With problems like these, who needs a life?

So a cat gets into my cupboard today morning. I am awake but trying my best not to make it official when it is discovered, so the details are a bit hazy. I can hear Mom requesting/scolding/threatening/poking it with a very long stick so it comes out. It, on the other hand, is just saying meaow.

Come out, you cat!
Meaow
What is it? Why wont you go? Shoooo!
Meaow
Yenna aachi idhuku? Yen poga maateingarudhu?
Meaow
Come on, i'm poking you with a stick!
Meeeeaow

Dad helpfully shouts out from the bathroom, asking her to give Hindi a shot. Everyone suspects the reason for the stubbornness but none of us wants it to be true. It is sitting on top of lot of my clothes, so the evidence no one wants to see can very easily be not seen. I finally make it official and go say hello to the guest. Dont even look at the stick. Someday i'm going to have to grow up. I can see myself not liking it.

And then we see them. A bunch of kiddie cats, all snug on what would really go well here is something really cool, preferably branded, but since i dont know any names leave alone own anything, lets stick to the truth? something i bought years ago and thankfully dont fit into now. Mom gives up the stick in frustration. She knows when she is beaten, but she doesnt have to like it.

Its happened to us before. More than once. On the terrace, under the stairs, deep inside the under-side of the bed. We've hosted generations of cats mommies. In fact, i bet this one said her meaow world from somewhere within this very place she has come back to call her own. Our house is probably one of those family secrets that are passed down from mother to daughter. Given all that hostory, is it really asking for too much to expect her to pick a spot slightly more conventient for everyone, whats a little discomfort between family friends?

After the initial apprehension, we decide to live and let live. Which is when Bhai brings up the rats. Its all good, i tell him, she may not have to leave the kiddies to go looking for food. But i hope she has been bought up to wash her hands after lunch. Tere kapde kis lie hain, he sniggers.

We set up a watch. The moment the mother leaves to get food, i raid the cupboard and gather enough stuff to last me for ten days. A minute is all it takes. That has to be the fastest i've ever decided on what i'm going to wear. Now as long as the rats have sense enough to stay away, i'm okay.

I can see this becoming one of those stories that every kid from now on is bought up on. One that teaches them about the dangers of un-closed cupboards. Its certainly going to live for ever in my family. But the moral i take off the story? Two, actually. One, dont put all your clothes in one cupboard. In fact, better not put them in any cupboard. Two, have too many clothes. You never know when a needy pregnant cat will come knocking on your cupboard.

Update: She and family left us for the neighbour's stair landing last night. I dont think we'll ever live down the shame.