CHAPTER 2 Aromatherapy and the First Cat
The distinctive scent of the soothing chamomile shampoo blend mingled with the faint smell of dry cat food in the morning air. The fragrance rose up, filling every corner of the house's front porch, which had now been transformed so completely. After the rippling laughter and creaking footsteps of Noni and Nana slowly faded at the end of the alley on their way to school, the familiar silence returned.
For Wanda, those first moments alone in this four-by-five-meter garage area were more than mere preparation for starting her daily work routine. More than that, this silence was a daily ritual—the most honest and soothing form of emotional therapy for her soul.
The morning sun cast golden rays through the gaps in the wooden vents, illuminating fine motes of dust dancing in the air. Wanda drew a deep breath, letting the herbal aroma and the scent of pet-safe baby powder fill her lungs. She walked slowly past the rubber-topped grooming table, its corners already somewhat worn away, toward a large iron cage standing solidly in the corner of the porch.
She crouched in front of the cage door, then slowly and carefully opened its metal latch. A soft click sounded, breaking the morning silence.
From the warm darkness of the cage emerged a slightly plump Persian cat with thick cream-colored fur. Its stocky body moved slowly yet gracefully, showing off its perfectly groomed, luxuriously fluffed coat. The cat's name was Mochi. It was more than a pet; Mochi was the first cat Wanda had adopted, exactly eight years ago—the same day Krisna, her former husband, packed all his belongings and walked out of their lives forever.
Mochi was her most loyal silent witness. Eight years ago, on the cold, dusty concrete floor of this garage, Wanda had once curled up helplessly. Her tears fell without end, soaking the floor as her chest tightened with heartbreak and betrayal. In the middle of that emptiness, little Mochi, only a few months old, crawled closer and leaned its tiny body against Wanda's arm as if it understood the pain she could not put into words. On that cold floor, holding warm Mochi in her arms, Wanda wiped away her tears and promised herself she would get back on her feet. It was there, too, that she began planning a home-based grooming business using the last of her savings.
“Good morning, Mochi. Ready to help Mom work today?” Wanda whispered gently. Her voice was hoarse but filled with affection.
Wanda held out her hand, and Mochi immediately welcomed her fingers. The cat rubbed its round head against Wanda's palm, gently pressing the soft folds of its neck against its owner's fingers. The next moment, a deep, rhythmic soft purr began vibrating from Mochi's chest. That sound—a natural frequency said to have healing powers—always proved an effective remedy for calming the anxious trembling in Wanda's chest whenever memories of the past tried to return.
Wanda closed her eyes for a moment, letting Mochi's purr sink into her heart. To most people, the smell of pet-shampoo suds, the aroma of blended essential oils, and the scent of cat powder might seem like nothing more than signs of exhausting physical labor. But to Wanda, that blend of fragrances was the finest aromatherapy for her once-shattered soul.
This work had never made her wealthy. But with every drop of water she poured over her customers' cats, every strand of fur she patiently brushed, and every deafening blast from the hair dryer, honest income was created. That income consistently fed her two daughters, paid for Noni and Nana's schooling, and ensured that the three of them had a safe roof over their heads.
More than just a livelihood, every grooming process she carried out was Wanda's way of taking care of herself. Looking after innocent creatures that depended on the gentleness of her hands had slowly healed the wounds of betrayal and lies Krisna had left behind. In this humble garage, Wanda rediscovered her dignity as a woman and her true strength as a mother.
Mochi looked up at Wanda with clear, deep amber eyes. The cat let out a soft meow, a short sound that seemed to bring Wanda out of her reverie.
Wanda smiled sweetly and stroked Mochi's thick back once more before standing upright. She tied her long hair back, straightened the wrinkled cloth apron hanging on the wall, and began preparing her grooming equipment. A stainless-steel bucket, pet nail clippers, a fine-toothed comb, and a hair dryer were neatly arranged on the table. A new day had begun, and with the boundless love she carried within her, Wanda was ready to welcome whatever challenges and blessings came her way that day.