first sight itself. Aunty gave her to me as a gift.
Moti was so excited. She was like a true mother. Being a dog, which never had puppies, she fed the kitten with motherly affection and treated her as her own.
Some of our neighbors said it is against nature to keep the dog and the kitten under one roof. They are born enemies and should not behave without enmity.
Human beings are strange creatures; they make their own rules and boundaries and believe that the Almighty made it.
- II -
The kitten was still alive, and I ran away from there. I cursed myself for that fateful moment, and the things that happened on that day never left my mind.
It's been almost thirty years since it all happened. I was a seven-year-old kid then. Even now, if I close my eyes for a few seconds, everything that happened on that day will flash across my mind.
That boy was Achu Uncle's relative. Since it was our summer holidays, he used to come and play with me and Mini. But, on that day, he came with Fluffy, Achu uncle's pet dog. She was also my Moti's friend.
The tiny creature was lying there, clinging on to Moti, whom she thought was her mother. Fluffy growled at the kitten when she saw her but soon settled down calmly, lying opposite to them.
Everything went well, and we were all happily playing some board games.
It happened then.
Moti got up and went out to answer nature's call. Suddenly, Fluffy sprang upon the little one like a prey and tossed it violently. She almost killed the kitten and there was blood everywhere. I was shocked and couldn't move. With great difficulty, the boy took Fluffy back to their home.
The kitten lay there, half-dead!
The wails of the dying kitten still ring in my ears. It was in immense pain and was struggling to die, but could not. The Vet told that he wouldn't be able to save the kitten.
The kitten lay like that, wailing for one more day.
Yes, I ran away from there, cursing myself for letting another dog near my kitten. I could have even kept it inside the house when Fluffy came; I could have listened carefully to the neighbors when they told me that dogs and cats are born enemies. But I did not.
The vivid image of the dying kitten has permanently made its place in my mind, and there's no escape for me from that sin. Yet, I continue with my daily life ignoring the turmoil of my subconscious mind. And in the darkest depth of my mind, my kitten is still alive, and I am dead!
