Inktober: Day 26 - Rat

With a sigh, I fell back into my chair and used the momentum to roll over to my desk where a large cage sat. Inside, a small white rat hopped over to the bars and stood on her hind legs, her little nose twitching in my direction. I smiled and popped open the top of the cage, reached inside, and pulled out the rat, letting her down in my lap and petting the top of her head very gently with the tip of my finger. “Hey Zahra,” I said softly.
Zahra looked up at with her blind eyes and her little face took an expression that I came to believe meant happiness.
“You know, most girls don’t keep pet rats.”
A smile came to my face and I turned that smile to the young man standing in my doorway. “Well, you do keep saying I’m not like most girls, Nikola.” I replied.
“Most girls aren’t like most girls. But you’re special.” He grinned and came over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing at my neck. “What did you call her?”
“Her name is Zahra. She’s blind but one of the best friends I’ve had since Minnie died.” I said, my thoughts immediately going back to my cat of five years that got sick and died without any known cause. When that happened, Nikola and my roommate, Talia, both got Zahra for me.
“So, I hate to tear you away from Zahra, I really do, but you and I have a date, missy.” He said, turning his nose up playfully.
“Oh, and what if I want to stay with Zahra?”
“Well too bad, because your roommate said I could kidnap you.”
“Well, I guess I should go with you then.” I replied. “Sorry, Zahra, I’ll be back tonight.” Standing, I set her back down in her cage, fed her, and then turned to Nikola. “You gonna lead the way, Mr. Gentleman?”
“Not this time. I’ll meet you outside after I visit your bathroom.”
I rolled my eyes but started out the door, deciding I would thank my roommate for giving him the okay to kidnap me.
Left behind in my room, Nikola pulled something from his pocket. Opening the strange little container, he glanced at the sparkly ring inside. With a nervous smile, he returned it to his pocket and went to the bathroom before hurrying to catch up with me.