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STORY OF CHRISTY
It was an afternoon, like all afternoon except that when all things are stilled, a storm is soon to be brewing.
"The cat has to go!" says the new supervisor who looks like a Big Bad Wolf all-ready to puff and blow the guardhouse away.
"But it just slept on the desk all day long and never bother anyone else going about their daily duties", the guard protested. Soon there was a chorus from everyone with given reasons why the cat should stay.
"I am the person-in-charge, I call the shots here. As long as I am 'boss', there will be no cats!" the Big Bad Wolf is almost throwing a fit. Storming off all hot and self-righteous leaving behind a group of sinking hearts.
"Not to worry, I will go talk to Human Resource Department and see if the kind manager can put in a good word for us," says one of the Aunties.
Just as the world is filled with people whose warmth and kindness were unconditional, there is too a darker aspect to the other side of humanity. When someone chooses to find fault with something or somebody, the faults will be endless. What is expected will always be experienced and many a-times, painfully. If only biases comes like reading glasses that can be taken off to give the heart and mind a chance to contemplate and examine the issues before subscribing to given ideas or values.
So while Christy gets to stay, the Big Bad Wolf however did have his wish fulfilled. Christy was removed eventually with great reluctance by the security staff themselves and their hearts were crying when they took her out of the guardhouse.
Christy's problems have just began, there is more to come. Learning the rules of the concrete jungle is not made easy by traffic that tells itself when to stop or when to go. It is the lights language people know and Christy was at first fascinated and curious with the blinks and hoots that make up the busy but orderly flow. Soon confusion and fear set in when getting to the other side seems so near and yet so much impossible.
Taking a gamble, Christy makes a dash and felt something swift and hard hit her. By the time she awoke to the stinging pain on the left side of her body, she found herself under a tree. Her body aches badly and staying motionless, she hopes the pain will go away. All she remembers was the loud blaring machines on wheels with glaring headlights and a two wheel speeding machine had flung her aside.
Then Jennifer the angel came and peered at Christy through her looking glasses, Christy could sense that the angel's heart is in pain but the presence of this angel was most reassuring. Jennifer the angel seems to know what to do and a fellow angel, Ms Lee was summoned. Christy was brought to the god in white coat. He seems to know all the magic touch. His hands are warm and reassuring offering comforts though it hurts when the injuries were being examined.
Throughout the examination, the room was silent as though the angels were holding their breaths. If a pin had dropped, it would have been heard loud and clear. So much so for the loud sighs of relief that went round the room and hearts leapt for joy when the god beams, "She's going to make it," he says. "We will put her on a drip, there is nothing a surgical operation couldn't fix."
The next day, Christy found herself on the operating table and while there was a chill about the room bordering almost like on the edge of life and death, Christy found herself strangely unafraid. Though a sense of dread could be felt creeping in anytime, the fear and dread were quietly manageable. Thanks to the angels whom she could not see or visualize clearly but their warm sacred presence could be felt strongly.
When Christy came round, she was back in her nursing cage, she must have slept and it was the most dreadful sensation that went through her body. Though the pain is not exactly sharp or aching, it was most horrible to have got up from a nap feeling like this. Her hind leg felt strange, something has wrapped itself around it and it was pretty numbing. Gratefully Christy slips into another nap, maybe this will all be over when she gets up again.
She was not eating; she does not feel keen or hungry and it is most exhausting to be trapped in this strange lethargy. The angel Ms Lee had taken her home and another day passed between feeling horrible and not wanting to eat.
A few cats were prowling around her, eyeing her with strange curiosity the moment Christy opens her eyes. She felt slightly better but edgy. She growls and the cats start stalking away. This is a very strange cat they tell themselves. Why would angel Ms Lee wants to bring in a cat that has a white bandage around her hind leg, who does this cat think she is any way, trying to make a 'fashion' statement and all she does is sleep and refuses to eat. Fancy having the left eye looking bigger than the right eye too!
Later in the afternoon, Christy felt much better and took some food. Feeling stronger and upbeat, Christy makes a point to make peace with the rest of the cats. The cats found Christy in a better mood and hey this gal is okay, she likes food but she does seems tired, maybe she is willing to play some day.
Two days later, Christy starts to walk and the cats were sympathetic watching her struggle but they were patient and quietly everyone was cheering her on. Though they had no idea what had cased her to limp so badly if not painfully, they were glad this gal is struggling and fighting strong. "Don't give up, Christy!" Christy could feel the warm kindled prayers and cheers all around her for every painful effort she makes. It was heart breaking for everyone but touching at the same time that a small life force is not giving up despite all else. "I will jump and run like everyone else one day again!" Christy promises herself.
A fortnight passes, Christy found herself in the presence of the god in white coat, Dr. Hsu for a follow-up on her conditions. He examined her and his warm wise presence is comforting and reassuring, the painful phase is finally over. The fracture in the left hind leg is healing well and the left eye has recovered. Christy was not only walking but leaping too!
The council of angels sat and the faces of Haffiz, Ghazalay, Noordin, M. Ismail, Kassim and Linda beam happily and proudly. They had gathered to conclude the chapter of another braveheart whose life force will be one of the brightest lights on the altar of Hope, Faith and Love. Christy had done well and the guardian angels are glad. Christy is a tough cat though a little one. A prayer was read and they know this little braveheart will remember them in her prayers as much as they remember her in theirs.
Today, Christy had settled down at Metta Catttery and the guardian angels continue to watch over her. Every now and then, Christy will sense a kindled warmth drawing up on her and she knows the angels are reading her a prayer again. From the bottom of her little heart, she is grateful, she is one lucky blessed cat indeed. Om Ah Hum.
Santi Yeo, 3rd July 2001
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