Sherry

I walked down the road, alone that night. Sherry wasn't there anymore. I no more had his leash in my hand. Two years ago, mom had brought sherry home. He was a Russian pug. That's not a very common bread okay! He was more than a sibling to me and more than family to mom. Sherry's death had hit mom hard. I too was hurt but his unwell conditions had already alarmed me of the situation. Mom wasn't aware. She had been out for quite long. She had come back the day prior to sherry's death only to discover him sick. We were both worried. Mom took him to the vet and got his treatments done. He was fine then. Atleast, seemed to be. Mom brought him back home and carried him in her arms out of the car. Before mom could ring the door bell, Sherry left us all. I rushed to open the door and found my mother numb. I looked at Sherry and he did not move. Mom and I could not believe this had happened. Our child wasn't with us anymore. I hugged mom and cried hard at the door steps. Mom didn't. She looked at Sherry silently.

The leash lies there, lifelessly. Mom has recovered from the trauma and so have I. Mom cooks like any other time. I come and go out as always. But there is this emptiness that can never go away. There is no one now who would tug at us to take him out for a walk. Or, someone who would want to sleep between me and mom. There is this deafening silence that doesn't let me stay home. He's being missed very badly. With him, went the charm of our lives. Such a creature he was...