Lion cub's little cousin steals my heart

 I generally like watching the squirrels, sparrows, crows, stray cats, and dogs from afar during my morning walks, but I have never entertained the idea of having a pet at home.

Once, I saw a stray cat in my building compound with a lizard in her mouth. “Eeeks, yuck!” I thought. Being a smaller cousin version of the cute cubs that I was watching on reels, the image of a baby lion cub flashed in front of me!!

A week later, I was impressed by a sight in front of my building gate, or rather smitten at the sight of the same cat curled up on an autorickshaw seat, purr-fectly relaxed!!

From then on, my eyes started looking out for her. I named her “Hunter,” and I
would stop to play with her every time I spotted her, and that was the beginning of a beautiful bond. Soon, she started following me and once even peeked into my house with her big black grape-like eyes, and my heart melted. I invited her inside my house.

 I immediately spread old newspapers on the sofa seats and dining chairs in case she sits on them. 

It was all new to me, and the first thing that would occur to me was that she has walked and sat on the pavements and roads, so she will dirty the upholstery.

She kept her distance, then slowly entered in, all the while having an eye on the door to exit if she smells danger. It made me wonder as to how we all begin our journey with strangers with utmost caution.

Soon, she claimed one of the sofas near the television as her throne. I started covering the sofa seat with an old cloth, which can be discarded later.

She started showing up daily and slept on her self-assigned throne with her belly rising and falling, feeling secure and trusting my house to sleep without disturbance.

She is a cute, curious calico cat with a lovely furry coat. I love to watch her fast asleep with her tail wrapped neatly around her paws. I also like her in the loafing pose when she looks like a spongy, fluffy loaf of bread. Cats have a way of looking at you, and it makes one forget all the worries one has. 

I never considered myself a cat person.

In fact, I had never imagined myself five years ago that one day I would be rearranging my furniture and my timings to step out of the house just to make sure a little four-legged furball had the perfect nap spot and did not miss her mealtime. 

 She feels like almost family now. My Blinkit list has her toys and cat food in it.

Her innocent black grape-like eyes especially melt my heart every single day. I have Googled all about feline behavior and have now turned into somewhat of a cat expert.

 I learnt so many things about her moods, when her tail flicks sharply, when her ears flatten, what scares her, what interests her…

 My phone is overflowing with her photos and videos.

On the days that Huntu (Hunter is now fondly called Huntu) would not show up in the morning, one of us from my family would go searching for her. Somehow, we all have gotten so used to her presence at home. Although we do not pick her up as we are still not comfortable, as she has sharp claws, and we enjoy watching from afar or playing with her.

We seem to have an unspoken arrangement that food, toys, and space are always available. She is immensely fond of my son and on the days he is busy, she will wait patiently till he plays and talks to her.

She has made my house feel more alive with her presence. My home is now a part of her world, one that she is fond of without needing to belong (as in adoption).

Huntu, choosing to return daily makes me so happy. And for a stray cat, that is probably pure love.

 On the days she decides to show up late in the morning, either I, my son or my hubby go downstairs to fetch her. It feels like we share some deep connection. How else do you explain being so smitten by a street cat who has now made a place in your heart ?

I think the universe brings some beings into our lives quietly. That may be why a stray cat comes to my house every day and why I find myself liking her presence more than I expected.