The Feeling of Pity

I WOKE UP to a moody weather decorated with a mushy grey sky. My new alarm ring tone of Maria Maria by Santana rang enthusiastically. This was a bad choice considering I kept pressing on the “stop” button for every 15 minute alarm interval I have set the night before.

I was obliged to accompany my mom and my sister-in-law out for the late afternoon. Driving through the rain. Horrah. While walking along the Teguh Raya area, I saw one of the workers patiently trying to shoo a little orange brown kitten. I was instantly glued to my feet, eyebrows rising and my heart feeling sorry for the little thing. The rain was pouring, the baby was wet, hungry and alone. [cries] It hurts to see how other people aren’t giving it any attention, not giving any pity to the thing. How I wish I could have become the kitten’s hero. I would’ve scooped it up right away and kept it as a pet if it wasn’t for my mom’s hatred/fear of smelly furry little animals. All I could do was stare at it with feeling of regret. Huhu.

Imagine how the cat was feeling from its point of view…

Hmmm. That was some good fish.

Mommy had brought us to the “magic supplier building”. The place was marvelous! Colourful plastic bags everywhere filled with every imaginable thing. We walked around sniffing them until Mommy called us out to her. I could already smell the sweet scent of fish. Yummm!!

After much cleaning up with our cute little tongues, my siblings and I went to play around the alley. Mommy told us to be very careful. It was going to rain soon. We asked her not to worry. We were invincible! Mommy just laughed but kept a good look at us.

We were playing hide and seek superheroes style when I noticed a little movement behind a trash can. My natural senses were tingling. Hmmm. Maybe I should take a look. I stalked stealthily towards it and just caught a little glimpse of a brown tail. Heehee. I was filled with sudden glee. A mouse!! Just wait till Mommy finds out what I’ll achieve today! With slow agile movements I try to trace its footsteps. When I thought the moment was right, I pounced dangerously onto it. Oh no! It slipped away! But suddenly the rain came down as if someone poured water on the clouds and squeezed them straight away. I noticed there were more cars on this side of the area. Movements of huge human beings could be seen everywhere. I realized that I was not on familiar grounds.

Where am I?

I was cold and wet. I had to find a shelter. Looking around with what my vision could provide me; I saw a stationary car and ran towards it. Oh yaye! Thank you God. I tried to lick myself dry and clean. It was no use; the wind blew little sprays of water underneath the car. All I could do was cuddle up and wish that the rain will go away. I grew scared and tried to calm myself down, singing a lullaby that Mommy always sings to us. Mommy...

It felt like ages before I opened my eyes. I couldn’t tell what time it was because of the weather, but I was hungry again. It must be late afternoon. It was still raining but less hard. I put up with the little courage I had and walked out from under the car. I arrived in front of a huge space with even more colourful bags and people going in and out of it. There were songs playing about this ‘Hari Raya’ thing and constant ring keeps coming out from a machine where people seem to queue up. I wonder if there is any food in there. Suddenly a dark hand pushes me away from my destination. “Shoo, shoo!” Oh, but I just want to have a looksy. I won’t bother anyone sir. Please sir.

But of course, all the man could hear was my pitiful meows. I persisted on trying to go in, but he finally won. I saw a girl in a long head scarf staring at me, her eyes wide open, with obvious feeling of sorry for me. Yes, please come and help me. I saw her look at her mother and made an apologetic face. As if she wanted to help but couldn’t. That’s okay Miss. I think I can take care of myself. She walked away with regret.

My concentration shifted to the aromatic smell of chicken coming from somewhere and followed it. I headed towards the end of the long building. Every time someone opened the door of the entrance, I kept having a whiff of the enchanting aroma. Oh how I wish I could have some. But still no one came to my rescue.

Oh. What was that?

A pile of unclean chicken bones are placed on the side of the building. But they were too close to the rain. I might get wet… At this instant my angry hungry stomach grumbled at me. Fine.

As soon as I arrived there, a low growling noise came from the back alley. It was another big dusty white cat. With ugly eyes. Oh no. It wants the food. At the moment when I noticed that the big cat was actually angry, I decided that this must be his food and he think I’m stealing it. I started to walk slowly away when it came to attack me. But mister, I didn’t even touch it! He was too furious too listen. I tried to defend myself with what strength my little body could provide. It was a good thing I was quite fast compared to him so I could dodge as much of his attacks as possible.

Suddenly I was caught in a corner. Mr Ugly looked quite happy at that fact. He was about to pounce on me when another cat pushed it away. It was Mommy!! And Uncle Ned with my siblings as well! Mr Ugly was outnumbered. He was forced to leave his precious food.

Oh Mommy! I was so scared!

“It’s okay honey. Mommy’s here. I’m here to protect you now.”

The world can be so cruel when you are alone and there is no one to shelter you from it. People can be so ignorant to you when you are different even though deep down inside, helping you was the right thing to do.