Cat

The warm weather could not make him uncomfortable. In fact, he was more active than usual. He tried to replace the cutting blade with a new one. It was a routine, something that has no significance at all. But he still did it, for the sake of something bigger than his own interest. He could see the blazing sun, emitting those blinding rays of light. He tried not to look at it, for it hurts his eyes, and makes him think of some memories, far away from the present. He could clearly see in his mind, the smiling faces of his wife, and those little children. His children, Baba, Chika and Luka used to follow him around, as he worked in the fields. The youngest one, Luka, would imitate his father ploughing the fields. He wondered how tall have they grown since he left.

"Oy! Hurry up and do the work. No slacking allowed at my place!" The man with a short moustache shouted loudly.

He didn't understand why he had to talk like this. In his country, people talk to each other with politeness and friendliness. Even the relation between the boss and the employee was good. But here in this place, all he hears every day, is the shoutings and yellings. He learnt to be quiet. For when he is quiet and do his work properly, the man does not have anything to complain about. But even so, he still had to "listen" to some naggings every now and then. What he will do is to pretend a bird is singing, preferably a black crow, raising its ugly voice that no one wishes to hear.

He wiped the dripping sweat from his forehead, and started to use his machine. The green grass started jumping up and down helplessly, as the blade reaches them. Lift the machine, move left, move right, walk a step to the front.It was something that he did everyday, to the point that he is actually feeling very sick and monotonous. He could not feel freedom, and could strongly feel the capabilities in him crying out for chances to prove itself. But he knew it was impossible. How could it be? Here in this country, things were too complicated for him to control. Furthermore, there were no other jobs that would take him. He let the sweat drip down his forehead. He no longer could stop the sweat. The sun was too hot.

"Kuppiah, would you like kopi(coffee)?" Big G asked him with a tired smile on his face.

Big G is his work mate. This man was a gentle fellar with a big heart. The reason that he is here working, is only because he wanted to earn more money and to get the better status as a immigrant, to make his family proud. He could understand Big G's intentions, for they were similar to his. Big G had taken a bath and was now dressed in casual clothes, different from the set of working clothes. He too had changed into more comfortable clothes and is turning the radio on.

"Yes, one kopi. Thank you."

He lay on his hard bed and watch as Big G walk out of the room, humming the melody of his country. He decided to take a nap, as his tired body needed some rest. He looked around the room, and saw that most of his room mates were out. Rain started making its way onto the earth. He could hear the raindrops making loud sounds as they hit the metallic parts of the roof. He had a strange desire to go out. He had to! It reminded him of home. The heavy rainfall, sometimes could even result in a flood. He walked down the stairs and took a walk outside. He carried a black umbrella, which was not big enough, causing his sleeves and the sides of his trousers to be drenched.

Kuppiah walked along the stone pavement, which was mostly deserted, as nobody except them would loiter around here at night. But he saw something different this evening. As he walked towards it, he could not help, but feel compassionate towards it. There lying helplessly on the ground, is a black cat with a wounded leg. Its tiny body quivers on the grass, and the eyes looked as if almost all life is sucked out of it.

"Come.."

Kuppiah carefully lifted the cat from the grass, and hugged it close to his chest. He carefully made his way back to the hostel. The rest have not come back yet. He was not sure what he could do. But surely, he could come up with a way. He put the cat on his bed, pulled open his drawer and took out a medium sized towel which has already faded with too frequent use. He gently dry up the wet body of the cat. The cat was breathing faster at first. But slowly, as if knowing there was no danger, it started breathing more steadily, producing a few sounds every few minutes. Kuppiah tore a piece of cloth from the tower and tried to bandage the wounded leg of the cat. He thought about what he would do, if his child was hurt. He did not know if this was right. However, it just seemed to be the way to do it. The cat closed its eyes and started purring. It was feeling better, he could tell.

The rain kept pouring outside the windows. Both the man and the cat were happily resting. It was a moment of compassion. It was life that gaves strength. Not anything else.

*Reina*