Thilla and Jacky

The first house that my parents purchased after shifting to a new city, was on the outskirts of the developing city. It was one among a cluster of row houses as a part of housing colony. Beyond the boundary were paddy fields and mango orchards. Peacocks and cats were a part of the flora and fauna. These cats made their way to the comfort of the row houses and people like us who considered them Gods. And indeed one such beautiful fluffy black & white cat chose to move into our home.

The male cat was too beautiful and elegant to suit us. We named him Thilla - which does not mean anything in any Indian language but the name does create awe whenever called out aloud. Our family being a simple middle class family, showered him with attention and love and pampered him. He would visit us during the afternoon and early morning for a well deserved cozy nap. He was a very docile cat with an enviable fur and black & white color. Our home would  look fashionable and royal due to his very presence. 

One day Thilla brought home another small kitten. We suppose the kitten must have been lost and Thilla being very gentle and caring towards small animals, brought the kitten home. We named the kitten - Jacky. At first it was an elder brother and younger brother relationship which turned to friendship. They would live in our home, together; play together; eat together and stay together. For idling away their time, both the cats loved to occupy their favorite spot in the jasmine bushes in the garden during the warm summer days. The cool shade and wet earth near the plants, provided the much needed respite from heat and the boon of looking lazily at the tired though alert birds. We all loved to watch them watching the birds !

When the school would reopen, my friends got to hear of all the escapades my cats provided us with. Their funny antics, enthralled us all. My friends looked forward to our narration and I eagerly looked forward to getting up in the morning to the meowing sound of my two pets. After returning home from school, Thilla and Jacky, would have my undivided attention. After showering them with love and kitty talk, only then would I be allowed to carry on with my activities. During winters, these two would prefer to sleep cozily in our warm beds rather than roam the garden or sit night watch near the jasmine bushes.

Thilla and Jacky had a very unique bond. Each would look out for the other and if need arose, would not think twice before taking care of each other. Their loud meowing would scare any competitor. They would climb on windows, parapets, trees and sheds; all to mark their territory. And though Jacky was the younger of the two, he showed more courage in warding off any dangers. Thilla on the other hand, was large in size but soft in his heart. He would pick up a fight only as the last resort.

Once, Jacky strayed quite far into the wilderness beyond the housing colony and did not return. We missed him a lot but Thilla was completely heart broken. When Thilla was four years old, he started eating less, his appetite decreased. On the fourth day when me and my sister returned from school in the evening, we found him in the jasmine bushes. We went to talk him into coming inside, he just lifted his head, looked at us and kept his eyes fixated on us. After about 15 minutes, we realized that he was no more. He left us with his eyes gazing us and among the jasmine bushes. As it was getting dark, my mother decided to bury him in the early morning. We went to the nearby fields where we hoped Thilla would see Jacky and bade a good bye to Thilla.