DIARY OF A CAT

19th November (1)

19th Nov (1)    7:45 AM     THE BEGINNING

I was awoken by chirping birds and the morning sun. I looked around not realizing where I had slept until my eyes cleared up and then I knew where I was. In the thicket of the town park. The first shock of being alone. I smiled and looked around my environs. I smiled again. The bright morning sun peered through the leaves that gave me covering. I smiled and I cried for just a second. I need not cry, for crying does not solve the problem. I removed the larger plantain leaves I had covered myself with and got up. Trying to stretch my bones racked painfully that I stopped and nursed my back pains. It would go away. Pain never lasts forever.

I walked towards the pew closest to me and sat on it. The meeting was supposed to start at eight, according to Kofi but I did not see signs of any wandering or approaching cat. I yawned. Knowing better, cats were never punctual. I had to occupy myself with something or wait patiently. My belly was churning good morning to me and I need to respond to it.

The restaurant!

I had not seen Darling yesterday. That would be an opportunity to see her. But I owned her too. Penniless was my name. I could not afford to pay for Kofi’s food and shelter. I could not go there with the excuse that I did not have money on me. That would tarnish my image.

After five minutes of confusion, I decided. I ran into the bush and plucked a tulip flower and that was it. I had something to redeem my image even if I did not have money. I ran almost half way and walked almost none. I was in a hurry to get there quickly before eight knocked on the clock. The meeting was very crucial to the upcoming events in the town. Things would never be the same again. It had already started changing. I’d help it continue after all there is only one that’s stable – change.

The morning dew has settled on the roof of the restaurant and it almost looked like it had rained only there. Few people sat in the dining room when I entered, and almost nobody took notice of me. That was fine by me. If I had been with kelvin, people would have petted me. But I said earlier, that was fine by me. Nothing ever stays the same.

Kofi appeared from nowhere to great me. He in fact scared the heaven out of me with his shrill call. The smile on his face spoke volumes. It was either he had done something mischievous and unforgivable or he had gotten a good night. I simply stared at him.

“Have you settled things with Kelvin?” he asked

“It got worse. He sacked me” I answered.

“Oh, finally?” Kofi said.

“What do you mean by that?” I inquired, frowning.

But before he could answer, sweet Darling appeared in sight. She looked so glorious that I could not take my eyes of her. She glided towards me from the kitchen gate. As she neared I began to realize I may look shabby since I had not bathe yet. I thought I looked horrible.

“Ofori, good morning. It’s been ages” She said in her silky voice of gold.

Ages? But it was only two days ago?

“Hey, good… good morning. Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy.” I responded.

‘Yes, I know all about that” She said, and I immediately looked at Kofi with a questioning look. Kofi looked away instantly. What had he told her?

“Excuse me, Sir. Excuse me, Miss Darling.” He said and walked away quickly.

“Don’t be mad at him. I forced him to tell me. It was not his fault” Darling said. She simply sparkled as she smiled form her pure heart. “You must be hungry. Come with me.”

I followed her into the kitchen and into her private room where food had already been served. It smelled good and I needed all down my gut immediately, fork and knife as well. I was s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g.

“Go ahead and eat” She said and sat on the cushion. I sat and began to eat.

“Kofi told me all that I needed hearing of. The man has been having problems with you and has been threatening to send you out”

“Which he did yesterday.”

“Why? What happened? Did you have a confrontation?”

“Nothing of that sort. He had already made his mind up. I suspect something is wrong. He’s never gotten angry with me that long. We always make a minute later.” I said sipping the juice in the bowl.

“So, where did you sleep in the night?”

“In the park… very uncomfortable” I said, massaging my burning limps. “I woke up all in pain. I’ve never slept outside before. It’s a horrible experience”

“I’ve done that so many times, and it is truly a horrible experience. But I got used to it somehow.” She said.I ate in silence afterwards. When I was done, she asked “What is happening in the park? Kofi told me you are meeting the community cats. What’s up?”

“Nothing much. I just want to speak to them. Yesterday, I visited Quartey, The TMO and he seemed to be too comfortable in his house to go out and know the challenges the cats are facing. I think I need to draw their attention to it and find a way to solve the problem. He cannot be spending our provisions without giving us the service we are due. Somebody’s got to put him right before things simply get out of hand, you know. That’s what the meeting is all about.”

Darling did not say anything.

“Are you thinking of coming?” I inquired of her.

“Yes, I do intend to come. I am a community cat” Darling responded confidently as if being a community cat was a priceless heritage.

“Don’t bother coming. That would be a waste of time. I would run through all that happens or better still Kofi will.”

“Oh, I have nothing doing today. Coming to the meeting will at least provide me something to while away my time with.” Darling persisted to my dislike. I did not want her to be there. Whatever was going to ensue would involve every human, which includes her patron, and I did not want her to hear it until I could do something about exemptions.

“I insist you don’t bother coming. You will have first class report from both of us, ok?” I insisted firmly.

“Alright. I will wait for you guys” She finally gave in to my persuasion. In all her glorious aura and spotlessness, she will have a huge dose of stubbornness which had to be tamed someday.

“I have to go now.” I said.

“May everything go well.”

“It will” I answered and we stared at each other. We drew closer and held hands. I felt a strong magnetic force from her , and I think she felt the same.

“Sir…!” And there came Kofi out of nowhere to disturb the magnetic field. “All the cats are gathered. They are waiting for you. You better hurry before they all get bored and decide to leave.”

“Time to go, see you late” Darling said and we dissociated reluctantly.

I ran off quickly. This very morning was the beginning to yesterday’s end.