After feeding Candy properly, Zeema carefully picked her up.
Not immediately.
First she waited.
Candy had stared at her for nearly one full minute before finally allowing it.
Only then did Zeema lift her gently against her chest.
Meanwhile—
Ginger received absolutely no respect.
Zeema picked him up with one arm and placed him over her shoulder without warning.
Ginger looked offended instantly.
Arjun watched the difference in treatment quietly while carrying the towel-lined box holding the three kittens.
Inside the box, Sugar, Salt, and Pepper slept peacefully together without concern for their sudden relocation.
Beside the box, Arjun also carried the remaining cat treats.
The entire situation felt strangely domestic.
Neither of them acknowledged that.
They started walking back toward the apartment buildings slowly.
The evening around them had become busier now.
Children still ran around near the playground.
A few aunties sat near the benches discussing life with dangerous confidence.
Someone nearby was arguing loudly over a phone call about onions.
Normal community atmosphere.
Some residents looked at them curiously while passing.
Especially at the number of cats involved.
But nobody questioned it.
Near the basketball court, Arjun's friends noticed them first.
The entire group went silent.
One of them slowly lowered the bottle in his hand.
Another looked directly at Ginger hanging over Zeema's shoulder.
Then at the kitten box.
Then at Arjun.
Arjun ignored all of them immediately.
Coward.
Still—
they only waved.
Mostly because Zeema's face looked calm in the same way thunderstorms looked calm before destruction.
Arjun waved back once while continuing to walk beside her.
That was when Adhi came running toward them.
"Anna!"
Then he saw the cats.
All of them.
He slowed dramatically.
Eyes widening little by little.
"Akka…" he said carefully.
"You're taking the whole family?"
"Temporary," Zeema replied immediately.
Adhi looked suspicious.
"That's what people say before adopting them."
Arjun laughed under his breath.
"Valid point."
Adhi moved closer carefully and peeked into the towel-lined box.
The kittens were still asleep in a tiny pile.
His entire expression changed instantly.
Soft.
Devastated.
Emotionally attached within seconds.
Arjun sighed.
"He likes them already."
"I am not," Adhi denied immediately without looking away from the kittens.
Then he looked up at Zeema.
"Can I come see them sometimes?"
Zeema glanced at him briefly.
Serious.
Thinking.
Adhi stood straighter automatically.
Then—
"Yes."
His face lit up immediately.
"Really?"
"No disturbing the kittens."
"I won't!"
"No shouting."
"…Okay."
"And wash your hands first."
Adhi nodded seriously like he had received official medical instructions.
Satisfied, Zeema continued walking toward the building entrance.
Beside her, Arjun looked at her quietly for a moment.
"You sound like hospital management."
"Hygiene prevents problems."
"Hm."
A small silence followed.
Then—
"You planned this very quickly," he said lightly.
"I dislike inefficient environments."
Arjun looked at the cats.
Then at her.
And smiled slightly.
For some reason—
Zeema looked away first.
A few minutes later, they reached the apartment.
Zeema pressed the bell once.
Footsteps approached from inside.
Then the door opened.
John stood there wearing a dark grey t-shirt with the sleeves folded neatly to his elbows.
His eyes first landed on Zeema.
Then slowly—
on the black-and-white cat resting calmly in her arms.
Candy stared back at him immediately.
Unimpressed.
John's gaze shifted toward Ginger hanging over Zeema's shoulder.
Then finally—
to Arjun standing behind her carrying the towel-lined box carefully.
A brief pause followed.
Quiet.
Observing.
From inside the apartment, Shalini looked up from the dining table where she had been cutting onions.
The moment she saw Arjun—
recognition crossed her face immediately.
The lift.
Before the silence could stretch too long, Zeema spoke calmly.
"Temporary relocation."
John looked at the cats again.
Then at the kitten box.
A tiny orange paw stretched upward sleepily from inside.
"…I see," he said at last.
His tone remained calm.
Controlled.
But noticeably more attentive now.
Arjun gave a small polite nod.
"Sorry for disturbing you, Sir."
"You're carrying three kittens," John replied while stepping aside.
"I think the disturbance already entered."
A quiet laugh escaped Shalini before she could stop it.
Arjun smiled slightly.
"Fair point."
Zeema walked inside first carrying Candy carefully toward the living room.
Ginger immediately jumped off her shoulder and disappeared into the apartment with complete disloyalty.
Traitor.
Arjun followed behind her carrying the kittens carefully with both hands.
Near the dining table, Shalini looked between him and Zeema once.
Then lowered her eyes back to the onions before anyone noticed.
But not before catching one small thing—
Zeema had slowed her walking slightly without realizing it.
Just enough to make sure Arjun was still following behind her with the kittens safely.
Zeema walked toward her room without saying much after that.
A few minutes later, she returned carrying two thick blankets and a couple of pillows stacked in her arms.
Behind her, John looked up from the kitchen briefly.
"You're taking my blankets."
"They are unused."
"That is not the point."
Zeema ignored him completely and walked toward the corner near the living room window.
Arjun had already placed the towel-lined box carefully on the floor.
Candy sat nearby watching everything with visible suspicion.
Ginger, meanwhile, had stretched himself across the sofa and emotionally disconnected from fatherhood entirely.
Together, Zeema and Arjun started arranging the space quietly.
No unnecessary conversation.
Just movement.
Practical.
Efficient.
Arjun unfolded the extra mattress while Zeema spread one of the blankets neatly across it.
Then she adjusted the corners again.
And again.
Arjun noticed.
"You've fixed that three times."
"It was uneven."
"It's for cats."
"They also deserve symmetry."
For one second, Arjun looked like he wanted to laugh.
Then wisely chose survival instead.
Near the kitchen entrance, Shalini stood cutting vegetables while pretending not to watch them.
Completely unsuccessfully.
Beside her, John stirred something in a pan slowly.
His expression remained neutral.
Observant.
Occasionally drifting toward the living room.
Mostly toward Arjun.
Shalini leaned slightly toward him.
Quietly.
"He looks normal."
John kept stirring the pan.
"That is exactly how suspicious people survive."
Shalini nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Meanwhile, near the mattress, Zeema carefully placed the pillows around the edges to make the space softer.
Candy immediately climbed onto the blanket and circled twice before lying down beside the kittens.
Apparently satisfied.
Arjun crouched nearby.
"Well," he said softly toward Mani, "your family upgraded housing very fast."
Ginger opened one eye from the sofa.
No remorse.
After making sure the kittens were settled properly, Zeema finally stood up.
"Done," she said.
Arjun looked at the small corner setup.
Blankets.
Pillows.
Warm lighting.
Tiny sleeping kittens.
"…This is better than my room," he admitted.
"Hm."
A small silence settled after that.
Comfortable.
Then Zeema took out her phone.
"Your number."
Arjun blinked once before giving it to her.
Practical tone.
But somehow—
Shalini still noticed the way Zeema typed it carefully before saving it.
After a while, Arjun finally stood near the doorway ready to leave.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
Zeema shook her head once.
"The kittens would not survive outside properly."
Still—
her voice sounded slightly softer than usual.
John noticed.
Unfortunately.
After Arjun left, the apartment became quieter again.
The door clicked shut.
For a few seconds, only the sounds of cooking and the ceiling fan remained.
Then Zeema walked toward John calmly and held out a spare key.
"Tomorrow," she said, "take Candy and the kittens for a vet checkup."
John took the key slowly.
"And you?"
"I have class."
A pause.
Then—
"Also," Zeema added, "make sure Ginger goes too."
From the sofa, Ginger lifted his head immediately.
Offended.