Life has a way of introducing us to the most loyal companions in the most unexpected ways. My story began with Ala Kiz, a small black cat who became more than just a pet; she became a part of my soul. With her sleek black fur, white paws, and a delicate white spot on her neck, she wasn’t just unique in appearance but also in spirit.
I met Ala Kiz one autumn evening. She was a shivering, tiny kitten, huddled near my garden, her eyes full of innocence and silent desperation. I couldn’t leave her there in the cold. I picked her up, brought her home, and from that day forward, she was my constant companion.
Ala Kiz reminded me of something I had forgotten: unconditional love. In my darkest days, when loneliness engulfed me, she was always there. The compassion in her eyes, her soft purring as she curled up at my feet, and the comfort of her sleeping beside my pillow at night—she was my solace, my joy, my family.
But life’s beautiful moments often come with inevitable endings. I had to leave for a three-month trip abroad, and leaving Ala Kiz behind was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. During my absence, I thought of her constantly. When I finally returned home, the moment we reunited became one of the most unforgettable memories of my life. The second I opened the door, she dashed toward me, wrapping her little paws around my legs before leaping into my arms and clinging tightly to my neck. She had missed me as much as I had missed her. In that moment, she wasn’t just a cat; she was a best friend welcoming me home.
Yet, our time together wasn’t meant to last forever. One day, Ala Kiz vanished. I called her name, searched every street, every corner, but she never came back. I spent days, weeks, and months looking for her, hoping she’d walk back through that door like I had after my trip. But she didn’t.
Perhaps, during those three months I was away, she had waited for me too. Maybe she had sat by the door, listening for the sound of my footsteps, watching for me to come home. But in the end, I returned, while she didn’t. Perhaps she lost all her nine lives searching for me. Perhaps she took her final breath while still waiting for me to find her.
This thought weighs heavily on my heart. The idea that she may have spent her last moments without me, that I couldn’t be there to comfort her, fills me with an unbearable ache. Yet, Ala Kiz taught me the true meaning of love—love without conditions, expectations, or demands.
Ala Kiz wasn’t just a cat. She was my companion, my child, my dearest friend. Her memory lives on in every corner of my heart. And even though I no longer hear her soft purrs or see her bright eyes, her love remains with me, unshaken and eternal.
Ala Kiz, I will always love you.
Halil Baki Çelen
Migration Lawyer