HILANG

 

Chapter 2 

             Muay, the Maddening Scamp

Seasons had gone by with vibrant autumns and chilling winters. Muay Thai had now  become very outgoing and social. On a full moon night, this newly transformed scamp  had bounded away on some nocturnal adventure. 

I waited for her return for almost a week. As I searched high and low for Muay Thai, my heart raced with panic with every passing moment. 

On one of my search treks, I spotted something that made my blood run cold. Lying on the ground, partially hidden by the underbrush on the curbside, was Muay Thai's collar.

The vibrant fuchsia leather was faded and dirty, but the delicate zircon pendant still sparkled in the sunlight and that had caught my attention.

Holding it gently in my hands, I examined it for any sign of what might have happened to Muay Thai. But there was nothing - no blood, dried or otherwise.

Maybe, just maybe, Muay Thai was still out there, waiting for me to find her. Maybe she was injured, but alive, and just needed me to come and rescue her. The thought gave me the strength to keep going, to keep searching, and to never give up.

But there was no sign of this truant lil mischief maker anywhere. I missed Muay Thai, I missed her soft purrs, her cuddles, her little meows. As reality set in, I realized that I may have to live with this uncertainty and carry this ache in my heart, this Hilang for the rest of my life.

Absent-mindedly, I had taken a detour to  nearby picnic spot in a shaded park. I was seated on a neat little wooden bench still reeling from the discovery of Muay Thai's collar. That's when I saw her. She was held by a little girl, who was beaming with excitement as she gazed at Muay Thai's adorable face. Muay Thai sensed me and her eyes locked onto mine. I could see the recognition dawn on her.

For a moment, we just stared at each other. I could see the longing in her eyes, the desire to run to me, to nuzzle my hand, to go home. But she was restrained by the harness and leash, unable to move towards me.

The little girl looked at her parents, who were busy bundling up their things from their little picnic. They seemed oblivious to the silent reunion taking place right in front of them. I wanted to call out to get their attention, but I faltered.

Before I could do anything, they quickly loaded into their car, Muay Thai now safely tucked away into a cat carrier. I watched in horror as they drove away. Muay Thai's eyes were fixed on me until they disappeared from view. Her desperate cries and tugging weren't taken seriously.

I stood there, frozen in place and I realized that even if I had called out, even if I had tried to stop them, I wouldn't have been able to prove that Muay Thai was mine. I didn’t have any papers, any identification, any proof of ownership.

I was left standing there, feeling helpless and defeated. I should have had her microchipped, I thought to myself, replaying all the what-ifs in my head. If only I had taken that extra precaution, I might have been able to track her down. 

While I watched the car drive away, I saw the little girl giggling and amusing Muay Thai with a feather toy. I knew that she was in good hands. She was with a loving family, who would care for her and give her the love and attention she deserved.

But she was gone, and I was left with nothing but regret.

*****

A Fortnight Later…

As I sat amidst the eerie silence on my porch, Fluffnut, Muay's dashing boyfriend, emerged from the clump of shrubs. His eyes, like two gleaming lanterns, seemed to hold a deep sorrow. Rubbing his forehead against my leg, his gentle caressing comforted me.

Fluffnut was not just a solace, he was also a reminder of Muay's absence. He began to make his rounds everyday, searching every nook and cranny of the garden, peering inside the house while meowing plaintively as if calling out to his lost love.

Over time, Fluffnut's search became more frantic. One fine day, he barged inside and darted from room to room, his tail twitching like a metronome, his eyes scanning every inch of the house. It was as if he was driven by a singular obsession – to find Muay.

Fluffnut's search had became more desperate as weeks passed. He scratched at doors, meowed at walls, and was willing to move mountains, to find his lady love. His meows too had strangely started sounding like 'Muay! Muay!'

****

Seated on the usual comfy spot on the couch I had shared with Muay, I stared blankly at the wall feeling a deep sense of Hilang. I noticed Fluffnut, walking into the room. He settled himself on the cushions --weary after an entire day of wailing all around the neighborhood.

Soothing his weary head, I tried to explain to him that Muay Thai had found a new home, that she was loved and cared for by someone else. But Fluffnut wouldn't be deterred. I'd watch him, my heart a mix of sadness and admiration for his devotion.

As the days wore on, Fluffnut's meows grew softer, his eyes lost their radiance. But even in defeat, Fluffnut remained loyal, curling up beside me, his presence a constant reminder that I was not alone in my grief.

****

And then, one day, as Fluffnut sat on  window ledge gazing out at the world outside, I saw a flicker of hope in his eyes. He stood up abruptly, moaning as if responding to the empty space in front of him. I followed his gaze, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw the classic "staring at invisible bugs" move! 

Fluffnut stood perfectly still like a soldier, eyes fixed intently on a blank spot before him, head darting slightly as if she was tracking some unseen prey and listening intently.

Fluffnut suddenly turned around and fixed his deep gaze on me, his eyes shining with an intense understanding. He nuzzled my hand, and I knew that he had finally found closure. 

****

On that same cool and windy evening in April, as the sun set over the quiet rooftops and the long shadows of trees stretched on the streets, Fluffnut rose and walked away from his usual roost on the window ledge. Maybe he was ready to move on, knowing that he would always carry Muay's memory in his heart.

Fluffnut walked to the garden gate, turned back to look at me, meowed in a high pitch one last time as if to bid goodbye, and then slipped out into the fading twilight. I was left alone, the emptiness overwhelming.

The house, once filled with the joyful, lively sounds of Muay and Fluffnut, was now a mausoleum. I was left to pick up the pieces, to mourn the loss of not one, but two beloved companions. This Hilang was ripping me apart.

To Be Continued...

PIC COURTESY: PINTEREST