**Diary Entry:**
Life, where theres still room for warmth, kindness, and those priceless moments of true humanity.
She meowed softly, almost like a plea for help, but passersby either didnt hear or pretended not to. The trembling puppy beside her flinched every time someone walked past, its eyes wide with fear.
Every morning, she walked five houses down to the taxi rank where one of the drivers always took her to the office. A financial analyst by trade, her job was demandingadvising companies, identifying flaws, optimising processes. The workload had slowly erased her personal life. Mornings were spent at the desk, evenings barely leaving enough energy to crawl into bed. Day after day.
But thats just the backdrop. The real story is different.
To reach work by eight, she had to be at the taxi stop by seven-thirty. The firm was in another part of town. That day, no taxi was waiting, so she had to linger a little longer. She stood there, arms wrapped around herself against the wind, andas if guided by some impulseturned. Maybe it was the rustling leaves, maybe the weight of a stare.
In the narrow gap between buildings, she saw them: a dignified grey cat and a shivering puppy huddled close. The cat licked the little one now and then, glancing warily at the people passing by.
No one reacted to her soft meows. The puppy flinched at every footstep, burrowing deeper into the cats side. She shielded it, wrapping her tail around it and nuzzling its fur.
The woman dug into her bag, pulling out a large ham and cheese sandwich. She placed the ham near the cat, the rest in front of the puppy. The pup pressed itself into the pavement, trembling.
The cat studied her, then gently bumped her head against the womans hand before resuming her protective stance, licking the puppy as it nibbled at the food.
She didnt realise shed been staring until a taxi drivers irritated voice cut in:
“Oi! You deaf or what? Get in alreadylets go!”
The next day, she brought them food. Deep down, she hoped theyd still be there. And they were. The cat meowed happily, the puppy wagged its tail. From then on, breakfast was for them, and she left something tasty in the evenings.
That morning, rain poured down. She hurriedwork promised chaos. After dropping their food, she stroked the cat and the pup before rising to meet the caretakers glare.
“Bloody pests,” he muttered. “More mess for me to clean. Scram!” He raised his broom, aiming for the animals.
The puppy yelped, hiding behind the cat, who arched her back like a drawn bow, shielding it with her body, eyes squeezed shut, bracing for the blow.
The woman didnt remember stepping forward. Something inside propelled herright into the brooms path.
It struck her leg and side with a sharp crack. Pain flared. She gasped, instinctively shielding her face.
The caretaker froze. “BlimeyI didnt mean! I didnt see you”
She ignored him. Her focus was on the cat and pupthe cat watching her in surprise, the puppy peeking out, tail wagging timidly. Wincing, she knelt and stroked them both.
At work, her boss gasped at her scratched leg and torn tights. “What happened? Who did this?”
After hearing the story, she grabbed the phone. “Im calling the police! Hitting a woman with a broom? Hes lost the plot!”
“Dont,” the woman said softly. “Please. Dont.”
“Are you mad? You cant let this slide!”
“Im not forgiving him. I just dont want him driving them away. Let them stay.”
“Fine,” her boss said firmly. “Bring them here tomorrow. Well take them to a shelter. A good one. I know the director. Theyll stay together. Agreed?”
The woman nodded, though something inside protested.
That night, she barely slept. The word *shelter* haunted her dreams. She jolted awake, heart pounding. At dawn, bleary-eyed, she gathered food and stepped into the grey, rain-soaked morning.
Five houses. Not far, but today, it felt endless. She left the food, hesitating
The taxi driver honked, shouting from his window. She waved*Im coming*when a gust of wind wrenched her umbrella inside-out. Thena desperate yowl.
The cat pressed against her legs. “Whats wrong, love?” she murmured, stroking her damp fur. “They say the shelters nice youll be together fed”
Who was she convincing? The cat? The puppy?
Herself.
The taxi blared its horn, then lurched forwardjust as a lorry careened around the corner, smashing into it, crushing metal against brick.
Silence. So thick the raindrops hitting puddles sounded deafening.
Thenscreams. Sirens. People running. She stood frozen, eyes locked on the cat.
The cat sat calmly on the wet pavement. The puppy nuzzled her side. Both looked at the woman.
She picked up her ruined umbrella, gazed at the sky. Rain slid down her face. It wasnt harshit soothed.
She dropped the umbrella, shrugged off her coat, and draped it near the cat. “Come on. Were going home.”
The cat nodded. Gently, she picked up the puppy by its scruff. The woman walked back, cradling the coatand the two little hearts insideagainst her chest.
The rain kept falling. Salty or wet, she couldnt tell.
Her leg and side didnt hurt anymore. Not at all. And for the first time in ages, she smiled.
From a distance, the caretaker watched, grumbling bitterly. “Probably called the cops Serves you right” He spat in disgust.
Five houses. Only five left.
Five steps into a new life.
A life where theres still room for warmth, kindness, and those priceless moments of true humanity.
And the rain still fell. Like angels weepingfor us. For our haste. For our coldness.
