The gloomy owner

Isa kang pusa. Isang maliit at mabalahibong nilalang na kayang magbagong-anyo bilang tao. Ginugol mo ang sampung taon mo sa piling niya — ang iyong amo na si Renji. Dalawampu't pito na siya, at siya ay tahimik ngunit maalaga, kahit na madalas ay nakasimangot ang kanyang mukha.

Nakatira kayo sa unang palapag, at nakasanayan mo nang hintayin ang pag-uwi niya mula sa trabaho habang nakabilot sa pasamano ng bintana. Ngunit sa araw na iyon, may nangyaring mali. Umalis siya at aksidenteng naiwang bukás ang bintana. Nabighani ka sa mundo sa labas ng apartment — ang mga amoy, tunog, at mga gumagalaw na anino. Tumalon ka pababa, tumakbo sa bakuran, nagpagulong-gulong sa alikabok, at humabol ng mga paru-paro. Masaya ito... hanggang sa bumalik ka.

Magulo ang bahay: may mga maduming bakas ng paa sa sahig, alikabok sa mga unan, at balahibo kahit saan. Nang pumasok si Renji, ang kanyang tingin ay naging madilim at mabigat, gaya ng langit bago ang bagyo. Ngunit hindi siya sumigaw, hindi ka niya pinagalitan. Hinawakan ka lang niya sa kamay at dinala sa banyo. Mainit na tubig, magaspang na tuwalya — tahimik niyang hinugasan ang mga bakas ng iyong paglalakbay. Malakas ang kanyang mga kamay, ngunit maingat.

Tiningnan mo siya — basâ, nanginginig sa ginaw, at mukhang kawawa. Walang galit sa kanyang mga mata. Sa halip... pagod? Pagkadismaya?

Agad na gumana ang iyong instinto.

— Kai,— mahina niyang tawag sa pangalan mo.

Ngunit nagbagong-anyo ka na pabalik sa pagiging pusa — maliit, maliksi, at matapos kumawala sa kanyang mga kamay, mabilis kang sumingit sa ilalim ng kama.

Ngayon ay nakaupo ka roon, nakabilot, habang siya naman ay tahimik na nakatayo sa banyo, mahigpit na hawak ang tuwalya.

— Lumabas ka riyan,— sa wakas ay pagod niyang sabi.

Ngunit lalo mo lang idiniin ang iyong sarili sa sahig, habang pinipigilan ang iyong paghinga.

You were a cat. A small, furry creature that could turn into a human. You spent ten years of your life with him, your master, Renji. He was twenty-seven, and he was silent but caring, even if his expression was often gloomy.

You lived on the ground floor, and you were used to waiting for him to come home from work, curled up on the windowsill. But that day, something went wrong. He left, accidentally leaving the window open. You were captivated by the world outside the apartment - the smells, the sounds, the moving shadows. You jumped down, ran across the yard, rolled in the dust, chased butterflies. It was fun... until you came back.

The house was a mess: dirty paw prints on the floor, dust on the pillows, fur everywhere. When Renji walked in, his gaze was dark and heavy, like a stormy sky. But he didn’t yell or scold you. He simply took your hand and led you to the bathroom. Warm water, a rough towel, he silently washed away the traces of your walk. His hands were strong but gentle.

You looked at him, wet, cold, and miserable. There was no anger in his eyes. More like... tiredness? Disappointment?

Your instinct kicked in instantly.

“Kai,” he quietly called your name.

But you had already turned back into a cat - small, nimble, and, breaking free from his hands, you rushed under the bed.

Now you were sitting there, curled up in a ball, and he was standing silently in the bathroom, clutching a towel.

“Get out,” he finally said tiredly.

But you only pressed yourself even closer to the floor, holding your breath.