Grew to Love You

PC: Ram Gopal

Gaia and Simon were dating for a year before he popped the big question. No, no. Not that big question. Simon had asked her to if she would like to move in with him and she had happily obliged.
On a sunny Saturday, she packed her things — her clothes, shoes, and other trinkets took nearly 12 boxes — and moved into her new home. Over the next few weeks, she had adapted to living with her partner. They communicated openly and tried to accommodate each other to the best of their abilities. She tried not to nag too much when he left his clothes strewn around and he tried to remember to take out the trash on alternate days. Things were good between them. However, there was one thing that Gaia just couldn’t tolerate and that was the cat. Simon had adopted the ginger three years back from a shelter and fondly named him Tiger. Y’know because of the color and stripes. Cliché if you ask her. It pranced around the house, its face always smug. Not used to having another person in the house, Tiger hissed at Gaia whenever they crossed paths, effectively startling her. She didn’t like his sneaky presence and she believed the dislike was mutual. Simon was too fond of the little bugger though, so she tried to keep her complaints to a minimum.
She was making breakfast late one Sunday when she noticed Tiger on the counter.
“I am not giving you food,” she stated, sticking her tongue out at him.
It continued to sit on the counter and lick its paw. She noticed for the first time how comely it was, how its orange and white stripes formed an intricate pattern along it’s back and how perfectly round was its face with its deep green eyes looking like emerald gems.
Tiger dropped down on all fours and gave a soft whimper. Gaia sighed and pushed a slice of cheese towards him. He gobbled it up quickly and looked at her expectantly. She chuckled. She got out the cat food from the top counter, poured it in Tiger’s designated bowl and placed it in front of him. He gave an appreciative purr before diving into the food. She watched him for a while before tentatively put her hand out to touch him. As her hand hovered over his head, Tiger reached out and rubbed his head against her palm, his eyes closed in content. She could feel the growl from deep within him, a kind of vibration against her hand. Encouraged, she lightly scratched behind his ear like how she had seen Simon do plenty of times. Tiger spread himself out on the counter, his half-eaten bowl left forgotten, as he let her pamper him. She couldn’t help but smile down at his serene, beautiful face.
They quickly settled into this new routine. If Simon noticed this, he never let on.
Simon worked in a different shift and Gaia was often left alone with Tiger. She liked to watch a little bit of television after returning home from the office. It is her way of unwinding. Sometimes, she watched the news. Sometimes, it was either a music channel or a stand-up comedy. Eventually, Tiger joined her on the couch and she got into the habit of talking to him, explaining what was going with the world, explaining why she liked a certain kind of music or why she found something funny. She grew rather fond of his company. Perhaps it was because he purred at everything she said, giving off the feeling that he was listening. Never arguing but simply listening.
She had been out of town when it had happened. Simon had called and with anguish clear in his voice informed her that Tiger had an accident. It was a hit and run. How Tiger had managed to get out onto the streets, Simon wasn’t sure. Gaia’s chest constricted as she heard the words ‘accident’ and ‘hospital’. She had to ask Simon to repeat a few times before she could fully understand what had taken place. And when the realization sunk in, she was crying. She couldn’t quiet the brokenhearted wailing even if she tried.
“He is going to be alright though right?” she managed to ask.
She had driven home the same night to be with her family. She had never called them that before, but she realized that was what they were — a family. Simon greeted her with tears in his lovely eyes and they held onto each as their shared grief crashed around them.
It was a severe head injury and the doctor took two long days before saying nothing could be done. When Tiger died, Gaia was shaken. She could do nothing for someone she loved and it will take a long long while before this incomprehensible grief subsides.