I Got Better. I Always Did

Everything was fine.

At least, that’s what it felt like.

You were on a mother–daughter (well just older one) trip to Japan, and I was with Nishtha, Timse, and Achilles — my second home. I knew this routine. I was safe.

Just a month before you left, I hadn’t been feeling well. My platelets dropped, and you watched me closely, worried but calm on the outside. I needed extra care for a few days.

And then I did what I always did.

I bounced back.

I was active again. Alert. Myself.
So you left, trusting me — trusting us.

While you were away, something shifted.

I didn’t feel like playing.
I didn’t want to eat.
I didn’t even want to step outside.

That worried them.

They took me to the vet. Tests were done. It was my platelets again. I got shots, medicines, and was sent home.

The next day, I tried. I ate a little.

But then I stopped again.

And something wasn’t right.