Me, Undisguised

I found her crying her heart out under the bushes on my way to the cafe one day, maybe because it was cold, maybe because she was hungry, probably because she was scared. After all, it was drizzling, it was almost dark, and she was alone. It took me a while to persuade her, I practically had to catch her, but somehow, I finally managed to have her in my arms. She was shivering, the poor thing. I brought her to my room, wrapped a towel around her and tried to stop the shivering. She was such an adorable little creature. That was how Shin-chan, as my family and I later called this kitten, came into our lives and touched our hearts.

To sneak her into the house without my father’s knowledge was rather tricky. Thank goodness my mom was in the act as well. So were my siblings. I had to keep her in my room so that my father didn’t find out. And amazingly, it seemed that Shin-chan understood! She didn’t cry, didn’t make any noise at all, just sat quietly in her basket. She was truly a good kitten.

Obviously, my father found out later. But the tale was that she just appeared out of nowhere, NOT that I found her and brought her home. Until now, my father still doesn’t know the real story.

Over the months, Shin-chan grew up to be very charming and beautiful. Very ladylike, although she had a tendency to babble once in a while (guess she takes after her owner). Mind you, I was strict with her, unlike with Biscus, my other ‘baby’. But Shin-chan was really obedient and didn’t create much trouble. A really good cat.

We found out later that she had such a pure heart. She was still young at the time, but she mothered two orphaned kittens. Each of the kittens was different, in breed and background, but together along with Shin-chan, they became a family. There was this one time when one of the kittens was hurt and it cried, Shin-chan came running and comforted the kitten, just like a true mother cat would. We all loved her for that. It almost seemed like she didn’t want the kittens to suffer the same fate she did when she was little, to be left alone, untended. So, she did what she could, even lets them suckle her fur for milk.

She definitely won over our family’s hearts, even my dad’s.

Sadly, one day, she was gone. Just like that. Hit by a car. Even now, it hurts everytime I recall what my mom told me. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that I was working in Perak at that time, so I didn’t get a chance to see for myself.

It’s been more or less a year now, but I still miss her. I miss the love she brought with her into our home, especially the love she gave the kittens. I miss her babbles. I miss her huge eyes, her cute face. I miss the way that she would snuggle on my lap whenever I sit.

Here’s to you, Shin-chan. Thank you for entering our lives and warming our hearts. I definitely will remember you, always.

Oh, yes, just to let you know, the kittens have now grown into very healthy, MISCHIEVOUS teenage cats. :o)