Fiction Park
Love lost
When they first met, Kali was unsure about the friendship. She was scared and, probably, also scarred. She jumped on her feet to sneak away with her tail between her legs, when a scooter parked right in front of her.Abha Dhital
When they first met, Kali was unsure about the friendship. She was scared and, probably, also scarred. She jumped on her feet to sneak away with her tail between her legs, when a scooter parked right in front of her.
Bini felt guilty. She hadn’t meant to invade Kali’s personal space. She hadn’t even expected a new dog in the area.
“Hello there, where did you come from?”
Kali only looked at Bini from the side of her eyes and then moved faster before she disappeared into another galli.
That was that. Bini hadn’t seen Kali again for another week or so, but when she did, she was elated.
When Kali reappeared, she seemed more prepared for human intrusion that came with squeaking scooter brakes. This time around, Kali kept leaning against the black gate and sat still while Bini approached her carefully.
“Hi there.”
Over the years, Bini had learnt to keep a safe distance from dogs that did not approach her first. She sat at least four feet away, extended her hand for Kali to see that there was nothing to be scared of, and waited for half-a-minute. The trick worked every time.
Kali sluggishly stood up from her position, walked carefully towards Bini, and bowed her head to let Bini stroke it, before she lifted her chin to let Bini scratch it.
Bini had emotional baggage, Kali had an abusive past. Both their eyes spoke volumes about their heartaches.
“Please don’t be so sad.”
Just as Bini let out the words from her mouth to tell Kali that there was a way they could be happy, Kali buried her head into Bini’s lap. They stayed there in silence providing one another comfort like nobody else could at the moment.
In that moment they became friends.
After that day, they met every day at different spots in the same street. It had become routine. They’d meet and spend some quiet time together assuring one another that they were loved.
Kali was a lazy dog. She was always taking a nap, or ready for one when Bini spotted her. Yet, every time Bini stopped to say hello, Kali jogged towards the scooter with enthusiasm.
Kali had secured a special spot in Bini’s heart. She never asked too much of Bini. All she asked of was one minute of honest moment together, exactly what Bini needed as well.
It was not until today, one month into their friendship, that Bini realised Kali was not lazy, she was sick.
When Bini stopped to say hello, Kali refused to move. She lay on the ground with her legs stretched in front of her, struggling to keep her eyes open. When Bini moved closer to see what was wrong, she noticed that Kali’s muzzle was soaked in tears and she was quietly growling.
“How could I have missed it?”
Even when Bini tried to help her move, Kali was unable to. Bini couldn’t tell what was wrong, but she could tell that they were quickly losing time. If she didn’t hurry, Kali could die.
“How long have you owned this one?” The taxi driver inquired as he helped Bini load Kali in the cab.
“I don’t own her.”
“Why bother so much about a dog that isn’t yours? You might as well leave it by the street to die.”
When Bini gawked at the driver, he responded in defense, “You know it’s going to die, don’t you?”
When Kali barfed again, the taxi driver snapped.
“Look, I am not here for charity. You are not going to clean it up, so you might as well pay me double the amount. If you can’t, I can’t take you.”
“Don’t worry about the money; just get us to the vet.”
The taxi driver smirked as if to quietly claim that Bini was an emotional fool.
But she was. Even when she knew Kali couldn’t make it, she didn’t want to give up just yet. Even when she knew she’d have to ask the doctor to put an end to Kali’s pain, she didn’t want to do it in the streets.
If anything, Kali deserved a respectful death. By the time Bini reached the vet, the taxi was pungent with Kali’s barf and blood.
The vet confirmed what Bini already knew. This was it. The only option they had was to put an end to it before Kali suffered even more.
As Bini said her last goodbye, she stroked Kali’s head and scratched her chin, and spent five minutes of quiet together.
“Here’s your daily dose of love, Kali. I have loved you. I hope you know that I always will.”
When Kali breathed her last, Bini cried her heart out.
How was she to love again if she kept losing every time she loved?