Lala

     A gentle pat on his right cheek, hands that seemed careful and furry, was enough to wake him with a smile on his face from his dreamless sleep. As he opened his eyes, he was greeted by an immediate affection. 

     On a normal day, he would most likely get irritated with all the kneading and purring, but today’s completely different. He willingly removed his blanket to fully feel the fluffy coat of his two-year-old companion. It took him about fifteen minutes before he realized that it was already complaining, almost losing its cool from the tight hug that they’d shared. With the last stroke on its small belly, he finally decided to get up and grabbed his crutches near the bed.

     His adorable buddy obediently trailed behind him, even making a beeline for the food dish to await its morning meal of tuna. After scooping a good portion of cat food, he immediately proceeded to the toilet to finish his morning skincare routine. Upon observing his swollen eyes in the mirror, he was quite appreciative of having Lala by his side. He couldn't have handled any of his breakdowns without him, particularly the one from last night.