Little joys spark daily routines in Saira and Seena’s Delhi home. The two sisters enjoyed their winter mornings as the Mughal-arched windows of their living room ushered in long shadows across their Persian rug. Artefacts from across the world blend in ancient tales and subtle luxury of the globe-trotting siblings. A recent addition to their home is Candy, an adorable playful kitten with deep emerald eyes and fluffy silver-white fur. They adored their new family member and loved to pamper her in every way! She was their go-to companion and trusted friend and, more often than not, their baby!
For Candy, Delhi’s winter mornings were a lazy delight; chasing the pale gold strands of sunbeams was a favourite pastime. Today felt different.
An anticipatory air filled their home. Or was it just her feeling?
Candy watched Saira and Seena, her pet parents, whisper around and make calls using that tiny machine they call a mobile phone, which Candy calls ‘hell phone’ because it takes away all the joy of simply relaxing and being. Instead, these two are forever stressed due to that fancy hell they hold in their hands all the time. Candy wonders why her pet parents are whispering - there isn’t anyone else who can hear them other than Candy - so what exactly are they whispering for? She notices them occasionally glance her way and senses something is amiss. She begins to wonder… why are they doing this? An unsettling thought settles in - perhaps they’ve forgotten it’s my birthday. Humans barely remember their own birthdays till some sounds pop up on their tiny hell machine and they get all weird and mushy!
Cats, unlike humans, don’t celebrate birthdays with cake and candles, but they love being pampered and made to feel special. Candy is no different - she knows human nature by now. Her pet parents have taught her a lot through their actions. Yet Candy knows they don’t fully grasp how incredibly tuned in she is to their mood swings and emotional states. She knows exactly when they need comforting and she is sensitive to the minute changes in their routine.
At this time of the day, the sisters rarely walk up and down the living room, but here they are doing exactly that and pretending she isn’t even there. Being attuned to their ways, Candy wondered why they didn’t scoop her up in their arms, fuss over her a bit and make her feel special today - after all, it is her birthday and they could at least pretend to care?
Candy recalled how other kittens in her shack home used to tussle and purr, which was their expression of a communal celebration to mark their existence.
Delhi, the city the sisters lived in, has a vibrant history that stands the test of time through the ancient minaret known as the Qutub Minar, the grandeur of the Red Fort, and the picturesque beauty of Humayun’s Tomb – these were the sights and sounds that shaped Candy’s world as she absorbed much of Saira and Seena’s sensibilities. The sisters cared about rare things such as handcrafted tradition, craftsmanship, and heartfelt gestures that didn’t have a transactional peg to them. Their home, filled with antiques and hand-woven Persian tapestries, reflected their impeccable taste. They believed in celebrating life’s small moments with subtle sophistication, even when it meant picking up something for Candy.
Suddenly, Seena scooped up Candy into her arms and Saira began to sing, “Happy birthday to you…” For a moment, it seemed like a dream to Candy - or was it?
Startled, Candy found herself set down gently on the soft plush carpet. Curiosity overtook her senses. She padded in their direction, and there, on the velvet ottoman, she saw it.
A beautifully wrapped pink box awaited Candy. The shade of powder pink almost made Candy purr with sheer joy, as she padded towards the adorable box. Her curiosity and excitement were palpable. She didn’t notice Saira and Seena watching her with radiant smiles, their eyes shimmering with tears of elation and pride.
In her excitement, Candy didn’t see little details that she normally wouldn’t miss. Their domestic help, Najma, was clapping her hands in delight as she watched the scene unfold.
The soft pink box lured Candy’s attention as Saira gently lifted the lid, revealing a treasure trove of miniature delights. A soft, handcrafted bone-shaped pink toy awaited Candy, as did an adorable paper birthday hat in pastel shades and a delicate pink muffin. A wave of pure joy filled Candy’s senses as the soft plush bone-shaped toy welcomed her. She sniffed each item, her tiny whiskers quivering with anticipation and delight. She purred a deep sound of elation. Her happiness rang out amidst Seena’s whoops of delight and Saira singing, “Happy happy birthday, Candy baby!”, followed by Najma’s cheerful laughter.
Rolling around the carpet in the living room, Candy began chasing bright birthday streamers and poppers across the ottoman. Clearly, it seemed as though the birthday box, with its delectable treasures, had unleashed her playful energy! Rolling on the carpet, burying her face in the handcrafted soft toy, she seemed to have puffed up with pride and joy - the sense of ownership evident in her eyes and the way she flicked her tail at her pet parents, Seena and Saira. Oh, how she loved them both!
Loving every moment of Candy’s expressions, Saira and Seena watched over her with pure love. After all, they had spent weeks finding something truly precious, special and handcrafted for their precious Candy - there was love in every stitch and creativity in every detail, which is what they wanted when they set out to celebrate Candy’s birthday and make her feel truly special. They understood that Candy deserved their absolute best and this adorable birthday box, with its treasures, did exactly what it was meant to do - make Candy feel loved, cherished and special.
As Candy settled into her cushion, she gazed at Saira and Seena with shining eyes. They remembered my birthday after all, she thought. In the bustling city of Delhi, amidst the hustle of rush-filled routines set against the backdrop of its royal past, the echoes of yesteryear emperors and the whispers of ancient tales of how those in power were toppled, Candy, the cute kitten, had found a true sense of belonging with Saira and Seena. In their home and hearts, Candy was finally basking in a place of love, laughter, and handcrafted joy.
