Eight o'clock at night, on a secluded Singapore park, there is a single straight pathway from the grungy dimly lit Seven Eleven that cuts through the hastily trimmed crab grass, past a crinkly tall tree, over bridge that spans what might as well be a very large drain then opens out to the cute community by the Teong Baruh market.
It is barely a path really, just a short cut around the world's largest two way road island divider. It was a quiet evening, the weeknights generally are in this area. I had my headphones on, and i was completely encased by a world that was just me and my music. Tom Waits I think. His rusty voice and iron beats reminded me a little of home; yet made me think of traveling.
The path was a narrow strip of uneven concrete that was barely wide enough for a fat person to walk along comfortably. The surface was rough, pained in old stories and gravely under foot. It wasn't the standard of sidewalk in the impeccable country, but it wasn't incredibly uncommon.
The expanse was strangely deserted of people. A shilloutte there, a person hanging clothes over their balcony. Someone smoking by the ATM. But the park was baren and flat, save a single cat that sat with its paws crunched under him as if he were cold in this hot and humid world.
He sat very still on the quarter line of the path. He was not in the center, but he was by no means on the edge. He sat just where I could pass him without changing my step. And I did, pass him without changing my path... too much.
When the creature didn't budge, or even look at me as I walked uncomforably close to him, I paused. I turned, he looked at me but moved nothing but his head. He said nothing.
"Hey there buddeh." I started leaning forward to get a good look at the cat to see if perhaps he was injured. "What are you doing on the path?"
He didn't answer. Instead he just sighed then perked up and looked around.
"It's late dear, are you waiting for someone. A human?"
He twitched a nose.
"Well. Don't stay up too long." I said, "goodbye buddeh." and I put my headphones back on and walked away. i stole a glance back at the cat as if I expected him to move. He hadn't. He sat his vigil there and remaind that way till I turned the corner. There was something wrong.
Two hours later, I returned that way and in the darker, later evening, I saw him again, in the very same position I had left him. Eerily he waited as if he were waiting for his true love to return. I walked past him again and this time he did turn his head. I lowered my headphones and looked at him strangely.
"You're still here? "
Yup, he replied, his gaze fixed on my face.
"Who are you waiting for, buddeh? Are you okay? is everything okay?"
No...., He cocked his head, his wide eyes catching all the light from the neon lights behind me.
I sighed, I didn't understand him. I turned off my music and crouched down to get a good look at him. It might scare him off, but I didn't care. but it didn't. He saw me lower then instantly rose to his feet and closed the space between us that I stood in surprise.
I won't hurt you, he said slowing his pace.
I lifted my hand and he took it in his cheek with a bold, needful trust. He started petting me so hard that I found I had to push back. The petting turned to scratching and the next thing i know he was forcing his weight on my legs, my arms. The affection was uncanny. You should never play with stray cats, but he had an intelligence that was nearly human like. I could not leave him alone. Then suddenly he ran his sharpened teeth along my palm.
I stood abruptly, shocked and surprised looking at my hand in the light to find blood. But he didn't leave a mark, just a hot, fading white dent where he had nipped me. He love bit my calf then, just above my ankle and I jerked just a bit at the sudden expression. Again, on the other calf. I bent down tenatively and he played some more. Gently... lovingly... needfully.
"I don't have any food."
I don't want your food.
"I don't think I'm the person you're waiting for..." I said.
i know your not, but I can still be nice to you while you are here.
"I can't stay," I finally argued. I pet him roughly back and he leaned into me with such force that I nearly toppled. "I really can't. I hope you find who you are looking for. I hope they come to meet you soon."
The cat just sighed he followed me half a step then returned to his place on the sidewalk.I turned back to see his face in the shop lights. He looked at me from a distance with apologetic interest. And for a moment, I was disappointed that he wasn't following me, even though I knew I had no place for him in my life. "Good night, man. good luck."
You're not the one I was waiting for.
I started feeling sorry for it. And worried. and as i disappeared around a corner and hoped that the person he was waiting for would come to him soon.
For all I know, he's still on that narrow unlit path.
PS: I have decided on Greed.
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