Kaajal’s love for Vanilla was mother like-unconditional. She had rescued Vanilla when she was a kitten. The kitten, white as snow was shivering in a deserted garage, helpless in the heavy downpour. She brought her home, wrapped in her windcheater and nursed it back to health. When the kitten first opened its eyes, it meowed feebly and slightly licked Kaajal’s nose. Still scrunching her nose, she tucked the kitten in a warm blanket. Since Kaajal was very fond of ice-cream, decided to name her ‘Vanilla’-white and precious. She couldn’t have asked for a better gift on her 18th birthday. They were inseparable since then.
Vanilla and KJ (as her friends lovingly called her) shared some wonderful memories-Vanilla’s first poop lesson, the first dog scare and the walks in the local joggers’ park. KJ had built her a small comfy house out of her mom’s broken vegetable basket and old squishy pillows. In spite of which the cat always slept in Kaajal’s arms. Her favorite pass time was to curl up in Kaajal’s laps when she sat cross-legged to study. Kaajal would then stroke the back of her ear over memorizing difficult formulae.
Vanilla would observe Kaajal trying to roll chapattis in all different shapes, when she struggled with getting the omelette correct and when she would cut her finger while chopping vegetables. She was there when Kaajal would cry in the night over a bad day. Vanilla would sleep on her stomach when she talked on the phone for hours. When Kaajal ranted about all the things bothering her; she would look at her with those big, calm blue eyes. Even though the cat never understood what made her friend cry, complain or crazy, Vanilla was always there for her.
Vanilla was like Kaajal’s baby. She cared deeply about her because it felt incredible having saved the cat’s life and to raise her. The cat was her constant companion-the cat had no demands only faithful love. But then on a hot afternoon the dreaded happened.
“You’re acting funny, Vanilla” she observed. She picked up the cat and placed it on the centre table. There was something wrong, she knew it, and she could feel it too. She quickly changed into a pair of jeans and t-shirt and grabbed the car keys. She drove to the vet, praying the entire time. After a long night camped at the vet’s, over tears and numerous cups of coffee, Kaajal lost her baby. “She gave a brave fight”, the doctor tried to console the girl. That day Kaajal lost an important person. Kaajal had always considered Vanilla as a friend and never a pet. It was a difficult night, she just couldn’t sleep.
Almost a year passed by, Kaajal got used to the absence of her dear cat but the insomnia still lingers.
P.S:haven't edited it at all so please do ignore grammatical mistakes if any.
