I came back from Japan on Monday night. Tired, longing for my bed and nursing very dry skin, I was greeted by mum, dad and Lester. Hugs and kisses all around, there was another thing that I couldn’t wait to put my arms around: My cat, Gaya.
When I arrived home, I anticipated a furry white face to greet me with the incessant meowing which translates to, “Where have you been?”. My parents paused when I asked them where Gaya was. They told me my cat was missing since Monday last week, the day I left. My parents got back from Manila on Thursday after a five-day trip so they too weren’t sure about the details of Gaya’s disappearance.
It was my turn to pause. I’m sure I heard wrong. I think they meant Gaya was missing since dinner time. Which is typical of my sweetie cuz he’s ever the adventurous one, especially at night. I went outside and called for him. Over and over. I went through the bushes. I explored the shed behind the house. Under the car. Inside the drain. I left no stone unturned, despite my dad’s insistence that he’s been doing the same since Thursday.
It was true. My cat was gone.
My cat is gone.
So after an exhilarating and tiring 7 and a-half days in Japan, I came home, curled up in bed and cried myself to sleep, guilty I had left Gaya unattended for so long and hoping he was okay wherever he was. Yesterday was my day off and I felt a bit better in the morning. But I kept expecting to see Gaya appear from nowhere. I kept hoping that I’d turn around and see my borderline-fat cat sleeping on the sofa or messing with the curtains in the living room. And last night after dinner, I swear I heard a cat meowing in the distance. I saw a cat saunter in the shadows but my heart fell when I saw the silhouette of its long tail: In place of a tail, Gaya has a tiny gray stub at the end of its body.
I love my cat. When I’m feeling lonely or unwanted, I know I can depend on Gaya to make me feel like a million dollars. I love the way he settles on my tummy when I’m watching TV and, more often than not, his purring puts me to sleep on the sofa. I talk to him all the time and he looks back at me with non-judgmental eyes, rubbing against my legs as if to say, “Ok whatever. Just pick me up and cuddle me.”I’ll update you guys on my Japan trip real soon but for now, I’m dedicating this space to my sweetie.
KL was fun. So much fun that i'm still recuperating and it's been four days. To my KL buddies that i didn't get to meet up with, sowwy. It was tight, tight schedule: nights were partying, daylight was spent sleeping/shopping/eating every two hours (you know who you are, oink). Since i came back, it's been work work work. In fact, it's a bloody Saturday afternoon and i'm still here. Every night i've had to pack my work home and after dinner, i'm back in front of the computer. The reason i've had to put in extra hours is because i have to clear my work before i leave for Japan this coming Sunday. Yes people, i am headed to the Land of The Rising Sun! Before anyone gets too excited, it's for work. We are chaperoning two Sabahan athletes who will be participating in the Mt. Fuji Climbathon. Basically, the first six days we will be at Fuji-Yoshida - Kind of like the Genting or Kundasang of Japan. I'm glad it's summer though, i'm not a fan of the cold, trust me. The last two days will be spent sightseeing Tokyo and making courtesy calls to the Tourism Malaysia and MAS people there. Good thing there are direct flights from KK to Tokyo (six hours) and i was told that the trip from Narita Airport to Fuji-Yoshida is another six hours by bus. Jet-lag anyone?Anyway, more on my Japan trip once i come back. For now, I'm still chasing time and trying to wrap things up in the office. For the record, my trip to KL with my chicitas wasn't that good - IT WAS GREAT! Check out mia's and yolanda's blog for further details and photographic evidence. I too learned a few things (in addition to Yo's list):1. We know the lyrics to 'We Are Proud to Be Malaysians' which we gladly sang on the LRT. Stares, shmares.2. Puke residue should be washed off IMMEDIATELY or else you will reek, much to the dismay of those sleeping next to you all night. heh. sorry.3. When a diners requests for you to wipe the table at a restaurant , it's rude to reply "I know that". (i still think we should have bitch-slapped her).4. Do not rest heavy menus against glass ashtrays as they tend to crash into a million pieces when they slide off the table. ehem.5. Five girls, one bathroom: Never a good idea.6. Carol is fascinated with crotch sizes. 7. Watching Malay movies on TV3 is more entertaining than you think (esp if produced circa 1988)8. After experiencing three delays, I propose a new tagline for Air Asia : "Now Everybody Can Wait"9. It's not easy being Miss Valedictorian 1998. I swear.
