Bang alone

Tim went back to the States last night to get his employment Visa so that he can start his new job as a Development Officer/Coach/Rugby Player for the South India Rubgy Football Union. He'll be gone for ten days (hopefully it won't take longer), so I am alone here again after six pretty awesome months. I hadn't even met him when I accepted this job, and I lived here alone for two months before he came out, but I'm already feeling pretty lonely and sad without him here. At least I have the company of the other two "boys" in my life....yes, that's right, two. Gulabi has a new best friend, which means I kind of have another cat. I wanted to name him Jalebi (which is a neon-orange, totally disgusting Indian sweet made out of deep-fried butter and sugar), but Tim started calling him Esteban and it stuck (long story).

He basically just showed up and decided to live here. A couple of weeks ago, Gulabi was acting more obnoxious than usual, and kept shrieking and running to the screen door at our balcony. At first, I didn't notice anything out there, but then I realized that I wasn't looking at Gulabi's reflection in the glass - there was another (larger) orange tabby sitting outside staring in at us! His occasional balcony visits have turned into extended indoor holidays. Every time I try to put him back outside, the two cats just sit mewing pathetically at each other through the screen 'til I either get all soft-hearted and guilty or can't take the noise and let him back in. As of now,I think he's been inside our apartment since Friday without going back out. It's actually better that he's here, and I'm not just saying that because I am a crazy cat lady. He keeps Gulabi occupied with wrestling and chasing and biting and voyeuristic litter box demonstrations, which means my ankles and toes are getting a break from those sharp tiny teeth. Especially nice when I am trying to sleep. So Esteban kind of lives with us now, and is going to have to pay the price for this life of luxury by getting his balls chopped ASAP. I totally hate getting attached, and I know we can't bring two cats back with us.... So it's going to be horrible when we leave, but I guess it's better for him to live here now if that's what he has decided to do than to have him out on the rough streets with all the stray dogs and caged monkeys in our neighborhood.

Oh, and apparently, word of my cat ladyness is spreading throughout the Indian feline community - there was actually a third orange tabby on the balcony the other day, a rotund guy with a big fluffy glamour-tail! But luckily, Gulabi and Esteban hate him with a passion so fierce that the mere sight of his effeminate orange ass causes them both to be instantly infected with rage virus. So just two cats for now. Here are some other pics of the new besties gaying it up: