The Unexpected Gift: Billu and the Healing Power of Pure Companionship

When I Realised ‘I’ Needed Him

It has been a long time since I posted anything, and I realise now that partly, it has been due to an unexpected arrival in my life. I had never planned on adopting a pet. I never thought of myself as a pet person—I wouldn’t want one nor need any.

And yet Billu the cat, a tiny street kitten with a big spirit, had other plans. He chose and adopted us—suddenly, deeply, and completely. He has brought life and joy back into a home that had become dull and filled a space in our hearts we did not know existed.

Billu came to us in the first week of July. It was just a month after in  August that I went for a trek in the Himalayas. I remember missing Billu more than anyone else. It was there, away from him, that I realised just how much he had become part of my life.

Until then, I had thought of him simply as a kitten in need of shelter. On that trek, I understood that it was actually me who needed him—his presence, his spirit, his quiet companionship—to feel complete.

Parenthood and Pets

Earlier, when someone told me that adopting a pet is like having a baby, I would laugh and think of it as nonsense. I still do, in a way, though my reasons differ now.

With kids, the responsibility feels enormous and there are constant expectations—from ourselves and the world. You worry if you are doing the right thing, if you’re guiding them well, if you’re shaping their lives the way they need.

With Billu the cat, there is none of that pressure. I care, I nurture, and I love—and he simply exists, free and alive in his own spirit. Having a pet opens your heart in ways similar to having children, yet it is much more liberating. The love here is in its purest form: unconditional and uncomplicated. There are no expectations, no emotional burdens—only companionship. And yet somehow, Billu chooses to share his world with us.

A Tiny Marvel of Persistence

Billu the cat is a tiny marvel of persistence. When he first came to us, he had been paralysed in his hind legs. It was heart-wrenching to see him struggle. Yet, with patience, care, and an extraordinary spirit, he recovered.

Today, he climbs trees, explores rooftops, and sometimes forgets his way back—a testament to his miraculous resilience and boundless courage.

He is also a wanderer. He comes and goes as he pleases, following the call of his adventurous spirit. He has a curious love for old cartons, turning them into treasure caves where he hides, pounces, and dribbles paper balls like a little footballer.

Quirks and Adventures

Watching him in his element—playful, free, and entirely himself—is a joy I savor every day. Sometimes I even stretch in the morning with him in his space, half-watching, half-joining his little world, until he decides the adventure is over and leaves.

Billu the cat has many quirks that make life with him endlessly entertaining. He cleans himself with such dedication that it becomes a source of laughter, sometimes licking the very area we touch just after he has cleaned. He loves cuddling on our small jhoola, sometimes sitting vigil while I sleep, as if making sure I am safe.

Fresh water in a pot is often ignored if there’s a puddle nearby, and he will chase birds and get so caught up that he forgets his way back. He responds to my call almost always—not necessarily to come, but as a way of saying, “I am here, I am safe.” That is his silent reassurance, and it fills me with warmth.

The Girls and Billu

For Meera, Billu the cat’s presence has worked like therapy. When he’s in the mood, he follows her everywhere. It’s funny and heartwarming at the same time. He knows she loves him in a way only she can—she frets, cuddles, and never complains, even when he accidentally scratches her with his claws.

As for Vrunda, Billu seems to mirror her spirit. He is playful when she’s awake and curls up with her when she dozes off. He softly holds her hands and nibbles gently, never hurting her. Vrunda, in her own way, doesn’t fret or fuss about his meals or sleep, yet the two share a quiet, profound love that doesn’t need words.

Both the girls are fiercely protective of him, yet, like true Gen Zers, they also let him be—respecting his independence while cherishing their bond with him.

And my husband—he was initially so averse when Billu the cat arrived. He accepted him only for our sake. Yet, over time, it became clear that he cares for Billu too.

Now, he is completely at ease with him occupying our bed, lounging on his sofa, and making his presence felt around the house. Billu has quietly won over every heart in our family.

Giving Life a New Dimension

As with the house, he has taken such a huge space in my heart. With Vrunda and Meera, I was never a worrying mother—I let them fall, get hurt, and find their own way. I wanted them to be free.

But with Billu the cat, I worry when he wanders too far, when he chooses to rest in spaces that seem unsafe, when I fear he might lose his way. And I tell myself I shouldn’t. Perhaps it’s age, this tenderness, this heightened awareness of fragility—or perhaps it’s just the depth of love.

I now strongly believe that Billu the cat is a blessing God sent to us when we needed it the most. He made me realise that God is walking beside me when I’m in pain. Billu is a reminder that He cares and never leaves you alone.

Billu has taught me that love can be pure, simple, and free. There are no expectations, no rules, no pressure—just the joy of caring, giving, and sharing life with a spirited little being. That love need not be complicated to be profound.

His presence, his spirit, his little adventures, his quirks, and his quiet companionship have filled our home and our hearts with light, warmth, and joy. And for that, I cherish every cuddle, every playful chase, and every little moment we share with Billu the cat.