Cat Dog Days

The fat grey cat stretched lazily and vigorously shook its body. Billi Miyao was basking on a bench of the sunlit garden besides Nav Vihar Colony. Letting out a satisfied purr, Miyao believed that all was good with his life.

That was until he heard loud heavy breathing. Curiously, Miyao opened his eyes. And there in front of him was Bhau Bhau, the brown Indie dog who absolutely refused to leave Miyao alone.

Yawning irritatedly, Miyao snapped at the spritely dog.

“What is it Bhau Bhau? Why won’t you let me sleep peacefully?”

Bhau Bhau ran energetically around the fat cat, barked excitedly and finally came to a halt. She exclaimed “Miyao! Isn’t it nice? Isn’t it nice? It’s so nice again, isn’t it?

“We have people in the market. People in the gardens. People on the roads!

“I was beginning to get worried that all of them had just disappeared last year…”

Miyao squeezed his eyes shut meditatively.

“Yes, yes. It’s all good. I still don’t get why they have begun covering up their face though. I mean just because they don’t look as beautiful as a cat is no reason for them to be ashamed of how they look!”

Bhau Bhau turned her head sideways, giving Miyao a puzzled look.

“Oh is that why they’re wearing those masks Bhau Bhau?”

Miyao casually shifted her tail in a more comfortable position.

“Well obviously!”

Bhau Bhau suddenly looked sad.

“But Miyao, then what about all of them we don’t see anymore? Sarla Aunty who used to feed me, where did she go? Why does her granddaughter Mintu always look so sad? Are we missing something?”

Miyao’s thoughtful eyes grew narrow as he grimaced.

“Let me tell you a secret Bhau Bhau. I sometimes do still see your Sarla Aunty. But she is in another world now. I don’t know why, but a lot of them are now in that other world…”

Bhau Bhau whimpered slightly.

“I knew it must be something like that Miyao. Because let me also tell you a secret, over this last year I can smell that our humans are falling sick in some way. I just don’t get what it is!”

Miyao tapped his paw next to him.

“Hey! Relax now Bhau Bhau. Come take a seat.”

The Indie dog leapt onto the bench and curled into a ball. The cat affectionately rubbed his body against her.

Miyao purred. “Now don’t be worried. These humans may have forgotten it, but we know the truth don’t we?”

Bhau Bhau looked puzzled. “What truth?”

Miyao smiled enigmatically.

“We cats don’t like giving away all our secrets Bhau Bhau.”

“Oh just tell me Miyao!”

Miyao chuckled.

“All right, all right! See the years will go by. Someday you and I will also go to that other world. But there is something that stays behind. Something that always stays behind. These humans call it love I think.”

Bhau Bhau’s eyes grew wide.

“Wow Miyao. For a cat who licks his butt, you are so wise!”

Miyao glowered.

“Hey! Don’t comment on my hygiene practices please!”

Saying so, the cat and the dog quietly huddled against each other and slowly fell asleep. A New Year had begun.

THE END

Note:

I understand some things have changed in the beginning of 2022. So take care of yourself!