No, it wasn't those silly, constantly barking mongrels that she was worried about! She had never been scared of them. Of course, she had to be cautious; because they worked in packs, closing in on their prey all at once. "Bloody cowards!" She hissed. They wouldn't bother her for now; while she was safely perched atop a neem tree; camouflaged within its dark canopy.
It wasn't the darkness either; she was accustomed to it. For so long as she could remember; she had been an alley cat; often taking shelter in shabby backyards and dingy attics; her sleek black coat providing her the cover she needed!
She had never had it easy. Kittenhood wasn't a particularly pleasant experience. All her siblings had perished; one by one. But she had managed to survive; despite all odds- deadly predators, speedy vehicles, scarcity of food. Indeed she had come a long way; thanks to her razor sharp claws, unerring instincts and a keen sixth sense!
And then there were people; all kinds; that she had to deal with! Like that friendly little girl with a satchel; who would always stop by to say "hello" on her way to 'skool' ; whatever that was! Or those boys who would play in the alley with some round object- 'cricket', they called it! Why exactly they had named their game after an insect; was something she could never fathom. Perhaps it was because their game was similar to an insect chasing game she had played as a kitten! They often took to chasing after her. Eventually, she had managed to find a perfect hideout; over a metallic shed right on top of a barber's shop where she could remain secluded from them; yet peacefully enjoy her daily sunbathing ritual.
There was also that miserable looking old man with a dozen or so colourful threads round his neck and wrist; who would practically jump with fear; muttering stuff under his breath; everytime she crossed him. Oh, how she enjoyed giving him a fright! "Black cats bring bad luck" ; she had heard him say once. She; on the other hand; had never believed in luck, good or bad. Mice and birds didn't drop dead onto your plate by sheer good luck, she had learnt that long time ago! Hunting took hours of hard work, patience, strength and an ability to make danger, your ally. She herself, was a masterful hunter- powerful and savage. She prided herself on that!
Her personal favourite among people; however, had been an old woman selling fish; who would always save the shavings after cleaning the fish; for her.
Over the years however; things had changed. The alley- HER alley; had virtually transformed. Ramshackle dwellings and battered looking shops had been replaced by opulent residential complexes and malls. The new "white collar" crowd that followed; was less than friendly.
These people would mostly stay inside; move around- if at all- in air conditioned vehicles. They were the kind who would wince, if a tiny speck of dirt got onto their spotless garments and act as though they would die, if they came face to face with any other creatures apart from the likes of themselves! Methodically, they had managed to rid themselves of most animals in the neighborhood. Cockroaches, lizards and other small insects had stood no chance. Then, one fine day stray dogs had vanished too. Lately, even mice had been difficult to lay paws upon! If these dimwits continued meddling with the ways of nature the same way; they would some day die by their own karma; she was certain of that!
She however, had managed to evade them until that fateful day; when one of their hired men had arrived with traps and caught her unawares; while she lay on freshly mowed grass basking in the morning sun. She had put up a good fight; the man's right fingernail would never look the same again; she was sure of that. Even now; the thought made her smile; despite herself!
The man had finally managed to trap her; and in process she had severely injured herself. The next few hours had been a blur, until she discovered herself in this godforsaken place; lying in a drain; half conscious and weak. While her instincts told her that the drain wasn't a safe place to be; she had struggled and gathering all her strength; managed to drag herself up the neem tree.While every bit of her wanted to cry out in agony; here she was; utterly frozen with fear; her mind numb from the events of yesterday.
Something about this place just didn't seem right. Life at the alley- its people; its hostilities; even the dangers it brought- had had a predictable rhythm about it. She had been used to that! This wretched place; probably miles away from the alley; on the other hand; had a weird, unfamiliar air about it; which she completely despised. Moving places. and the uncertainty it brought; simply hadn't been her thing.
Perhaps she had trusted too much. She cursed herself under her breath! It was her stupidity (or was it theirs?) that had cost her one of her nine precious lives.
"Eight lives..." She murmured; as she finally began to perceive things in an altogether new light. The thought that she still had eight lives to spare was indeed a comforting one. It helped her calm down a bit. "How hard could it be?" She thought to herself. Physical injuries would heal eventually, there was no doubt about that. Till that happened, foraging for food in heaps of garbage; was the only way out; however lowly she may have considered it! It had always been that way for her- survival instinct, over and above all stupid notions of honour and chivalry. Sound of vehicles meant she was in an area inhabited by people; so there would be no dearth of food. For now, hunting would have to wait.
As far as people were concerned; stealth, secrecy and suspicion had been her best weapons- she would just have to hone them. "It'll be alright!" She thought.
Dawn brought with it; hopes for a new life. The morning rays promised warmth and chirping of birds promised fresh food for years to come. The rest, she knew, she could handle!
With some difficulty; she scrambled to her feet readying herself for the battles ahead. In one swift movement of her head; she groomed her flawless dark coat and ignoring the pain; leapt off; landing gracefully onto the ground. Purring softly; she walked away; her long, bushy tail elegantly swishing past her.
The morning hustle and bustle of the town had begun. She was welcomed with several glances- some curious, some frightened, some filled with admiration, others with disdain. She no longer bothered about them. She had always lived life on her own terms; she would continue to do so in future! Majestic, powerful and tenacious as ever; the Queen had risen!
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